The next few days were grueling in every sense of the word. Kael and Thessa trained on the rooftop every single day. The sun rose and set on that same rooftop, always shining down on the stubborn rock that refused to break. Each day felt longer than the last. When Kael ran laps around the rooftop, his chest felt heavy with the shortness of breath. Every time he stumbled and hit the ground, the pain of his injuries made him wince but he refused to stop. The image of his sister’s face pushed him forward. “Again!” Thessa shouted. Kael swung his fist down onto the rock. *Thud* The pain was instant. It was akin to punching a spiked wall laced with acid. The bandages wrapped around his knuckles darkened with blood and it was apparent he hadn't held back at all when throwing the punch. Still, the rock didn’t crack. Thessa stepped closer, her sharp eyes studying his stance. “Your form’s off again,” she said. “Tighten your legs. Keep your balance. Focus, Kael.” Kael groaned, hol

Kael looked down at his hands. They were covered in strange armor that gleamed under the light. His vision had a red tint, coming from the lenses of the helmet. For a moment, he just stood there, breathing heavily, feeling a rush of power course through his body. He almost couldn't believe such strength existed if it were not for the fact that he was living proof. ‎Kael felt various emotions rise within him. He lifted his hands slowly, staring at them in awe. He couldn't help but think how differently things would have turned out if he'd achieved such power sooner. Even a little would have gone a long way in saving his sister. He didn’t even notice the tear that slid down his cheek. “Feels good, doesn’t it?” Thessa’s voice broke through his train of thought. She stood a few feet away with her arms crossed, and a knowing smirk on her face. “You don’t have to answer. I can tell.” Kael said nothing, but his expression said enough. While the almost impenetrable armor aided in

The next morning, Kael began his move, weaving through the cracked, empty streets of the ruined city. The air was still, broken only by the echo of his footsteps and the occasional wind moving through hollow buildings. He stayed alert, scanning every corner and alleyway. It was daylight, so monsters weren’t as active but that didn’t mean they were gone. Just in case one decided to surprise him, Kael carried his weapon of choice: a heavy metal baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, nails, and various sharp objects sticking out of it. He tightened his bandaged hand around the handle, feeling its solid weight as he moved. That bat had become his only comfort. He was ready, just in case of the necessary. “Necessary…” he muttered, the word lingering in his thoughts. How did it come to this? He hadn’t chosen this life. Or maybe, in a way, he had without realizing it. The memory of his talk with Madam Kaname earlier that morning replayed in his head. “I have no intention of sending yo

The van shook as it drove down the cracked road. The headlights lit up the mist, revealing dead trees and ruins around them. Kael sat in the passenger seat with his arms folded, staring out the window. After a moment, he broke the quiet that loomed. “What’s your name, anyway?” The man behind the wheel spoke without looking at him. “Lance,” he said simply. “Used to be a mechanic. Guess that still counts for something these days.” Kael gave a small nod, thinking back to how he’d seen Lance earlier helping more of the survivors, stopping at small safe zones to drop them off and giving them tools or scraps of food before moving on. “You keep survivors with you often?” Kael asked, his tone curious but careful. “Only the ones worth keeping alive,” Lance replied, giving him a quick glance. “That supposed to mean something?” Kael vented. “Yeah,” Lance replied flatly, fixing his eyes back on the road. “Means don’t slow me down.” His eyes stayed on the cracked, endless road str

Kael ran forward, his armored boots pounding on the wet ground. Steam rose off him as the smoke cleared, showing the bright red glow of his helmet’s lenses. Each step he took echoed loudly through the tunnel. Seeing him, the girl gasped. “What are you—?” Kael didn’t answer. He didn’t even slow down. Two bikers charged at him from opposite sides, their engines screaming through the tunnel. The first rider swung a spiked bat at him. Kael ducked under it, grabbed the man's arm, and yanked him clean off the motorcycle. The man went flying and crashed hard into the tunnel wall. The second biker tried ramming him from the side. Kael jumped, landing on the edge of the bike like he had rehearsed it a thousand times. The man's eyes widened. Kael kicked him square in the chest, sending the rider tumbling across the ground as the bike skidded away in a shower of sparks. Kael blinked behind his glowing lenses and whispered, almost impressed, “Okay… this is actually kind of coo