The final night before the apocalypse was eerily quiet. The city bustled with its usual hum of activity, but Kael saw it differently. He saw the looming catastrophe, the countdown to destruction ticking away. Every street, every neon-lit alley, every passerby—they were all on borrowed time.
---
Strengthening the Foundation
Kael had spent hours refining his physical abilities, but he knew that raw strength alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to sharpen his mind, his instincts, and his ability to strategize.
Dain had agreed to train, albeit begrudgingly. The man was naturally suspicious, but Kael didn't need his trust—just his cooperation.
"Alright, kid, you say the world's ending tomorrow. What's the plan?" Dain asked, cracking his knuckles.
Kael threw him a wooden baton. "Fight me."
Dain scoffed but caught the weapon. "You serious? I don't fight kids."
Kael's eyes glowed faintly. "You won't be fighting a kid. You'll be fighting something much worse."
Dain didn't get time to react. Kael moved, his body a blur. His baton struck out, aiming for Dain's ribs. The seasoned warrior barely blocked in time, his muscles tensing at the unexpected force.
"What the hell—?!"
Kael pressed forward, his strikes relentless, each movement flowing like water, precise and controlled. His power was still restrained, but even at a fraction of his full potential, he was overwhelming.
Dain staggered back, sweat beading on his forehead. His instincts screamed at him—this kid is dangerous.
"You're too slow," Kael said, blocking a counterattack with ease. "If you want to survive tomorrow, you'll need to be ten times faster than this."
Dain wiped his mouth, then grinned. "Now this is getting interesting."
---
Searching for Elyra
As dawn approached, Kael's heart grew heavier. Elyra was still out there. In his past life, she had survived the first wave—but only barely. This time, he would make sure she was ready.
He found her at the university, sitting alone in the library. The sight of her—untouched by the horrors of the coming disaster—made his chest tighten.
She doesn't know. She doesn't remember.
Taking a deep breath, he approached.
"Kael? What are you doing here this early?" Elyra asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I need to talk to you. It's important."
She frowned. "What's wrong? You look… different."
Kael hesitated. How could he explain everything? That he had lived this before? That they had fought side by side, that he had lost her once, and he refused to let it happen again?
Instead, he simply said, "Something bad is coming. And I need you to trust me."
Elyra's eyes searched his, confusion laced with concern. "Kael… You're scaring me."
He took her hands, squeezing them gently. "I just need you to promise me one thing. If things start going wrong today—if something feels off—you come find me immediately. No hesitation. No questions."
She studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. I promise."
Kael exhaled, relief washing over him. "Good. Now let's get ready."
---
The First Collapse
As the sun climbed higher, the city remained blissfully unaware. People carried on with their daily routines, oblivious to the catastrophe lurking beneath the surface.
Then, at exactly 10:32 AM, it began.
A distant explosion rocked the ground, sending shockwaves through the streets. Sirens wailed as smoke billowed into the sky. Chaos erupted instantly—people screamed, vehicles skidded to a halt, and the once-ordinary morning turned into a nightmare.
Kael stood amidst the growing panic, his expression cold. "Right on schedule."
The virus had made its first move.
In the distance, he could see the first infected rising. Twisted, mutated figures with inhuman strength. The monsters of tomorrow had just taken their first breath.
And Kael was ready for them.