Thanks for viewing. Please READ and REVIEW. Thank you so much.


NEW WORLD

A WALKING DEAD Fanfiction


Previously: Daryl stood guard on the highest tower of the Sky Castle. He killed two vultures as he waited the meeting of all committee heads and the General to finish. Rick, the captain of Sky Army's Offense Troop gravely told Daryl that the directive given was to annihilate all humans on and beneath land—living and dead.


Chapter 3: Woodbury


I pull my saber free and stick its end to the head of the Walker.

"I hope that's the last one," Maggie walked towards me holding her mace.

"I wouldn't wish that if I were you," Andrea said wiping the blood on her spear with a cloth. "They're the only thing that keeps the Hyenas away."

Maggie sighed. "I don't forget."

Three of us, and three Walkers; the very same ones who were clawing the ground last night, I believe. "Stupid fence," Maggie uttered as we push the bodies to the other side of the barricade through the gap below. "I mean, why do we have these if they don't keep the damn Walkers out?"

"We need more materials to improve our fence," Andrea said. "Wood, metal..." Both of them looked at me expectantly. "The dwellers of Cityscape have all the things we need to build a strong wall," I told them. "But the chances of them agreeing to barter went significantly down when we refused to roof the city immigrants a few months ago." I look at Andrea. "I'm sure the Governor has his reasons for refusing to accommodate them."

Andrea expelled air and put her hands on her waist and pursed her lips like she doesn't know what to say.

I, Maggie and Andrea walked out of the woods covering half of ground where our burrows are located. We just left the Walkers' bodies lying on the other side of the barricade to keep other kinds of monsters away; just like what Andrea said, Walkers repel the Hyenas.

We are almost out of the forest when Miguel came to view. "Ladies, we've been looking for you." Miguel is tall, about 6 feet in height, early forties in age. He has Spanish features but speaks English without accent. Miguel is the Deputy Chief of the First Fighter Squad. He's accompanied by two warriors; they're all on horses with two more being led by Miguel's men.

"Lady Councilor," Miguel addressed Andrea. "The Governor wants you at the port's gate. The envoys from Red Shore and Sandyrocks have arrived. Your assistance is needed to clear the goods they have brought."

"Sandyrocks?" Andrea repeated with narrowed eyes. "So we have visitors from the desert?" She looked at me and Maggie. "They did not join the first Descend." I nodded.

"More reason why we need you to inspect their cargoes," Miguel said. Now he turned to Maggie who walked towards her horse. "Lieutenant Rhee, your post is at Burrow Six, point nine forty-five. I'm surprised seeing you right across where you should be. You might be interested to know that your two warriors barely succeeded in impeding trespass of five Norms." Maggie rolled her eyes and rode her horse away.

Andrea prepared to do the same with her horse.

"They will be accompanying you to the center-river point," Miguel told her and the two warriors positioned themselves to each of Andrea's side. "A boat is waiting there."

Andrea nodded to me and went.

"As for you, Architect—"

"I know my duties, Deputy," I walked past him and his horse. He rode slowly to keep beside me. "It's yours that I'm wondering about. I didn't know being part of the Fighter Squad involves fetching ladies."

"I do as I am commanded," he answered sternly. "And you should leave killing Walkers to warriors. The Governor allowed you your saber believing that you'll use it responsibly."

"I am," I defended. "All the warriors are busy with the preparation for the Descend. I wouldn't bother anyone just to kill three Walkers." I sighed. "It's just that I ran to Maggie and Andrea and it's rare that we have common free time so we went together."

Miguel did not respond but I can feel his stare even until we have emerged from the woods and parted ways.

It's a beautiful morning with the sun shining vividly from the sky. I didn't want to admit it, but I do look forward to the Descend. It's been three years since the first one; three years since I last saw Daryl and the others. But my growing worry has not left me.

