AN:
Second part of the double update. Another round of updates done! I'll be trying to update A Spark of Change this weekend. I think I have the time for once! And then the rest will be pretty easy to pump out. Tbh only this fic takes me so long to write for bc it needs so much editing.
Anyways!
There are officially 8 parts to this series, so if you enjoy reading this soul's journey through the cycle of reincarnation across the multiverse, maybe check them out? Though, all fics can be read independently too!
As always, thank you guys for showing your love for my work. I hope yall enjoy and leave your thoughts down below!
Discord!
https://discord.gg/XhqUDAnbsH
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"Lee! Shane!" I call out after dinner, a mix of vegetables grown by Amy and Jim in the garden, and squirrels hunted by the Dixons.
Both leaders make their way over and I usher them into my RV, now used to the wide eyed and baffled looks they give the spacious interior even as my dogs crowd into their space for pets, nearly bowling both men over. "Sorry about them."
"It's all good. Did you have something to discuss?" Shane asks, taking the seat closest to me, his slowly growing interest in me becoming burdensome. I had, of course, intended for Shane to grow fond of me, but I hadn't been aiming for romantic interest or sexual attraction. If anything, I had kind of assumed my status as a young mom would ensure that type of fondness never developed, but of course I should've known better when he was already banging his best friend's wife and baby mama two weeks after he went into a coma and was presumed dead. Still, while Shane wasn't anywhere near my type, and I definitely wouldn't be trying to encourage his lust for me, I wasn't above using it for my own purposes. As a result, Lori kind of hated my guts, but she didn't seem to be an unreasonable woman so besides avoiding me, she didn't do anything else.
Lee settles across my little dining table from Shane and I, his dark eyes focused on me. Due to the way we met, he's far less deceived by the kind innocence my rounded face tended to exude. He'd actually come to me the other night and asked if I was playing it up, which I readily admitted to, but I had also reassured him that my goals were exactly what I said they were: Forming a strong group and keeping them all alive. As such, he hadn't been too off put by the show I was putting on, seemingly taking me at my word for now. In fact, he seemed almost a little amused when he saw me working the crowd.
"I think we should discuss relocating," I say simply. "The campground here by the quarry isn't terrible, but it won't last very long. We need someplace better for a more permanent solution by the end of the month."
Shane frowns. " Why not here? We have a water source and a vantage point, not to mention the other mountains offer a bit of defense."
His words weren't exactly wrong. The campground we settled on when we got here isn't actually in the quarry itself, but slightly up the mountain overlooking it. The lake that we used for fishing and washing is less than a mile hike down.
I shake my head. "We definitely could've done worse for ourselves, but we can still do better. Can you imagine building lives here? We need a closer water source and some place to raise animals. We can't stay here in the middle of the forest forever and I'm not a big fan of the lodges further up, either. Too rustic, isolated, and exposed and they would require too much work to keep running if something happens with the weather or plumbing."
Lee purses his lips before resting his elbows on the table and leaning forward face grim. "You're talking about a real settlement. That's…"
"Very permanent," I finish, nodding. I pretend to hesitate for a moment before continuing. "My visions… All of them say that we're not getting back to normal life anytime soon, if we ever manage it at all."
Both men seem to pale. "… So what, we just have to start over? Civilization falls, and we just keep going?" Shane rasps out, running his fingers through his hair, clearly stressed out.
I nod, serious at a heart attack. "I also Saw that a hoard will be coming through in a few weeks, one that will lead to at least 10 people dying if we're not prepared."
"Jesus," Lee mutters. "Right, so where do we go?"
Hook, I think gleefully.
Shane purses his lips. "Fort Benning-"
"No," I cut in sharply before apologetically patting his shoulder. "Sorry, but currently the base is already half overrun. If we go there, we will be locked in quarantine with a lot of sick people and we won't make it out. It's an option you can consider in a few months, but going now is a death sentence. Trust me, I already checked."
