Chapter 85-An uglier shape

Chapter 85: 85-An uglier shape

Far across the darkened ocean, survival had already begun taking an uglier shape.

The world had drowned, but humanity’s cruelty had survived perfectly well.

The first survivors had gathered on anything capable of floating: fishing boats, cargo vessels, private yachts, military transports, and even hastily repaired ferries.

Some had been fortunate enough to find safety by joining larger groups. Others had banded together with strangers, pooling their dwindling supplies and keeping watch through the long, terrifying nights.

But the ocean was no safer than the land they had lost. It was worse.

Out there, surrounded by endless darkness and treacherous waters, there were no police to call, no authorities to beg for help, and no neighbors to hear their screams.

A ship could disappear beneath the waves without leaving behind a single trace and some people had quickly realized how profitable that helplessness could be.

A group of armed pirates had seized several vessels, turning them into floating strongholds. They traveled across the flooded world, moving from ship to ship in search of survivors, food, fuel, weapons, medicine, and anything else they could plunder.

They made no distinction between the desperate and the wealthy.

Anyone who surrendered was dragged aboard and forced to surrender their possessions and those who resisted was beaten into submission. As for anyone foolish enough to refuse their demands, they soon discovered that the pirates had no intention of asking twice.

Gunshots occasionally shattered the silence, followed by desperate cries that were swallowed by the waves. Ships that had once offered their passengers a chance at survival were stripped bare and abandoned, left to drift aimlessly until the ocean claimed them.

Some survivors learned to hide whenever unfamiliar vessels approached while others extinguished their lights and prayed that the darkness would conceal them but prayer could not save everyone.

The apocalypse had given humanity a new kind of predator as not every monster came from the ocean. Some wore human faces, held weapons in their hands, and smiled while stealing the last hope from people who had already lost everything.

And as the world continued to collapse, those monsters were only beginning to grow bolder.

---

Several hundred kilometers away, Noel finally allowed himself to breathe. He stood on the deck of his ship, staring at the vessel that had seemed beyond saving only hours earlier.

The transformation was almost unbelievable. The gaping cracks that had marred the hull were gone, their damaged sections reinforced until they looked as though they had never existed.

The engines hummed steadily beneath the deck, their restored power vibrating through the soles of his shoes and the lights glowed along the corridors illuminating spaces that had previously been swallowed by darkness.

Even the navigation system which had stubbornly refused to function after the earlier damage, was now operating normally.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, his ship looked capable of carrying them into the uncertain future.

"I don’t know when Nathaniel built this 009. It’s highly efficient... just like it’s master," Noel slowly exhaled.

He hadn’t realized how tightly he had been holding his breath until the tension finally began to leave his chest.

Beside him stood a humanoid robot with an expressionless metallic face.

"009," he called. He had no clue why Nathaniel had named the robot but he didn’t dare change it.

The robot immediately turned its head. "Yes, Master."

Noel looked at the restored vessel, then back at the robot. His usually composed expression carried a rare trace of astonishment.

"You actually repaired all of it?"

"Correction. I repaired all critical systems. Several nonessential components remain subject to further optimization."

Ambrose emerged from the cabin carrying two bowls of steaming food. "Whatever you call it, I’m impressed."

He placed the bowls on a nearby table, then gave the robot an appreciative once-over.

"Honestly, if I’d known keeping you around would be this useful, I would have started treating you like royalty a long time ago."

"Your previous treatment was within acceptable parameters," 009 replied.

Ambrose paused. "That was a compliment. Careful... Nathaniel might not get you back after everything is said and done."

"I am aware that it is a compliment."

"Then why do you sound like you’re reading a weather report?" Ambrose joked.

"Because I do not experience emotional fluctuations in response to praise."

Ambrose stared at it for a moment before shaking his head. "Wonderful. Now I’m being insulted by a machine."

A faint chuckle escaped Noel. It was a small sound, almost rusty from disuse but it eased something tight in his chest.

For days, every waking moment had been consumed by the struggle to survive. They had fought against the rising waters, rationed their supplies, watched the world disintegrate around them, and wondered whether they would live long enough to see another sunrise.

Even when they managed to rest, their minds remained alert for danger but now, for the first time since the apocalypse began, they had a functioning ship, sufficient supplies to keep them going for a while, and a powerful mechanical ally standing guard.

’This is all thanks to you, buddy,’ he thought of his friend and how without Nathaniel, he would’ve been a goner.

"Come on," Ambrose urged, pulling out a chair. "Eat before something else tries to kill us."

Noel raised an eyebrow. "Your optimism is inspiring."

"I’m a very optimistic person."

"You spent the entire afternoon complaining that we were going to die. How was that being optimistic?"

"That was before 009 fixed the ship. My outlook has improved, brother."

"Remarkable."

"Thank you. I work hard at it."

They sat down and ate, savoring the warmth of their food and the simple comfort of having a solid table beneath their hands. They drank clean water without worrying about how much remained in the container and checked their supplies, reviewed the navigation equipment, and discussed where they might travel next.

Ambrose even began speculating about the possibility of finding a relatively peaceful island, although Noel immediately pointed out that any island still above water was likely to attract desperate survivors.

"Fine," Ambrose conceded. "Then we’ll find a quiet patch of ocean."

"And what happens when something emerges from beneath it?"

"You’re ruining my dreams."

"Someone has to keep you realistic."

Ambrose threw him an exasperated look but the corner of his mouth lifted.

The conversation continued. Their voices mingled with the soft hum of the engines and the gentle slap of waves against the hull.

Beyond the ship, the ocean stretched endlessly beneath the moonlight, its dark surface glittering faintly whenever the clouds parted.

Noel leaned back in his chair. The exhaustion weighing on his shoulders was still there, but it no longer felt quite so unbearable.

"Maybe," he murmured, "we can finally have one normal evening."

Ambrose’s head snapped toward him. He immediately reached out and knocked his knuckles against the wooden table.

"Don’t say that!"

Noel blinked. "What shouldn’t I say?"

"Never say that during an apocalypse!"

For a second Noel stared at him like he had lost his mind. He shook his head and laughed.

"Are you seriously superstitious now?"

"I’m not superstitious. I’m experienced," Ambrose said. He sounded as though he had experienced a thousand times.

"Those are not the same thing."

"They are when every time someone says things are finally going well, something horrible happens five minutes later."

"That’s called coincidence."

"That’s called a pattern, Noel!"

Noel was still smiling when 009 suddenly tilted its head. The movement was slight and barely noticeable yet something about it made the laughter die in Noel’s throat.

The robot’s head remained angled toward the starboard side, its optical sensors fixed on the black water beyond the railing.

A moment later, its eyes flickered. It caused both brothers went silent as a faint vibration traveled through the deck.

Noel’s smile disappeared while Ambrose slowly lowered his spoon.

"Did you feel that?"