AN: Yes, this happened.

Also, sorry about not putting this up this weekend. I forgot that it was Mother's Day weekend, so I spent it with my mother instead of writing for you.

This chapter is a little short compared to some of my previous full chapters, but it gets the job done. I don't want to spoil just where it's heading, but I think at least some of you will like it. lol.

There's another note at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 20: Hunger of the Lost

Explanations, and fights, between the snarky girls came to an end. It was time to discuss the next move. There were plenty of free resources in the zombie apocalypse, but the technology level was not extremely high. Only a few locations would be worthy of raiding.

The first location on the agenda, however, was the house where Kitty had been confined. The crystals might prove useful in the future, and there might be a clue to the nature of the red robed asshole that Scott had missed during his first search.

A road trip with his new associates seemed like a good idea at the moment. After telling Father Harrison and Jed about his plans, Scott loaded the girls into his battered truck. The trio took off down the road, and once the bridge was lowered they were on their way back to where the final battle had taken place.

"You won't gain any EXP since we are not on a mission, but this could be a decent trial run without any pressure," said Scott, after Samantha posed the question.

"Trial run?" asked Kitty.

"Sure. We need to see how we will work as a team," he replied.

Scott turned onto the main highway, and picked up speed. Zombies shambled about here and there, but their numbers were few. "I wonder if the missions take place only in areas where the zombies congregate."

"What's that?" asked Samantha. She wiggled in her seat while trying to get a little more elbow room. Three people were able to fit in the front of the truck, but it was a cramped situation to say the least.

"I'm just guessing, but it makes sense to me. The mission areas are probably in locations with high zombie populations. If I'm right, we probably won't see a lot of them in one place unless we have a run of bad luck," explained Scott.

Samantha nodded to him then gazed out the window. "So, those people out there? What's wrong with them?"

"Not sure. They're zombies. That's all I know," said Scott. "They carry diseases and can turn you into one of their kind. Takes a solid headshot to kill one."

"Headshot only?" asked Samantha.

"Yeah. If the brain isn't destroyed, they don't die."

They chatted freely about zombies on the way to the old house. Scott explained the types and attack patterns of the zombies that he faced. Samantha seemed unimpressed, while Kitty already knew most of that information from her battles with the undead.

It was a short drive back to the house, made longer by the necessity of avoiding the occasional abandoned vehicle or small pack of zombies on the road. The snow plow in front could push them out of the way if there were not many, but avoiding them altogether would keep the truck from taking more damage that it already sustained in its previous outing. It was the same logic someone might use when faced with a large deer in the road. Sure, the truck would win that fight, but why risk the damage if it could be avoided?

The house sat well off the road, down a partially obscured little dirt path. Grass had grown up in the driveway due to the lack of traffic.

"So, this is the place?" asked Samantha. She looked around at the field then back to the house. "Doesn't seem like much."

"Probably why he picked it," said Scott. "Off the road a bit, and few survivors would think much of it going missing from sight after the apocalypse."

A zombie staggered around the corner of the house, but it only made three steps before Scott casually blew its head apart with his plasma pistol.

"Nice shot," said Samantha.

"Thanks," he said simply. It was not difficult for him to take out zombies anymore, at least not the slow ones. He was slightly saddened by the lack of experience gain, however. It seemed like a waste of a bullet.

Kitty frowned at the house. She held only bad memories for it. However, that did not stop her from going in with the others.

Once inside, they immediately went down stairs. The crystals that were lining the wall previously, were still in place. The red robed guy did not return to claim them.

"What are these things, anyway?" asked Samantha.

Kitty picked up one of the crystals then frowned at it. "Essence stones. They contain the essence of supernatural beings."

"What good does that do?" Samantha picked up one of the crystals as well, then tapped it lightly with her finger.

"Depends on the one using them. I can't use something like this, but a magic user might use it to conjure all sorts of things, or make enchanted items." said Kitty.

"So, valuable?" asked Scott.

"If you plan to study magic? Yes," said Kitty. "I don't know much about it, but they can be used for all sorts of things."