I pat one eye for emphasis. Shane swears and stands, beginning to pace as fervently. It wasn't a lie either. I had, in fact, checked, what kind of future lay ahead if we tried the fort, and it was not pretty, especially because it would form into a military dictatorship within the next month and nearly everyone there would die in a walker hoard or through a power struggle between a general and some other high ranking member of the military within 3 months. I would probably go to the fort at some point to loot the whole place, but it would have to be a while from now. I'd most likely wait until winter when the corpses would be slower due to the temperature and easier to clear out.
"Damn… The CDC?" Lee tries.
"Not a place we can live long-term, but I do recommend we send a group there and hopefully recruit their people and supplies. If we don't, they're all going to be dead by next month," I inform them bluntly, wincing a little bit as I take in their auras in response to my slightly too blunt response.
"…We need a map, "Shane says after a moment.
He leaves, returning a few minutes later after borrowing one from Dale. After that, I pretend to scan the thing with them, debating various locations while subtly luring them farther into my trap. Lee, unlike Shane, has been trusted with the knowledge that I'm partially blind, one of the only in camp actually aware of the weakness I'm carefully hiding. It is a decision I made due to what I've seen of his character and because I need someone outside my group to help me hide my disability as long as possible.
Not because I'm ashamed, but because until I can properly grow strong enough to use my sensing ability to full capability, it's still possible for people to take advantage of my weak eyes and get one over on me. For now, it's safer this way, and will lead to less people questioning my leadership before they really understand how capable I am.
The last thing I wanna do during an apocalypse is deal with fucking ableist pricks. Ugh.
After a solid half hour, it's Lee that takes the bait first, as I expected, leaning over to point to a specific area south of Atlanta. "What about Herschel's area? That is all farmland. Plenty of space to grow crops and the houses are made to be self-sufficient."
Line, I mentally scream, excitement sending my heart racing despite my placid expression.
I pretend to consider it. "There's plenty of space too, in case we need to build extra houses and connect them to the existing infrastructure."
"The area is rural, so there shouldn't be a ton of walkers, at least not yet. We don't know enough about the monsters to guess either way, but they might be more drawn to higher population areas anyway for the… food abundance," Shane adds, the final bit making him grimace.
I bite my lip before carefully prodding the conversation along, faking hesitation. "It's possible that some of the farms might already be abandoned, or that their owners didn't make it. There might be some leftover livestock for us to raise, as fucked up as that sounds and fences already built for protection that we can reinforce."
"No, no! It's morbid, but a perfectly valid point," Shane rushes to reassure me, his hand grasping mine where it lays on the tabletop. With iron will, I remain in character and focused even if I battling the urge to recoil from him. I may not have anything against him yet and have decided to give him a chance, but that doesn't mean I trusted him.
Come on, just a little further, come on…
"Let's call this Herschel of yours and talk to him about it. See what he thinks about getting some new neighbors," Shane directs in that subtle way leaders do when they are issuing commands, ironically doing my bidding rather than the other way around. "He might have some info about the state of his town."
And sinker, motherfucker! I got 'em! I crow mentally, only barely managing to not vibrate out of my skin. Lee gives me a suspicious look, already aware that I am up to something, either from the way I am pretending to read the map with them, or perhaps because he's very quickly picked up on the type of person I am. But regardless of the fact that he knows I am playing Shane to some extent, he seems content to watch how it plays out for now. My rescue of his group has earned me far more indulgence and trust that I had anticipated.
I manage to connect to Hershel using the specialized equipment we bought before shit went to hell, some kind of satellite phone/radio thingy, the same one I first contacted to Lee on. It takes a surprisingly short amount of time to carefully maneuver Hershel into warming up to the idea.
Due to my interference, none of the Greene family is bitten and dead yet, and that combined with the fact that everyone had seen the floating gods projected in the sky and the system windows, Hershel has deviated from my memories of the TV show. He understands walkers need to be put down and he even volunteers to send his people out to check on all the neighboring farm houses.
