Chef in the Apocalypse

The group made their way through the path leading from the river. Ever since he had heard Lianna speak, Tony had a feeling of dread rising from within the pit of his stomach. He stole glances at her every now and then, hoping that she would laugh and tell him that this was all some sick joke.

Yet it seemed that his wishes would never come to fruition. Even as they walked towards the large wooden gates of their camp, she had not done anything except for hang off Jayce’s arm, chatting away casually.

Jayce merely followed Tony and his men, taking in the surroundings. If he wasn’t sure about being in another continent before, then he was now. Not only were the vegetation and trees not native to Asia, Tony and the others were all white and spoke with a typical American accent.

While it used to be uncommon to see foreigners from the west in Asia, that had all changed when Earth formed a one world government. One of the major benefits from this was that there were no visa’s needed when someone wanted to move countries.

Thus, people were free to move to whichever country they desired. Japan’s declining population problem was fixed seemingly overnight, while Jayce’s generation seemed to be the largest percentage of mixed-races in the Earth’s history.

Jayce himself was mixed-race, his mother was from China while his Dad was Australian. Much like most of his age group around the world, he also spoke multiple languages.

So although he could not be sure that they were in America, he could at least tell that they were not in Asia. With those things in mind, he merely took in the sights, casually chatting to Lianna.

When the large wooden gates came into view, Jayce couldn’t help but let out a whistle of approval. The entire wall was made from at least 1 meter thick trees, and thrust into the ground at least 6 feet deep.

The total height of the walls were still small compared to Bastion, however there was a certain charm and natural elegance about it that left him impressed with the craftsmanship.

There were also a few watch towers spread out behind the walls, allowing archer units to scout and send arrows out without affecting those who patrolled the walls.

"Tony, who are these people?" One of the men on the wall called out in a southern accent. Jayce had to strain his ears to understand the unfamiliar drawl.

"Shut up and open the gate!" Tony yelled back, without any patience. He did not want their new friends to be pissed off even more so than they already were. After all, he would be the one who paid for it if he was wrong.

The man on the wall’s face fell, yet he did not answer back and called out to the others with a huff, "Open the gates!"

Jayce merely watched on in amusement as the man had his hissyfit. The sound of groaning wood and chains rang out as they operated a wooden pulley, turning it with some effort.

The grand wooden gates slowly creaked open, revealing a sprawling town nestled within the embrace of the forest. This human settlement was a showcase of harmony between mankind and nature, a haven of ingenuity carved from the ancient woodlands.

Nestled amidst the towering trees, and along the soft underbrush there were wooden houses, expertly crafted, seamlessly blending in with nature. Elevated wooden walkways crisscrossed through the green expanse, allowing residents to traverse the town without disturbing the forest’s undergrowth. These pathways were framed by handcrafted wooden fences adorned with hanging pots of vibrant flowers, creating a natural and inviting atmosphere.

The town’s architecture was straight out of a fairy tale, with houses ingeniously designed to look as if they were a part of the trees themselves. Some dwellings were constructed atop thick, sturdy branches, while others were nestled between massive tree trunks. All were constructed from the rich timber harvested sustainably from the nearby woods.

The townspeople moved happily about their daily lives, their attire echoing the earthy tones of the forest. Their clothing looked handwoven from local materials and often adorned with patterns mimicking the intricate textures of tree bark, leaves, and flowers. Children scampered joyfully along the walkways, while their elders tended to gardens and artisan stalls.

Conversations between neighbors were punctuated by laughter and friendly chatter, while the scent of homemade bread and savory stews wafted through the air. In the center of the town, a communal gathering space was dominated by a towering, ancient tree, its massive roots forming a natural amphitheater for discussions, music, and storytelling.

Jayce gawked at the sight, feeling as if he had just walked into an elf forest from those novels he used to read in his spare time. Lianna was just as shocked, seeing the oasis that had appeared behind the wooden gates.

’These guys are definitely not bandits...’ Jayce commented inwardly.

Tony watched on with a satisfied smile on his face, every time they had brought someone new into the settlement they would always gawk like country bumpkins. He raised his head with pride before motioning them along "Let’s head to the World Tree."

Jayce saw the self-satisfying smile upon Tony’s face, however he did not care. He was too busy taking in the beautiful sight in front of him. What was perplexing however, is that he had never heard about this place in his previous life. Something so grand would have definitely been talked about widely, especially after the teleportation arrays were set up.

He shook his head before leading Lianna to follow Tony and his henchman. However, Jayce’s thoughts kept churning. Why had he never heard of this place? Did something happen to this place and its people in his previous life? If so, what was it?

While Jayce was deep in thought, Lianna carelessly looked around in wonder, however she involuntarily gulped as they walked closer to the large tree in the center of the village. It looked eerily similar to the one which they had just escaped from.