Zombie Domination

They made their way to a quiet river deep in the woods, the sunlight peeking through the canopy above. The air was crisp, and the gentle sound of flowing water brought a rare sense of peace.

Julian knelt near the riverbank, pulling a small device from his inventory. He dipped it into the water, watching the readout carefully. After a few seconds, the screen blinked green.

"The water's safe," he announced. "You can wash up here."

Veronica immediately brightened. "Finally. I need a real soak."

Clarissa sighed in agreement, already undoing her jacket. "After what we just went through, I feel like that place left something crawling on my skin."

Emma shivered. "Don't remind me. That whole village was… wrong."

The girls waded into the river, relaxing as the cool, clean water washed over them, washing away not just the blood and dirt, but the memories they didn't want to carry.

Meanwhile, Julian stayed on guard nearby, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. His eyes scanned the surroundings, but his mind wandered.

'So… the crystals amplify power in humans the same way they do in our tech…'

'Just like powering machines, they can power bodies—living systems. That explains their sudden boosts in strength…'

He narrowed his eyes, watching the river flow.

'My assumption was right. The energy source is adaptable. Transferable. But volatile...'

He folded his arms tighter.

'But there's something else... a side effect.

That crazed look in Omet's eyes. The obsession. The madness... it's not just physical enhancement, it corrupts. And distorts.'

A quiet breeze rustled the leaves above.

Julian sighed.

'I finally got my answer... but now, more questions are forming'

He looked over his shoulder at the others. For now, they were safe.

After washing the blood and sweat from his body, Julian returned to the group, now settling beneath the trees beside the flowing river.

"Anyone hungry?" he asked, drying his arms with a cloth.

The others looked at each other, then slowly shook their heads.

"I don't think I can eat just yet…" Emma murmured, her expression uneasy.

"Yeah," Celestia added softly. "After seeing all that... my appetite's gone."

Zoe muttered, "I hate meat…"

Clarissa, trying to lighten the mood, smiled gently. "It's alright. I'll cook some vegetables, something light. I have a few herbs and roots that can help restore your appetite."

Aya nodded. "That might be good. We should eat something at least…"

Though their stomachs remained reluctant, they agreed with silent nods. They needed the energy, even if their minds still echoed with the disturbing sights from earlier.

Julian nodded. "Alright. Let's go with that then. Just make a small meal."

Clarissa nodded and got to work.

Meanwhile, Julian stood near the river again, eyes trailing over the slow-moving current. An idea formed in his mind.

"Aya," he said without turning, "can you make a fishing rod?"

Aya blinked. "Sorry… I don't really know how."

"No problem," Julian replied. "I'll walk you through it."

She nodded quickly, always eager to learn. With his guidance and her [Blacksmith] skill, Aya forged a slender yet sturdy rod, carefully shaping the hook and assembling the parts with surprising elegance.

They were only missing one thing: the line.

"Celestia," Julian said, glancing back, "could I borrow some of your silver thread?"

She smiled. "Of course."

With everything prepared, Julian sat by the edge of the river and attached the bait, readying the line.

Veronica crossed her arms and raised a brow. "You know… you could just use your lightning to stun them all. Way faster."

Julian smirked faintly. "Maybe. But fishing's not just about catching. There's an art to it."

He tossed the line into the water with a flick of his wrist, letting it settle in.

The river gurgled gently, the wind brushing the leaves above them. For once, there was peace.

And in that stillness, Julian waited, quiet, thoughtful, and calm, as the line danced in the water.

Zoe sat beside Julian, her knees drawn close to her chest as she gazed quietly at the water.

"…Fish," she murmured, her eyes fixated on the river's surface, ears twitching slightly.

Julian smiled faintly but remained focused. The line drifted calmly, barely a ripple on the surface, until the float gave a tiny twitch.

He didn't move.

Then, another tug, stronger this time.

Without rushing, Julian narrowed his eyes, waiting… waiting…

Then the float sank sharply beneath the surface.

"Now," he muttered, and jerked the rod upward in one swift motion.

Zoe's eyes widened. "Ooh! Fish!"

Julian grunted slightly, gripping the rod tightly. "Feels heavy."

The line strained, the pole flexing as the unseen fish thrashed beneath the water. Rather than forcing it in, Julian carefully let the line play, giving the fish room to struggle.

"Let it tire itself out…" he muttered, patient.

The others began to gather around, their curiosity piqued.

Moments later, the fish began to slow, its movements less wild. Julian took the chance and reeled it in, the silver thread pulling taut as the surface broke, sending a large shape leaping into the air.

Water splashed as it writhed. A heavy-bodied river fish, glistening with silver-blue scales and broad fins.

"It's huge!" Emma gasped.

"It looks delicious," Veronica added, eyes lighting up.

Julian kept the tension steady. "Almost…"

As the fish neared the edge, Clarissa extended her hand calmly and lifted it from the water with a focused gleam in her eyes. A soft telekinetic force wrapped around the wriggling catch, suspending it midair before laying it down safely on the grassy shore.

