LOGINThe sky began to brighten through the morning mist.Shane woke early and stood in the clearing, breathing in the fresh air. He ordered the team to leave in half an hour.The team had no Beyonder skilled at scouting.So, Shane followed one rule.They moved every six hours.That gave supernatural horrors less time to find them.So far, it worked. Shane’s team was still together six months after the apocalypse began. Some fell behind and died, but that was unavoidable in this world.Twenty-one members of the team died yesterday.Shane considered that a good result.A supernatural horror chased them, and only twenty-one died.Many of those deaths happened inside [Choices] too.They owed much of their survival to the vehicle [Choice]. It gave them twenty more vehicles and allowed more survivors to escape.Without those vehicles, twice as many people might have died yesterday.The team might even have lost half its members!Shane had seen losses like that countless times.Survivors died,
Shane felt no guilt about revealing Zachary’s abilities. He answered at once.“Zachary follows the Path of Flesh. He’s a Sequence 9 Flesh Apprentice, which lets him heal wounds rapidly. Blood, flesh, and killing make him stronger. The longer he fights, the more dangerous he becomes."And another thing…"Most Beyonders are affected by their paths. If they stop resisting those urges and embrace them, they can grow stronger and advance through the Sequences. The Path of Flesh drives its followers toward bloodlust, madness, and brutality."Everything clicked into place for Leroy!No wonder!Zachary always acted like a madman. Whenever he fought, he threw himself into battle without caring what happened to his body. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and sometimes even his arms and legs!He fought until he was barely alive.He was excited when the [Choice] offered a vehicle in exchange for a hand too.So, the Path of Flesh caused his behavior, and indulging it helped him grow stronger!Shane
Leroy nodded. He had plenty of questions.Now that he had a chance to ask, he intended to use it.He thought for a moment, then asked his first question."We know of three ways to become a Beyonder. Is there a fourth?"Shane was not surprised.He could see Leroy’s ambition.Leroy would never be content to remain an ordinary man forever.Shane’s gaze stayed calm behind his glasses. He answered at once."Yes, there are special Awakening Potions. Taking one gives you a chance to become a Beyonder, but it locks you into the potion’s path. For example..."I’ve heard of a potion called Light of the Night. It can awaken someone as a Beyonder on the Path of Night."Leroy’s interest stirred.An Awakening Potion... Light of the Night...He had never heard of that route before.Good.That gave him another way to become a Beyonder. The fixed path hardly mattered if it worked.Shane continued."There’s another way. If you draw the attention of a god, you might awaken. But as far as I know... ben
Blondie glanced at Zachary in the distance. His meaning was clear.Calvin shook his head helplessly and said no more.Leroy wore a faint smile. He had kept a low profile, but he always watched the others on the team, especially the Beyonders.Calvin usually ate with Shane.Shane also treated him with great respect.They clearly were more than just master and servant.So, treating Calvin well was another way to win Shane over.After what happened, Shane looked at Leroy more warmly.Shane understood what Leroy was doing.However, a good man judged others by their actions. If he judged their every thought, no one would measure up.Leroy picked up his fork, took a piece of rabbit that was crisp on the outside and tender within, and put it in his mouth.Rich flavor filled his mouth at once!The rabbit’s fat melted on his tongue!He could hardly describe how good it tasted!It was the best meat Leroy had ever eaten!As he ate, he felt a faint current of spiritual energy move through his b
"Coming!"Calvin answered. He soon returned with an apron on and a full set of cooking equipment.He brought a stewpot, a grill, a cutting board, and an assortment of knives.He had everything he might need!Leroy stared.Wow...Calvin really knew what he was doing!They were only cooking a rabbit. Did they need all this equipment?Calvin noticed Leroy’s surprise and explained with a smile."I’m a certified chef. Shane’s particular about his food, so I kept my equipment ready. Since the apocalypse began, I’ve barely used it."Leroy gave him a thumbs-up.Impressive!Blondie swallowed."We’re in for a treat! What are we waiting for? Get cooking, Calvin! I’m starving!"Calvin took the Demon Spirit Rabbit from Leroy and examined it with an appreciative look. "You can tell it’s a mystical creature. This fat rabbit must weigh at least fourteen pounds. It would be a shame to roast the whole thing."I suggest we roast the meaty parts and make soup with the bones. We could add some potatoes t
Leroy looked toward the darkness again."And Cheryl."He was calling to the team’s last Beyonder, Cheryl Nolan.Energy stirred in the darkness. She seemed to be deciding whether to join them.Three full seconds passed.Then Cheryl silently stepped out.She did not like drawing attention to herself or joining gatherings like this.However, the rabbit was too tempting!The apocalypse began six months ago!None of them had eaten a proper meal in half a year!When the apocalypse struck, a strange power spoiled all the food in their world. Even canned goods with long shelf lives turned rotten and filled with deadly toxins.A single bite could kill, and the food tasted vile!It forced people to enter [Choices] to get something to eat.They could refuse, of course. Then they would starve.So even the Beyonders went hungry most days.Bread was a luxury. Meat was almost beyond imagining!In this world, a steady supply of eggs and toast could buy an army of loyal fighters.Now four of the team







