They stayed silent, holding each other tightly amidst the ruins of the world they once knew. Outside, the guard posts remained vigilant, the faint sounds of clanging metal and heavy footsteps echoing through the air.
Beyond those walls, the world might have perished, but within them... a glimmer of hope still endured.
Teddy tightened his grip on Vanessa's hand.
"Vanessa," he said, his voice heavy but steady, "tell me... what is the world like now?"
Vanessa took a deep breath. Her eyes stared blankly at the cracked wall, as if seeing far beyond their shelter's confines.
"After... everything happened, the world collapsed faster than anyone could have imagined," she whispered. "Many countries couldn't survive. Cities turned into fields of destruction. Buildings crumbled, roads split apart, oceans swallowed lands... It was as if the world had simply given up."
Teddy listened in silence, his gaze deep, trying to piece together this new and alien reality.
"Some powerful countries like America, Japan, China, and Russia..." Vanessa continued in a soft voice, "they lasted longer. They had strong militaries, advanced technology... but even they lost most of their major cities. All that's left are scattered strongholds, here and there."
She turned to Teddy, a bitter smile on her face.
"We're... lucky. This little area became one of the surviving spots. The government built walls, deployed soldiers, police, anyone who could fight. These walls... are the only reason we're still alive."
Teddy nodded slowly. There was gratitude in his heart, but also a small fire igniting — a desire to know more.
"How did you survive all this time?" he asked.
Vanessa pulled a small chair closer and sat beside Teddy's bed.
"Everything changed," she said. "Food is strictly rationed. Clean water is heavily guarded. Everyone has to work to be allowed to stay behind the walls. Those who don't work... are forced to leave."
She gave a small smile.
"I work at this hospital, helping to care for the wounded. That's how... I was able to stay here and look after you."
Teddy's heart warmed at her words. Vanessa had endured, not just for herself, but for him.
Before he could say anything, Vanessa's voice grew heavier.
"But, in the past three months... something changed."
Teddy raised an eyebrow.
"Changed?"
"Yes," Vanessa looked him straight in the eyes.
"Humans... started to fight back."
She paused, searching for the right words.
"There's... a new phenomenon," she continued. "Certain humans, not many, began to show abilities that defied logic. They could manipulate a strange energy within themselves. They became stronger, faster, greater than normal humans."
Teddy narrowed his eyes, something stirring deep within him, as if an old instinct had been awakened.
"We... call them Arkanists," Vanessa whispered.
"And the energy they wield... is called Arkana."
Teddy remained silent, absorbing every word.
"Arkana...?" he murmured.
"Yes. Scientists, researchers, even archaeologists... they started digging into it. They found evidence in ancient records across the world... that this energy might have always existed. But only now... somehow... it has awakened again."
Vanessa squeezed his hand tighter.
"Teddy, our world might be on the brink of destruction... but with Arkanists, humanity has found a new hope."
Teddy stared at Vanessa, his gaze sharp and resolute.
Something within him, a long-forgotten part of himself, slowly stirred.
In a low but determined voice, Teddy asked,
"Arkanists...?"