Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

There was a brief silence, and then Raze nodded..

”Then it’s settled. Eclipse Revenant will form its own alliance. Not bloated with numbers. Not noisy with too many voices. The Eclipse Revenant will remain as the ruler and the joining clans would be your followers. It sounds like a tyranny, but with this, there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest. If they don’t want to join with that arrangement, then that’s it.” Raze said.

Asad had no issues with it.

”Just a strong, unshakable alliance centered on your clan. And when the world chat hears about it, maybe fear will spread faster than their excitement.” He couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

After all, if his alliance was revealed to the public, it would surely create a huge reaction as the various clans would swiftly choose their sides.

”With Shane as Rank 1. Myself, Rank 2. Raze, Rank 8. That’s already three of the top ten united under one banner. No one else can match that foundation.”

Shane’s grin widened...

”Then let’s begin.”

***

Shane wasted no time. He drafted three similar messages, tailoring them only slightly for each Clan Leader:

[ Shane: Clan Leader Vex, Eclipse Revenant will not be joining either Survivor Pact or the Lord Alliance. Instead, we are forming our own. If you wish to discuss the terms, send a representative or come personally to the nearest shelter that we own.

Locations: Eclipse Domain (Sector 20), New Genesis (Sector 20), Springriver Manor (Sector 1), Silver Mine Camp (Sector 13). The choice is yours. ]

[ Shane: Clan Leader Ellen, the Eclipse Revenant had decided to form an alliance. It doesn’t have a name yet. If you are serious about joining, then meet me in one of my shelters. I will not accept empty words through chat...

[ Shane: Clan Leader Orla... We have some positive words about your Clan... I invite you to visit one of my strongholds and see for yourself. If your Clan wishes to join Eclipse Revenant’s alliance, come to the closest shelter to you...

After sending them out, Shane thanks Raze and Asad...

Then, he didn’t need to wait long before the replies started coming in.

[ Vex: Understood. Your offer is timely. The Silver Mine Camp is the nearest stronghold to us, and I will personally come with my deputy and a small guard. Expect us within two days. We will honor your invitation. ]

[ Ellen: That’s a good call, Shane. An alliance is needed for the long run. I will come myself to Springriver Manor. Many of my members heard rumors of your shelters. We’re all excited to visit it. Is there a payment for the Temporary Resident Token that we’ll get? Anyway, you may expect me soon, accompanied only by a light escort. ]

[ Orla: You have finally decided. This will be big. I will keep this a secret. The Eclipse Domain is closest to us since we’re hunting a Zombie Lord right now, and I will bring a small delegation to meet you in person... ]

Each message carried a different tone, but all shared the same conclusion. They were coming.

***

In the meantime, in their respective shelters, the news about being invited within Shane’s shelters stirred excitement.

The Clan Leaders were filled with excitement, relief, and even disbelief.

Vex of the Steelspire Clan, including his officers, celebrated.

They were burdened by recent setbacks and couldn’t hide the spark in their eyes now that they could join the strongest Clan out there...

Although not official, having a chance to be part of them was still a lot better than their current situation.

Their shelter had plenty of food and clean water stored, and their walls also had barriers... They weren’t even starving or crumbling.

However, they were still struggling with the growing number of Zombies around them. Most of their members were stuck at Level 40, some clawing their way to Level 45, but only three had ever touched Level 50... And they were battered members who could hardly keep pushing.

Their Clan had no specialties, no one had Epic talents or unique paths. They were simply trapped in stagnation as none of them could improve further.

”Shane’s alliance...” one of his deputies muttered. ”If he accepts us, that ceiling will break.”

Vex chuckled as he was also excited about this...

”Prepare the best men. We’ll ride for Silver Mine Camp.”

***

In the meantime, Ellen’s clan members were also excited.

They had been reading a lot of information in the Regional Chat about the Springriver Manor’s prosperity.

