The city streets were unnervingly quiet. Emily stepped carefully onto the cracked pavement, her backpack secured tightly and her hands glowing faintly with the fire her system had taught her to summon. Every instinct screamed caution. In her previous life, a single wrong move had led to disaster. This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.
Her first task was simple, according to the system: scout nearby resources and identify potential threats. She paused, closed her eyes, and listened. The subtle hum of energy in the air—the city was changing. Soon, everyone would awaken powers. Soon, chaos would erupt. She had to be ready.
Emily moved through the abandoned streets, noting shops she could raid for supplies and alleys that could serve as escape routes. Her heart pounded when she passed the first overturned car. A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she instinctively ignited a small flame in her palm, enough to illuminate the dark shadow.
It was her betraying friend, casually leaning against a wall, pretending to be shocked.
"Emily! Out so early?" the friend called cheerfully, though Emily could see the glint of calculation in their eyes.
"I'm checking the area," Emily replied cautiously. "Don't follow me too closely."
The friend's smile didn't falter. "Of course, of course. Just… thought you might want some company."
Emily's hand tightened around the straps of her bag. Something about the friend's tone, the way they lingered near the open street instead of taking the safer path, set off alarms in her mind. She had been betrayed once before—she wouldn't let it happen again.
As they walked, Emily tested her system powers, igniting small flames to signal safe paths and ward off debris that had fallen from cracked buildings. She felt the thrill of control; for the first time, she could fight back instead of running in fear.
A sudden rumble echoed through the street. Emily froze, her senses heightened by the system. The vibrations weren't random—they were the first signs of awakening power. A man in the distance lifted a chunk of asphalt effortlessly, his eyes glowing faintly. This was no ordinary human; this was the start of the apocalypse.
"Emily," her friend said softly, "maybe you should let me help. You know I've always had your back."
Emily glanced at them, fire dancing in her palm. "Actions, not words," she whispered. "We'll see if I can trust you."
From a rooftop above, she caught a glimpse of Gabriel. He was watching silently, arms crossed, expression unreadable. His presence was unsettling yet reassuring. Emily didn't have to rely on him—yet knowing he was there gave her a sense of protection.
The man with the glowing eyes charged, and Emily's system prompted:
"Task 4: Survive initial encounters. Reward: Combat skill improvement."
Emily took a deep breath, summoning a controlled flame in each hand. The first attack came fast, but she was ready. She dodged, countered with a blast of fire, and felt the system reward her with increased reflexes. The thrill of combat and the power coursing through her veins was intoxicating.
Her friend watched intently, too close, their expression unreadable. Emily made a mental note: their behavior today would determine how much she could trust them tomorrow.
When the fight ended, Emily stood among the rubble, flames flickering faintly around her fingers. Gabriel's gaze lingered, silent approval in his eyes. She knew he would continue to observe, waiting for the moment she might need him—but Emily also knew she had to rely on her own strength first.
The city was awakening. Powers were surfacing.