I frown. "Herschel, are you sure that's okay? I really appreciate the thought, but I'm worried about you sending your family out there into potentially infested houses."
"No, it will be just fine. My Shawn has some interesting combat skills as well as my daughter, Maggie. We also got a couple refugees staying with us who have some bite to them," the old farmer mentions indulgently.
"Refugees?" I repeat a little sharply. "You took some people in?"
"Of course," Herschel says easily. "It's the Christian thing to do, and I'm not about to change my ways, even with some so-called gods in the sky."
Ah, my old freinemy, the motherfucking butterfly effect rearing its head once more. My lips twitch in self mockery before I focus again. "Still, please be very careful and make sure you know who you're bringing in and make sure to turn away the bitten. If they are already infected, it's really not their fault, but I've already seen a lot of people killed because they didn't realize someone infected was walking among them. Having them searched as a condition of entrance wouldn't be out of line."
Herschel pauses, his side of the radio going staticky for a few long moments. "… I don't like it, but you make a very good point ,young lady. And since your warnings have already proven the difference between life and death, I'll listen once more and make sure that everyone is inspected, even if it does feel a bit paranoid."
I sigh in relief and thank him for indulging me before sitting back and pretending to allow Shane to take the lead in the conversation since there isn't anything important left to discuss.
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"You should be all clear as long as you watch out for the places I told you about," I murmur to Glenn and Shane. "Be careful and avoid the nursing home for now. I'll deal with that group myself when we're more settled. Just leave them the bag of supplies and the note as I said."
Shahe crosses his arms, frowning, "Is it really okay for us to be giving away supplies to an unknown group?"
"It's an investment, trust me. Those guys are good men and some good will goes a long way," I answer, letting myself smile soothingly at the man, ignoring the way he leans closer to me, his body language revealing his interest so clearly, I didn't even need my skill to sense it. "We'll see y'all tomorrow."
"Bye, Arabian Nights. I'll bring back something for you to rub on," Merle calls out, sticking his tongue out lewdly, and sulking when my only response is to snort and wiggle my eyebrows back suggestively, completely unshaken, the group watching in bafflement at the interaction.
Their group is on their way to make another supply run and to level up in Atlanta now that the bombings have stopped. Daryl grunts something at his brother before coming to stand by me. I whistle softly and nudge Hunter to join Glenn's group as they all file away in the truck, scratching the German Shepard's back as he passes.
I have no idea what is going on with my dogs, all of which have status displays that say they're mutated and leveled up. Enough days had passed that it was unlikely for them to turn into monsters, so I figure it's safe enough to start sending Hunter, Riot, and Shield out on supply runs as well. According to all the runners, the dogs were turning out to be a shockingly effective method of enemy detection and brave fighters. Despite the canines' bad habit of eating the brains, literally, of zombies sneaking up on us from behind, they had yet to show any sign of turning, or even excess aggression. Don't ask me how the hell that works, though. I've been trying not to think about it too much since it makes my damn head hurt.
Daryl, who stands tense and defensive as he watches the car disappearing in the distance, has me instinctively trying to comfort him. "Merle will be fine, I'm sure."
"I know that," the archer snaps, glaring at me. "My brother, ain't week,woman!"
"I never said he was," I respond evenly, palms up placatingly. "That doesn't mean you can't worry for him."
That seems to stop the man in his place, the air around him turning uncertain and hesitant. That is something I'd noticed about the man. Daryl was an observer, a shadow that lurked on the fringes with piercing, sharply intelligent eyes that take in every detail. He's prickly for sure, but it's mostly bluster and a facade, always a defense mechanism to assert himself, to cover any perceived weakness. He, like his brother, wore the title of uneducated red neck like his armor, constantly prepared for people to see him that way, to never look any further. But unlike Merle who was unapologetically trying to fuck up the world that fucked him up first, the moment someone does see the real Daryl, the instant his mask falteres, he panicks. He snarls and snaps and spits venom like a cornered animal, like he believes any vulnerability makes him pathetic in his entirety.
