"A long time ago, in 2024, the first zombie was born, and the world changed; it would stay that way for a long time. The zombies provoke fear and hatred in humanity, fueling the fires of their ambition to slaughter them to return the world to a state that only a minority of its population can remember. But is this vengeful slaughter necessary for the peace we're trying to achieve? Is there a better way that doesn't include killing? I want to find one, but until then, I guess I'll keep wiping them out. After all, our job is to protect humanity to help them make it to the future, so that's all we can do for now."
A man is driving along the road while talking to the boy in the passenger seat to his right. The man had black hair and eyes, he was tall and had scruffy facial hair. He was visibly of Japanese descent. Despite the bleak subject matter he was talking about, he wore a slight smile on his face. The boy next to him had red hair, green eyes, and a distinct accessory, an eyepatch over his right eye, more accurately, the majority of the right side of his face. He responded to the man, both sounding and appearing unimpressed.
"I know, you've made this exact speech to me like, six years ago."
"Really? Well now you're attending the A-Z Academy. This speech now applies to your life. You have to establish your perspective, whether it's the same as mine or not doesn't matter, but this is your life now, you have to know how you feel about it. A soldier who just kills mindlessly, without having any feelings about it, is dangerous. You don't want to be just a tool for war."
"And respectfully, my feelings on it are that all zombies have to be put down permanently for peace to be found. That way, we can move back to the surface. We're humans, we shouldn't have to live in the dirt like ants. We had to retreat to survive, so we have to push back to reclaim our lives."
"I see, if that's how you feel, then that's fine, but don't let your bloodlust get out of control. You have to understand you're a special case. If you exhibit any strange behavior at all, the higher-ups won't think twice about putting you to death, you're just fortunate the public doesn't know the full story, otherwise you might not have even made it into the school. Though just so you're aware, the staff was made aware of it."
"Yeah, I get it."
"He's talking about what happened when I was just 1 year old. Are they still keeping their eyes on me? Nothing weird has happened since then. No use thinking about it now, it won't do anything." Adrian thought to himself.
It had been just over an hour since they had left their home, but the pair finally made it to the school Adrian had waited his whole life to attend, A-Z Academy, the only school in all of the underground shelter of Grand Oasis to focus on classes based around fighting zombies.
As Adrian approached the school, he took note of its size, it looked to be about 10 stories tall. Though it made sense, it's essentially a hospital, college, mall, and military base all in one. Looking at the building from the north, he could see its entrance, to its left and right are two buildings about half the size of the main one. Those are the dormitories. It can't be seen from Adrian's current perspective, but he knows that behind the main building are a few more buildings that house classes and training grounds.
As they approached the entrance, Akihito, the driver, slowed down to provide the guards with his ID. He works as a teacher at the school, so he has clearance to enter. Akihito parked in one of the reserved spots, directly in front of the dorms. The basic spots are all around the building adjacent to the wall that forms the perimeter of the premises.
"All right. Grab your suitcase and unpack your things. Remember your temporary ID, or they won't let you in. After that, go wait in the auditorium for the principal to make his speech. You'll see me once it begins. Once it's done I'll show you around and we can get dinner."
"Got it, see you there."
Adrian did as instructed; he grabbed his bag and suitcase and made his way to the male dorm. While approaching the entrance, he looked at the scenery that separated him and his destination, the flowers lining the building's foundation, the brick pattern of the walkway, students talking with each other, reading, or just hanging out alone. He found the scenery comforting. He entered the dorm, greeted by white tile walls and blue carpet. After showing the man at the desk his ID, he headed to his room, 2-21. Before unpacking, he noticed the television and turned it on to listen to it while settling in. He had tuned into the current news broadcast as they were just finishing up a segment.
"Recently there have been small groups of protesters claiming that what the AZ Corps is doing in eliminating zombies is wrong, that zombies are living creatures and deserve to live and be helped instead of executed. They parade around waving pink flags with hearts and messages on them, they claim to worship the goddess of love, Venus. If you see the signs of a nearby protest, we advise you to take a different route."
