It all began five years ago. That's when the gates opened…
No one knows for sure where they came from, but what came out of them changed the world forever.
Monsters—impossible, deformed creatures filled with hatred—emerged without warning, razing entire cities in a matter of days. Humanity tried to resist. It fought… but its weapons weren't enough. Soon, governments activated Protocol NEXUS: a global order to launch nuclear weapons at the emergence points.
For a moment, they believed they had won.
They were wrong.
The radiation didn't kill the monsters. It made them stronger. Smarter. They evolved… and with them, something else awoke in humanity: dormant abilities in certain people—powers that allowed them to stand against the new order. A fragile peace lasted for two years… but that blessing became a curse.
The so-called Awakened claimed the world as theirs. They rose up in war against the powerless. And humanity, broken and betrayed, fell.
Now, only ruins remain.
---
"What happened next?" asked a boy with messy hair.
"Huh? What did you say, Kael?" replied his companion, scratching his head.
"Ah… nothing. I was just… remembering what you said, Dante."
Dante sighed, looking at the ruins.
"The three great cities: Cirkel, Solarys, and Draegon. They were built during the years of peace… now they're in the hands of the Awakened. Lawless kingdoms."
Kael nodded in silence.
They lived together in a group of five. Refugees. Their hideout was relatively safe… but supplies were running low. One night, they went out to search for food. Unbeknownst to them, another group had gone out too.
"Look up there!" Nora shouted, pointing at the sky.
"It's a plane!"
"Looks like it's going to crash," said Rik, tensing up.
"Let's go," Kael ordered.
The group ran toward the crash site. But they weren't the only ones. Another group spotted them from the shadows—and didn't hesitate to open fire. Chaos erupted. Kael and his companions fled through the rubble, taking cover as bullets whizzed past them.
"I'll distract them," said Dante. "You all run."
"I'm staying with you," Kael replied without hesitation.
"No!" pleaded Elian, another from the group. "Please, just go together!"
"NO!" Dante shouted. "GO NOW! Please…"
Crying, the group escaped through a gap in the debris. Kael stayed behind.
"I told you," he said. "I'm staying."
"You're a fool…" Dante murmured. "But fine. Stay."
Then they heard it: a low whistle that made their skin crawl. And a voice...
"I can hear you breathing."
"Don't make a sound," Dante whispered.
Kael trembled with fear. On the other side of the door, someone was trying to break in. Finally, the enemy group burst in. Dante threw himself at them. They fought fiercely, but there were five… and two of them were Awakened. The difference was brutal.
"Did you really think you could beat us?" one laughed.
"Shut up!" growled Dante, bleeding.
One of the enemies grabbed him from behind. Kael tried to help, but it was useless. With a final effort, Dante shoved Kael toward the exit.
"RUN!"
Kael ran. Just as he crossed the door, he heard the gunshot. He dropped to his knees, paralyzed—but instinct forced him onward. Someone was chasing him. A girl. She caught up, and they rolled to the ground. They struggled. His companions were coming for him.
Kael managed to grab her weapon. He pointed it at her.
"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?" he shouted.
"I just… I just wanted to survive!" she cried.
"So do I!"
He pulled the trigger.
There was no time to process it. The rest of the enemies were still after him. He ran through the wreckage. A bullet hit his shoulder, but he managed to hide. Eventually, he collapsed under the moonlight.
An unfamiliar voice found him.
"Well, well… what do we have here?"
---
Kael woke up in a strange room. His body ached like it had been crushed by a building.
"Where… am I?"
A young woman appeared. She had a calm smile and curious eyes.
"Well, you're finally awake."
"Who are you?"
"Oh, right. My name's Valeria. And you?"
"Kael…"
"Nice name, Kael. Welcome to Cirkel City."
"Cirkel!?" his voice trembled. "That's the most dangerous city of all!"
"So?"
Valeria smiled and left the room. Kael, alone, remembered everything. Nausea rose in him. He vomited. Then pain hit him like a tidal wave. He screamed.
His story was just beginning.