Olivia's gaze burned into Ethan like a blade, sharp and probing. The chaos outside—the exact accident he had predicted—was impossible to ignore. But she wasn't the type to believe in coincidences.
She tapped the table once. "Alright. Keep talking."
Ethan exhaled slowly. Time to push her further.
"The world ends tomorrow at 10:42 AM. The first outbreak happens at Lexington Hospital. A patient will convulse, attack a nurse, and within two hours, the infection will spread across the city." He let the words sink in. "By midnight, society will collapse."
Olivia's fingers curled slightly, a flicker of unease flashing across her face before she masked it. "And you expect me to just believe that?"
Ethan smirked. "I expected you to be smarter than that."
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't argue. Instead, she leaned forward. "Let's say, for a second, I believe you. How do you know all this?"
Ethan didn't blink. "Because I died in that world. And now, I'm back."
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Olivia did something unexpected.
She laughed.
A low, quiet chuckle that sent a chill down Ethan's spine. Not because it was mocking—but because it was intrigued.
"If you're lying, you're insane. If you're telling the truth… then this just got interesting."
She rested her chin on one hand, studying him with an expression he recognized—calculating, dangerous, excited.
She's considering it.
Ethan pressed forward. "You don't need to trust my words. Trust what happens next." He pushed the notepad toward her again. "In the next ten minutes, a man will walk in wearing a gray hoodie, drop his coffee, and yell at the barista. Five minutes after that, the power will flicker."
Olivia's eyes flicked to the café entrance. Waiting. Watching.
And then—
A man in a gray hoodie walked in.
Ethan could almost feel Olivia's pulse quicken.
The man ordered a coffee, grabbed his cup—and dropped it.
"You stupid idiot!" The man snapped at the barista, exactly as Ethan had described.
Olivia's breath slowed. Her gaze darkened.
She still didn't speak.
Five minutes later, the café lights flickered.
For the first time, Olivia looked shaken.
Ethan leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "Now do you believe me?"
The Pact
Silence stretched between them before Olivia finally sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Fine. Let's say I believe you. What's your plan?"
Ethan smirked. Got her.
"We have less than 24 hours to prepare. First, we stockpile weapons and supplies. Then, we get to a safe location." His eyes locked onto hers. "You're strong, Olivia. Maybe the strongest person I knew in that world. But this time, we're not just going to survive."
He leaned forward, voice like steel.
"We're going to own the apocalypse."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Olivia's lips.
"Now that… sounds like fun."
They shook hands.
And just like that, the strongest duo of the new world was born.
Meanwhile…
Far across the city, in a darkened alley, a pair of golden eyes flickered open.
A massive black-furred beast stretched its limbs, lightning crackling across its body. Its sharp, predatory gaze swept across the night as if sensing something—a change, a new beginning.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Blaze had awakened.