Apocalypse-The Alien War

Chapter 2 Introduction...!

Ethan's point of view...

With each step we will take, we will carry the weight of my people's suffering and the burning desire for revenge.

The shattered world we once knew would be rebuilt, and I would play my part in shaping its future. I vowed to myself that no matter how powerful the aliens may be, I would stand tall, fueled by the unwavering determination to reclaim our planet and restore hope to the hearts of humanity.

Once onboard, we, the survivors, were given a glimmer of hope.

{Ethan, your duty as a Captain starts now, explain everything to your teammates} The fog on my head dispersed, as I heard the announcement. It's not like I am frightened but still, an unknown hesitation swirled in my whole self. I took a deep breath and exhaled the warm air out of my body to regain my confidence and strengthen my resolve before I started talking to my new allies.

"Hello friends," I started, my voice resolved despite their disdainful look, "As you all know we are selected by the Zodiac System to be a part of The Stellar Vanguard, which possessed advanced technology capable of harnessing the power of the stars, and they shared this incredible power with us, we the chosen few. I am glad that we are one of them now. We will each be gifted with a unique power called the Zodiac power, infused with the celestial energy corresponding to our zodiac signs. Though we were a part of them now, according to them we will be called as Zodiac Warrior. And we will be trained under them."

I gulped a sliva lump that had formed in my throat before speaking the main point,

"Hello" I started, their gazes rolled in irritation as if I was snatching their precious time, "Let me introduce myself, I am Ethan Conner, your captain for this mission"

I finally made it out and instantly turned around to face the screens behind me because I didn't want to see their disdainful reactions that may discourage me. I heard muttering sounds but I decided to ignore it.

{Zodiac Warriors} The system announced, the name itself gives a strong metallic vibe.

I loved it...!

{Please come and sign the bond with the system} announced the mechanical voice, and a door opened in front of us.

Looking at each other, we hesitantly moved forward, uncertain of what awaited us beyond that door.

Stepping into the next room, we found ourselves in a brighter space than the one we had been in before.

Thirteen rectangular boxes lay ahead, each illuminated with a different colored light. A holographic display of the twelve Zodiac Signs materialized above the respective boxes, revealing a complex system of lights and controls. The last box had all the signs engraved on it.

In a state of confusion, I moved toward the Libra box. As a Libra myself, I was certain that it was the box I should proceed with. However, a voice halted me in my tracks.

{Ethan Conner, the captain has the power and command over all the individual signs. Please take the last box after making sure that all your team members have taken the right chambers}

Taking a deep breath, I turned around to face my team members. Some looked at me with narrowed eyes as if I stole something from them and some rolled their eyes around as if I didn't even deserve their gaze.

"Let's get started guys," I said, and they all sighed and a few nodded in agreement though.

I took a long breath, as I found myself in a situation that I couldn't explain.

The people standing before me were all strangers to me, and some looked older than me. But I had to present myself as their captain...!

I mean isn't this hard?

Even my classmates and friends back then at the school do not accept me, a crippled one as their leader in the class of literature, I doubt if these people will accept me.

"Okay, let's begin" I repeated before calling out the first Zodiac sign,

"Aries", and a boy a year or two younger than me stepped forward. Everyone looked at him, surprisingly.

"Jack," he introduced himself before entering the corresponding chamber.

The system revealed the power bestowed upon those under the Aries sign, describing their heightened physical strength and speed.

They could charge headfirst into battles without fear, their bodies resilient and capable of enduring immense training.

His body was just like a teenager, I wondered if he gets the power described.

Next was

"Taurus", and a strong and masculine man moved forward.

"Dylan," he gruffly introduced himself, his voice reflecting his strength. Dylan went straight into the chamber after acknowledging me with a nod.

So far so good, I hope others acknowledge me as well.

The system explained that Taurus sign holders were granted immense durability and endurance. They possessed unyielding willpower, making them formidable defenders capable of enduring harsh environments.

"Okay, Next one is, Gemini"

I called out Gemini, and a beautiful girl stepped forward.

"Selina," she said with her head down and moved to the front and entered her designated chamber.

She didn't even glance at me. Was that because I am a cripple?

Or maybe because I am not good-looking enough...!

Whatever...!

The system revealed that Gemini sign bearers were granted the power of duality. They could create exact replicas of themselves, enabling them to confuse enemies and launch surprise attacks.

"Wow...! That's awesome...!" I let out that phrase unknowingly and observed that all the gazes shifted toward me.

"A...a...I mean that was also a good power, wasn't it?" I tried making the awkward situation better, and it worked a little as I heard some of them agreeing with me. With a slight smile on my face, I moved on to the next on the list,

"Cancer" but the person meant to move forward was caught napping. I gestured for my other team members to wake him up. It turned out to be a middle-aged man who stumbled, realizing it was his turn.

"Oh, sorry everyone, I am Dorci," he mumbled before entering the chamber bearing the Cancer sign.

A pot belly ahead and slow like a sloth, I couldn't help but think of my future collaboration with him.

The system explained that Cancer sign wielders were gifted with an impenetrable energy shield to protect themselves and others. They possessed incredible healing abilities, capable of mending wounds and curing ailments.

I stopped my wow inside my mouth, but seriously guys, it was amazing...!

I look forward to how those powers will help us.

A young and enthusiastic voice interrupted us, asking if it was his turn.