To them, the idea of taverns, roasted meats, wine, coffee, and even the existence of elves sounded like something out of fantasy. It was a stark contrast to their daily struggle.

They had water, clean springs beneath their camp, and food stores that could last months. But strength? That was the real famine.

Most of her fighters were capable and disciplined, yet almost all of them hovered between Level 38 and Level 42. They had no Legendary Talent Holders, no healers, no craftsmen of note. Their medics were only relying on the items bought in the Survivor Store or the Survivor’s Marketplace.

Just like the many other Clans, their enemies weren’t just zombies. It was stagnation.

Ellen’s vice clan leader, a man named Soren, chuckled bitterly as he read the private message from her.

”He must have more conditions before we can join his Alliance. But whatever it is, we will accept it.”

Clan Leader Ellen also agreed to this. She didn’t even mind if they had to pay Shane a percentage of their Zombie Core earnings.

”Then let’s not miss it. I’ll go to Springriver Manor myself. They should see we mean this. Who wants to join me?”

Needless to say, everyone raised their hands as they all wanted to see the rumored shelter.

Unfortunately, there was no way Shane would allow a hundred or so people to enter his shelter all at once.

”I will have to select 12 or maybe 15 people only... Let’s do a raffle!”

Around them, their core members raised their cups in celebration... They didn’t mind the raffle as they soon continued with their meals.

***

Finally, Orla’s people were different. At this time, they weren’t actually inside their shelter.

They looked weary and worn down by constant skirmishes... Apparently, they had just finished hunting a Zombie King, and it was not easy.

Their shelter was also strong enough, with stockpiled food, a deep well, and dozens of well-trained fighters.

But the problem was the same... Despite having a stable source of food and other resources, Orla wasn’t seeing advancement or future.

Their strongest survivor was barely Level 52, and only two others had crossed Level 50. Everyone else was stuck in the forties, hitting an invisible wall they couldn’t break.

Worse still, their shelter seemed to attract Zombie Lords!

Apparently, they were too unlucky with six Zombie Lord’s territory surrounding them. The threat of these territories had kept them awake too many nights.

They hadn’t defeated any one of them after all.

”I can probably give him the rights to hunt these territories.” Orla muttered.

After all, since it was within their shelter, they were the ones who had the right to raid it. After all, if the raid failed, it would be their Shelters to suffer the outbreak or the release of the Zombie Lord.

Orla stood outside her tent, looking at the dark forest beyond. They had a mobile barrier generator protecting them, so she wasn’t worried about the growling zombies around.

Well, they were slowly trying to level up to have a full party of people to raid Zombie Lords in the future.

At this time, she read Shane’s message twice, then a third time, unable to suppress her grin. She already informed the others about this as well.

Needless to say, they were all excited.

Soon, a man approached him, worried about his Clan Leader.

”Vice Leader Rhymes.” she called, ”It seems that we’ll have a chance to change our path.”

Her second-in-command nodded as he was also excited about this. Still, he couldn’t help but tease his Clan Leader.

”I heard that Asad is already a member of Eclipse Revenant. He’s a necromancer... and you’re a Priest, Clan Leader. Make sure not to use your Holy Aura around.”

Orla chuckled after hearing this.

For the first time in a long while, Orla felt like they were about to get their Clan Rankings upgraded really soon.

But then—

A sudden chime was heard by every living Survivors.

Everyone, no matter where they stood, realized that there was a system announcement.

[ Attention, Survivors! A Global Event is about to come, and you only have 72 hours of preparation. ]

[ Event Title: The Red Night ]

[ Duration: 24 hours. ]

[ Rules: During this time, the moon will turn red, and the undead shall be unending. Zombie activity will triple across all Sectors. Mutated strains and Lord-class zombies will be more active outside their territories. ]

[ Rewards: Survivors who endure until dawn will receive unique rewards. Top 20 Clans with the highest Contribution will be ranked globally. ]

Everyone frowned as they felt that it was quite similar to Zombie Wave...

However, the notification didn’t end just yet.