Victor Nova awoke from his unconsciousness to find himself in a strange place. The surroundings were unlike anything he had ever seen before. The ground was littered with rubble, buildings lay in ruin, and the sky above was shrouded in dark, ominous clouds, offering no promise of hope. It felt as if time had ceased here, as if this land was nothing but the remnants of a once-living world. He gasped for air with each breath, his body aching, a sharp reminder of his vulnerability.
He slowly rose to his feet, his remaining eye scanning the horizon. Everything around him felt wrong, a deep sense of unease gnawing at him. He knew better than to trust this place. The world surrounding him gave no indication of comfort, only uncertainty. His heart raced, and his mind calculated with precision, searching for any sign of threat or danger. "If I'm here, there are others too," he thought. "But are they friends or enemies?"
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a soft voice calling to him from behind, its tone gentle yet tinged with hesitation.
"Are you alright?"
Nova turned quickly, his eye sharp with caution, scanning the figure before him. It was a young woman, no older than her twenties, standing with a quiet strength in her posture. Her clothes were simple, worn from hardship, but her gaze held a certain resilience, as though she had learned how to survive in this broken world. He felt something unusual stir within him—an unfamiliar warmth, something he hadn't felt in years.
The girl spoke again, her voice calm yet filled with concern:
"I'm Mira. I found you unconscious among the ruins of the city, so I brought you here."
Nova studied her for a moment, sensing that there was more to her than met the eye. There was an innocence to her, but in this world, innocence was a dangerous trait. He sat down slowly, analyzing her words carefully. Then, with a voice that held a tinge of intrigue, he asked,
"Mira… Why are you helping me? Do you know who I am?"
Mira hesitated, avoiding his gaze for a moment before replying quickly, her voice uncertain:
"No, I don't know you. But I decided to help you because it's in my nature."
Nova gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, but his eyes remained cold and calculating.
"Your nature is interesting, but be warned, that kindness will get you killed here. If I were a murderer or a thief, your kindness wouldn't save you. This world doesn't forgive."
But Mira stood her ground, her eyes flashing with a fire he hadn't expected. She spoke sharply,
"You're wrong. Because of your kindness, you're alive now. If I had left you, you would be dead by now."
Her words were strong, more than Nova had anticipated from someone in her position. He watched her, and for the first time in a long while, something in him began to shift. He had always believed that emotions had no place in this world, but she was proving him wrong. He sighed softly and spoke in a quieter, more reflective tone,
"You're right. Your kindness may save others, but it won't save you. But, I will stay with you and protect you. It's the least I can do for saving my life."
After a brief silence, he added,
"Perhaps I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Victor... Victor Nova."
When Mira heard his name, her expression changed instantly. There was shock and fear in her eyes, as if she recognized the name and all the horrors it carried.
"You… You're Victor Nova? The one who destroyed the world?"
Nova's gaze dropped, his heart heavy with guilt as memories of his past actions flooded back. His voice was barely above a whisper as he replied,
"Yes. It's all my fault. When I realized I could shift the balance of power in the world, when I saw the United States was on the verge of collapse, I ignited the nuclear war. That's when everything ended."
Mira watched him closely, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and compassion. She moved closer to him, gently placing her hand on his arm, her voice filled with empathy,
"It's not your fault. You didn't start the war. You were just trying to gain control without any weapons. You're not the one to blame for what happened to the world."
For a moment, Nova considered her words. Could it really be true? Was he not the true cause of the destruction? A strange warmth stirred within him, and he finally whispered,
"But if I hadn't sought control, none of this would have happened. Perhaps I am the one to blame."
In an unexpected move, Mira wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her warmth was something he hadn't felt in years, a comfort he thought long lost. It was a gesture of humanity, one he had forgotten. For a brief moment, Nova felt a deep sense of connection he thought was beyond him. He returned the hug, his remaining eye moist with unspoken emotions.
He wiped away his own tears as he spoke softly,
"You're right… Maybe I'm not the one to blame."
After a quiet moment, Nova reached into his bag and pulled out some food and water he had scavenged from a nearby colony. He handed it to Mira, saying,
"You need this. You're hungry."
Mira's eyes lit up when she saw the food. She eagerly began to eat, her joy palpable. Nova sat beside her, eating as well, feeling something he hadn't experienced in a long time—comfort, peace, even happiness. It was a fleeting moment of normalcy in a world that had long since lost it.
As night fell, Nova lay down on the ground beside her, thoughts swirling in his mind. For the first time in ages, he felt a sense of warmth, something akin to hope.
The next morning, he woke early and, after a moment of consideration, turned to Mira.
"You can't stay here alone. You'll die, whether from starvation or thieves. Join me on my journey."
Mira looked at him with acceptance and a quiet resolve.
"I'll go with you."
Together, they set out on a new journey, one filled with uncertainty, but also the promise of survival. As they walked side by side, neither of them knew what the future held, but for the first time, they didn't face it alone.