"Adan," he said excitedly and entered the chamber before I could even announce his sign, Leo.

I chuckled as I found him to be the opposite of the previous one.

The system unveiled the power bestowed upon those born under the Leo sign. They could manipulate fire, summoning flames at will and using the element to incinerate enemies or create barriers of intense heat.

As the powers of Leo were announced, doubts crept into my mind.

Could such a young boy handle such immense power? But I pushed those doubts aside, knowing that the system had chosen each individual for a purpose. I moved on to the next sign.

"Virgo," I called, and another girl stepped forward. She had been standing in the corner of the room all this time.

A simple girl with remarkable beauty, she turned towards me, and a friendly smile tugged at her lips, causing my heart to skip a beat. Her name was Ava, and she entered the Virgo chamber after giving me an enchanting look.

Was she looking at me or was I just imagining things?

Hoo...!

I must focus on the system and training right now...!

This is not the right time to think about those romantic feelings. Shedding away those disturbing thoughts, I stood there silently as the system revealed that Virgo sign holders were blessed with enhanced perception and precision.

Their every movement was calculated, making them unrivaled marksmen and masters of strategy.

Well, I can see that...!

Moving on, I called for the sign of Libra, and a man carelessly walked toward the chamber and entered it without much ado. The person standing next to him commented on his rudeness, but I reassured everyone that it was fine. His name was Nathan, and he had told the person next to him about his name when we were outside.

I understood that being a captain to strangers would not be easy after all.

The system explained that Libra sign bearers possessed the ability to manipulate energy and achieve balance. They could create waves of energy to disrupt enemy attacks or heal their allies.

I wish he would use his powers on enemies, not me.

"Sagittarius," I continued, and one of the remaining four individuals stepped forward. "Rock," he declared, though not hostile, the way he looked at me held a hint of disdain. He entered the Sagittarius chamber. Another one with dissatisfaction.

The system revealed that Sagittarius sign holders were bestowed with incredible accuracy and agility. They could manifest powerful energy arrows and launch them with pinpoint precision.

"Capricorn," I said, and a young man with a friendly demeanor moved forward.

"Hello captain, I am Zen," he greeted me, extending his hand. I nodded and shook it, hoping for the best cooperation. Zen proceeded to his designated chamber. His behavior gave me a timely relief that at least some people like me too.

The system explained that Capricorn sign bearers possessed enhanced stamina and adaptability. They could manipulate the planet's terrain, creating protective barriers or launching devastating earthquakes.

"Aquarius," I called, and a shy young man stepped forward. He walked slowly, his head hung low as if, a bride walking down the aisle. I sighed, realizing that he had shy conduct.

"Aron". He hesitantly introduced himself before making his way into the Aquarius chamber.

The system revealed that Aquarius sign-wielders had command over water in all its forms. They could summon powerful tidal waves, manipulate water currents, and create impenetrable barriers of ice.

Second Lastly, there was Pisces. A young man moved forward, brimming with excitement. "Max," he introduced himself, patting my shoulder before proceeding to his box. He was so friendly by nature.

The system unveiled the power bestowed upon those born under the Pisces sign. They possessed unparalleled telepathic and empathic abilities, enabling them to read minds, soothe emotions, and even induce sleep in their enemies.

I called for the last one, "Scorpio" and the last one walked past me,

"Daniel" he introduced himself and moved to the second to the last box. The system announced his power bestowed upon them, that those who were born under Scorpio could have control over all kinds of living organisms, may that be plants, animals, or any other life. That was amazing. Actually more than just the word amazing.

Once all the other chambers were filled, I strode down towards my chamber.

The system announced my powers as well. It revealed that I can possess all these powers and also combine them. I felt a slight pride in myself.

All the doors closed once the announcement was done, and the chambers elevated into the air. Emitting a radiant light, the candidates inside, we all closed our eyes, submitting ourselves to the Zodiac System. It scanned our bodies and forged an unbreakable mind bond.

The system declared, granting us initial rewards.

{Congratulations to all the candidates. The mind bond had been signed}

{Initial rewards granted}

{1) All wounds healed}

{2) Granted Ability to breathe without Oxygen}

{3) Granted Ability to stay stable without gravity}

{4) Granted Ability to communicate through telepathy]

I felt my leg could be moved freely, is that completely fine now? I was surprised to find it was. I want to get out of the chamber and jump to feel how it will be to jump and run without feeling the pain.

Our wounds were healed, and we were bestowed with incredible rewards, the ability to breathe without oxygen, stay stable without gravity, and communicate through telepathy. I felt like we turned into Gods or deities. It still felt so surreal.

It was an hour or so when the chambers finally opened, and we emerged from them, only to be met with astonished gazes.

"What the...!"

"What has happened to us...!" Awe filled the room as we exchanged shocked comments.

I couldn't help but gape around.

Were these people the same that went in?

Oh...My...God...!

So did I change too...!

I shifted my gaze down to look at myself and my eyes popped out in disbelief. I totally forgot about my leg as my whole body changed dramatically.

Overwhelmed by the unexpected changes, we stood together, united by our shared destiny as Zodiac Warriors.

Little did we know what lay ahead, but I hope we were ready to face the challenges as a team, fueled by our newfound powers and the hope that the Zodiac System had bestowed upon us.

{Brace up warriors your training starts now}

The system declared and we were filled with enthusiasm with the new look we got.

******************