The group gathered close, admiration clear on their faces.

"A giant carp.…" Clarissa noted. "Its meat is supposed to be tender."

Zoe's tail swished behind her. "I want to eat that."

Aya blinked. "We should save some of it too… this could last a while."

Julian looked at the still-wriggling fish and nodded. "We'll cook it right. No wasting it."

Clarissa knelt beside the fire pit, sleeves rolled up, her expression calm and focused. Aya sat beside her, sharpening a small knife with precision, while Celestia readied a pot and brought out the spices they had gathered along the way. Zoe leaned forward with a bright, eager expression.

"Can I help too?" Zoe asked, her beast-like ears perking up.

Clarissa gave a soft smile. "Of course. You can help clean the vegetables."

Zoe nodded seriously, as if accepting a solemn mission.

Meanwhile, not far from the cooking area, Emma tugged gently on Julian's sleeve.

"Julian, I want to try fishing too," she said with a playful pout.

Julian smiled and reached into his inventory, pulling out another fishing rod. "Here," he said, handing it to her. "Just be careful not to use too much strength. You don't want to snap the rod in half."

Emma blinked. "You have more rods in there?"

"I always keep extras," he replied. "Not everyone can control their strength like I can."

He turned toward Veronica. "You want to fish too?"

Veronica shrugged, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Why not. Sounds fun."

Emma grinned and held up her rod like a sword. "Okay, let's make it a contest. Whoever catches the most fish wins!"

Veronica smirked. "Game on. But don't cry when you lose."

And so, the two began casting their lines, friendly competition lighting up their eyes as Julian watched with a contented expression.

The riverside crackled with warmth as Clarissa took charge of the makeshift camp kitchen. The pot was already set over a gentle fire, kept steady by Celestia's silver-thread control.

"Alright," Clarissa said, tying her hair back. "We're making bouillabaisse."

Zoe tilted her head. "What's that?"

"A kind of fish stew," Clarissa replied. "Rich, deep, herby... perfect after a fight."

Aya nodded. "I'll help."

Clarissa poured a thin stream of golden olive oil into the pot. Once it shimmered, she added the finely chopped wild garlic, shallots, and onions. The fragrance rose immediately, savory and sweet, as she stirred it slowly with a wooden spoon.

Diced carrots and celery stalks were added next. They sizzled and softened gradually, releasing moisture and color into the oil.

Clarissa turned to Julian.

"You have the wine?"

Julian nodded, reaching into his inventory and pulling out a slender glass bottle. "Here"

Clarissa accepted it with a grin. She uncorked it and poured half a cup into the pot, letting the alcohol evaporate and release a complex aroma.

Aya passed the jar of preserved heirloom tomatoes. Clarissa crushed them gently between her fingers before dropping them in. Then came ladlefuls of fish broth made from simmering fish bones earlier, giving the soup body. The stew turned a rich red-orange hue.

Clarissa added two bay leaves, a pinch of thyme, sprigs of rosemary, salt, and coarsely crushed peppercorns. Then, from a tiny sachet, she let a few strands of saffron fall into the broth, turning the stew golden as it simmered.

Zoe approached, cupping the river fish fillets like a sacred offering.

"Here," she whispered.

"Perfect timing," Clarissa replied, gently sliding the fish into the bubbling broth, careful not to break the flesh.

"No stirring now," she added. "Let it poach."

Celestia handed her a small lemon. Clarissa grated the zest directly into the pot for a hint of citrus brightness. She then added a few drops of juice for acidity.

While the stew simmered, Aya and Zoe were busy toasting bread slices on a flat stone heated by Celestia's magic. The aroma of char and sourdough joined the river breeze.

After a short while, Clarissa tasted the broth, smiled, and nodded. "Done."

She ladled the bouillabaisse into sturdy metal bowls, placing a toasted bread slice on each.

"Julian! Emma! Veronica!" she called out toward the riverbank. "Come eat before it gets cold!"

Everyone had gathered around the fire now, bowls in hand, their battle-worn bodies finally able to relax.

Julian took a careful spoonful of the golden stew. The warmth spread through his mouth, the flavor rich with herbs, saffron, and the tenderness of just-caught fish.

"This is… good," he said simply, nodding in quiet approval.

Emma, already halfway through her bowl, beamed. "Woahh..this is really good! Fresh catch, cooked right after… you can't beat that."

Veronica wrapped her hands around her bowl, blowing softly on the surface before sipping. "It's making me feel warm again," she murmured. "Inside and out."

Aya crunched down on the toasted bread, her eyes glinting. "We should fish more. Imagine how many different kinds are out there."

Zoe, sitting cross-legged beside Julian, raised her empty bowl with a blank stare but expectant tone. "More."

Clarissa laughed gently. "Of course. I made plenty."

She stood and ladled more bouillabaisse into Zoe's bowl, Aya's, and Emma's again shortly after. Their hungry energy had returned now that fear and exhaustion were replaced by comfort and good food.