Speed Is King

"The Black Phoenix lives and hunts alone. Leave your group and kill 30 beasts above level 30 in 5 days" Jessica said softly. Tears began to well up in her eyes as her mind and heart reached the inevitable conclusion.

To save Jennifer, she must get stronger. And if venturing out alone, away from her brother was the way to strength, then…

Elliot looked at his sister's broken-hearted face and felt a surge of strength rise up from the deepest reaches of his heart.

"Enough anger. Enough hatred. What matters is results. And if I want my sisters not to look this way ever again, then I need strength. Overwhelming strength! Strength to obliterate demons and to trample on the heavens!" Elliot thought coldly.

For the first time in the past few years, Elliot's mind turned crystal clear. Everything else faded quietly and completely into the background, leaving only one solitary thought.

Power. I need more power.

I NEED MORE POWER!!

[Your mental health has risen by 0.1]

[Mental health: 0.2]

[AI Comment: Mental Health is strangely stable at 0.2. A psychopath compared to the average human. But a solid and unshakeable sort of psychopath.]

Elliot gently ran his thumb across Jessica's cheeks to wipe away the tears that had fallen down like little rivulets.

"Let us do today what others won't, so tomorrow we can do what others can't." Elliot said softly and stared deep into her eyes. "You are powerful beyond measure, Jessica. If the Black Phoenix can help you unleash that power, then you should follow its lead."

"Brother, I… I don't want to leave you…" Jessica said in a small voice.

"You can stay with me if you want." Elliot smiled at her.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, both Jessica and Elliot knew for certain that separation was inevitable.

Letting go of the chance to have an upgraded Phoenix System felt too much like a horrific betrayal to Jennifer who was awaiting their rescue.

"You don't have to leave now. Let's have a final meal together first before you go, shall we?" Elliot said.

"En! Let's do that!"

Elliot prepared a simple meal using a combination of energy bars and food bars. The water generator took care of their drinking needs. Very soon, a simple but nourishing meal was ready.

Of all his tamed beasts, only Wu Kong was able to join them. The rest were recovering from their earlier desperate battle.

As they were about to dig in together, a notification popped out from both Elliot's and Jessica's systems.

[Ten seconds to announcement.]

"The Games are about to begin." Elliot said grimly.

Jessica nodded solemnly as well.

And then it came.

A large dome-shaped spacecraft the size of the moon emitted a powerful psionic wave which passed through the earth and made its way into all of the minds of every living being.

A wordless but clear message appeared in every single surviving human being's mind.

It was a devastatingly simple message.

[We are what you call aliens. We have invaded Earth. Your cities are gone. Your governments are gone. Your militaries are gone. We have unleashed ferocious beasts to take over the world. If you want to survive, look for dome-shaped Resource Boxes spread out randomly all over the world. They contain critical resources for your continued survival. If you want to thrive, look for Car Drops spread out randomly all over the world. Secure them, follow the instructions and use them to participate in a Survival Race in 30 days to win powerful rewards. Good luck. The Apocalypse is upon you.]

It was repeated every minute on the minute for fifteen full minutes.

After the fifteen minutes was over, Planet Earth was officially a Post-Apocalypse planet with a population of 120 million.

The Games had begun once more.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Elliot hovered in the air using his brand new flight system which he got from one of the Grade-A Resource Boxes, watching both Jessica and Wu Kong make their ways across the desolate landscape.

He had given Jessica a couple of flight systems, a water generator and five Stealth Communicators, just in case she needed to replace hers.

For Wu Kong, he had given him a couple of beast cores from the legendary beasts they killed, in the hope that a few members of his new clan could later make use of them.

Wu Kong headed south to the forests of the Behemoth Lightning Apes where he would try to set up his clan.

Jessica headed East towards the interior of America.

Both would be fighting desperate battles before the day was over, and Elliot prayed with all his heart that they would be safe.

Jessica was a powerful level thirty user of a Grade S Phoenix System with a powerfully enhanced body and speed. Although she was only twelve, she would probably be fine.

Wu Kong was only a level twenty five beast. But he too, was extremely powerful. Elliot had given him two Speed Pills, boosting his speed by a considerable amount. As a Lightning Apostle, he had received Elliot's legendary skill - Summon Giant Armored Mammoth. In addition to his own set of ridiculously powerful skills, Wu Kong was ready to dominate the lands as well.

And that was why, although he felt sadness over both their departures, he did not worry too much over their safety.

"Stay safe, you both." He sighed as their tiny figures finally disappeared from his sight.

"All by myself again." Elliot smiled ruefully.

"You're not alone, Master. I am here." Winter said softly within his mind space.

"So am I, little Master." Brock's deep and gravelly voice sounded as well.

"No forget me! Me here! Me very, very here!" Ellie said loudly.

REX! REX! REX! Rex shouted.

"And me. Though I will be far away, I will always be here as well." Wu Kong said.

"Yes, you all are right. With you guys around, I am never alone." Elliot smiled again. This time, his smile contained a trace of joy.

Not much, to be sure.

Bloodlust, and a determination to kill all the alien beasts which were already roaming the lands remained the primary and default mood in Elliot's heart.

But joy was present as well.

And that joy would bloom in the days to come, fed by the blood of his enemies and nurtured by their death cries and fully nourished by the sight of their cold, lifeless corpses.

"Let's go." Elliot turned his gaze towards his hometown where he knew the alien beasts were already gathered for their feast.

"It's time for us to gain some levels."