Interlude: Streamer

A twenty year old young man adjusts the camera in front of him, then clicks the record button. 

Behind him are the seats of a private plane, the window showing clouds flying by.

Once he’s sure the stream is live, he smiles and speaks in a soft British accent. “Hello everyone! Today we’ve been invited to something truly wild by the eccentric billionaire and philanthropist Damon Russo. As you can see, we’re in a plane right now, and we’re about to set down in Salt Lake City, the infamous City Of The Dead. 

“Damon Russo, a Beta Tester himself, has hired two other Beta Testers to accompany us on this harrowing trip. This is going to be exciting, so prepare yourselves! Oh, before I forget, for those of you watching this live, please follow and sub to my channel for more superhero-content. If you’re watching this on YouTube, don’t forget to comment and leave a like.” 

The camera shakes as the plane lands on a landing strip. “It looks like we’re arriving boys and girls. Just ten minutes away from the overrun city.” The streamer speaks in a whisper, wiggling his eyebrows at the camera. “Anyway, let me introduce you to the superheroes with me today.” 

He turns the camera to show a middle-aged man stroking his beard as he smiles into the camera. “This is the infamous Damon Russo, who was kind enough to invite us.” He turns the camera to the other two people in the room, both of whom are wearing surgical masks and sunglasses, “These two are Jack and John. Wave at the camera you two.”

Both of them give awkward waves to the camera.

Over the next twenty minutes, the four people transfer to a car that’s waiting for them. Jack drives them into The City Of The Dead. The streamer points the camera to the city, showing smoke rising in plumes, crumbling buildings, and strange shapes flying around the city’s former towers.

Eventually, a blockade comes into view. Damon Russo speaks with a man in a military outfit, and the car is let through.

The streamer makes sure to catch his face as he looks at the dead city in awe. In the distance are two figures slowly shambling down the street. He holds his camera up, giving a wide view of the street.

“Be careful and stay behind us.” Damon says, pulling an engraved sword out of seemingly nowhere. The other two men similarly arm themselves.

The group approaches the figures, their inhuman movements becoming more and more obvious as they approach.

The figures stop shambling as they see the streamer’s group. Their heads tilt to an uncomfortable angle, their long-dead eyes staring soullessly at the group and their camera. 

A terrible scream comes from the creature’s mouths as they run in a sprint towards the Beta Testers.

The streamer curses and fumbles his camera. He fixes it just in time to record the Beta Testers meeting the monsters.

Streamer’s Chat:

ColdSTEEL41: Holy Shit. wtf are those things?

WR_the_JadeBeauties: This can’t be real. Fake video! The government is producing this so they can scare us into giving our rights away. Creating fake “Zombies” is how they’ll convince soldiers to fire on regular citizens!

DagGobBoss: @WR_the_JadeBeauties These things are totally real, I live in Canada and I saw Beta Testers fight actual orcs. It was messed up man.

Dusty: @DagGobBoss is right. I’m a Beta Tester myself, I just walked out of something called a Dungeon. Things are only going to get worse from here man. You should prepare for what’s coming while you can.

GhostHound: @Dusty Bullshit you’re a Beta Tester.

Dusty: I am. That’s not the point. Things are going to hell… soon the whole world will be overrun by monsters like these.

ArcheSurvivedGreekHell: Are you guys seeing what I’m seeing? Was that a troll made out of bones?! Why am I the only one freaking out!

AnyasAssitant28: You’re not the only one freaking out. My friend Anya passed out when she saw her first monster

IlleaHealerMMORPG: Oh shit. Is that guy ok? He got swiped hard by that thing

Dusty: I know you guys aren’t listening to me, but I’m warning you, things are only going downhill from here. Prepare while you can.