Radioactive Evolution

by Richard Hummel

  His humerus, radius, and ulna had all cracked in half and were misaligned. He needed to adjust them one at a time. If he pulled his arm straight, one of the jagged edges of the ulna would puncture his flesh and cause even more damage. No, he needed to press the humerus back together, then twist his lower arm to realign the bones.

  Ouch.

  Even thinking about what he needed to do sent a fresh wave of pain through his body. There’s no way he’d be able to do this on his own.

  Scarlet, I need your help. I need you to keep me conscious while I work on my arm. Otherwise the pain will make me pass out.

  Jared also removed his belt and used it to bite down and keep from grinding his teeth together. Scarlet walked over and pressed her head to his side.

  I am ready.

  If you can do anything to block out the pain like you did with the bonding, I’d appreciate it.

  I will try.

  Drawing in a few deep breaths, Jared reached over with his right hand, tenderly gripped his bicep and squeezed.

  Blinding pain erupted along the length of his arm, causing him to scream. The bone scraped against its upper half, sending pulsing spikes of pain shooting up his arm. Pins and needles stabbed into his fingertips. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead and darkness invaded at the edge of his vision.

  I am sorry, Jared. I cannot block it all. It is all I can do to keep you awake.

  “It’s okay,” Jared said through gritted teeth. “I’ll survive.”

  He grabbed a piece of cloth from his pack and used his uninjured arm and teeth to tie a makeshift bandage in place. He needed something much more stable, but it would immobilize the bones long enough for the nanites to work.

  As much as that re-alignment hurt, he imagined the second break would hurt more.

  Maintaining his slow, steady breathing helped calm his nerves and regulate the pain. After he’d reached a calmer state, Jared positioned his hand over the second break. One final breath, and he twisted.

  A sickening crunch reached his ears as the blinding agony enveloped him completely. White hot pain spread like fire up his arm and into the rest of his body.

  He tried to hang on to consciousness and ensure he’d aligned the bones properly, but Scarlet whispered, Sleep, and sweet, painless darkness wrapped him in a lover’s embrace as he succumbed to oblivion.

  Several hours later, Jared woke to a twinge in his arm. It throbbed and itched fiercely, but he felt no stabs of pain over the break. Sending his awareness inside, he found the nanites fast at work repairing the injuries. Already, the bones knitted back together, but they were thin near the break lines.

  A dull ache in his chest was all that remained from his broken ribs. Granted, they’d only had hairline fractures so the nanites had healed them rapidly. His left arm was tender everywhere he touched, and the bruising extended from shoulder to wrist.

  How do you feel?

  Turning to regard Scarlet, Jared answered. “Like I got hit by a truck and trampled by a herd of elephants. But I feel much better than I did. Thank you for helping me. I don’t think I’d have finished if you hadn’t helped me manage the pain and keep me awake.”

  I am sorry I was not here for you. I worried the entire journey to my family, and I almost didn’t make it to my brothers. You would have died, Jared. The emotion behind Scarlet’s voice pained him.

  You didn’t fail, Scarlet. You brought your family back, you grew in strength, and you made it back in time to rescue me. We are exactly where we set out to be.

  Now that pain wasn’t clouding his mind, Jared took the time to appreciate the changes Scarlet went through. Her scales were a blood-red obsidian, reflecting molten flame flicking behind Scarlet’s eyes. Her claws, horns, and spikes sucked in the dancing light, their sharp edges invisible to his eyes.

  If he’d met Scarlet like this the first time, he’d have crapped his pants. She looked fierce.

  Deadly.

  Sinister.

  He knew better, but she gave him chills looking at her.

  Scarlet, you look incredible. Your mother was intimidating, but I think you’ve surpassed her in every way except size. Your brothers might be bigger, but judging by your appearance and the color of your flames, I’d argue you’re much stronger than them.

  Physically, I am stronger, but I have much more growing to do. Malsour’s fire breathing is slightly stronger, and all their mental abilities surpass mine.