I walked to Burrow 2 and descended through the iron passageway on the ground and to the lift. I am to help the other Builders in clearing a new passageway from Burrow 2 to 3. After that, I plan to visit Judith at this burrow's children's quarter. I promised to be with her later at the Center.

The Descend will take place at the Center—a circular gathering ground considered the heart of Landers civilization; it's equivalent to the Square of the Skies. The Center is surrounded by the burrows of the current capital colony: Woodbury.

The Woodbury colony—the colony where I belong to—is composed of six large settlements; each is circle in shape, surrounding the Center like rings of a tree. The colony runs under the leadership of Philip the Governor. Our burrows were ploughed on a plateau: forest lands enclosed by mountains where the Skies were erected. This makes the Square of the Skies and the Center of the Land adjacent to each other.

It was agreed, before the Flyers took off to the sky, that every three years, they will descend to bring news of their research, barter food and supplies, and to ferry the children to who have been born with wings on Land to the Skies. Three years ago, the first Descend took place. We have built a market on the Center and during that time, Woodbury opened its gates to Landers from different colonies and settlements. Even Norms (technically, humans who did not evolve; neither sprouted wings nor have the ability to live underground) were permitted to take part of the event.

The same is happening for the second Descend. Only, we are expecting a bigger number of people. Also, instead of just a market, the Governor and the Council decided to put up a Carnival, which will feature a market, a tournament and a ball. At first I thought it was an unnecessary, even impractical idea. But these are dark times and people crave the taste of the past's normalcies and festivities. And this only happens every three years.

I drew on Woodbury's underground map where the Builders must put the new passageway. After giving a few directions and supervising them for a bit. I went for Judith at the children's quarters. She ran immediately after seeing me.

"Tonight, Emyli!" she told me excitedly. I nodded. She looks more and more like Lori each day.

"Have you prepared your tokens?" I asked her. "There might be a few things you'd like to trade for at the market."

With a wide grin, she showed me what seemed to be bracelets she made by braiding differently colored threads.

"That'll do," I told her.


Later that night, I held Judith's hand and Hope's with my other. People gathered, formed a circle at the Center's middle and looked up to the sky with anticipation. After a few minutes, the sound of fluttering wings filled the air. The Flyers created a sea of feathers in the sky and they landed, one by one.

Daryl was one of the first to reach the ground. He tucked his silver-gray wings and walked towards me. There was a grave look on his face. This had reaffirmed my worry.

We were fearful already—Daryl and I—and we had not known yet that a bloodbath was to be staged at the Center of Woodbury.


Next chapter: The Carnival opens...


Author's Notes

First, I'm so sorry, guys for the long overdue update. I was busy outlining New World and my other TWD fanfic, Walk with Me (please do check it out as well if you have time; Emyli is also there and you can get to know her more by reading that fic).

I'm keeping each chapter short so I don't get to overload my readers with too much information about this Alternate Universe I have created for The Walking Dead (and trust me, it is pretty elaborate; I have drawn maps and will introduce a handful of new characters and…creatures). And this is also so that I can put updates faster. I plan to post new chapter once a week, if not twice. (Hopefully I won't be too busy at work—or get a writer's block.) You may send me your questions if you have some, by the way.

As usual, I'd like to say THANK YOU to the awesome readers who followed this story:

For FOLLOWING:

Regin, CreepyDaisy

And of course, a BIG THANK YOU to those who left a Review:

For REVIEWING:

CreepyDaisy I'm so thankful you found New World's concept amazing. Please stay with me as I yet to present other crazy stuffs. Now let's both dream of Daryl with wings

zombieslayer5 You said you couldn't wait to see where the story goes. I feel guilty for not updating sooner. But here it is and it's not much but I hope you liked it.

Me (guest) Thank you so much for saying I have a wild imagination. But there's a lot more..a whole lot more: wilder and crazier Please anticipate the next chapters.

Please don't forget to leave me a comment/review as these fuel my passion and imagination