Through the cctv cameras mounted up in the store, it watched the whole ordeal.
Just like it watched other scenes play out.
A few ending well, most ending with no human survivors.
But it still watched, and gathered the data for her master, just like anyone given her mission ought to do.
She was Astra, the AI created by the young master to monitor everyone and everything.
A job she still performed in this troublesome period.
Why?
Because that was her purpose.
*******
Continuously gathering and analysing the data of hundreds of thousands of events from all over the world, Astra was able to come to a concrete solution, one which she didn't hesitate to inform her master about.
Sitting in the hall with his guests, the young master heard Astra's voice in his head.
"Master I am done with my analysis, would you like to hear it now or at a more convenient time." Astra's feminine voice whispered, a touch of childish impatience could be picked up from her tone.
"Well now is as good a time as any. Those savage felines are helping themselves to the stock of meat in my kitchen. The sooner we get rid of them the better."
The young master was inwardly lamenting at the loss of his vast collection of rare meat.
"Young master, based on my analysis of multiple of scenarios from all around the world, I can conclude that the felines react savagely to any use of the magical energy that all humans got yesterday."
"Hmm I see. So you're telling me that if I-"
"Yes young master, if you or anyone from the Reynard family uses their skills, they would be attacked till either they or the beasts die, even if they deactivate the skills."
"Cool. Everyone may I have your attention."
Seeing that he had the full attention of the small family of three, he relayed Astra's message, or at least his version of it.
"To those of you who are willingly to fight to the death and farm these felines, step out with me. To those who want to pass but are afraid of death, kill the ones in the kitchen."
"Astra, isolate the room and deploy the sleeping gas to neutralise them, warriors follow me."
Alex followed the young master while Carol made her way to the kitchen door.
Timothy was left in the middle, the act of choosing to follow a single parent over the other was weighing heavily on him, and they saw it.
"Go Tim, follow your father, just be safe okay." Carol said sweetly.
"Okay mom, I'll be safe. Thanks, you're the best."
Outside the house they saw three M134 Minigun, modern gattling guns that had been placed in the courtyard courtesy of the young master's request to Astra.
"While there are guns available, Timothy, try your best to use your special skills as well. With more practice, more variations and uses of the skills are formed."
Demonstrating what he meant, he made the metal tray that he had grabbed from the kitchen float with him standing on it.
He also made his two trusty katanas spin around him, their sharp edges facing outward and creating a deadly circle.
Reeeoww!!
Roaarr!!
The felines had responded to his activation of skills, all the nearby ones running in his direction.
"Oh and one last thing. If you use any of your skills, you will be attacked by all nearby cats until you or they die. Good luck."
And with that he flew off.
"Wow, Charles is so cool, I wish I could fly."
"But can't you teleport with SKIP. Isn't that the same thing."
"I don't expect you to understand Dad. Anyway would you take one gun or two." Timothy inquired.
"None" replied Alex. "My body is my weapon. Watch and see how your father takes care of this kittens."
"Woah Dad, your eye is glowing red. Is everything alright."
"Side effect of my skill, no biggie."
Boom!!
Alex's enhanced body shot into the sky where hundreds of cats were walking.
"Tsk. Showoff. But hey, that leaves more guns for me. So how do these wo-"
*Rattatatatata*
*Rattatatatata*
The bullets of two of the gattling guns flew about.
Some hit the ground, others the fortress and most just flew harmlessly in the air.
*Whoosh* Boom!!
"Son, why don't you try and manage one for now." Alex, with BERSERK still activated asked his son while keeping track of the tide of felines approaching them by walking in the air.
"Okay Dad. Just don't tell mum that I used the guns."
"Are you crazy. She'll kill me if I tell her that I allowed you to use them. You know how she feels about them. Don't worry, it'll be our little secret."
"Thanks Dad."
"No problem, just try not to die."
Boom!!
Andwiththat he shot off into the sky to help the young master with the fast approaching cat tide.
[01:23:42]
****** At another location *****
"HELPP. SOMEBODY HELP US", a seriously injured man screamed in desperation as he dragged his broken leg on the floor, leaving a trail of blood.
"Mo- monster, stay away", a kid whimpered, clutching her teddy bear.
"D- Demon. What do you want from us", an old woman asked, shielding a group of children from the demon's eyes.
"Hahaha. Demon, me. Oh please", chuckled a one-horned man. "As for what I want, isn't it a bit obvious. Your lives."
"Why? Why us? What did we ever do to you? What did we do to deserve this? What did they do to earn such a fate?" The same old lady asked, pointing to a trail of heads lying about, their bodies having vanished into black holes earlier.
"Oh please, Mrs M. Don't act all innocent on me. What did you do when I asked you for help? When the gangsters were beating me up in the alley and you just watched from your window without calling the cops, huh. Nothing. You did nothing."
"Fred. Frederick is that you. Oh my gosh what happened to you, and where did the horn come from?"
"Answer the damn question Mrs M, or the foster kids die."
"You- you wouldn't."
Lifting up one of the petrified kids, he said, "Dare me."