  I’m going to look like a vagabond sitting on your back, joked Jared.

  You will never look bad sitting atop my back. Anyone who sees a human ride a dragon should feel fear and awe.

  Thanks. I suppose you’re right. Also, I think your brothers are becoming impatient left out of our conversation. Jared looked beyond Scarlet at the twelve dragons arrayed behind her.

  Are you going to introduce me to your family?

  You have already met my brother Malsour. He is the oldest of the remaining fire dragons. The second oldest, Ashazad. Then there’s Kynderri.

  Braddra.

  Kirgor.

  Myndris.

  Nersin.

  Yrverro.

  Ballog.

  Kanundran.

  Zavret.

  Midri.

  Scarlet rattled off each name. They each sent a greeting to him and a whispered thank you for taking care of their little sister. Scarlet being the matriarch, she carried the weight of her entire family on her shoulders with the need to produce an heir in time. Hopefully long after he died, because he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her like Alestrialia.

  Idly, Jared wondered how dragons reproduced. If there was only female, did that mean…

  Does she even need a mate?

  Jared shelved the topic for a more appropriate time. He didn’t need a lesson on dragon anatomy while they stood dozens of miles below the earth’s surface with an entire colony of people that depended on him awaiting his return.

  After introductions, Jared addressed them all. “I told Scarlet and Alestrialia before, but while I live and breathe, I’ll do everything in my power to see the dragons rightful place restored on the earth. No doubt you’ve already seen much from Scarlet’s memories, but the world changed in your absence. In its place is a radioactive wasteland, swarming with mutated creatures, nanotechnology, and a subset of humankind that treats the rest of the world as slaves.”

  This is no different than it was when we last roamed the earth.

  Jared turned to the speaker, intuitively knowing who’d spoken even though there were no outward indications.

  “I think you’re right in part, Kanundran. However, I believe there are many humans, like myself and those we care for, who’d love to live peaceably with dragons and mankind. But, the world is a hostile place and most of the creatures left alive are predators and often apex predators who’ve survived by eliminating the competition. Many creatures thrive in any situation like rabbits, rats, and worms, but even these mundane creatures became mutated over time and they multiply rapidly. The first challenge Scarlet and I faced involved a rat the size of a giant bear. We killed a worm hundreds of feet long. A rabbit as big as me that could jump forty feet into the air proved an interesting fight.”

  Ballog spoke next, his voice a gravelly rasp that grated in Jared’s head.

  We will hunt them all.

  “I encourage you to hunt and eat the creatures you kill. The more you do, the more nanites you’ll absorb. Not only are these beneficial for you to grow stronger naturally, they are very important in forming a bond with a human.”

  A few of Scarlet’s brothers voiced dissent, but Jared quickly added. “Please don’t make your choice now. Think on it. That’s all I ask. If you choose not to bond later, that is your decision to make.”

  They agreed with him and resumed eating the lizards in the room. It looked like the
y’d made a solid dent in the cleanup effort while he was unconscious, but they had a few remaining.

  Scarlet, did you absorb the nanites in the liquified lizards? I don’t know if your brothers can do that, since they need to ingest the nanites to absorb them.

  I absorbed all I could while you slept.

  Awesome, as soon as they’re done, we need to get out of here. We’re nearing three weeks away, and I want to keep my word to everyone.

  We will make it.

  Can your brothers fly?

  I hope so, but we will soon find out. My mother injured her wings returning to the surface, which is why she could not fly. If my brothers cannot fly now, they will when strength returns to their wings.

  If they’re unable to fly, make sure they know the way and we’ll fly ahead to prepare everyone for their arrival.

  It took a few more minutes for the last of the lizards to disappear into their mouths. All that remained was a mass of sticky fluid coating the floor where they’d died.

  The memory of Scarlet’s breath popping the lizards open would give him nightmares for years to come. Every time he pushed the thoughts away, the wet popping noise invaded his thoughts.

