Chapter 68: Apocalypse
After gaining telekinesis, Alice never considered that the angel she had once seen was actually a product of the T-virus. She only thought that the Umbrella Corporation was terrifying to have created a virus resembling an angel.
However, compared to Chang Wei, she was still far inferior. Angels could completely disregard nuclear explosions, remaining unshaken even at the center of a blast. Alice, on the other hand, could only use her telekinesis crudely, such as smashing people or objects.
But Alice could feel herself growing stronger. Perhaps one day, she might become closer to the angel?
"Alice."
Jill entered the room. Having shared life-and-death experiences and witnessed the divine miracle of an angel's descent, they had formed a rescue organization. Initially, the plan was to act covertly, sabotage the Umbrella Corporation, and save the world.
However, the T-virus eventually leaked out in Raccoon City (as the movie suggests, Alice and the others believed this, unaware that Umbrella might have deliberately spread the virus worldwide). As a result, the entire world had become a realm of the undead.
They felt guilty but became more determined and united.
After all, having witnessed divinity and knowing heaven existed, they believed they had to do their best—perhaps they'd earn a place in paradise!
Alice's gradually revealed "divine powers" surprised them greatly. When they learned these powers came from T-virus modifications, Jill and the others had considered injecting themselves with the T-virus. However, Alice stopped them. She knew she was unique, one in several billion—a rare compatible host for the virus.
In truth, that wasn't entirely accurate. Descendants of the former Dubai Empire or certain tribes had genetic markers making them possible candidates for T-virus compatibility. Any human with matching genetic information could potentially be a host. There were likely numerous compatible individuals, but budget constraints prevented this from being fully explored in films.
In reality, there would have been quite a few compatible people. However, after Chang Wei developed the T-enhanced virus, compatibility became irrelevant.
"Jill, what's the matter?"
Alice looked at Jill. The leaders of their rescue army rarely met without a reason, especially the most mysterious one, Matt.
Matt's case was unique. He was someone the angel had reversed from a T-virus mutation back into human form—a "living miracle."
More importantly, the angel seemed to have altered the T-virus in Matt, enabling him to switch between human and monster forms. Recently, his monster form had inexplicably become even stronger. Even Alice's telekinesis could only put her on equal footing with him.
"The number of survivors we've taken in recently has exceeded ten thousand, and the base's food supply is running out," Jill said.
"...I'll go out and look for food. How's the map collection coming along?" Alice paused before responding.
Mapping was crucial to help them locate canning warehouses or factories, enabling effective operations to secure large amounts of food instead of relying on luck to find unspoiled supplies.
"Here's the map."
Jill handed over a notebook. It detailed the locations of various canned food warehouses, including military ones. Among the survivors they had taken in were people from all walks of life, so it wasn't surprising that some knew about military food storage locations.
Alice flipped through the information. It was quite detailed, and she was confident she could bring back a substantial amount of canned food. In this post-apocalyptic world, canned goods were the best option. They would buy them time to cultivate crops and bridge the transition period.
However, seeds were also an issue. Alice was already considering having their rescue army occupy farms and ranches. After all, there were many large, sparsely populated ones, and zombies rarely ventured into those areas.
At that moment, a beam of light appeared.
Both Alice and Jill instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes.
When the light dimmed, they saw a familiar figure.
Dressed in a spotless white priest's robe, the pure white radiance carried an unparalleled beauty and sanctity. Coupled with the gleaming, immaculate wings behind the figure, the visitor's identity needed no introduction. Alice and Jill knew they would never forget this soul-stirring presence or face, even on their deathbed.
"Dante…"
Alice and Jill spoke simultaneously.
Chang Wei smiled at them.
"It's been a while. In your mortal terms, it's been many years, hasn't it?"
"To be exact, one year and eighty-one days, Angel," Jill quipped.
"Oh, I have little sense of time," Chang Wei nodded.
"...May I ask what brings you here?" Alice inquired.
"Humans have turned the world into this state. The Lord has decided to end the world again." Chang Wei didn't beat around the bush and directly informed them.
"End the world?" Jill was stunned, immediately recalling the apocalyptic flood.
"We're working to save the world—there's no need to destroy it!" Alice said, visibly agitated.
Unlike Jill, who had remained single due to uncertain circumstances, Alice was now with Matt. Carlos had been too late. With loved ones to cherish, Alice couldn't bear the thought of an apocalypse.
"Your objections won't change anything. The decision to end the world comes from the Lord. I'm merely here to select a Noah," Chang Wei shrugged.
"Noah?"
Alice and Jill understood the reference. Seeing Chang Wei before them, they wondered…
"This time, the Lord will not use a flood. He plans to purify with fire. A fiery calamity will descend from the heavens, burning everything to ash, drying the seas, and obliterating all traces of human civilization. Alice, take the uninfected humans and animals and flee to the Sahara Desert. That will be the highest peak of this 'flood,'" Chang Wei told them.
"The Sahara Desert?"
Alice and Jill committed the name to memory. But if a firestorm could consume the seas and destroy the world, could they truly survive?
"You have one month to prepare. Not a second more, not a second less. Remember this moment; your countdown starts now."
Chang Wei glanced at a clock and informed them.
"One month?"
Alice and Jill found the timeline far too tight. One month to reach the Sahara Desert, and they had to bring animals and plants as well?
Chang Wei gave Jill a final glance before vanishing in a burst of radiant light, just as he had appeared.