I Slept Through The Apocalypse

"Strange, you'd think after absorbing a meteor, I'd feel a little different," Clover frowned, "I just feel a little, rusty inside―is that normal?"

"That's because your body just came out of stasis, it's been 2 whole years, of course there's going to be some level of discomfort."

"Oh, thank heavens, I thought for a second that there would be problems―wait, did you just say TWO YEARS?" Clover's eyes practically bulged out of his head in disbelief.

"You're saying I've been sleeping for two years? It only felt like a few hours."

"That's why it's called stasis and not sleeping fool. Now get moving, I need your help finding the princess."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, do I look like an Italian plumber to you?"

"And how does that relate to anything we just discussed?"

"Nevermind… What I mean is, fufufu.. what do I get out of this deal? Why should I risk my life to save some princess that I don't even know?"

The orb moved back and forth in agitation, "Do you understand what you are saying? The princess, pride and jewel of our race! Saving her would be a great service to the Renaak race."

Clover once again revealed a sinister grin. "....And this 'great service' will benefit me how?"

"...What do you want then?"

"I don't know."

"..."

"I just don't know what I want yet. Give me some time to think."

"..."

"C'mon Pringles, lets go."

Clover began scaling the crater, as a white light followed along.

____________________________

Huff! Puff!

C.h.e.s.t heaving, taking in large gulps of air, Clover weakly pulled himself out of the crater.

"Pringles!" He called out in weak frustration.

A little orb followed behind him silently.

"...What?"

There was a slight pause as the heavy breathing became slightly more controlled. "I thought... haaaaaaah...you said this contract... haaah... would increase my strength, spirit and cultivation!"

"Well…"

"Well.... hah... What?"

The normally condescending tone turned to an almost incoherent mumble.

"eh-mh...made.....take."

"What? Could you please speak up?"

"I―might have made a mistake during the meteor's absorption..."

Still breathing laboriously, Clover glared at the little orb of light following him. "...What did you do?"

"It's been awhile since I've converted energy to another entity. I may or may not have overloaded your meridians. Your meridians are like circuits in your body for energy. Your body hasn't shown any signs of improvement most likely because I transferred too much energy into your meridians. This is a hidden chance for you though. If you manage to endure the enlargement of your meridians, your potential will be limitless."

Mr. Pringles's flowery explanation failed to pacify Clover. On the contrary, Clover's brown eyes narrowed even more.

"And what if I fail?"

"What?"

"Pringles."

"Yes?"

"You heard me. What if I fail to control the energy overload?"

"Uhhhhh―"

"―PRINGLES!"

"... you might… explode."

Clover's eyelids convulsed uncontrollably. This can't be... I've survived the apocalypse only to die to my own lucky charm's incompetence. I'm going to be a laughingstock in the afterlife. Why God, why me?

Clover looked back at the guilty Pringles who remained silent the entire time. He didn't reply immediately, he observed the little ball of light that was responsible for his possible death in wariness.

"When will the energy erupt?"

"In about a month, The energy inside of you at the moment, is flowing chaotically. In a month, all of the energy will gather together and attempt to burst through your meridians."

"Okay... so we have a month to get ready."

"Sorry…"

"Sigh. What's done is done. Let's get the hell out of here first."

Clover took the lead with Pringles following closely after. They made their way to the remains of the school. After looking around for quite a bit of time, Clover sifted through his long black hair to scratch his head in puzzlement. Where were the craters? It seemed like the school collapsed due to an earthquake instead of a meteor.

"What about our emergency bunker?" Clover recalled the bunker that the teachers always mentioned in case of natural disasters. He ran towards the blacktop to see a little metal shed which remained standing after the meteor shower. A glimmer of hope flashed in Clover's eyes. Are there other survivors? He rushed to the shed and opened the door. It was unlocked.

"Where is the light switch for this place?" Clover began feeling the walls for a light switch of some kind but failed to find one.

How am I going to see? Clover pondered while looking around. Pringles was floating around, examining the structure of the bunker. A lightbulb flashed on in Clover's head.

"Hey Pringles."

"Yeah?"

"I can't see anything, wanna turn up the light a little bit if you know what I mean?"

"Absolutely not! As a member of the Renaak race, I will not be humilia―"

"―remember how I'm going to die in a month because of you?"

The little ball of light shivered.

"...yeah?"

Clover gestured passionately. His arms stretched outwards towards the vast starry skies.

"Once we explore this bunker, we can go looking for ways to prepare for the overload. If we stall, I might die and then who would help you save the princess?"

The moonlight reflected Clover's solemn expression.

He paused before continuing. "Time is a luxury for us both Pringles."

After another long pause, Pringles reluctantly spoke. "Fine."

Clover's serious face instantly brightened. He smiled at Pringles, "Thanks partner!"

Fufufu... lantern acquired! Clover snickered to himself.

The orb of light swayed weakly, "That unsettling grin… Could this kid be a member of the Shakul?"

Pringles immediately got rid of that idea since it was impossible, but his wariness did not disappear. Shakul or not, this kid is a little devil.

I hope I don't get tricked into being used like this anymore.

The little orb of light illuminated the room. A narrow staircase was revealed leading downwards into the darkness. The bunker remained in eerie silence as the human-orb duo slowly walked down the stairs.