  I’ve got to get out of here.

  “Is everyone ready?”

  He received affirmatives from all and carefully climbed aboard Scarlet. His left arm was still tender, but it was getting better, and he could move it around enough to hold on to her neck. It would take several days before it healed thoroughly, but at least the sharp pain was gone.

  The journey out took a full day longer than their descent, but it allowed Jared to fully recover before they went home.

  Throughout their trek to the surface, he and Scarlet enjoyed in each other’s company, spending increasingly more time sharing a thought space. Now that they didn’t have to worry about any dangers lurking in the shadows, they completely ignored their surroundings, choosing to focus on building their relationship and mental connection. Being separated for two weeks had not been fun, and neither of them ever wanted to repeat it.

  Finally, the tunnel entrance came into sight, and Scarlet dashed forward into the open sky. Blessed sunlight shone down on Jared’s face, rejuvenating him after weeks in perpetual darkness. Perhaps it was his nanites drinking in fuel from the radioactive waste. Whatever the case, he felt super-charged and ready to tackle the world.

  Scarlet’s brothers piled out of the tunnel and looked around, their faces turned toward the sun. They spread their wings wide to catch the rays on their magnificent bodies. Jared watched from a distance as their wings all snapped open. Each of them looked different, and patterns splayed across their wings gave them a uniqueness wholly their own.

  A dozen dragons stood in the empty crater, relishing the freedom. Several of Scarlet’s brothers flapped their wings. A few even gained altitude for a short period. However, each one of them eventually dropped back to the ground.

  They cannot do it. Scarlet informed him. It will take time for them to build back their strength. However, none of them suffer the same problems my mother did. They will regain their flight in time, but for now they must traverse the ground to our home.

  “Can you get their attention for me? They seem a bit pre-occupied.”

  Brothers! Please listen.

  “Scarlet and I must fly ahead to our home. Those waiting for us will be on the lookout for our return, and if we don’t make it back in the prescribed time, I fear they’ll venture out on their own. I don’t think they’re ready for that. Scarlet will show you the path to travel, and you can meet us there.”

  We will come.

  Scarlet walked over to her brothers and entered a mind meld with them. Satisfied they memorized the location, and could find their way to them, Jared spoke again.

  “Should you happen upon any creatures in your travel, please do what you can to eat them and absorb as many nanites as possible. We’ll need it in the coming war. Along those lines, if you hear a high-pitched humming approach from the sky, hide yourself as best you can. If any of you regain your flight and cannot hide, do your best to destroy the metal ships quickly. I think the best approach is to descend on it from directly above and destroy it. They call these airborne vehicles drop ships, and they belong to the cities that enslaved mankind and your brother Razael.”

  Jared heard several snarls and whispered words of vengeance. He held up his hands to finish the thought. “Please do not follow the ships or try to attack the cities. If you thought the humans of your day vile and conniving, these humans are thousands of times smarter and possess technology I’ve only dreamed about. Come directly to our home, and we will work together to grow in strength and take the fight to them when we are ready, and only then.”

  Brothers... Scarlet met each of their eyes. He speaks with my authority as queen. Only stop to rest, hide, or kill along your path. Engage none of the machines in the sky or humans on the ground unless absolutely necessary.

  As one, her brothers bowed their heads and uttered, As you wish, our queen.

  Thank you, brothers. We will see you in a few days.

  Jared settled behind Scarlet’s neck, and she vaulted into the air. Flaring her wings, they snapped taut as an updraft carried them into the sky. When Jared looked at her wings, his mouth dropped opened in disbelief.

  “Scarlet, your wings!”

  Craning her head around, her eyes widened in shock.

  Midnight black skin stretched from wingtip to wingtip, and intricate patterns covered them, burning with a fiery light. The patterns swirled as if liquid fire burned through her veins. The effect mesmerized him, and the dancing patterns looked alive.

  “Wow,” breathed Jared. “Amazing!”

