The Infection

The Infection is a cordyceptic virus that brought forth the apocalypse back in 2014. The fungi-virus turns humans into Risen. It had evolved and developed to be more hostile until it became an outbreak, taking the lives of millions.

Virus Origins
In 2014, there was a new epidemic found underground near the Arkansas diamond mineshafts that resembled a fossilized mold against rock. Upon further inspection, it appeared to be a preserved cordyceps breed that had never been discovered before then. As scientists began close study and experiments, they discovered that it was showing signs of regenerative properties in the brain cells of hosts. They continued their research, hoping for an explanation and to further investigate the potentials of such a find. However, as experiments expanded, the infection caused by the spore made experimental hosts extremely ill in its attempt to survive in new conditions: it caused accelerated decay and simultaneous consumption of brain matter. The hosts died hours after, only to show the infection regenerating the brain once more so that the bodies rose again. The spore spreads itself through the air as well as saliva and blood, causing more and more people to become infected. By September of 2017 the entire country was struck down by this infection, with over one million of “undead” bodies roaming in search of more victims. The states fell completely in only two years, where 2018 began a worldwide plague of what had risen.

Characteristics and Symptoms
See Infected Entities for more information.

Possible Cures
During the first occurrences of the breakout, Arkansas doctors had tried to further understand the fungi and the effects it had on human hosts to no success. Since 2022, there have been numerous individuals who had continued to research on the Risen and develop some sort of solution to either slow down the infection, eradicate it, or to reverse the effects of the infection before it killed more people. While there is more understanding on how the Risen develop and how the infection spreads, no cure or reversal method has been discovered so far. This is due to the rapid rate of the infection growing accustomed to the human body. If it continues to spread, it may possibly evolve to thrive on another earthly species once the last of the humans are wiped out. The only way to stop an individual from succumbing to the infection is either death or immediate removal of the infected body part before the toxin spreads to the rest of the organs.