April 18, 2020

  The campsite was quiet. Far too quiet. Waldo assumes that anyone that resided here is either dead or have ventured elsewhere. However, the theory that everyone died was more plausible given that he would periodically see red stains of blood on the ground. Humans were massacred here by something, most likely a curse. Waldo likes to think that they fought amongst themselves and ended up wiping each other out. That would have been a much more thrilling tale. But alas, one can never know what has transpired here. Waldo doubts there is a human here that could tell him.

  Waldo looks inside of all of the tents and tarps that he finds as well as the inside of the miniature log cabin. Scattered around the log cabin are several currencies, clothes, blood, remains of furniture, and some fingers.

  “Perhaps they really did kill each other. This weapon on the table reeks of human stench. They must have had a disappointing disagreement. That’s all they know.”

  Waldo stares at the knife in its hand that he picked up from the table in the center of the log cabin. Sure enough, Waldo can see human fingerprints on the knife’s handle. He stabs the knife into the ground and exits the log cabin. The tents that were placed around the campsite weren’t interesting either. There was the occasional dead body or two in some of the tents as well as other tools and storage equipment. While looking through the tents, Waldo rips open one of the backpacks that are inside of the tents and spills open the contents. Miscellaneous items such as food, water, batteries, and other supplies fall onto the ground. However, an item in particular that catches Waldo’s interest was a small wallet that contained a little family picture in one of the pockets.

  “This is a memorial. But why does one need such a thing? There is no purpose to this. Such are humans… useless.”

  Waldo grips the picture with both hands and rips it in half. He lets the picture flutter in the air and then exits the tent before kicking it away into the sky. The camp site didn’t provide any information or clue as to where Waldo could find people. Such a fact angered him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The only option now was to be patient and explore even further. This campsite is proof that tiny establishments of survivors are real. Waldo just has to find them.

  “There is nothing of use here. If I am to ever find any survivors, I must expand. The world is vast, but I have an excellent idea as to how I will go about this.”

  Waldo generates more of his shockwaves and creates several clones again. Through their collective mind, they each nod to one another and scatter in all directions. With the help of these clones, Waldo can technically be in several places at once, allowing for fast exploration rates as well as any extra knowledge about the world’s environment. Waldo himself went east towards the state of Texas. He doesn’t know where to go, and so he relies solely on his instincts and his gut. Along the way, on the border between New Mexico and Texas, Waldo notices another peculiar sight on the ground.

  (Is this another establishment? Let’s hope for my sake that I encounter survivors. Otherwise, I’m going to tear this place apart.)

  Waldo flies down to the establishment. When he lands in the middle of the place, he can see that it’s certainly larger than the campsite. Being on the border of two states must have meant more people mingled here. However, Waldo immediately senses that something is amiss about this place. As he looks around, he finds no traces that humans ever once lived here. There are no blood stains, no equipment, no tools, not even a scent or presence that they were ever here. Instead, Waldo finds several residues of cursed spirits. Cursed spirits must have taken over this place and erased any trace of humans.

  “But that couldn’t be possible. Unless a strong or intelligent curse such as Gensui crossed here, they wouldn’t have known of a way to get rid of all of the traces. Something greater is at work here. And it seems they are currently not here.”

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  With an idea in mind, Waldo decides to reside in this establishment until the cursed spirit returns. Perhaps this was futile since the curse may never return, but it was worth a shot. It is better than exploring aimlessly, and besides, the clones are still out there. Suddenly, a chill runs down Waldo’s spine. He stands up and quickly turns around. A cloaked figure stands in the center of the paved road.

  “What…? Is that you, Osoroi?”

  The cloaked figure simply gives a sinister smile.

  “We meet again, Rāj.”

  This figure that stood before Waldo certainly felt familiar. There was a certain air about them that nearly made Waldo recall something, but he couldn’t quite figure it out.

  (Osoroi? Hold on… why did I say that? Who in the hell even is that? I think this boredom has gotten too deep into my mind. And who is this Rāj? Is he referring to me? Why?)

  The cloaked figure looks around at the establishment. He knows that Waldo has already guessed what has happened here.

  “You’re confused as to how any traces of humans are gone, and you’re also wondering what could have caused such a thing. Well, you’re looking at it. I was simply passing through and the humans dared to look upon me in such disgust, so I wiped them out. They truly are barbarians, thinking that they are above us.”

  “At the very least, you are correct about that. Humans are disgusting and arrogant creatures.”

  “Indeed, War Spirit.”

  “So, you know who I am. Has my name already started spreading across the world? How fascinating.”

  “You can come up with your own theories. I will not be answering your questions.”

  “Bold. You’re confident despite being in my presence. You must be quite strong.”

  The cloaked figure crosses their arms and tilts their head.

  “As a matter of fact, yes, I am. And I also believe I am stronger than you.”

  “Stronger than the War Spirit? You must be playing a fun game to think that is true. Nothing is above me.”

  Waldo begins to get irritated by the cloaked figure’s remarks. He was confident that he was far stronger than this mysterious person. After all, everyone that Waldo had previously faced turned into dust. This person won’t be any different.

  “Shall we put our strengths to the test, then? Your power against mine. Let’s see who comes out on top.”

  Waldo turns around and sees the cloaked figure turned with his back facing Waldo. Waldo smirks at this challenge.

  “You’d best not cry when you lose. Nothing has ever triumphed over my strength before. You shall be just like all the others: Weak and powerless before my power.”

  The cloaked figure chuckles at Waldo’s seeping arrogance. The War Spirit in front of him is quite delusional. Perhaps they need a reality check.

  Waldo charges forward and throws a punch. The punch connects with the face of the cloaked figure. However, this person feels much tougher than anyone else. The cloaked figure’s smile can be seen as the punch lands. He turns his head and his eyes stare at Waldo.

  “Is this all? Quite different from before. A shame.”

  Waldo is suddenly kicked in the stomach before he could attack again. They cough up a small bit of blood before getting launched towards a house, crashing through the wooden walls and falling inside. Waldo quickly gets back up and shoots shockwaves at the person from both his left and right sides. However, the shockwaves stop just short of the person and explode in the air.

  (What just happened? I didn’t feel any sort of impact or contact. Does he have a certain technique that shields him? That will be troublesome… but very interesting.)

  Waldo smiles widely and cackles. This person is indeed strong! Strength that knocked him away, as well as a curious technique that blocks his shockwaves. This person is different. Then, Waldo charges forward, suddenly stops halfway and switches the motion of his attack pattern and continues to move around the figure rapidly. As he moves, Waldo looks for an opening to attack but doesn’t manage to find one. And so, trying to catch his opponent off guard, Waldo dashes towards the person and throws a left hook at his neck. Suddenly, Waldo’s punch stops before it can collide.

  (What? It’s happening again. I figured that if I used enough power, the technique wouldn’t be able to block it all.)

  Waldo throws another punch, receiving the same result. Waldo grows frustrated, his smile turning into a scowl, and continues with a barrage of attacks. Meanwhile, the man just smiles at Waldo’s futile attempts to hurt him. Then, Waldo jumps back and launches several shockwaves up into the sky. The shockwaves begin to combine together and form into a giant shape. The shockwaves bend and wave around, creating a giant serpentine creature.

  “Now go! Destroy him!”

  The serpent swiftly slithers its way towards the man. It rotates its body and swings its large tail. The man puts his arm out towards the tail. When the serpent’s tail makes contact with the man’s hand, it is quickly bent out of shape and explodes, releasing the shockwaves across the establishment and crashing into the buildings.

  “My my, this is unexpected. You’re far weaker than I anticipated, Rāj.”