  Scarlet had emerged from the fiery depths of the earth, reborn into an awesome, terrifying being. She’d embarked on this journey as a child and returned in her true form: Sildrainen Maildrel, Queen of Fire dragons.

  I don’t even know where to begin… There are so many people that aided me in getting this book written. Not just my editors, but all the fans on RoyalRoad, the various writer/author workshops and groups, the many conversations on Discord, and mostly importantly reading the excellent books from amazing authors.

  First, I want to give a shout-out to Dawn Chapman for first inviting me to the Gamelit Society Writer’s Workshop just two days after I started writing my first words of fiction.

  Thank you to Blaise Corvin, Bonnie L. Price, Chris Johns, and the other amazing contributors and administrators of the Gamelit groups. I’ve learned so much from everyone, and I know for certain I wouldn’t be publishing this book, at least not so soon, if not for the amazing folks there.

  Thank you to Nick Kuhn, KT Hanna, Chris Mayer, Jeff Hays, Luke Chmilenko, Anneliese Rennie, Jami Nord and Alexis Keene for your friendship, advice, and help over the past year. Whether a discord chat, some awesome memes (thanks Luke), or thoughtful posts on Facebook, I ascribe many of my achievements to all of you.

  Special thanks to KT Hanna, Alexis, Bonnie, Evan, Jami, Elias Dantas, Kaelan Rhywiol, and Caitlin Greer for help editing, typography, formatting, and generally helping to make my book look and sound infinitely better.

  Huge thanks to Chimera Editing for their professionalism, expertise, and willingness to help a new author learn and improve my writing craft.

  Dusan Markovic and Bonnie L. Price, thank you so much for making my cover absolutely stunning. It truly looks spectacular and the both of you helped bring my vision together so nicely.

  If you’d like to keep in touch, follow progress on next book, or just chat with other readers use the following resources to join my Newsletter, Facebook Group, Discord server, Twitter, or Patreon. I will have some goodies available for newsletter subscribers in the near future. (HINT: It will include some awesome art from the talented Dusan Markovic)

  Website: https://hummelbooks.com
<
br />   Newsletter: http://evolve.radioactiveevolution.com/newsletter

  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HummelBooks/

  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hummelbooks/

  Twitter: @RichardIHummel

  Discord: https://discord.gg/M7MuaSR

  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richardhummel

  Looking for more LitRPG? Want to follow other authors and engage with readers?

  Join the Gamelit Society’s Facebook Group and Discord server

  Join LitRPG Books for recommendations and reader engagement

  Follow LitRPG Podcasts on Facebook and YouTube for reviews by Ramon Mejia

  Curious about Russian LitRPG (frontrunners to the genre)? Follow MagicDome Books

  To learn more about LitRPG, talk to authors including myself, and just have an awesome time, please join the LitRPG Group.

  Did you enjoy Radioactive Evolution? Looking for more Gamelit/LitRPG to sate your appetite? Check out these other LitRPG’s that take place in post-apocalyptic worlds:

  System Apocalypse Series

  By Tao Wong

  All John wanted to do was get away for his life in Kluane National Park for a weekend. Hike, camp and chill. Instead, the world comes to an end in a series of blue boxes, animals start evolving and monsters start spawning. Now, he has to survive the apocalypse, get back to civilisation and not lose his mind.

  “Life in the North is Book 1 of the System Apocalypse, a LitRPG Apocalypse book that combines modern day life, science fiction and fantasy elements along with game mechanics.” - Tao Roung Wong

  Dark Elf Chronicles

  By Dave Willmarth

  This is the first book in the Dark Elf series. It’s a combination of my take on the zombiepocalypse and my favorite hobby (gaming) in a LitRPG/GameLit story. Which means besides the fantasy setting, the virtual world includes game mechanics like experience points, leveling, cool loot, and spells/skills the characters can develop. It’s meant to help you feel like you’re playing the game along with them as you read.