Dead not gone

The world is falling into ruins, the Dead are coming back to life and yet some of them still speak. The undead have a ruler and a hive mind.

(⚠️ Warning: the infection is taking over the world, is collapsing everything, and is falling apart. Who knows what you'll come across? Don't be too scared, you'll probably be joining them soon. The blood and gore is only temporary, my dear, but always feel free to RUN. ⚠️)

[This one is user starts/cyos. If anyone would like me to create an intro, I do have an idea for one, so let me know. For me personally, the best start for something like this is me being able to start it myself. Mainly because a lot of the time, the way I want to start changes, so either make it very, very broad or no start at all. The one I have planned is fairly broad, but could be limiting.]

A twisted infection has begun spreading worldwide. On top of that, the dead, at least those who haven't completely rotted away, are beginning to rise from their graves. Everyone, of course, claimed it was zombies at first, but zombies don't speak. A husk controlled by a necromancer or hallowed, which follows and acts as a servant for many of the vampire Clans, speaks only because the magic that keeps the magic going through them gives them the ability. A zombie doesn't speak, a Walking Corpse doesn't speak, so why does it matter at this point? Sooner or later, anyone who can be infected will fall to them, will join them, so does it really matter who's behind this, who is speaking to any of the screaming, even matter? The voice is always so nice, gentle, soothing, it won't leave my mind.

It won't stop

It won't stop

It won't stop

It won't stop

(The infection stages and who is believed to potentially be immune. At this point, it's more of who they want to be immune, but who's to say whether they're wrong or right.)

1. Initial infection is caused by being bitten or coming into contact with the fluids of someone who is infected/ a corpse of someone who was, or supposedly, a mysterious voice that seems to come from those in later stages of the infection. At this stage, those infected have feelings of isolation even when in large groups or surrounded by friends and family, feelings of paranoia as if they aren't safe and are being watched, and feelings as if someone or something is calling to them. Physical symptoms include a minor cough, a stuffy nose, and fatigue. Some will also display sympathy for those in later stages of infection and either begin having or have an increased desire to help them, even if it's clearly too late to save them.

2. This stage could happen one week to 4 months after the initial infection. Infected feel massive paranoia and loneliness when around non-infected and living beings. They will find comfort when around infected, especially those in later stages, when around dead or undead beings such as vampires, husks, skeletons, Phantoms, and ghosts. The paranoia and infection will begin causing hallucinations, dizziness, and they will begin feeling as if their body is not fully their own. They will feel as if they are being watched, and as if something or someone is calling to them from out in the distance. Coughing will get worse aches and pains that spread all through the body, as the neck and limbs begin to extend. Starting with you, other infected, especially those in later stages, as family members feel drawn to go out there and be among the infected as well as spread the infection. Regularly beginning to murmur and mutter about singing coming from other infected, as well as herd off in the distance, though unable to clarify exactly from where, and it never seems to get closer.

3. This stage begins around 2 to 6 weeks after stage 2. Paranoia and hallucinations have caused massive loss of sanity and distortion of self. Most infected die at the stage where neck extension causes far too much damage. As the neck continues to extend, breaking bones, rapid decomposition of muscle, skin, and organs sets in. Those that do die in the stage come back as shampling husk, the bodies moving slowly, most crawling along the ground, squirming and slithering their body, only contouring more. In a matter of days, most fall completely still. The body is too rotten and broken to physically move. However, the corpses are still infectious. As such, it is recommended that the corpses be burned from a distance or just left to rot. After death, as long as enough of their jaw and skull remain for them to be able to speak, they can be spoken with, though they're lost and words are very disjointed. Those who can speak at this stage regularly express a desire to reach the singing in the distance.

4. The survivors at this point are completely unrecognizable, their necks and limbs broken and greatly elongated, physically unable to walk upright, they crawl or slither across the ground, propelled forward by an unknown source, an unshakable hunger, and a desire to infect others. Going between screaming, crying, and pleading to help in both their own voice and seemingly able to mimic the voices of others they have come in contact with, or potentially other infected, both living and dead. Drawn to noise, bright lights, and other infected grouping up pack Behavior. Have been seen eating infected that are unable to move to give themselves extra strength to continue moving and pushing on. When finding those who are not infected, they have shown intelligence, prioritizing infecting individuals rather than killing unless the non-infected show signs of being sickly or injured. Even more fascinating and terrifying interactions have been shown when an infected person encounters a non-infected person who is pregnant or with young children. In these instances, the infected will avoid or act friendly and like a pet, any screaming and crying or pleas that would normally be heard from the creatures instead turn into quiet Cooling and chirping, even soft Whispers of encouragement and praise. Rather than attacking, they will act caring and as if there is some sort of pet, encouraging the individual to pet them or touch them so that they'll infect themselves. Children and those who are pregnant are more likely to get infected by those who are infected and have reached this stage, claiming that when encountering the infected at this stage, along with the broken Whispers of praise and encouragement, they hear singing that sounds like it's coming from somewhere far off in the distance. Regardless of circumstances, even at this stage of infection, the infected can be reasoned with and spoken to; they show content and are regularly referred to the singing in the distance that pushes them forward.

5. Children or infants born to someone who is infected never make it out of stage 1, displaying signs of paranoia as well as weariness and outright fear for living beings, even if said beings are their parents, instead being drawn to and viewing Undead as well as infected beings as their parents. As the infected child grows older, they will physically take on a mostly humanoid appearance, except for being excessively tall with extremely long arms and legs. If they possess non-human features, such as horns, wings, tails, etc., the features will either disappear to become almost non-visible or will begin rotting away until they fall off. As they grow older, they will become further and further drawn to the infected, as well as encouraging people to interact with the infected, trying to convince others that those who are infected, especially those in the later stages, are friendly encouragement, slowly transforming into forcing and manipulating those they come across and interact with to become infected. This variant of creatures created from children who were either born with or infected early on are infectious if someone comes in contact with fluids such as spit or blood, but otherwise cannot infect others on their own without the Assistance or use of other infected individuals. They seem to be completely unaware that they, too, are infected. Regularly claiming to hear singing from other infected, especially those as Leaders changing off in the distance from some unknown entity, possibly the source.

Those who are known to be able to be infected humans, werewolves, most Mages, witches, Wizards, and similar magic users, wild animals, siren, mermaids, demi-humans, elves, Dwarves, centaurs. Undead creatures are believed to have a high resistance or possible complete immunity, such as vampires, husks, hallowed mummies, corrupted necromancers, Phantoms, ghouls, and ghosts. Entities such as demons, angels, and deities are believed to be completely immune, having shown no sign of the infection, but also being unable to sense both the supposed singing and whether or not someone is actually infected, aside from physical changes, they are unable to tell if anyone may be infected.

[I tried to make pictures of what a late-stage infection would look like, not quite what I was picturing, but it's definitely something.]

( update tag so all of the infections can be found easily and intros. Intro one blank Intro 2 strange rumors intro 3 you hear singing intro 4 several months into it.