It kind of made my heart hurt. Especially because it's so clear I terrify him.
Fair enough, I suppose, since he knew I could see through him. Still, I hope that little by little, if I show him my own soft spots, he might learn to trust me, something I genuinely want, because despite his hissing and spitting like an angry cat that's been sprayed with water, I could also see his kindness.
Daryl wasn't loud with it but I know it's him that makes sure to always bring back candy for the kids on supply runs, that it was him who taught the youngest Morales daughter how to make flower crowns in the nearby meadow, that it was him who refilled Dale's bait bucket. Thus man's kindness is all quiet little things in the dark where he thinks no one sees like fireflies in the night.
It's an interesting contrast to Merle who likes to make everything a production to distract from every thoughtful act, enough to bury his own sincerity under the guise of cockiness, racism, and misogyny and keep anyone from developing good will towards him, secure in his view that everyone is an enemy and that he doesn't need trust anyone other then his brother.
Honestly, both Dixon were frustrating, yet kind of adorable.
"So, I Saw a monster coming this morning," I state conversationally as we approach the central area of the camp, where breakfast is being prepared and I'm unsurprised when several heads swivel in our direction as I stop at the table set up to prep the meal.
"Monster?" Daryl growls roughly, shifting exactly three inches closer to my side, still leaving half a foot between us, as I grab a knife to start chopping veggies up for a stir fry.
Fucking adorable.
"Yup, although it's actually several monsters," I agree cheerfully, most of the remaining adults of the camp now paying close attention. "They will be arriving…." I glance up to measure the trek of the sun across the sky. "…. In like two hours."
Lori, across the little fold out table with a salad bowl in hand, straightens up, blanching. "Why didn't you say that before Shane and the others left?!"
I tilt my head, calmly reaching for some tomatoes grown by Amy. "Why would I do that?"
"W-what? They took most of the people with combat skills with them!" Lori rasps out, the taller woman looking close to a freak out.
"What do we do?!" Dale murmurs fretfully, wringing his hands.
"I knew we shouldn't have let no woman lead!" spits out Ed. The man is pathetic and a complete waste of space and his comment is so ironic that I actually find it funny enough not to get mad.
I huff and clap, my hands together sharply, the sound cutting through the rising voices around me. "Look, let's be honest. There's no chance that every time we get attacked, we'll find ourselves surrounded by the perfect combat skill users. It's never going to happen. In the future, there's a high likelihood that we're all going to come up against monsters at some point, and if we don't know how to defend ourselves, we're dead meat. I refuse to allow any of us to be coasting through and riding the coattails of those with combat skills. It's not fair to them, being expected to put their lives on the line for everyone else every time. Nor is it fair to those without inherent combat skills because this mentality will mean that they remain weak and vulnerable should an attack come unexpectedly. We all need to level up, just like the group out on a run right now."
"Does that mean that all of us will eventually end up on a supply run," T-dog pipes up quietly from the back.
I nod. "It's only fair. None of us gets to stay safe at camp all the time. Runners will be risking their lives to feed us and that shit ain't right. The only exceptions will be those under the age of 18 and those with disabilities. There might also just be people who have skills that are better suited for camp like Amy and Jim who help feed and defend the rest of us, but even they will end up on a supply run eventually," I reply simply.
This elicits some protests, but Lee steps up beside me in silent support. He was let in on my plan yesterday and he is in agreement. As he is the only other leader currently at camp, everyone else can fuck off.
Heh, the perks of being a democratically elected leader.
"But enough of this for now!' I call out, a wicked smirk curling the edges of my lips. "Everyone needs to eat quickly. We've got a battle to fight and we'll all need the energy."