"We'll have to load them up and take them back to the hub. I won't be able to store all of these in my storage," said Scott.

The idea of having magical items to study filled Scott with a giddy sense of hope for the future. The gravitas flower, and boom seed, were great items but they were not the same as personally controlled power. They were essentially a consumable power item, with a heavy drawback. Overwhelmingly useful in a life or death battle, but on long term missions the withdrawal symptoms would be devastating.

Roughly one day of superhuman ability would lead to several days of severe weakness and some physical pain. The damage to his body might not even heal properly until he could reach his home point. No, the floral powers were not to be used lightly.

Scott stored some of the crystals in one of the closets upstairs, and then helped the girls to load the truck with the rest. In total, they numbered nearly three hundred and varied in size from about the length of his hand from wrist to middle finger tip, to the length of his pinky finger. Most were a happy medium between the extremes.

Kitty frowned at the largest crystal, one slightly bigger than the others. "This is where he stored my essence, and I can't even get it back."

"Sorry. Maybe we can figure something out," said Scott.

"It's fine. I only have to absorb the energies given off by moonlight. It will just take a few months to gain all of my energy back," said Kitty.

Scott nodded to her then put the crystal into the truck's glove compartment. He wanted to keep that one separate from the rest, just in case they could do something special with it.

They were about to leave when Kitty remembered something. "Did you get the grimoire?"

"Grimoire?" Scott looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"The red mage's spell book? I know he has one here, somewhere," said Kitty.

"I haven't seen one! Do you have any idea where it is?" asked Scott.

"Well, I think so," she said.

Scott followed her back inside while Samantha stood guard near the truck. They went back down into the basement, and then into the room where Kitty had been imprisoned.

"I know it should be in here somewhere," she said. Kitty looked around for a brief moment then pointed to an innocuous section of wall.

"There. Behind the slightly discolored section of paneling," she said.

Scott went over to check the wall. After a few minutes of poking and prodding, he discovered a hidden catch. A small section of wall opened to reveal several things. "Hello!"

Inside the hidden area, he discovered a small knife with a red jewel in the hilt, several large crystals, a sack of gold coins, and a well-used book. "Man, I hope the leather on this book is made from a cow..."

Kitty started to speak, but her voice cut off suddenly. The world grew dark and then shifted to a black and white color scheme. Only the items inside the wall remained in color.

A message screen popped up to inform him of something that made his heart skip a beat. Scott grinned as he read through the information provided.

Congratulations! You have unlocked a hidden lifestyle!

Lifestyle Unlocked:[b] [Hedge Wizard] Red Necromancer

As an individual completely untrained in the ways of magic, you may only acquire a fraction of the knowledge provided within this book. You will need to locate other tomes of knowledge on the practice of necromancy to increase your skill naturally, or become the student of a red necromancy master. Alternatively, you may pay the cost to upgrade your new lifestyle at your home point.

[b]Warning: Currently you have the Shroom Soldier lifestyle equipped. You will either need to change your lifestyle at your home point, or acquire a new lifestyle slot at the Battledome, to access the powers found within this book.

[--]

Scott started to speak, but before he could say anything the message disappeared and a new one appeared. His grin became wild and ridiculous after he saw what else was provided by this discovery.

Congratulations! You have unlocked a new world-setting!

World-Setting Unlocked: Fear Rune – The Abandoned Realms

Warning: You may not enter this realm freely until you have accepted and completed the introductory mission in this setting. You must accept this mission now in order to keep this world-setting active. As with any introductory mission, it will be a solo mission. However, no time will pass here while you undertake it.

Do you wish to enter the Abandoned Realms? [Yes | No]

[--]

"That's a hell yes, right there," said Scott. There was no way that he would pass up this sort of opportunity. Though, it was odd that it was offered to him this time instead of it being forced upon him.

A new world-setting would provide new opportunities. It sucked that he could not take his associates with him, but it made sense. All of the new world-settings that he had unlocked were like that. Technically, even [Dead Men Walking] had given him an introductory mission. From the way that the message was worded, it seemed that he either accepted here and now, or lost the chance.

