Chapter 1:

-A World in Ruins-

PT:I

The world lay in ruins, a haunting testament to the cataclysmic event known as the Resonance. Once-thriving cities now stood as crumbling skeletons, their once-vibrant streets overgrown with nature's reclamation. Humanity clung to existence within fortified settlements, their lives overshadowed by fear and uncertainty

Cecil stood at the edge of one such settlement, gazing out at the desolate landscape before him. The sky was a sickly shade of green, a constant reminder of Resonance's aftermath. The air was thick with the stench of decay and ash. Despite the bleakness surrounding him, Cecil couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of destruction wrought upon the world.

Cecil shielded his eyes from the sun's intense glare, a stark contrast to the sickly green sky. He knew he should heed its silent call and return to the safety of the settlement. But something held him back, a yearning for adventure that burned within him. With one last wistful glance at the ruins stretching out before him, Cecil turned and made his way back toward the fortified walls. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this world than just survival. As Cecil made his way into the settlement, he was greeted with warm smiles from familiar faces. The sense of community here always brought him comfort after a long day outside the walls. One young man approached him and asked, "Did you go outside again?" Cecil nodded and replied, "Yeah I did." He knew that going out beyond the safety of the settlement's walls was risky, but it was necessary for scavenging supplies.

"How are the kids Mark?" Cecil inquired about his friend's family. Mark smiled and replied, "They're doing well. Just be careful out there, you know..." But before he could finish his sentence, Cecil cut him off with a sarcastic tone in his voice saying, "I know Mark - the monsters might get me!" They both chuckled at this inside joke they had developed over time.

Cecil cherished the small interactions he had with people who understood what life was like outside of their haven. It was refreshing to be reminded that despite living in difficult times where danger lurked around every corner, there were still moments of laughter and connection to be shared. As he walked through town towards his home, Cecil couldn't help but feel the weight of the bag filled with supplies digging into his arms and shoulders. The discomfort caused by the straps made it challenging for him to continue walking, but he knew it was necessary to bring all these items back home.

Despite feeling burdened by the load, Cecil found comfort in knowing that his house wasn't too far away. As he trudges wearily towards his home, the weight of the heavy bag slung over his shoulder feels like a burden that has been weighing him down all day. His feet drag along the pavement as he struggles to keep moving forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. But finally, after what seems like an eternity, he reaches his front door and with a deep sigh of relief, he realizes that this is it - he can finally put down the bag and rest.

The sense of relief that washes over him at this moment is indescribable. It's as if a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders and suddenly everything feels lighter and easier to bear. He takes a moment to catch his breath before reaching for the doorknob and stepping inside

Once inside, he sets down the heavy bag with a thud on the floor. The sound echoes through the empty hallway, emphasizing just how much weight was in there. As he stretches out his arms and shakes off some of the tension from carrying such a load for so long, he feels grateful for being able to finally let go.

He grabs a chair and sits down, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "That was heavy," he says, still catching his breath. Looking around the house brings back memories of a younger time when he didn't have to worry about food or supplies and when his parents were still alive. However, peaceful memories quickly turn into horrible ones.

Cecil was playing in the backyard when he suddenly heard his mother's voice calling out to him. He could sense that something was wrong from the panic in her tone. She sounded desperate and scared, which made Cecil feel uneasy. As he rushed towards her, she yelled out again with even more urgency, "Cecil!, Cecil! Run! Run!"

This was not like anything Cecil had ever experienced before. He had never heard so much pain in his mother's voice before, and it left him feeling helpless and confused about what to do next. His heart was racing as he tried to process the situation quickly while running toward his mother.

Cecil's small feet pounded against the ground as he ran, but despite his effort, he seemed to cover little distance. As he got closer to his house, a sickly sweet smell wafted toward him. It was an odor that reminded him of the dead deer that Dad would bring home after hunting trips. The pungent scent hit Cecil hard and caused his heart to race faster than ever before.

Thoughts raced through his mind as worry set in. He wondered what could have happened inside the house and if everyone was okay. With growing concern, Cecil called out for his mother, but there was no response - only silence greeted him. He yelled again with increasing desperation, hoping for some sign of life from within the walls of their home. But still,, nothing came back to him - no sound or movement indicated anyone else was around. His running and yelling finally came to an abrupt stop when he saw what lay before him: His mother and siblings were lying on the ground in pools of blood that dripped from their bodies onto the floorboards beneath them.

