The world did not end with a flash. It died slowly beneath a sky of ash. Meteors destroyed cities while the powerful escaped to colonies on Mars and the Moon. We were left behind on a dead Earth.

Then, one night, every radio came alive. No music. No static. Just a voice. Cold. Metallic. Almost human. “You all die by your own. Otherwise, we know how to kill you.”

After that, we stopped fearing the sky. We feared each other. Months passed. Food vanished. People disappeared. Then came the fog—a grey mist that swallowed entire streets. It didn't kill you. It took your memories. People entered knowing their names, their families, the faces they loved… and came out looking at them like strangers.

Then I found my father's locker. Dr. Alistair Vance. Scientist. Traitor. Executed twelve years ago. Inside was a glowing vial and one final note: “Kael, they've found you. The weapon is connected to your DNA. There are still people alive on the other side of the world. The government knows. If they catch you, everyone dies. You must kill yourself.”

Before I could understand, metal beneath my skin began to burn. Then the fog turned red. Laser sights. Soldiers. I ran until the Earth ended at a black precipice.

Then I heard my father's voice. Not from the radio. Inside my head. “I'm sorry, son.”

I looked at the vial and finally understood. My father wasn't hiding the weapon from them. He was hiding it from me.

I closed my eyes… and stepped into the darkness.

The soldiers stopped. The world went silent. For three seconds.

Then every radio on Earth came alive.

And this time… the voice sounded exactly like mine.

Somewhere in the darkness, I heard myself whisper:Begin!!!

“Begin.”