Apocalypse: King of Zombies

Ethan flashed a grin, spreading his arms slightly as if to show off. "Figured I'd dress for the occasion. Snowfield vibes, you know? Looks good, right?"

Mia just stared at him, deadpan. She didn't even bother responding. Instead, she reached behind her, pulled out a katana, and tossed it at him in one smooth motion.

"Here. Yours."

Ethan caught it effortlessly, his hand closing around the hilt with a solid thunk. The moment it landed in his grip, he could tell—it wasn't the same as before. The blade looked slim and elegant, but the weight told a different story. Over a hundred pounds, easy.

Shhhk—

He drew the katana from its sheath, the blade whispering as it slid free. It was pitch black from tip to hilt, absorbing the light rather than reflecting it. But when the sun hit just right, a sharp glint shimmered along the edge—cold, deadly.

Embedded in the hilt was a deep crimson crystal core, flickering with the image of a flame trapped inside. Heat radiated from it, pulsing with raw, fiery energy.

The red and black combo made the whole weapon look like something out of a dark fantasy—sleek, dangerous, and undeniably badass.

"Not bad..." Ethan murmured, nodding with a satisfied smirk.

Mia crossed her arms. "You gonna name it or what?"

Ethan tilted his head, eyes still on the blade. The firelight danced across the steel, and after a moment of thought, his eyes lit up.

"Let's call it... the Fire Stick."

Mia blinked. "...Seriously?"

She didn't say anything else, just sighed internally. Whatever. If it makes you happy.

...

Inside the house, Logan and Awan sat in a quiet room, the air between them thick with unspoken words. The silence stretched, awkward and heavy.

Finally, Logan broke it.

"Awan..." His voice was low, uncertain.

"Hm? What's wrong, Logan?" Awan looked up at him, her big eyes full of innocence and concern.

He hesitated, then shook his head. "It's nothing."

But after a pause, he added, "If... if one day I'm not around anymore, I want you to take care of Milo. Live a good life, okay?"

Awan's expression shifted, her brows knitting together. "Why would you say something like that?"

Logan looked away, his voice faltering. "It's nothing. I just... I might have to go somewhere far away. That's all. Just... take care of yourself."

"When will you be back?" she asked, her voice soft, almost pleading.

"I don't know," he said quietly. "Just... live your life like normal."

What he didn't say was that he'd made a deal with Ethan. Once he helped eliminate the invading Zombie Kings threatening the border, he'd disappear—permanently. In exchange, Ethan would spare the town, let the people here live in peace.

It was the only way Logan knew how to protect her.

"Awan, I..."

He started to say it. The truth. The thing that had been clawing at his chest for so long.

But the words caught in his throat.

Awan leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "What? Just say it."

"I..." Logan's fists clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened. His heart pounded.

But in the end, he couldn't do it.

He stepped back, exhaled sharply, and said, "I'm leaving."

"What?" Awan's voice cracked. She reached out instinctively. "Wait—"

But Logan had already turned away, walking toward the door.

And without looking back.

Outside in the yard—

By the front gate—

Mia and Ethan were still talking, the cold wind brushing past them, carrying the faint scent of snow and steel.

"So now that you've wiped out the Zombie Kings who crossed the border," Mia asked, arms crossed, "what's next? You planning to lead your horde across the line?"

Ethan gave a faint smile, eyes distant. "Border? What border?"

Mia's expression froze for a second. Then she got it.

The whole world is just territory waiting to be claimed.

He wasn't stopping. Not until every threat was gone. Not until the world was reshaped in his image.

Ethan continued, casually, like he was talking about a weekend trip. "I stumbled across a lead on a Star Map tablet. Figured I'd go find it. Maybe pick up a few meteorite fragments while I'm at it. You in?"

Mia shook her head. "Nah. I'm good. I've already forged three weapons—more than enough. And honestly, no one in my circle can even handle gear like that."

She paused, then added, "Besides, things are heating up in L.A. again. The Black Hand Legion's remnants are regrouping. Looks like they're trying to make a comeback. We should head back and deal with it."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Those guys are still kicking?"

The fact that the Black Hand Legion was pulling itself back together was... interesting. Maybe even dangerous. There was probably more going on behind the scenes than it looked. Sending Mia back to investigate wasn't a bad idea.

"Alright," he said. "Head back. If anything comes up, let me know. Or go see PhD in San Diego."

"Got it," Mia nodded.

Just then, Logan came jogging out of the house. Even with the cloth still wrapped around his eyes, it was obvious—he looked... off. Sad. Like someone who'd just said goodbye to something he didn't want to lose.

"I've said everything I needed to," he muttered, stopping near Ethan and Mia. "Can we not do this here? I don't want Awan to see."

"Do what?" Ethan asked, eyeing him.

Logan glanced at Mia, then back at Ethan. "Our deal. You know... the one where I die."

Now that he'd seen Ethan had human friends—people he seemed to genuinely care about—Logan felt more confident that Ethan would keep his word. That after he was gone, Awan would be safe.

Ethan didn't answer right away. He looked at Logan, thoughtful.

He had to admit—he was curious. This whole thing between Logan and Awan... a zombie and a human? Could that even work?

Pied King had said it himself—love was Logan's armor, but also his weakness. As long as Awan was alive, Logan would never betray her. Never betray Ethan.

So maybe... just maybe...

"I'll give you a chance," Ethan said suddenly. "Go confess to Awan. If she says yes, I won't kill you."

"...What?" Logan blinked, stunned. He'd been ready to die. He'd made peace with it. And now Ethan was throwing him a curveball like this?

But then doubt crept in.

Confess? Seriously?

Ethan added, "You've got three days. That's it. Make it count."

Logan: "..."

...

The next few days passed quietly. The northern frontier was calm, almost eerily so. Everything moved forward like clockwork.

Ethan's horde, on the other hand, was riding high. Ever since they'd taken down the Canadian Zombie King, they'd officially become the strongest undead force in the U.S. The underlings were hyped, partying nonstop like they'd just won the Super Bowl.

Ethan, meanwhile, was focused. He continued absorbing crystal cores, refining his energy, preparing for the next phase of his journey—the hunt for the Star Map tablet.

But he'd given Logan three days for a reason.

If Logan failed, it meant there was no future in that bond. No point in letting it drag on. Better to take his crystal core and use it to boost his own mental strength.

But if he succeeded... well, then it might be worth watching. Seeing how far this strange, impossible connection could go.

Now, with the deadline looming, Logan was a mess.

Would Awan say yes?

If I were human, maybe I'd have a shot... but once she knows I'm a zombie—what if she freaks out? What if she runs?

What if I ruin everything? What if I lose even the friendship we have now?

The thoughts spiraled.

Logan paced back and forth, hands clenched, heart pounding. He was a Zombie King, a creature of death and power—but right now, he felt like a nervous teenager with a crush.

Is this what love does to people?

Even monsters?

He sighed, staring up at the gray sky.

How the hell am I supposed to confess?

...