BEYOND THE FALLOUT

mind and soul

Coming at high speed, the bullet instantly came to a halt mid-air. All eyes were wide open as wonder and questions filled the minds of every soul present.

What just happened, you might wonder? As unbelievable as it was, it was very simple to understand. The bullet stopped by an arms length in front of Echo. Then it fell to the ground.

What sort of sorcery was that? the woman yelled.

Now I was mad. You people lack manners, Echo said as she slowly took bold steps toward them.

Shoot her down! one of the comrades yelled. Immediately, they brought out their pistols and shot simultaneously at Echo.

All aims focused on her. What was initially thought to be a bloodbath of a common nobody like Echo became a scene that questioned beliefs.

What the hell! another comrade yelled as he kept on shooting.

Echo, still in perfect statue and appearance, continued to walk toward them as all the bullets fired at her bounced off their trajectory a few meters from her.

Impossible! one of the comrades yelled.

Pathetic, Echo said, stretching her hand forth. With a swift wave of her right palm, all the guns began to disintegrate.

Ahhhh! What in Gods name is this? the woman yelled, throwing her disintegrating gun to the ground.

Shes part of the Cyclops Order! one of the comrades yelled in fear.

What!? the woman turned to him. Are you crazy? The Order? Youre crazy! she shouted at him in an aggressive manner.

But waitan idea suddenly popped in her head. Could she truly be part of the Order? she questioned herself, turning her gaze toward Echo.

Its the Order! another comrade yelled.

Impossible! the woman said out loud. Shoot her down with everything youve got! she added.

In that instant, the whole place became rowdy. The sounds of bullets firing from gun nozzles, the swerving of bullets in mid-air...

Instantly, I became even angrier. The world is already in a critical state. There are people out there trying to make a living in this cursed worldwhile people like you lie around, robbing and maltreating others just because you're stronger.

I gnashed my teeth together and began to squeeze my palms tightly into fists.

Instantly, the woman and her comrades began to scream. Their bodies tightened and became rigid as they gasped for breath. It was like a strange force had overwhelmed them.

This kind of attitude is what makes me mad, Echo said, her gaze fixed on them and her intentions dangerous.

Ahhh! they continued to scream.

Pitiful. With a gentle exhale, Echo instantly calmed herself. Immediately, they fell to the ground.

Go away, Echo said to them in a calm tone. From now on, dont hurt anyone ever again. Understood?

Everyone lay on the ground, speechless and terrified. They couldnt comprehend what had just happened.

You b***h! the woman shouted at Echo. Go to hell! she added, swiftly pulling a small dagger from her boot and throwing it straight at my head.

Pathetic, I whispered to myself.

A second before the blade touched me, it disintegratedand so did the woman.

Ahhhh! they screamed, immediately taking to their heels.

I stood there, watching them run off, terrifiedwhen suddenly my body began to hurt all over. My heart began to race, and steam began rising from my skin.

Shit! I exclaimed, falling to my knees.

Whats wrong with me? I whispered. I feel like Im about to die. I began gasping for breath.

In a disoriented state, I heard something. A voicefamiliar and unfamiliar at the same time.

I looked forward, and to my surprise, at a distance, was someone coming toward me, yelling my name.

It was Kael.

Oh my God, Echo, where did you go? Kael said as he came closer to me. I just went out to look for food supplies and gear, and the moment I came back you were gone. You know you shouldnt just leave people like that, Kael added.

At that moment, I didnt know why, but I felt strange. Seeing him before me, talking and saying my name made me feel kind of safe. It was like seeing a close friend I hadnt seen in a very long time.

I didnt know how I feltbecause I didnt remember how feelings felt.

I kept on staring at him as he came to me.

Echo, you know in some countries thats considered rudeand you could even be hanged for that, Kael said with a funny expression. Uhn? Why are you staring at me like that? Its weird.

Oh s**t! Echo, what happened? he said as he stood before me. Youre steaming again.

Im... fi... ne... Echo muttered in hesitation as she passed out. Immediately, I grabbed her.

Dont worry, I got you. You rest now, okay? Im right here. Ill take care of you, Kael said as he held her in his arms.

Wow. What the hell happened here? I said, holding the unconscious Echo in my arms. We need to leave here fast, before we attract Netherwalkers.

I pulled a small bottle from my pocket and poured some of its content into Echos mouth. Instantly, her steaming body stopped generating heat.

Alright, with that out of the waygrrnn! I exclaimed, lifting Echo and placing her on my back.

What? Shes this heavy? I said, falling to the ground but catching myself with my right leg. Imagine if she had her memories.

Alright, where to now? I wondered, looking around and pondering a route to take.

I think Ill take this one, I said, turning to my left and taking the path.

In a world where civilization at its highest stage is nothing more than a gathering of thieves and thugs, there isnt much to expect. How did this world fall so low?thats the question survivors kept asking.

Rumors spread. Small groups formed to tackle the negative outcomes of this devastated world. Researchers and detectives were developed in hopes of finding the cause of the pandemic and a proper solution.

But everything changed with the arrival of the Cyclops Order.

What was meant to bring peace, has now made the world even more dangerous. Every nook and cranny, every group and community knows the name: Cyclops Order.

And the rule is simple: when you see a Cyclops, run like your life depends on it.

Kael kept walking further down the path. On his back was Echo.

They headed into the vastness of this cursed, unpredictable worldwhere no one knows what might happen in the next second.

Oh, the soldier man came running home...

He was armed to the teeth, but not to his soul...

Oh soldier, came home to his wife and kids...

A tale he kept on saying to himself, he forgets they were all killed...

Kael sang as he kept walking.