Not paying attention to the noise in the background, the young man took his backpack off and began to unload his belongings. He neatly organized his clothes into different sections in his drawers, he took out a few spare eyepatches, placed them in his desk drawer, and set up his game console. He examined his outfit in the mirror, a black hoodie, a black shirt with a diagonal streak of teal, and black jeans. Not very colorful but casual, comfortable, and appropriate enough. He was glad he didn't have the same dress requirements as Akihito who had to show up in a suit and tie. After settling into his room and turning the tv off, Adrien left the dorm and headed to the main building. Upon entering and glancing to the left of the vestibule, he saw a map of the building and after skimming it over once, learned the path to the auditorium. Once he made it to the room, it was clear that Akihito and he had arrived there pretty late, the event had not started, but nearly all the seats were filled. Adrian found his seat and waited for the event to start. In all directions were students of varying shapes and sizes, most of them appeared muscular, many of them tall, all of which made sense considering they were becoming soldiers. The event began and staff started to take the stage, one of which was Akihito. They were all dressed the same, black suits, white shirts, and black ties, oddly formal for the particular event. The person in front who was most likely the principal was a large man possessing a few scars on his face.
"Students, soldiers, if you are here today that means you are on the track to becoming both at this academy. If you are here today, that means you have passed the written exam, physical exam, and background checks in order to deem you worthy and capable of attending here. Keep in mind you will be on the battlefield often, you may not come to like everyone in this room but they are your allies and you must trust and assist them. This path is not for the faint of heart, but with this institution's previous results and our top-of-the-line staff, I believe you will all help in the furthering of humanity, as long as you have the will to survive and fight. You all come from many different backgrounds, fight in different ways, think, eat, and live differently from each other, and that is exactly what we want, we need diverse soldiers, an army that can do anything, fitting of those who will succeed us to claim the surface. I hope to see you succeed, and I hope our ten subject heads, along with the rest of our staff and I, are able to provide you with adequate resources in order to become the best version of yourself. As you know, our hunters operate in groups that total 6, 1 teacher teamed up with 5 students. For as long as you're here you will work with those 5, you will eat together, when away from the academy you will sleep in the same area, you will fight alongside them and put your life in their hands, your groups will be posted tomorrow morning. Thank you for your time, the day is your own."
"Decently short and to the point, not that anything else was needed, we all know why we're here and what for, no need to drag anything out I guess." Adrian thought.
Upon the completion of the principal's introduction, it was time to wait by the entrance for Akihito. Once the two met up, they toured the main building. It's of course very large due to all the necessary facilities. The color scheme of the building stood out, the primary color of the walls, floors, and ceilings was red accented with white lines separating the red into squares. The building is polished and well-maintained, the surfaces are smooth to the touch and shine from the lights above them. They visited a classroom per subject, examining what Adrian would be studying, the inside gymnasium, where he would be taught by Akihito as part of his gym class, along with his office within the gymnasium, the medical ward had all the standard necessities you'd see in a hospital, the shopping district had everything you'd see in a mall, with clothing stores, a food court, and other niche services as well. With every area they visited, Adrian couldn't help but be more impressed with the facility. At last, they ended up on the roof, looking at the entire campus from above.
"This campus is unbelievable. It has everything you could need. It's amazing how much stuff they import into here, the campus itself is a jack of all trades. You could be born here, grow up here, work here, retire here, and die here, it's like a microcosm of an entire city."
Adrian's disbelief at the Academy couldn't be contained, he enjoyed sharing his impression with Akihito, the latter of which couldn't help but feel pride and joy in the fact his son was so impressed by his place of work and that he was following in his footsteps. He of course kept a level head and controlled his ecstaticism over the situation
"Yea it's definitely impressive, I'm glad I actually get to live here now as well instead of having to drive back and forth every day, the services are convenient and top-notch, especially the food. Speaking of which, I'm gonna head down to the food court, you wanna come with?"
