Emortuus

Chapter 1

It was the year 2480 when the world first tasted bloodshed. The contamination of its resources resulting from a nuclear plant malfunction. In return leaving the world broken, and damaged. The water tasting acidic with poison and the air filled with radiation. Unfortunately, it led the human race into insanity. Each of the continents broke apart into factions, in order to contain the remaining human race.

Which led me to be in the faction of what was called the United States of America. Of course, now the name isn't that. After the president fell ill from the radiation he deemed the faction name as Emortuus. The meaning behind the name is died, perished or fallen in Latin. Oh the irony of it, a dead language for a dead country.

"I think I found something!" The sound of clinking gets louder as I round the corner. Arkin begins to cheer as he pries open the door sticking out of the ground. "We going to be eating good tonight!" He chants pulling his bag besides him. The contents of his bag weighed heavily as he swung it onto his back. "I'm telling you this now, Athena. Underground bunkers are the best. You always find the best loot in em."

"Unfortunately you forget our findings go to the faction only. Not for ourselves to selfishly indulge in them," I apprehend him. He pouts as he hands over his earnings to me with a childish tantrum.

"If you steal from the faction, then you steal from me. There will always be someone to replace you," Arkin rolls his eyes before he trots over to grab the extra bag.

"Don't remind me for the third time, cousin. Should we head south next?" Arkin ponders. My eyes follow his to the south side of our route.

"It's too close to the other faction. If we cross over we will be a target," I reply timidly. Arkin shrugs it off before walking back to our faction. His curiosity was as bad as mine. We both pondered exploring new places other than the areas we have been assigned.

"Do you think we'll be allowed out tomorrow? I mean with it being a full moon? I overheard the leaders worrying about winter coming," Arkin questions. I breathe in sharply thinking about the dark times we will endure fighting over food in the bunker.

In reality, living underground wasn't as safe as it seemed. Safe from radiation? Yes, but not from the people within. My father would never admit it, so I will say we are a dying faction. Not that anyone else outside of the council knows besides me.

"Watch your mouth, Arkin. If I have to I will report you. You know my father, your uncle, is on the high council. Besides I'm sure we'll be underground almost everyday. They wouldn't want to risk losing us due to the frost," Arkin and I were a special team. We were the few children to be bore from sterile ancestors. The healthy sickened the moment the nuclear war starting. During the time the earth was dying many people ran to their underground bunkers. Unfortunately, many died due to lack of resources. Except for a secret project people were working on in Michigan. Fortunately, it lead to the creation of us.

When the plague began to hit many of the workers were sent underground by the government. The government not only feared the project being
compromised but also humanity. Before the president died he enacted the Legacies. Not only did he rescue the workers he insisted the government find civilians worth saving. Which in return gave the human race, in faction Emortuus, a total of less than three hundred humans.

Fortunately for Arkin and I, our bloodline is ancient, we were one of the last few born into the dead planet. Only thanks to the scientist who were able to freeze female eggs. Years after radiation, where even the bones under ground began to turn to dust, humans were bred to walk on earth again. The first test subject being me, and secondly, Arkin. I was five years old when they forced me into the dry surface of the Earth. I was forced to survive for ten days before I was accepted back. In return they branded me with markings, and a pair of angel wings tattooed on my back. The brand of a servant to the faction.