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All the kids are summarily shoved into my RV for the duration of the attack, Carol inside with them because they needed an adult and her skill, some kind of sharp shooter ability wasn't at a high enough level that I felt safe giving her a gun with so many people on the field. She did have a weak shield ability I found interesting, though. Riley isn't pleased to be included in the kids' group, but eventually acquiesces under the guise of protecting the littlest kids. Once they were sequestered, my trailer is further protected by all the other vehicles being parked around it like a secondary defense along with some pits that Jim dug into the ground around it. This along with some earth walls would make it very hard for a monster to charge directly at the vulnerable group and would also slow enemies down.
Amy, Jim, and Altair were next, under strict rules to only act if the monsters got past everyone and made it to the center where they were. On the roofs of the RV's were Dale, Lori, Ximena Morales, Doug, Larry, and Katyih. Most of them were chosen due to some kind of gun skill, although, interestingly, Lori and Ximena had support skills. Lori could cast skills to inflict debuffs or status ailments on enemies, reducing their stats, and Ximena could make allies stronger, buffing them instead. Both were temporary but terribly useful skills even though they were weak currently.
The rest of us that were still at camp were spread across the camp clearing. I inhale deeply, checking on everyone, soothing worries where I can while keeping an eye on the position of the sun, Shield and Riot prowl at my heels.
"You're so calm," Altair grits out, hands shaking slightly on his sword. I pause next to him before tugging him close to press his head to my shoulder briefly, smiling when I'm reminded of how much taller than me he is now.
I kiss his crown as I formulate an answer, whispering it into his hair. " You forget, I've been fighting for lifetimes."
He stiffens momentarily at the reminder but I have no intention of pussy footing around the topic of my reincarnation. He's had his space and time to think about it, so now he needs to adapt.
"Right. Sorry, I forgot," he murmurs but doesn't pull away immediately, an improvement since he found out the truth.
I ruffle his hair. "It's fine. The first few times are…. Yeah."
He shuffles away awkwardly, but his expression isn't as wary of me as the one he's been wearing since this mess started. "So, it gets better? It stops feeling like you're gonna shit yourself?"
I consider the question with a wry grin. "Yes and no. It gets better, but you'll never not be afraid. All that changes is that the fear won't freeze you. Instead, you learn how to wield it until it works for you rather than against you."
"I'm not sure I understand that," Altair admits, gripping his sword tighter.
I eye him knowingly before I step away. "You will, one day."
I check on a few others before settling at the front of the group, Daryl, Lee, Kenny, T-dog, Jacqui, Morales, and a few others readying themselves around me.
"You should step farther back," a low voice grumbles accompanied by a tug on the back of my shirt.
I snort. "Says the archer."
"Tch."
Fucking. Adorable.
"Incoming!" I call out as [Sense] picks up the incoming little bastards just as the sun falls into position where I remember it from my vision.
From the tree line emerges the small scrawny figures. From my vision, I know it is small, green, and ugly as sin with bulbous features and bug eyes, pointed ears sticking out the side of their heads, almost bat-like with a large beak like nose.
I activate [Appraisal].
[Common Goblin lvl 2: A semi intelligent being from another world known for pillaging human settlements and a particular fondness for human females. While not particularly strong, goblins are known to be far more clever than the average monster.]
I snarl, taking in the range of lvl 2-4 goblins, cursing the universe because these goblins were the creepy, bad touch kind instead of the friendly or dumb kind.
"Heads up! These guys are clever and favor women," I call out in warning as I drop into a stance, glaring as the goblins smile wide, fangs on display as high pitched geeking noises begin to fill the field.
"A-are they laughing?" Kenny chokes out, dread and horror suffusing the air as the small hoard, ten and counting stalk forward.
I bare my teeth. "What, you don't like it? Then remember," I hiss, lunging forward without a second more, driving my foot into one swollen rounded belly of the nearest creature, bringing my sword up to block another's ax and using my other sword to slash through its throat, killing the first goblin. "-they can't laugh if they're dead! Fucking charge already!"
Ding!
[You have killed a [Common Goblin]! Reward: 400 EXP.]
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AN; Thoughts? Not what you expected? The first big monster attack turns out to not even be walkers, lol. But don't worry, we'll see plenty of them soon, bear with me.