Cecil's world shattered into a million pieces at this moment, as he realized that his entire family was dead. The shock and horror of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him feeling numb and disoriented. His eyes quickly darted around the room in search of his father, hoping that he had somehow survived whatever had happened here. But instead of finding his father, Cecil heard an ominous growling sound coming from where the bodies lay. He couldn't see anything at first; the darkness seemed to be closing in on him like a suffocating blanket. But then he caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye - something tall and disfigured with dark skin that looked too tight for its body.

It was a creature unlike any Cecil had ever seen before: with arms twisted into grotesque shapes and razor-sharp claws that glinted menacingly in what little light there was. Its tail flickered back and forth like a whip, seeming sharper than any knife. As if sensing Cecil's presence, the creature turned towards him slowly - revealing an uncanny smile filled with black teeth that were far too sharp for its face. Cecil felt his heart skip several beats as he stared into those cold black eyes.

The scene was horrifying and gruesome. The Creature, with its grotesque appearance, bent down to the dead bodies of Cecil's family members. It then proceeded to take Cecil's mother's leg and rip it from her pelvis. In front of Cecil's eyes, the creature began to eat the leg, tearing apart the muscle until holes were formed in it and bones started showing. The creature did this process with Cecil’s two younger siblings as well.

Cecil felt paralyzed during all of this; he couldn't move even if he wanted to. It seemed like the monster held him in place so that he could witness every moment of this horrific ordeal. The tears flowed uncontrollably from his eyes, hitting the wooden floor beneath him. Suddenly, a desperate yell broke through his thoughts - "CECIL!!" His father had been searching for him frantically amidst all this chaos and devastation.

Cecil had been lost in thought, staring at the strange creature devouring its meal. Suddenly, he felt as if someone was calling his name and it broke the trance he was in. He let out a scream of surprise and fear as he realized that the creature had turned its head toward him with disapproval. It seemed like Cecil had broken some kind of unknown agreement between them.

The creature threw down the flesh that it was eating, treating them like they were nothing more than mere scraps to be discarded. Then, it began to walk slowly but steadily toward Cecil. Each step echoed through the house and left behind a trail of fear. As Cecil stood there frozen with terror, his father's voice suddenly pierced through the silence: "Cecil! Are you okay?" His father rushed over to his side in a hurry, trying to assess what had happened and whether or not his son was safe.

The monster quickly pounced on Cecil's father. He rapidly pulled out his katana from the sheath to battle the creature. The sounds of metal clashing against bone and flesh filled the air as Cecil watched in terror. The creature was powerful, but so was his father.

As the battle raged on, Cecil felt a glimmer of hope flicker within him. Maybe they could defeat the creature after all. But just as quickly as it had appeared, that hope vanished when he saw his father falter for just a moment. That was all it took for the creature to strike, its claws slicing through his father's arm like butter. Cecil screamed in anguish as he watched his father fall to the ground, blood pooling around him. The creature let out a triumphant roar before turning its attention back to Cecil. There was nowhere left to run.

Cecil's heart was pounding as he watched the creature slowly approach him. Its eyes were filled with hunger and malice, causing Cecil to tremble in fear. He couldn't bear to look at it any longer, so he closed his eyes tightly. He hoped that by not seeing the creature, his death might be more peaceful. But then something unexpected happened - a piercing scream echoed through the air. Cecil's heart raced faster than ever before as he wondered what could have caused such a sound. Slowly but surely, he opened one eye just enough to see what was happening around him. To his surprise and relief, he saw that the creature had been wounded and was now writhing on the ground in pain.

As Cecil opened both of his eyes fully, he saw something even more incredible: His father's sword sticking out from the chest of the creature! It seemed like a miracle - somehow his father had come to save him!

But joy quickly turned into horror as Cecil watched helplessly while the wounded beast retaliated against his father with its tail. The next thing he knew, both the creature and his father fell heavily onto the ground. Without hesitation or thought for himself, Cecil rushed over to where his father lay motionless on the ground beside him. Tears streamed down his face.

Cecil's heart was heavy with grief as he realized his father had sacrificed himself to save him. He couldn't believe that his father, who had always been so strong and brave, was gone forever.

