TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

Kate stared wild-eyed at the tuxedoed Balance on the podium.

"Where am I?" she demanded.

The man raised a placating hand. "It is okay, Kate. You are safe. This," he gestured grandly around the room, "is the Soul Chamber. I am Caretaker Balance, and this is where you will make some very important choices."

"Choices? Listen, I don't . . . I don't know how I got here or what is going on, but you had better let me out."

"You will be choosing your class. We will discuss spells, abilities and—"

"Did you drug me?"

"No, of course not. If you could please . . . "

But Kate wasn't listening.

Even with a screen between them, Tom recognized the panicked anger rising in Kate's face. Her chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths. Her eyes darted around the chamber, no doubt searching for an exit.

"Ms. Damascus?" the tuxedoed man prompted gently. "Are you all right? Perhaps you would like to sit down—"

"No!" Kate whirled around, her blond hair flying. "No, I gotta get out of here!" She frantically scanned the chamber walls. "This isn't right. None of this makes sense!"

"Ms. Damascus, please calm down. We need to get through your selection. Your daughter will be next to . . . "

Kate froze. Slowly, she rotated back to face him, her crystal eyes flashing. "You have one of my daughters here?" The fear in her voice had vanished, replaced by razor-sharp intensity.

In three strides, Kate closed the distance to the podium. She jabbed a finger at the man's chest. "Which daughter? Where is she!"

The man turned, transformed before her eyes. His masculine profile shimmered and reformed into the shapely silhouette of a gowned woman.

Kate gasped and stumbled backward.

Caretaker Balance regarded her calmly.

"Ms. Damascus, please allow me to explain—"

"Please do!" Kate yelled. "Because it feels like you kidnapped me and one of my kids! Is this some fucked up prank?" Her hands balled into fists at her sides.

The woman descended the steps with fluid grace. "I am Caretaker Balance. And no, nothing so sinister. I was merely saying that your daughter Chloe will go next after you. She is safe and unharmed, and certainly un-kidnapped."

"Chloe . . . where is she?"

"She is quite all right." A smile played on her lips. "She is a beautiful, strong young woman."

"Take me to her."

Balance extended an elegant hand. "Soon. But first, we have much to discuss. Please just give me a few minutes of your time, then you will be reunited with your whole family, I promise. Will you walk with me?" She indicated a nearby pool.

Kate did not accept Balance's hand but allowed herself to be led to the shimmering water.

"Before you can reunite, you must make your selection."

Glowing runes crawled along the lines of the large gray stones bordering the pool. Spectral figures of Kate—each representing a different class—hovered and moved around her. One flowed through different combative poses. One cast flashes of light at an unseen opponent. Another played a flute, her feet dancing to an unheard tune.

Kate's jaw dropped.

"Your class options, Ms. Damascus." Balance smiled, and gestured at the ghostly figures. "The first of many choices that will shape your destiny here. So, tell me . . . " Balance's deep golden eyes regarded Kate intently. "What calls to you?"

*****

Kate blinked. Her mind reeled as she stared at the shimmering words on the stone. "The fuck? What calls to me? I-I don't understand any of this. Classes?" She shook her head. "What is this? The last thing I remember is . . . "

She grasped for any recent memory, but they all slipped away like smoke.

"Why can't I remember? What's happening to me?" Kate's voice rose. She ground her fingers into her thighs.

"Please, be at ease." Balance placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Your confusion is natural and understood. Expected, even." A wave of serenity seemed to emanate from the touch.

Despite herself, Kate's galloping heartbeat began to slow.

Balance shifted directions and once again became the man with the baritone voice. He regarded Kate with solemn eyes.

Balance's voice was heavy. "The truth is a tale of tragedy, Ms. Damascus. One I wish I did not have to lay upon you." He paused, as if steeling himself. "You, Chloe, and your other children . . . you are no longer among the living in the reality you knew. A sickness took you. It claimed most of the world, in fact."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The words struck Kate like a physical blow. The strength rushed out of her legs, and she slumped into the largest boulder. A keening sound tore from her lips.

"Your husband still lives," Balance said gently. "He, and your children, will join you here. This place, Ms. Damascus, is Utopia. A second chance."

A great weight crushed Kate's chest, and she struggled to breathe. She grabbed fistfuls of her blond hair.

