The next day, as planned, the whole group gathered in a classroom away from the other students. Hayden was the first to arrive, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed. Katie showed up shortly after, her usual energy in full force, followed by Flora, Mary, and William. Once everyone was present, the atmosphere grew serious — they all felt that what was about to be said was important.
Hayden (crossing his arms):
"Alright, Blue, we're all here. Yesterday, you said you had something important to tell us. So go ahead, spit it out."
A glowing interface appeared in the air before the group. Blue spoke, his voice deep and composed — a tone that surprised everyone, used as they were to his usually lighter mood.
Blue:
"What I'm about to tell you might change how you see the situation... and maybe even how you see me. Last night, I intercepted a conversation between two entities that are neither human nor zombies. They call themselves Sol and Luna. These two... they're connected to my creator — the one who designed the system Hayden uses."
The expressions around the table shifted from confused to serious.
Mary (raising an eyebrow):
"Wait… your creator? You mean you have a defined origin, a purpose given by someone? This system wasn't just a random phenomenon?"
Blue:
"Exactly, Mary. The system was sent here by my creator to help humanity survive. But here's the problem: Sol and Luna don't seem to share that goal. On the contrary, they want to make things worse."
Katie (frowning):
"Worse? Are you serious? The world's already a freaking mess full of zombies, and you're saying it can get even worse?"
A heavy silence settled over the room. The idea of another looming catastrophe was almost too much to process.
Flora (with a worried tone):
"But why would they do that? That makes no sense! Isn't there already enough suffering?"
Blue (after a pause):
"Their goal remains unclear, but they seem to see all this as some sort of test... or punishment. What I do know is that they see humanity as something deeply flawed. And you, Hayden… they're watching you. The fact that you hold this system doesn't sit well with them."
William (calmly):
"So not only do we have to survive zombies, but now we also have to prepare for... divine entities trying to make things worse? Fascinating."
Hayden (sighing):
"Fantastic. Just what I needed. So what now — we have to fight gods?"
Blue:
"Not just yet. For now, they're watching. But they won't hesitate to act if you become a threat to their plans."
Mary (placing her hand on the table, serious):
"So what we need to do is get ready. Understand this system inside and out, train, and find a way to face what's coming. We can't just sit around waiting for it to get worse."
Katie (suddenly standing):
"That's where my training idea makes perfect sense! Hayden, you always say this system still has secrets to uncover. Well, we're going to uncover them. Together."
Hayden (crossing his arms, slightly smiling):
"You're gonna make me regret saying yes yesterday… But yeah, you're right. We'll train. Blue, keep feeding us info. We're gonna need everything we can get."
Blue (in a more optimistic tone):
"You're on the right path. It won't be easy, but if you stick together, you might just have a chance against this chaos."
The group sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the information. But a spark of determination flickered in their eyes. Whatever lay ahead, they knew they had to move forward together.
After a few practical discussions about their training plan, Hayden threw in:
Hayden (smiling):
"Alright, we've got a lot of work to do… And Katie, get ready to eat dust."
Katie (with a sly grin):
"We'll see about that, boss man."
The tension had lightened slightly, but the shadow of Sol and Luna still loomed. The group was ready to face what was coming — but each of them knew the real test was only just beginning.
The Situation at the Boarding School and High School
Since the events of September 10, a palpable tension had settled over the boarding school and the high school. Students found it increasingly difficult to focus on their studies — and for good reason: the announcement that the world was being overrun by a zombie invasion had created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Still, within the walls of the institution, a semblance of normalcy remained. Teachers did their best to keep classes going, though academics were no longer the top priority. Groups of students naturally formed — some discussed survival plans, while others tried to ignore the grim reality by diving into distractions.
The principal, Mr. Lancaster, had taken charge of the situation with firm resolve. A commanding man with a deep, reassuring voice, he worked hard to issue clear directives to ensure the students' safety. He organized regular patrols with the teaching staff and had locked down all non-essential entrances to the building to prevent any outside intrusion. His immediate goal was simple: maintain order and protect the young people under his care.