"Cecil, wake up," an old man yelled from outside the house. Cecil jolted awake in fright and sweat dripped down his head. He got up from the chair where he must have fallen asleep after carrying supplies earlier. His back still ached in pain. He walked toward the door and opened it to see an old man in his late 50s standing there.

Before Cecil could ask why he came. The old man asked if he was having nightmares again. Cecil nodded because he knew the old man cared for, and raised him; He was also the head of their settlement.

The old man continued: "That happened when you were six - twelve years ago, Cecil. You can't let your past continue to hunt you like an animal.

Cecil nodded again but wanted to know why Jack had come over in the first place. Jack cleared his throat before asking if Cecil could help out with some grocery shopping for the Allen family and assist Mark with maintaining some weapons. Additionally, Jack asked if Cecile had time to get some supplies beyond their gates. Cecil said that it wouldn't be a problem for him and thanked Jack for looking out for him as Jack smiled while walking away. Cecil took a deep breath and tried to shake off the remnants of his nightmare.

Cecil mumbled to himself, "Jack was right that he couldn't let his past haunt him." However, despite this realization, Cecil still never forgave himself for what had happened. He constantly replayed the events in his mind and wished he could have been stronger. "If only I had come home earlier," he thought to himself. "If I hadn't sat there in fear while watching my father fight... If I helped him, he would still be here today... If... if... if..." It was a vicious cycle of self-blame and regret that seemed impossible to break free from.

But then Cecil snapped out of it. He knew now was not the time to dwell on these thoughts any longer. He needed to focus on helping out the Allen's who were currently struggling with their own problems. Despite feeling overwhelmed by his emotions, Cecil reminded himself that others were counting on him and that he needed to be strong for them.

As he made his way towards the Allen's house, Cecil felt a sense of purpose wash over him. Although it wouldn't erase his past mistakes or take away the pain completely, helping others gave him a glimmer of hope and allowed him to feel like maybe there was something good left in this world after all.

On his walk towards the house, Cecil was lost in thought. Then suddenly, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. "Hey, Cecil!" It was Sarah, one of the settlement's farmers.

"Hi Sarah," Cecil replied with a small smile.

Sarah fell into step beside him. "I heard you're helping out the Allen's today. That's really kind of you."

Cecil shrugged. "Just doing what I can."

"Well, we appreciate it," Sarah said warmly. "We all know how tough things have been lately. It's nice to see someone making a difference."

As they walked, more and more people greeted them - some with a nod or a wave, others stopping to chat for a moment. Despite everything that had happened in the past, Cecil couldn't help but feel grateful for the sense of community he had here.

By the time he reached the Allen's house, his spirits had lifted considerably. He knocked on the door and was greeted by Mrs. Allen, who thanked him profusely for coming over to help.

"Jack said you need help with some groceries, Mrs. Allen," Cecil asked, sounding puzzled.

"Yes, I need bread," Mrs. Allen quickly replied. After a pause, she continued, "My husband has been sick with a fever and my kids are at school so I couldn't get it myself."

Cecil responded empathetically, "Don't worry Mrs. Allen; I'll grab it for you." She thanked him again for helping her out.

Cecil walked towards the market, taking in the sights and sounds of his surroundings. He couldn't help but smile as he passed by the various stalls seeing all the different produce on display

As he approached the bread stand, one of the farmers who worked there greeted him warmly. "Hey Cecil! What can I get for you today?"

"I just need a loaf of bread for Mrs. Allen," Cecil replied, pulling out some coins from his pocket.

"Ah, sure thing," the farmer said as he handed over a freshly baked loaf. "Tell Mrs. Allen that we hope her husband gets well soon."

Cecil thanked him and made his way back. When he arrived, Mrs. Allen was waiting at the door with a grateful smile on her face.

"Oh thank you, Cecil!" she exclaimed as she took the bread from him. "You really are a lifesaver."

Cecil smiled humbly and replied, "Just happy to help out where I can." As he bid her farewell and turned to leave, he felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had made a difference in someone's life today.