So far, all of the introductory missions had been easy enough. Scott chose to enter the brave new world. A moment later, bright red light flared from the book and Scott disappeared from the room.

The customary tunnel of light appeared before him as he flew through time and space toward another reality. This time, he did not scream. Instead, he merely laughed and enjoyed the ride. For once, it had been his decision! However, just as he reached the end of the light show, he froze in place. A new screen appeared before him.

Warning: Fear Rune – The Abandoned Realms restricts access to items created through technology of a higher grade than the production facilities of the realm.

As a champion, you may override this restriction. However, your current level is insufficient to allow you to access your equipment.

You are currently playing on [Normal Mode]. Introductory mission difficulty will be adjusted accordingly.

Scott barely had time to cry out in surprise as he shot out through the end of the tunnel. He was as naked as the day he was born, and felt the hard stone impact his ass with far greater force than he was accustomed. He felt every bump and bruise.

"Seriously man... What the hell?" he asked. That landing had hurt a great deal.

He looked around to see what was going on, but discovered little in the way of useful visual information. He was in what appeared to be a natural cavern that was dimly lit by glowing fungus.

Once he stood up, the world seemed to go black and white once more. The introductory mission screen popped up before him. Upon reading it, his stomach twisted into a knot. "Oh, fuck me sideways..."

[Mission Briefing]

You have unlocked the world setting [Fear Rune – The Abandoned Realms]. Time is currently frozen at your home point, and your previous world location [Dead Men Walking], in relation to your comprehension of said phenomenon.

This world setting is considered a [Premium World] and as such, there are special rules in place that may run counter to your normal champion experience.

Caution: These special rules will only be in effect in this world setting.

It's totally cool to forget that, though. We don't mind.

--

In order to leave this world, you must complete the following tasks:

- Locate the Burning Heart of Saelil Lothuialeth

- Escape from the Underworld with the Burning Heart of Saelil Lothuialeth

- Bring the Burning Heart of Saelil Lothuialeth safely to the city of Roscaliane on the west coast of Aschwere, and use the burning heart to light the [Crimson Beacon].

Difficulty: E-2

World Type: Dark Epic Fantasy

Force Response Authorization: Solo Mission

Primary Goal: Ensure the safe arrival of the Burning Heart of Saelil Lothuialeth to the city of Roscaliane, and light the Crimson Beacon.

Time Limit: None [Feel free to try and rush things, though.]

Special Restrictions: Items crafted from processes unknown to this world are restricted.

Special Champion Feature: ??? [Locked]

Reward: 400 EXP | [Special Bonus]

[--]

Scott ran his hand down his face. He was naked, alone on an alien world, and had to escort a burning heart to a place he had never been. Worse, the difficulty rating was the same as his story mission!

"Well, damn," he said. Life was never easy, was it?

The ancient dust in the underground cavern was reluctant to give up its long rest. It barely rose into the air as Scott slipped quietly along the darkened tunnel.

The oppressive atmosphere hung heavily about the place as Scott walked the tunnels. In the background he heard noises, the sound of skittering claws and the heavy breathing of a beast. Though he saw nothing, it was as though a monster would pounce on him at any moment.

For quite some time, only the atmospheric noise, and the sound of his footfalls reached Scott's ears. It was as though the place was as abandoned as its name. The omnipresent darkness, and the skittering of unseen creatures weighed heavily on his mind.

He fought back a slowly rising sense of fear, as he tread carefully through the tunnels. Naked, deprived of his equipment, and with only slightly higher than human capacity, Scott had not been this close to the edge of death since his first foray into the game itself.

Up ahead a fork in the tunnel caught his attention. Which path did he choose? There was no handy map, no instructions beyond a requirement to handle his quest.

"Shit, do I use my dick as a divining rod?" muttered Scott as he tried to decide his route. He could go to the left, or veer upward and to the right.

