Zombie Domination-Chapter 36- Rage

Julian pressed forward like a storm unleashed. His fists became a blur, each punch a brutal symphony of martial precision.

Cris tried desperately to block, his claws slashing wildly, but Julian slipped through every defense with terrifying ease, his strikes landing like sledgehammers.

A fierce combo rattled Cris, ribs cracking, breath lost, until Julian’s final blow sent him crashing backward, bouncing across the ground.

Panic flared in Cris’ eyes. ’This can’t be... ’ he thought frantically.

’I have more power now... the full moon is on my side... how can I lose?!’ With a savage howl, he leapt at Julian again, claws flashing in desperation.

But Julian met him head-on, knuckled fists slamming into Cris’ face and chest, each hit more devastating than the last.

Cris shrieked and called out, voice raw with rage, summoning the six werewolves he’d corrupted. "KILL HIM!" he roared, and the feral beasts surged toward Julian, claws and fangs bared.

But Clarissa and Rogan darted in, blades and bullets intercepting the charging monsters. Luke and Vivi joined the defense, steel and speed turning the battlefield into a maelstrom. Yet despite their efforts, the werewolves pressed in, claws inches from Julian.

Julian’s eyes narrowed, his voice low with lethal finality. "Enough." His aura darkened, and the shadows around him writhed. "[Domination]," he intoned, his power erupting outward.

A crushing force swept over the werewolves like an invisible hand, dragging them to the ground. Their snarls turned to whimpers as they froze, bodies trembling uncontrollably. Heads bowed, they groveled as if before a master predator, eyes wide, filled with primal terror.

Cris screamed in disbelief, spit flying. "NO! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!" He charged Julian in blind fury. "DIE!"

"Veronica, now!" Julian commanded.

A surge of energy flooded him as Veronica’s enchantment enveloped his body. Power radiated from Julian as he raised his knuckled fist, shadows swirling violently around him. His eyes burned with dark resolve. "[Abyssal Rend]," he declared, and with one devastating strike, he carved through the air.

A black arc of slashing energy ripped across the battlefield, slicing crisply through Cris and the six kneeling werewolves. Their bodies convulsed, then fell limp, each cut so precise it looked as if time itself had hesitated to allow Julian’s blow to pass.

Silence fell as the final echoes of the strike faded. Cris collapsed first, eyes wide in disbelief. One by one, the werewolves thudded to the ground around him, lifeless.

The battlefield was still. The fight was over.

Julian staggered, his vision wavering, but a strong hand caught him. Luke grinned, eyes shining. "That was damn cool, man."

Julian managed a small, pained smile. "It’s not over yet... I need to get back to the shelter."

The others gathered around him. Selena gasped as she examined his battered body. "How are you even standing? These cuts... they’re laced with poison. You should be dead."

Julian exhaled slowly. "I’m... suppressing it."

Selena looked like she wanted to argue, but Rea stepped forward sharply. "Enough. You don’t need to go back to the shelter. Staying here is the only way any of us survive."

Luke snapped his head to him. "What are you saying, Rea?!"

Rea’s eyes narrowed, his voice low. "Charging back in now is suicide. Staying alive is smarter."

But Vivi clenched her fists, voice trembling with anger. "Don’t you dare say something so pathetic! We need to save everyone, that’s what we’re here for!"

Julian raised a hand, stopping the shouting. His eyes burned with resolve. "No more arguing. I will return to the shelter, even if it kills me. I promised to protect Emma and Aya."

Clarissa stepped to his side, voice unwavering. "That’s right. We won’t abandon them."

Veronica glared at Julian, her cheeks flushed with frustration. "With your exhausted body, how are you planning to fight, stupid Julian? Sometimes you’re so calm it’s infuriating... but now you’re acting reckless."

She raised her hand, light swirling around her. "[Enchanted Surge]," she declared, and a brilliant aura enveloped Julian, flooding him with energy. His fatigue lifted instantly, replaced with a dangerous, fleeting vigor.

Veronica’s eyes softened as she warned, "That’s only temporary. It’s like a drug, you’ll feel invincible, but your body will crash after."

Julian nodded firmly. "Thank you."

Veronica’s face reddened deeper. "You’d better come back whole."

Julian turned to the others. "I need you all to rescue the five missing people. I’ll handle the shelter."

Luke stepped forward, eyes fierce. "Kick their asses, Julian. We’ll see you soon."

Vivi punched her palm with a smirk. "Make sure you don’t die before we throw you a victory party!"

Rogan gave a curt nod, eyes like steel. "I’ll cover them. Don’t worry about this side."

Selena looked up from her healing supplies, voice resolute. "I’ll keep everyone alive here. Do what you have to do."

Clarissa touched Julian’s hand, eyes shimmering. "Please... come back to us safely."

Julian’s gaze swept over each of them. He smiled, a rare, warm expression, then his figure dissolved into shadows, vanishing as he teleported toward the shelter.

----------×----------

Brandon stood proudly in the open square of the shelter, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over the crowd of frightened survivors gathered before him. At his feet knelt Gabriel and Darius, both bloodied and bruised, bound tightly with heavy chains.

Raising his voice, Brandon declared triumphantly, "From this moment on, I am the ruler of this shelter! Anyone who defies me will share their fate!" His words echoed through the tense silence, and murmurs of terror rippled through the crowd.

From the shadows, Derrick emerged nervously, escorting Ken and Albert, both gagged and tied, flanked by snarling werewolves. Derrick stammered, "I’ve secured these two... as you ordered."

