There's something strangely compelling about the idea of apocalypses, isn't there? We've all read or watched some form of post-apocalyptic fiction, from the typical zombie outbreaks to creatures that invade the world in mass numbers. Or those crazy fantasy novels where humanity's nearly wiped out, only for some lost power—like mana or ancient magic—to emerge in the survivors, changing the course of everything. We've all encountered that tale: the protagonist, after the dust settles, rises from the ashes of the old world and, decades, centuries, or millennia later, begins to rebuild what was lost. The narrative often begins with the question, "What caused all this destruction?"
These are not just stories—they are reflections of our fears, fantasies, and hopes for survival. But have you ever stopped to wonder why so many of these stories feature the same themes? Why are we so drawn to the idea of humanity standing on the edge of extinction and some hero or survivor stepping in to try to reverse the inevitable?
Well, maybe that's where my story begins—at the edge of apocalypse. But not the kind where the protagonist just saves the day because they're "destined to." No, this story explores something darker, more personal, and far less altruistic.
The protagonist is Arthur Silva, a Brazilian man, born and raised in a world much like ours. He's a normal guy in his twenties—handsome by some standards, forgettable by others. Just one of the 8 billion people on Earth. Nothing special. He doesn't stand out in a crowd. He's just another face in the global population, someone whose most exciting trait is his obsession with manga, webtoons, novels, and anime. You know the type—passionate about stories from other worlds, worlds where impossible things happen, where heroes are born out of necessity and destiny.
Yet, Arthur's world is about to change, but not in the way he expects.
An entity, a being from another world, will soon take an interest in him. This isn't some divine figure or mythical god. No, this is a hero. A hero from a world that no longer exists. A hero who failed to save his home planet and now finds himself stranded between dimensions, determined to prevent another world from suffering the same fate. But here's the twist: this hero, though he may have once been a beacon of hope, is filled with bitterness and rage. His world was destroyed, and the destruction was not by some natural disaster or force of fate. It was by the hands of others—forces greater and far more malevolent than any mere catastrophe. And in his failure, this hero's heart hardened. His desire for vengeance became all-consuming. But what good is revenge if there's no one left to exact it on?
This hero's final hope lies in Arthur Silva.
But what does Arthur have to do with this? The answer is simple, and yet utterly complex: Arthur is a key. Not because of his extraordinary skills or some long-hidden potential, but because of what he can become. The entity, now desperate, transfers its knowledge, powers, and memories to Arthur. The idea is that Arthur will awaken abilities that no human should possess, abilities that might allow him to alter the course of fate—his fate and the fate of the world he lives in.
Arthur is suddenly thrust into a strange, horrifying new reality, where power is no longer a mere fantasy but a terrifyingly real force. At first, he's confused, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. Why him? Why now? He's just an ordinary guy, after all. But the more he learns, the clearer it becomes: the world is headed toward an apocalypse of its own. The same type of force that destroyed the hero's world is closing in on Earth.
But here's where things get interesting.
Arthur is no hero.
No, Arthur doesn't care about saving the world. He doesn't care about sacrificing himself for the greater good. If that's what it takes to stop the destruction, then so be it. But Arthur's priorities are clear—his family, his loved ones, the people who matter to him—they are what he cares about.
Arthur doesn't see himself as some noble champion fighting for humanity. In fact, he has no interest in humanity's survival. But what he does care about is his own survival and the survival of those closest to him. He's not a savior—he's a survivor. And if the world has to burn for him to live, then that's the price he's willing to pay.
What Arthur lacks in moral clarity, he makes up for in sheer determination. He will do whatever it takes to protect his own, even if it means bending the world to his will. The entity, in its desperation, tried to make him a hero, but Arthur never wanted that. He just wants to survive. And in his mind, if that means becoming something more than human, so be it.
The world will fight for him. Not the other way around.
Arthur's journey isn't about stopping an apocalyptic event; it's about learning to control the forces at play and making them work for him. It's about using everything at his disposal—his newfound powers, the knowledge transferred from the fallen hero, and even the very apocalypse itself—to make sure that he and those he loves are safe.
Along the way, Arthur will face monstrous threats, both human and non-human, and he will encounter characters who embody all the ideals of heroism. They'll call him a hero too, but Arthur knows better. He is no hero. He's just someone trying to find his place in a world that's falling apart. And if it means breaking the rules to survive, then so be it. Arthur will not hesitate to sacrifice others if it means saving what's important to him.
He's not the kind of hero who will throw himself on the proverbial grenade. No, Arthur will make sure the world knows: the fight for survival is his, and everyone else will just have to follow his lead.
The entity's journey is one of redemption. But Arthur's journey? That's about self-preservation, power, and control. And, perhaps, somewhere along the way, he'll learn that survival doesn't have to come at the cost of his humanity—but that's something only time will tell.
The world is ending. The battle is just beginning. And Arthur Silva is ready to rewrite the rules of the game.