However, in his private moments, Mr. Lancaster reflected on the future. He knew the current situation couldn't last forever. The boarding school and high school were not built to withstand a prolonged crisis. He was considering turning the building into a true stronghold, with stocked provisions and reinforced defenses — but doing so would require organization and resources he did not yet have. He also thought about reaching out to authorities or external groups to explore possibilities of evacuation or forming alliances.
Afternoon in the Gym: The Showdown Between Hayden and Katie
After a tense morning filled with strategic discussions, Hayden's group met up in the gym as planned. The space was vast, bathed in dim light streaming through large dusty windows. In the center, the boxing ring stood surprisingly intact — a relic from a time when fights were a sport, not a matter of survival.
Katie (with a teasing smile):
"So, boss man, ready to show us what you're made of? Or do you want me to go easy on you?"
Hayden (chuckling):
"I could ask you the same, Katie. I hope you warmed up, 'cause I'm not holding back."
The rest of the group gathered around the ring, each grabbing a chair or sitting on benches, curious to see how this match would unfold. Mary, ever the logical and analytical one, had pulled out a notebook to jot down the strengths and weaknesses of both fighters. Flora wore an excited smile, clearly hyped for the show. William, as always, observed calmly, arms crossed, but with clear interest in his gaze.
The Start of the Fight
Both fighters stepped onto the ring. Hayden wore a simple black t-shirt and shorts, while Katie had chosen form-fitting sportswear that allowed full freedom of movement. The rules were simple: no fatal blows, but everything else was fair game.
From the first move, the mood shifted. Katie struck first — fast as lightning. She launched a left hook followed by a straight punch to the abdomen. Hayden blocked both with calculated precision.
Katie:
"Not bad… But let's see if you can keep up with this!"
She followed with a sweeping leg kick, forcing Hayden to step back to avoid falling. He countered with a sharp jab aimed at her shoulder, but Katie dodged with a fluid motion.
Hayden:
"Looks like you haven't lost your touch — but you're still predictable."
Katie (mocking):
"Predictable? That's rich, coming from you."
Mid-Fight: The Intensity Builds
Sweat began to bead on their foreheads as the intensity increased. Hayden used his size and strength to try and dominate Katie, pressing forward with a series of straight punches and feints to break her guard. Katie relied on her speed and agility, dodging with lateral movements and counterattacking whenever she saw an opening.
At one point, Katie managed to feint a hook and land an uppercut that caught Hayden on the chin. He staggered slightly but quickly regained his footing.
Flora (shouting):
"Wow, Katie, you're amazing!"
William (calmly):
"Don't underestimate Hayden. He hasn't shown everything yet."
As if responding to William's remark, Hayden shifted tactics. He moved with more precision, trying to anticipate Katie's attacks. In a quick exchange, he managed to block her punch and, in a fluid motion, grabbed her arm and swept her to the ground.
Hayden (breathless but smiling):
"Now what are you gonna do?"
Caught in a tricky spot, Katie used her legs to kick the inside of Hayden's knee, forcing him to release her.
End of the Fight: A Moment of Respect
After about fifteen minutes of intense back-and-forth, both fighters were exhausted. Katie went for one last strike — a direct punch to the face — but Hayden narrowly dodged and stopped his fist just a few centimeters from her abdomen.
Hayden (with a grin):
"Game over, Katie. I win."
Katie (laughing despite herself):
"Alright, you got me… this time. But next time, I swear I'm the one putting you down."
They stepped down from the ring to the sound of applause and playful commentary from the group. Despite their exhaustion, a mutual respect shone in their eyes. This match had strengthened their bond and proved to everyone that they were ready to push their limits to face the trials ahead.
Now comes the moment when the system activates after the fight, showing the updated stat pages for Hayden and Katie.