Petibone (Fantasmical 2024)

17. Zombie Apocalypse_ ZombieHorde

Prompt: You believe you're the one destined to save the world from the zombie apocalypse. Will you rise as humanity's hero, or succumb to the chaos?

**

Word quickly spread that a massive horde of zombies was approaching the border of our empire from the north. They were advancing slowly, but the urgency and emergency were palpable. Everyone was panicked because what we had heard about the zombies was terrifying.

Armies were dispatched to halt the zombies, but they never returned. As the ranks of soldiers dwindled, desperate measures were taken, including deploying wizards and dragons. Despite their valiant efforts, the zombie horde seemed unstoppable, casting a shadow of impending doom over the empire.

Without updates on the situation, the entire empire was on edge, eagerly awaiting any news. Where were the zombies? And where had each hero met their fate? The suspense was palpable, adding to the tension that gripped us all.

Then, one day, the wizard summoned me. I, a humble goblin, knew things would be dire if he called for me, likely wanting to entrust me with some message delivery. But were there any heroes left who could be asked to stop the zombies?

The wizard, Maxwell, a tall and imposing figure with a long beard and piercing eyes, awaited me with a map. As I suspected, he had found a retired, once-great wizard who might still be of help. "It's Abbie. Don't be fooled by her frail old lady appearance; she once wielded the most devastating earth magic. I hope she still knows how to use it," said Maxwell grimly.

"What if all our heroes have tried and failed?" I asked, worried.

"Then, my dear little goblin, we flee in great haste!" he replied.

I was curious if they had any concrete escape plans, but he hurried me, having calculated that the zombies would be crawling within the borders of Narig in seven days. There was no time to think; I just needed to grab Abbie and bring her before the zombies.

It wasn't mentioned that I had to get close to the zombies. But I hurried, not wanting the empire's fall to be my fault.

Abbie lived near the city in a small house by the river. Maxwell had marked the spot with a big red X on the map and precisely described the house: small with a well in front.

I found the well, but the house was far from sight. Desperately, I wandered further into the forest, then back to the well. Out of nowhere, a beautiful black cat appeared, and for a moment, I feared reencountering the hellcat. But luckily, this cat just rubbed against me and meowed.

"Have you seen a small house around here?" I asked, petting its head. It started purring, and when I looked up again, the house stood as if it had always been there.

An old woman stood before it with her hands on her hips. "Lucifer! Don't talk to strangers!" she scolded the cat, which seemed to understand. The cat meowed and slipped behind the woman, peeking out from behind her.

"So you're Abbie, right?" I asked, delighted.

"That depends on who is asking and why!" she replied, not sounding friendly.

"I bring a message from Maxwell," I said, preparing to deliver it, but she interrupted:

"That good-for-nothing better not be sending me messages!" And with that, she turned and went into the house, practically leaving me standing there.

"Abbie, please!" I hurried after her. "The fate of the empire depends on you! Zombies are marching this way, and they turn every living thing in their path into one of them!" I blurted out as I entered the tiny house. It was like a replica of Maxwell's quarters, with stuffed animals' glassy eyes staring at me from every shelf.