Brandon’s eyes gleamed with delight as he clapped Derrick on the shoulder. "Excellent work. They’ll be useful later, keep them somewhere safe."

He turned back to the crowd, savoring the fear in their eyes. Finally, he thought, this shelter is mine. His gaze darkened as he remembered past humiliations, particularly at the hands of Eliza. I’ll make her pay... he mused.

Pointing at his werewolves, Brandon barked, "Find Eliza! Bring her to me!" The beasts growled in unison and scattered through the terrified masses.

Emma, hiding with Aya and Ms. Rei among the huddled survivors, clenched her fists. "This is bad..." she whispered.

Ms. Rei nodded grimly. "We need to hide, now—" But before they could move, snarling werewolves burst through the crowd, spotting Eliza and lunging for her. Emma threw herself between them and her mother, flames roaring from her hands, while Aya took aim with her bow, loosing arrows with deadly precision.

Brandon watched the scene unfold with a twisted grin. "How touching... but defiance will only make this worse," he sneered. He raised his voice for all to hear. "If you don’t obey, I’ll turn every last one of you into a werewolf, starting with Eliza."

Emma froze, her eyes wide with horror. Ms. Rei’s eyes narrowed. "So this is your true power, Brandon... you’ve been hiding it all this time?"

Brandon laughed darkly. "Hiding? No... it was all of you who underestimated me!"

Realizing resistance was futile, Emma and Aya lowered their weapons as the werewolves grabbed them, dragging them before Brandon.

"Excellent," Brandon purred, his eyes locking onto Eliza. "I’ve waited so long to have you under my control..."

"Don’t you dare touch her!" Emma snapped, her voice sharp as steel.

Brandon’s face twisted with rage. "Hold her down!" he barked. The werewolves pinned Emma as she struggled. "And don’t worry... I’ll have my fun with you too."

Suddenly, an idea lit up his eyes. He turned to the crowd. "How about this, I’ll release everyone if you two," he pointed at Emma and Aya, "can defeat my subordinates in combat."

Emma’s eyes narrowed. "If we win... you’ll keep your word?"

Brandon’s grin widened. "Of course," he lied sweetly, "I always keep my promises."

Eliza clutched Emma’s arm. "No! It’s too dangerous!"

Emma gave her a determined smile. "Trust me, Mom. We’ll win."

Aya stepped beside her, bow in hand. "We’ll protect you."

Brandon’s eyes sparkled with sadistic glee. "Perfect! Then let the match begin!" He snapped his fingers, and three hulking werewolves stepped forward, snarling as they prepared to attack.

Brandon raised his hand theatrically. "Get ready, girls... show me what you’ve got!"

And the battle began.

Emma roared as flames erupted from her hands, charging headlong at the first werewolf. Behind her, Aya nocked arrows with lightning speed, sending them whistling into the beasts’ limbs to cover Emma’s assault. The two fought with desperate precision, but the three werewolves moved with terrifying speed and strength.

One of the creatures swung a massive claw, striking Emma square in the chest. She flew backward with a cry, her shadow shield shattering into smoky fragments as she slammed into the ground. "Emma!" Eliza screamed, eyes wide with terror.

Blood trickled from Emma’s lips, but she forced herself to stand, glaring defiantly. Meanwhile, Aya, now without Emma’s protection, was overwhelmed by two werewolves. They clawed and pummeled her, tearing through her shadow shield and sending her sprawling. Aya struggled to rise, her bow snapped beside her.

Emma staggered forward, summoning a swirling inferno to blast the attacking werewolves, shielding Aya with her own body. But the beasts closed in relentlessly, claws and fangs slashing as Emma and Aya’s resistance weakened. Each blow pushed them closer to collapse.

Eliza, eyes brimming with tears, fell to her knees. "Please... stop! I’ll do anything! Just don’t hurt them!" she sobbed, voice breaking.

Brandon watched with a sadistic grin, folding his arms. "This is exactly what I wanted," he drawled. "The despair on your face... it’s beautiful."

Before Brandon could relish the moment further, Gabriel, slumped in his chains, clenched his teeth and growled. His eyes flared with determination as he roared, shattering the chains around him with sheer force. In a flash, he lunged and landed a thunderous punch on Brandon’s face, sending him staggering.

"Enough, Brandon!" Gabriel shouted hoarsely. "This ends now—"

But Brandon’s face twisted with murderous rage. "I’ve had enough of you!" he hissed. His clawed hand shot forward, piercing Gabriel’s chest. Gabriel’s eyes widened as blood bubbled from his mouth. Eliza and Ms. Rei screamed as Gabriel collapsed, lifeless, his eyes going dull.

Brandon withdrew his bloody hand, breathing heavily before bursting into cruel laughter. "So much for your hero," he mocked. He looked around at the stunned, horrified survivors. "Do you see now? This is the fate of those who stand against me!"

He turned back to Emma and Aya, both lying battered and barely conscious. Brandon smirked darkly. "Looks like our match is over," he taunted. "Take them to my chambers."

The werewolves moved to drag Emma and Aya away, but suddenly, a ragged figure stepped from the shadows, his clothes torn and bloodstained, eyes blazing with fury. Standing protectively near Eliza, he rasped, "Good thing I planted a shadow on you..."

He took in the sight of Emma and Aya, their bodies broken and unmoving, and his expression hardened to pure rage. His voice was low and cold as he fixed his burning gaze on Brandon.

"You’re dead."

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