"They cant be…I would have protected them"

She dragged in a shuddering breath.

"Take me to them." Her voice was low and fierce.

Balance nodded, and placed his warm palm on Kate's shoulder. "First, a class and a path forward."

She wanted to punch him, but her arm wouldn't respond.

Balance helped lift her to her feet.

Kate resisted his calming aura, but it flowed through her anyway. The grief still hollowed her core, but her heartrate slowed, and her mind cleared.

"This is not a heavenly afterlife," said Balance, his voice soft. "Utopia is not the world we intended it to be. Recent events have made the New World dangerous and unforgiving. Which is why you must choose your class and specialization wisely."

Balance gestured again to the shimmering display.

Kate scrubbed a hand over her damp cheeks. "I have questions that you will answer about my girls, but fine. Tell me about . . . all of this." Kate waved a hand at the spectral versions of herself.

Kate listened as Caretaker Balance explained all the classes, and gave examples of specializations.

"You mentioned I could be a [Lifeguard]," Kate said. If one of her children got hurt, she could heal them. It seemed like the obvious choice.

"Indeed, your maternal instincts would make you well-suited for it." Balance's expression became thoughtful. "Although . . . I do have another idea."

Kate peered at him.

Balance leaned in closer, his golden gaze glinting. "When you first arrived here, you were afraid and searching for a way out. Until I mentioned your daughter. Your focus sharpened in an instant, and I felt your fury when you thought Chloe was threatened. Your protective rage was . . . powerful."

When Balance had mentioned Chloe, everything else had fallen away. In that moment, she hadn't given a shit about anything else; she was all anger.

A soft shimmer drew Kate's attention, and her jaw dropped again.

A doorway slowly materialized and opened. An older light-skinned slightly sunburnt man stepped through. He was garbed in a simple tan robe, and the top of his head was bald with steel-gray hair fringing the sides. He inclined his head to Caretaker Balance before turning to Kate.

"Hello, Kate. I am Caretaker Earth." His voice was rich and mellow, like distant thunder. "I wonder if you might hear my suggestion?"

Kate glanced between the two Caretakers. She tried—and failed—to form words.

Earth smiled gently, his hands clasped before him, and continued. "Caretaker Balance handles everyone's class and ability selections. However, myself and the other Caretakers do listen in and advise when the opportunity arises. I, too, was struck by the strength of your maternal fury." His eyes held Kate's. "Your world narrowed to your daughter's safety. I found that thrilling."

Kate nodded slowly. "I . . . yes, but that's any mother, really."

Earth hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe, but even so, your devotion to those you love is a wellspring of immense power. I believe it could be the key to unlocking your true potential here."

He waved a hand and conjured a shining image of Kate. She was wreathed in emerald light, radiating both primal ferocity and nurturing warmth.

Kate leaned closer, transfixed.

"Have you considered the path of the [Druid]?" Earth asked softly. "It is a calling of great versatility."

"Could I still heal?"

"Exactly why I bring it up, Yes. I would suggest you start with a simple [Regeneration Aura]. From there, as you level, you can dictate your path based off your current situation. As I said, [Druids] are very versatile. If that appeals to you, then for your specialization . . . that ferocious maternal instinct . . . "

The ghostly silhouette of [Druid] Kate shifted, and grew into a massive bear-shape that towered over shadowy foes.

"The [Druid's] soul is attuned to the wild. The specialization of [Mother Protector] would provide access to the shapeshifting spell of [Mother Bear]. With that, you could be very savage."

Kate's heartbeat quickened.

"Would I still . . . I mean, would I be me? Would I be a threat to my family? I would eventually change back right?"

Earth nodded. "The beast would still be you, but you would be fueled by an animalistic motherly instinct. I won't deceive you; you will need to find ways to develop your self-control. If the bear takes over too much, it could lead to negative consequences." He stepped closer to Kate. "It's a fair trade off. The more danger your family faces, the greater your power surges to shield them. You would be a ferocious protector for your family."

Kate nervously picked her fingernails. Would becoming a bear give her the power to protect her family, or would she lose herself to it and put them in danger? Their faces flashed through her mind: Loo's wide-eyed wonder after she had set up her ant farm; Chloe's intense concentration as she tapped at her keyboard; Amber's delighted cheer the first time she successfully back-flipped.

