In the desolate expanse of a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse, the survivors had learned to adapt. Twenty years of blood, sweat, and tears had honed their skills, and their bodies had evolved, granting them immunity to the virus that had decimated humanity.
As they rebuilt and regrouped, a peculiar phenomenon began to manifest. A select few, all between the ages of 16, discovered they possessed an Awakened System – a mysterious force that imbued them with extraordinary abilities. These Awakened Ones were the hope of humanity, their powers a beacon in the darkness.
But there was more to this new reality. It became apparent that everyone, Awakened or not, had a peculiar safeguard: three resurrection chances within a year. Death was no longer permanent, but it was far from a blessing. The pain of loss lingered, and the consequences of failure were still dire.
And then, there were the Time Rends – eerie anomalies that defied understanding. Places cleared of the undead horde would inexplicably revert to their infested state, as if time itself had looped back. Some Rends refreshed every 24 hours, the clock ticking down to a new wave of chaos. Others lingered for a month, a constant threat hanging over the survivors' heads.
In this unforgiving world, the stakes were high, and the rules were twisted. The Awakened Ones had to navigate this treacherous landscape, their powers a double-edged sword. For in a world where death was a temporary setback, the true enemy was time itself.
In the settlement of New Eden, a young Awakened named Maya stood at the edge of a Time Rend, her eyes fixed on the horde of undead shambling towards her. She had three chances to die, but she knew she'd need every ounce of her newfound power to survive this day.The world was never the same after the Time Rends struck. Awakened individuals, with their newfound powers, ran amok, leaving destruction and death in their wake. Shelters became death traps, transforming into Time Rends without warning, swallowing entire communities.
In the chaos, the military emerged from the shadows, determined to restore order. They established Apocalypse Hubs – fortified bases where survivors could exchange resources for essentials: weapons, food, medical aid, and more. Registration was mandatory for the Awakened, a measure to control the chaos.
Akoi's settlement was one of many that sprouted from the ashes, built by survivors who'd lost everything. They huddled behind makeshift walls, bracing for the next Time Rend or raid. The Hub was their lifeline, a beacon of hope in a world gone mad.