"Nah I'm all set, to be honest I want to stay up here for a bit and take it all in, this view is beautiful, I'm gonna process everything I'm thinking about for a bit."
"All right, there are no classes today, if you're going to take your time up here then I'm going to heat to my dorm after eating, text me if you need anything."
"Will do."
As Adrian heard the door to the roof shut behind him, he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking down at the buildings, streets, and people, within the campus and outside, he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for their safety, for their future. He itches under his eye patch, in remembering his family, his scar begins to flare up with painful memories.
"What are you thinking about?"
With all thought suddenly lost, Adrian jumped to his left, startled by the sudden question of the unknown man standing next to him. Something less surprising than the initial question, but still puzzling was the man's appearance. Adrian could only compare him to the school's faculty, as he was wearing a suit, unlike them however, his suit was white, with a pink shirt under it and a white tie. He wore a white hat with a pink band around it, and his most striking accessory, a white blindfold. The man himself had white skin, so white in fact calling it that of a cloud would be a spot on comparison, pure white. Though he wore a white derby hat, his medium length hair was still visible, in fact it wasn't just visible but notable, his hair was pink, staying on track with his overall color scheme.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Please, relax, after all if you're here you and I will be seeing each other quite often."
"Oh no worries, I didn't see you during the entrance ceremony and Akihito didn't mention you, could I ask your name." Adrian cautiously responded to the man while trying to get information out of him.
"Of course you may. I'm Zeke Martyrize and it's a pleasure to meet you. Of course you can call me Mr. Martyrize if you'd like.
"Martyrize? A strange name, though fitting for someone so flamboyant." Adrian thought to himself.
"I see, it's nice to meet you as well, what do you teach?"
"Practical combat against zombies, though my teaching is a bit advanced, I doubt I'll be teaching you anytime soon, but grow stronger and you'll be capable of attending my lessons."
"Ah, I hope to do so."
After responding so formally to his remark, Adrian was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to or even if he should continue talking with a man such as this, a man so strange it's on the verge of intimidating. All of a sudden, the man began to speak once again.
"I couldn't help but notice your eye, mind if I ask what happened?"
Adrian stood silent for a moment, further baffled. All he could think was, "Does this guy have no tact? That's not a question you ask someone wearing an eye patch." Though regardless of the man's manners, it wasn't something Adrian was entirely opposed to sharing. Although it is strange since Akihito said the staff was made aware about the incident. After a bit more silence and consideration, he answered.
"When I was only a year old, a zombie broke into my house and killed my family. It bit into my right eye, the moment it did that, a soldier ran in and saved me. That soldier was Akihito Okabe. He then adopted me and here I am."
"Ah right that was you. Your name was Adrian, wasn't it? I'm terribly sorry that happened to you. It really is a shame things like these have to happen, but in life sometimes we must make sacrifices."
Adrian paused once again, puzzled by Mr. Martyrize's statement.
"What do you mean we must make sacrifices?"
"I'm sure you're not all that unfamiliar with the idea. Like how people would offer up food or animals to their god. Your family gave their lives for something greater, they are now closer to the gods and have joined them in their kingdom. I believe that to be the most beautiful thing in the world."
With a notable tone of shock and sorrow in his voice, Adrian responded.
"How could you say something like that?"
"Ah I'm sorry, it seems I've overstepped my bounds and said something I shouldn't have. I should be leaving about now anyways, business to attend to, I hope you understand. It was good to meet you Adrian, I hope we see each other again."
After giving Adrian his parting words, Martyrize turned and left the roof, leaving Adrian stunned.
"Sacrifice, what does he mean sacrifice? My family wasn't sacrificed to a god, they were killed by a zombie, mom, dad, Silvia and Gabriel, I watched them die. How does a sacrifice have anything to do with that?" Adrian thought to himself, wracking his brain to the point of a headache.