Chapter 2
The ship arrived at the Rexalian port as the sun was setting over the horizon. Senel's group disembarked from the vessel and greeted the Rexalian soldier standing guard on the port.
"Excuse me," Will said. "Could you tell us how to get to Castle Rexalia?"
The soldier jumped with a start. "Uh, I'm sorry, sir...Castle Rexalia is off limits. A virus has plagued the entire place, turning its victims into violent savages."
"No, we're here to find a cure," Will said. "We're under the orders of Her Excellency, Madame Musette herself."
The soldier gasped. "Oh, Her Excellency sent you? Please forgive my rudeness. I'll drive you to the Dead Zone."
"The D-D-Dead Zone?" Norma asked.
"That's what we call the infected area," the soldier went on. "The castle itself, and the area within the one-mile radius. We call it the Dead Zone, because anyone who crosses the barricade is as good as dead."
The soldier led the group to a van, and everyone climbed aboard. Then the soldier began to drive.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this..." Moses lamented.
"We've already come this far," Will said. "We'll see it through to the end."
The group remained silent for the remainder of the ride. When they arrived at the barricade, they climbed out, and the soldier approached the guards who were on duty.
"Excuse me; these people were sent by Madame Musette," the soldier said.
"Is that so?" the guard asked. "Identify yourselves."
The group nodded, and they each took turns introducing themselves.
"All right. I'm Will Raynard."
"I'm Senel Coolidge."
"I am Chloe Valens."
"I'm Norma Beatty."
"I'm Moses Sandor."
"I'm Jay."
"I'm Shirley. My true name is Fennes."
"I'm Thyra. My true name is Welzes."
Everyone paused for a moment.
"Hello, G-Girl..." Norma called.
Grune looked around. "Hmm?"
"Uh...this is Grune," Senel told the guard.
"Hmm, I recognize the names," the guard said. "You're the ones who defeated Vaclav when he was waging the war against Gadoria, aren't you? In accordance to Her Excellency's wishes, I shall let you pass. Take this path to the castle, but be careful. There may be some hypersapiens lurking about. They're extremely dangerous, especially in large groups."
Senel nodded. "Yeah, we've already been warned about the hypersapiens."
"Good luck, everyone," the first soldier said. "Oh, there's one more thing you should know before you go. We received a report that before the scientists were killed, they managed to capture the original hypersapien and lock it up in the lab."
"Ah, thank you," Jay said. "That information will be a great help."
"No kidding," Senel agreed. "Well, let's get going."
The party began to cross the barricade and walk down the path to the castle. Arnold and Elsa stayed behind.
"So, who are you?" the guard asked. "You're not going with them?"
"Oh, I'm Arnold Alcott, and this is my daughter Elsa," Arnold said. "We'll be creating the antidote once they bring the sample back."
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The party followed the path as the road seemed to be getting darker, and a thick fog was beginning to set in.
"This is awful..." Chloe said. "Is this what happened to the glorious empire of Rexalia?"
"Musette would be heartbroken if she saw this," Shirley said.
As they continued down the path, they spotted a figure in the shadows ahead, walking awkwardly.
"Look, someone's coming!" Norma called.
"It looks like a Rexalian soldier," Chloe said.
"Why's he walkin' so funny?" Moses asked.
The group cautiously approached the soldier, but stopped when they heard some vicious snarling noises from the soldier.
"He's making such horrible noises..." Thyra said.
The group gasped as they came to a realization.
"Is that...a hypersapien?" Shirley asked.
"Most likely," Will said. "Wait here."
"Will, be careful," Senel warned.
Will slowly moved closer to the figure, drawing out his handgun. The soldier continued to walk awkwardly, seemingly unaware of the historian's approach. Will aimed the gun and fired several laser shots, striking the soldier's chest. The soldier snarled with each shot, then fell to the ground. Will knelt down beside the soldier, pulling out the DNA scanner.
"Will, what are you doing?" Senel asked as the party gathered around.
Will inserted the syringe into the soldier's neck, drawing blood. He then inserted the syringe into the scanner for the analysis. "Looks like a negative match."
Pausing for a moment, Will pulled off the soldier's helmet, and the party immediately noticed its other physical features. He had veins popping from his head, bloodshot red eyes, and a mouthful of sharp, green teeth. Additionally, a black sludge was oozing from the soldier's mouth.
"Eeuw, look at his eyes!" Thyra cried.
"The better to see you with, my dear!" Norma cackled.
The soldier lifted his head, bearing his green teeth, snarling at the party.
"Ah!" Shirley gasped. "What big teeth he has!"
"The better to eat you with, hello!" Norma called.
"Norma, cut it out!" Senel snapped.
Will put the scanner away. "All right, let's get moving."
The group nodded in agreement. The soldier roared even louder, until Jay took his gun and shot him in the head. Then the heroes began to walk down the path again.
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Meanwhile, the Terrors had already made their way into the castle, exploring the long, dark corridors.
"So Solon, how serious is this virus?" Melanie asked.
"From what was reported to me, its victims are supposed to turn into violent savages," Solon replied. "We need to find out how the virus is spread. Then we can use it to take control of the Legacy."
"And immunize ourselves," Cashel added. "The virus will do us no good if we get infected, too."
"I agree," Melanie said.
"Don't worry, no virus is a match for our strength," Solon said.
"Of course, Solon," Cashel agreed.
"We should start checking the rooms," Melanie said.
"Yes, there's nothing in this empty corridors," Cashel said.
Solon stopped in front of a random door. "This looks like as good a room as any."
All three of them stood in front of the door, ready to charge in.
"Ready?" Solon warned. "Now!"
He kicked the door open, and the Terrors stepped into the room in a defensive stance. The room was a complete mess; the decorations had been knocked to the floor, and the walls were stained with blood.
"It must have been a complete massacre in here," Solon said. "I'm only sad that I wasn't the one who caused it."
"Or at least witness it," Cashel added.
Just then, a female hypersapien in a purple dress stepped out awkwardly, snarling at the Terrors. They spread around, quickly surrounding her as she snarled at them. As the hypersapien got ready to pounce, Solon pulled his laser gun, shooting her in the head and killing her. Solon grinned as the dead body hit the floor with a thud.
"So this is a virus victim?" Melanie asked.
"She didn't even seem human," Cashel said.
"It's just like the report..." Solon mused. "She was a savage...even moreso than described. You know...this gives me an idea."
"What is it, Solon?" Melanie asked.
"I rather enjoyed killing this victim. So why don't we search for more victims and slaughter them?"
"Yes, a brilliant idea!" Cashel agreed. "I love it!"
"Well then, let's quench our thirsts, shall we?" Solon turned and left the room, followed by the other Terrors.