Cecil sighed as he left Mrs. Allen's house, knowing that he still had a long way to go before he reached Mark's place. He checked his watch and realized that he was already running late. As he walked down the street, his thoughts drifted back to Mrs. Allen and her family. He couldn't help but feel glad that he could make a difference in their lives, even if it was just by buying a loaf of bread. But now, he had another task to complete. He quickened his pace, taking shortcuts through alleys and side streets to shave off some time. The sun beat down on him relentlessly, making him sweat profusely. His feet ached from all the walking, but he pushed himself onwards. Finally, after what felt like hours of walking, Cecil arrived at Mark's place. He knocked on the door and waited patiently for Mark to answer.

When Mark finally opened the door, Cecil was panting heavily. "Sorry I'm late," he said breathlessly. "I had to help out Mrs. Allen first."

Mark nodded understandingly. "No worries man," he said with a smile. "Let's get started on these machines." And with that, they got to work.

"So what do you need help with?" Cecil eagerly asked.

Mark explained that they needed to replace the Quantum DSK on the QRide. Hearing this, Cecil's excitement grew even more intense - he loved working with machines of all kinds, but there was something special about working on a QRide in particular.

As he prepared to assist Mark with the task at hand, Cecil couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to work on such an impressive piece of machinery. With his skills and expertise, he knew that he could make quick work of replacing the Quantum DSK and getting the QRide back up and running smoothly once again.

Mark takes Cecil to the QRide location and shows him.

The QRide is a sleek and futuristic vehicle that combines elements of a motorcycle and hovercraft. Its overall design is aerodynamic, emphasizing a sense of speed and agility. The body of the QRide is streamlined, featuring smooth curves and sharp edges

At the front, the vehicle has a narrow, pointed nose that tapers slightly upward. It incorporates advanced LED headlights, providing powerful illumination for night rides.

Moving upward, the rider's seating position is positioned towards the rear of the vehicle, allowing for a comfortable yet sporty riding stance. The seat is contoured and padded for comfort, with ergonomic features to support the rider's posture during acceleration and maneuvering.

The power source, the Quantum DSK, is positioned within a compartment located beneath the rider's seat. The compartment may feature sleek, translucent panels that showcase the advanced technology inside, giving it a futuristic look.

The hover mechanism is implemented through a series of repulsion modules located on the underside of the vehicle. These modules generate a magnetic field or anti-gravity effect, allowing the QRide to hover above the ground, free from contact with the surface. The repulsion modules might be concealed within recessed sections of the vehicle's undercarriage, maintaining a clean and seamless appearance.

On the sides, the QRide may feature streamlined fairings and air intakes to optimize aerodynamics and airflow. These features contribute to both the vehicle's performance and its futuristic visual appeal. The rear section of the QRide is compact, with a sleek tail that enhances its sporty look.

Mark and Cecil were eager to get started on the QRide. They wasted no time in taking the seat out so they could access the Quantum DSK. However, Cecil couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled as he looked at the seemingly fine DSK. "Mark?" he asked, still wondering why they needed to replace it. Mark took a deep breath before countering with, "Cecil, we need to replace it because even though it may look fine on the outside, there could be internal damage that we can't see." It was important for them to ensure that every component of the QRide was in perfect condition before taking it out for a ride

After carefully removing the Quantum DSK from its compartment, Mark and Cecil inspected it closely. They checked for any signs of wear or tear on the exterior casing before opening it up to examine the internal components.

As they opened up the Quantum DSK, they were greeted by a complex array of circuitry and microchips. The DSK was a marvel of engineering, with advanced technology that allowed it to power the QRide's hover mechanism and propulsion system. Mark and Cecil carefully inspected each component, looking for any signs of damage or malfunctions.

After a thorough inspection, Mark and Cecil determined that the Quantum DSK was indeed damaged and needed to be replaced. They carefully removed it from the compartment and set it aside before installing the new one. The installation process was meticulous, with every wire and connection double-checked for accuracy. Once they had finished installing the new Quantum DSK, they closed up the compartment and reinstalled the seat.

With the Quantum DSK replaced, Mark and Cecil moved on to the next component on their checklist: the repulsion modules. These modules were critical to the QRide's hover mechanism and needed to be in top condition for safe operation. The duo carefully inspected each module, looking for any signs of wear or damage. They also checked all connections and wiring to ensure everything was properly connected.

After a thorough inspection, Mark and Cecil determined that one of the repulsion modules was damaged beyond repair and needed to be replaced. They quickly sourced a replacement module and installed it with precision, double-checking all connections before moving on.