Eventually, he opted to head right. Upwards seemed like a good direction.

Scott walked up the steep embankment and quickly ascended to a location high above the tunnel floor. He turned the corner and came face-to face with a grinning skull. He barely had time to scream and throw his arms up to block before a large rusty war axe slammed downward with brutal force. He took a terrible blow to the chest that split his rib cage open like an overripe melon.

Blood showered from his mortal wound, even as his body was knocked back by the terrible power of the blow. He was sent hurtling over the side of the tunnel path. His life's blood rose upward from the wounds as he fell, and then splattered down atop him once he hit the cold unforgiving ground below.

The light rapidly faded from his field of vision, but his sense of hearing remained intact long enough for him to hear the booming laughter of a mad man. Just before his life ended, Scott heard a soft sibilant whisper. "Welcome to the abandoned realms..."

Darkness, all-encompassing, darkness. The nothingness of oblivion was all that he knew for a time. In truth, it was all that he should have known forevermore. Yet, there was more to his existence after its end.

The quiet of the grave was interrupted by a strange vision. It was a dark, twisted thing, made of writhing shadows and the wailing echoes of lost souls screaming in despair. When he awoke from his night terror, he was immediately greeted by the sight of a bright blue message screen.

Special Champion Feature Unlocked: Hunger of the Lost

You are now empty, desolate, an abandoned soul... If you would know the sweet taste of life once more, seek ye the burning heart. Light the beacon... Fill the gnawing hunger that seeks to devour your mind and leave you lost in the eternal night.

You who have tasted death may die a thousand deaths more, and yet never see your end. Seek the heart, or be forgotten.

Scott blinked slowly at the screen then looked down. His body was strange, pale even in the dim light of the fungus.

"This...It's familiar..." Scott frowned slightly then shook his head. His untimely death had led to another chance, somehow. He didn't want to squander it.

He immediately set out again, but found that his movements sluggish. His body felt heavy. Why, it was as though the very life had gone out of it.

He staggered down the tunnel until he once again reached the fork in the path. Something on the ground up ahead caught his attention. Scott went to inspect it then shuddered at the sight. "Damn... That's me," he said.

His destroyed body remained where it fell. He nearly missed it, but within the center of his former body's chest Scott saw a tiny glimmer of light. Curious, he reached out to it. The blue-white light rose upward from the ruined corpse and flowed into his finger.

The sibilant whisper returned. "EXP retrieved."

Scott's eyes widened comically even as his jaw dropped. "No..."

He stood up then backed away from the corpse. Things were beginning to click into place. His suspicions were aroused. He checked off a list of the things that he had discovered about this world so far. "Restricted start, dying easily, respawn after death, and finding my corpse to retrieve EXP..."

Breathing rapidly, he brought his hand to his face and pressed heavily. He shook his head briefly, and then began to laugh. It was not a joyous thing. It was the laughter of the deranged, of the man marked for death.

"Mother fucking dark souls!" he cried in his peculiar laughing manner.

Scott never even finished his deranged laugh before a large rusty axe split his skull open. The Forgotten Warrior from above had been drawn out by the noise.

Oblivion claimed Scott once more, but it would not hold him for long. He would die, and die, and die forever unless he figured out the next best move to take. Welcome to the abandoned realms, indeed.

--

Author's Note: This world setting was designed similar to a Epic Dark Comedic Fantasy setting that I have been working on that is a bit of a parody of Dark Souls (You probably guessed that, from the way the main character cried out.)

Anyway, the version of that story will feature its own world mechanics but will be thematically similar to the bastard lovechild of Dark Souls, The Forgotten Realms, and my own brand of comedic insanity.

You'll see some of that in this particular Galactic Fist world-setting, but the way this world really works will be somewhat different in the story that I am working on. Though, it will have an MC who will try to go the 'pure mage' route. So that's something to look forward to, if you like mages who actually have to fight like mages.

Anyway, I have a few dozen other stories to write so it will be a while before this one shows up. Till then, you can see hints of something similar here in Galactic Fist of Legend. :)