Kate stopped picking at her nails, and instead curled them into her palms. They pressed against her flesh, threatening to dig through the skin.

She met Earth's gaze. "I'll be anything. To keep them safe."

The Caretaker's weathered visage crinkled into a smile.

Kate turned back to Caretaker Balance, who regarded her with an inscrutable expression. "Have you made your choice, Ms. Damascus?"

Kate squared her shoulders. "I choose the [Druid] class, with the [Mother Protector] specialization."

"Good luck, Kate! It was a pleasure meeting you." Caretaker Earth stepped backward through the magical doorway.

"What happens now?" Kate asked.

Balance inclined his head. "Step forward to the ability stone. We will select your Level 1 abilities."

*****

Tom smiled as, on-screen, his wife submerged into the unearthly pool. The feed shimmered and distorted.

Pride stirred Tom's old heart. Kate had chosen the path that would keep the kids safe, even though it scared the hell out of her.

The video feed cut out and was replaced by a timer. Two hours left before the AI would sedate Tom and plug his mind back into the simulation.

It was the start of Week Three, and they were going after the Spider Dungeon.

His guts churned.

Tess had pushed for it, and Old Man Tom's more distanced viewpoint allowed him to admit that she was right. She had a practical head on her shoulders—always strategizing and looking ahead. Tess—like Bo—was good at setting aside emotion to get the job done.

Admittedly, he needed to work on that skill himself.

It didn't mean he had to like it.

Tom shuddered at the recollection of Spider legs clanging and crawling all over his armor.

The Dungeon wasn't going to be easy. He could feel it in his tired bones. But sitting here—his mind unclouded by the fog and fear of the simulation—one thing was clear. His family needed to get stronger, or the Dungeons would overtake them. They needed to level up their skills and gear if they were to have a snowball's chance in hell of surviving. The Spider Dungeon was their best chance for better loot and experience.

It's also our best chance to get killed.

He exhaled hard through his nose, and closed his eyes.

Can't think like that.

The screen flickered to life with another highlight reel.

Ten dark-skinned figures moved with confidence and precision through an almost pitch-black Dungeon. Nine of them were men who were built like tanks; all hard muscle and grim determination.

Gotta be ex-military.

The sole woman—tall and lithe—kept to the rear; a [Lifeguard], if Tom had to guess.

They were fluid, silent, and deadly, like a SWAT team combing methodically through a house. They used none of the fancy formations Tess favored. There were taps on the shoulder and hand signals, and then they swept through the room like the wave.

A cluster of pale ghoulish creatures clawed their way out of the ground, all teeth and hunger. The team didn't even break stride. Blades flashed in the half-light, finding throats and hearts with surgical brutality. Gore sprayed the stone floors, and the creatures crumpled like rag dolls.

Tom let out a low whistle.

These dudes aren't playing around.

The scene cut to the team standing victorious, claiming a new territory in the name of their Kingdom. A banner unfurled; a red skull rippling in the wind.

"Room, do you have any extra info on that group?"

"Of course, Lord Damascus! They are currently the highest-ranking group in the world at Level 6. All its members served in the Libyan military. They have built a militaristic oligarchy government. So far, they are a highly efficient and disciplined ruling body. However, their townsfolk are certainly struggling with morale and with fulfilling their own basic needs, as the group comes down hard on the people for resources."

Tom didn't ask for specifics. When the world went to shit during the epidemics, it was normal to see groups of hard-asses calling the shots through force and fear.

"Based on biometric analysis," Room continued, "it is highly probable that, at current levels, should you have an encounter against such skilled opponents, their abilities would far exceed—"

"Yeah, got it," Tom cut in.

A few more highlight reels later, the room dimmed. Tom settled back against the crisp sheets of his bed.

Within minutes, a tangle of wires and tubes snaked out from his frail body.

"If you get put into my area as a monster, try not to kill me."

"I hope not, Lord Damascus," Room replied, its synthesized voice almost soothing in the darkness. "I'm sure I wouldn't stand a chance. Good luck to you and your family."

Tom huffed a laugh. "Thank you."

The needle slid into Tom's vein, and a cold rush of liquid flowed into his bloodstream. The neural link on his forehead buzzed to life, and a thousand tiny electrical impulses danced across his skin. His eyelids grew heavy. His breathing slowed to a gentle tide.

As his consciousness slipped away, Tom's last thought was of Kate.