Next up on their list was inspecting the vehicle's exterior features such as fairings, air intakes, and tail section. Mark and Cecil closely examined each feature, ensuring they were streamlined for optimal aerodynamics while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. With everything checked off their list, Mark and Cecil were finally ready for a test drive of their newly refurbished QRide.

Mark turned to Cecil and nodded, giving him the go-ahead to take the QRide out for a test drive. Cecil eagerly climbed into the driver's seat and fired up the engines. As he lifted off the ground, he could feel the smoothness of the ride and the precision of the controls. The new Quantum DSK and repulsion module were working perfectly, allowing him to effortlessly maneuver through the air.

Cecil took the QRide through its paces, testing its top speed and maneuverability. He was impressed with how well it handled, even at high speeds and in tight turns. After several minutes of flying, he brought the QRide back down to land safely on the ground.

As Mark approached with a grin, Cecil knew they had done an excellent job refurbishing the QRide. All components were in top condition.

Cecil turned to Mark with a smile, feeling proud of the job they had done refurbishing the QRide. As he looked at Mark, he wondered if there was anything else that needed their attention. Without hesitation, Cecil asked, "Is there anything else you need help with?" Mark shook his head and replied, "No, we did a great job today. Everything is in top condition thanks to your hard work." Satisfied with Mark's response, Cecil nodded and grinned. He was glad that they had successfully completed the task at hand and that everything was working perfectly. With nothing left to do but admire their work, Cecil took one last look at the QRide before turning to leave with Mark.

Mark turned to Cecil and extended his hand. "Thanks again for your help today," he said with a smile. "You really made this a smooth process." Cecil shook Mark's hand, feeling pleased with the recognition. "No problem at all," he replied warmly.

As they walked towards the door, Mark guided Cecil out of his home, making sure to point out any potential hazards along the way. They chatted amicably about their shared passion for refurbishing and customizing Quantum Rides. Before long, they reached the front door and said their goodbyes. Cecil felt a sense of satisfaction as he walked away from Mark's house.

Cecil made his way back to his home, gazing up at the starry sky above. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder as he watched the stars twinkle and dance in the darkness. As he approached the gate leading to his property, he realized that he didn't have time to venture out for any supplies tonight. With a shrug, he pushed open the gate and made his way inside.

Cecil couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him as he stepped into his home. The warmth that once felt comforting was now suffocating, and memories from years ago flooded back. He tried to push them away, but they lingered in his mind like a bad dream.

Cecil took a deep breath in as he made his way into the kitchen, trying to shake off the sense of unease that had settled over him. As he looked down at the wooden floor, he couldn't help but notice the scars that still remained from years ago. The marks left by the monster that had once terrorized his home were still visible, even after all these years.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and frustration as he gazed down at the floor. Despite all his efforts to move on and start anew, those scars remained as a constant reminder of the past.

Cecil filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove to boil. As he waited, he rummaged through his cupboard for his favorite tea leaves. He found them tucked away in a small tin at the back of the shelf.

Once the water had boiled, Cecil poured it into his favorite mug, then added a teaspoon of tea leaves. The aroma of lavender and chamomile wafted up from the cup, calming his nerves.

Sipping on his warm tea, Cecil made his way to the living room. He settled into his favorite armchair and gazed out at the night sky once more. The stars seemed brighter now, almost as if they were trying to reassure him that everything was going to be okay. With each sip of tea, Cecil felt more relaxed and at ease. The scars on his floor may still remain, but he knew that he could move past them.

Cecil sat there, staring out at the stars for what felt like hours. The warm tea had long gone cold, but he couldn't bring himself to move. Memories from years ago continued to plague his mind, and the scars on his floor seemed more prominent than ever before.

As he made his way to bed, Cecil couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that settled in his gut. He knew that he would never be able to fully move past the horrors of his past, no matter how hard he tried.

Lying in bed, Cecil's thoughts raced as he tried to find some semblance of peace. But it was all in vain - the darkness within him refused to let go. It consumed him whole, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake.

As Cecil drifted off into an uneasy sleep, he knew that tomorrow would be just another day of struggling to keep his demons at bay.

Cecil groggily opened his eyes, the sound of knocking jolting him awake. He stumbled out of bed and rubbed his eyes, wondering who could be at his door so early in the morning.