e had gone. Just a week ago, I had been lying in bed with Flora, basking in her warmth. Now, it was the end of the month, and I felt as

of winter's chill. I let myself stand outside, my breath visible in the icy air, watching the frost-laden trees sway gently in the b

er energy so contagious that even Atlas, reluctant as ever, had been pulled into her antics. Watching him half-heartedly fling snowballs at her was a sight I never thou

the quiet moment before stepping into the cold. Sundays had always been my d

It wasn't like her to go dark for this long. Though I had helped the humans with their zombie problem-o

tch what I needed to challenge Kai. He was fueling them, constantly pushing them to evolve, yet he never seemed to dirty his hands direc

ere locked in an absurd snowball war, the ground around them littered with evidence of their relentless attacks. Snow flew through the air i

still had a playful, childish side that surfaced when she felt safe. She moved

ip. She abandoned her snowball arsenal and sprinted toward me, throwing herself into my arms. Her lip

n to deepen the kiss, she shifted her weight and flipped me

roaned in mock despair. The icy chill seeped into my skin, making

led, my voice muf

d with mischief, but before I could retaliate, a hundred snowballs slammed into me in rapi

rmlessly off my body. Crossing my arms, I glared at Flora w

idened. "Y

e was

rare in these times. It was moments like these that reminded me why I fought so hard,

se line. It was the perfect shield. I crouched low, scooping up snow at an incredible pace, and began forming snowballs. My strength and speed we

. I smirked triumphantly as he staggered slightly in shock, and Flora immed

speed increased exponentially with each shot, and Flora's natural athleticism shone as she dart

ch hit she landed. The snowy battlefield seemed to glow with her sheer r

ion darkened. "Alright, no more games!" he

t suffocating. Flora and I ducked behind our snow wall, peering over the edge as Atlas summoned green, grotesque figures from the snow.

dly serious. The rule w

My heart pounded as I counted them-dozens, maybe more. I waited, h

the clones fell, disintegrating into harmless puffs of snow. I grinned, my heart racing as I reveled in the small victo

from the throw. He laughed so hard I thought he might

it," I muttered,

she looked back at me with a flicker of worry. I couldn

m going to teach you how t

learner, and with her innate ability to mimic and refine my te

e," I en

a small army of Flora clones stood ready. She didn't hesitate, comman

clashed with Atlas's creations. The snowy battlefield erupted into c

of it all,

t now?" My voice sounded mo

. General Park has gone rogue. She's destroying

my breath. "Fine. But let me make one thing clear: this is the last

tlas's clones, I pulled her a

e rogue," I

ou," she offered

take long. I'll handle it, and then

of defiance and concern. "You'd better be back in thi

that left us both breathless-bef

e base, I didn't find Genera

ho was bound and gagged, his eyes red from tea

ster as ever. "So, how have you been?" he ask

h me. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to attack him, t

I demanded, my voi

ith malice. "Oh, I'm just here to have

s smile never faltering, though his tone shifted to one of moc

fists clenched so tightly tha

patient. Painfully patient. Watching you grow stronger, molding you into the perfect opponent." His smile hardened, becoming almost predatory. "Because you see, my satisfaction will only

fortnight from now. Be prepared. And if you're not," he chuckled coldly

pt. And trust me," I added, my Crimson Halo flaring as my aura surged out

"Quite the powerhouse you're becoming, my little vampire." He giggled, the sound

pulations. The way he had twisted my life, controlling every facet of it as if I were a mere pawn in h

e. I hated him for what he'd done to Flora-how she'd lived with that cursed purple skin for years before I was finally able to help her. I h

en, he made me a deal. A deal I hated to accept, yet one that gave me

shadow. I shook my head, focusing on the human at m

hat had pinned him down. He collapsed to t

her himself, I ask

instinctively, grabbing the human and leaping out of the way as a knife sliced through the ai

on I knew only Flora, Atlas, or Kai could achieve. But it

ral

ion devoid of humanity. She didn't speak, didn't move-just stared. He

ven Park wouldn't be able to crack. He was sobbing n

a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Well, G

d a set of knives, each gleaming dangerously. She didn't throw t

ay on high alert. Park was a brilliant strategist, and under

still keeping the smile on my fac

espo

th an otherworldly glow. Her movements were calculated, each one d

f there was one thing I'd learned, it was th

ed to myself, bracing

ave to find a way to stop her without destroying her completely. Flora's voice echoed i

I steadied my reso

they were closing in fast. My eyes darted to Park. She hadn't moved an inch since summoning her knives, so how

her body like a living shroud. It was beautiful in its way but deeply unsettling, a majestic façade hiding something rotten. Her ga

s unnervingly quick. But none of it mattered. I dove into the horde with an almost feral glee, tearing through them like paper. My hands crushed skulls, my le

et my guard down, but the zombies demanded my attention. As the last of the hord

e. Even if she turned invisible, she couldn't hide fr

the air at impossible speeds. I barely managed to dodge. More bullets followed, a relentless storm of pr

s detected the truth-she wasn't just moving; she was

The air changed, thick and oppressive. Park stood before

l," I said, smirking. "I thoug

ickening crack echoed in the air. "Well, that sucked," I muttered, disapp

s time, I caught it mid-air, stopping it mere inches from my face. Par

well. The p

aw that sent her hurtling into the air. As she fell, I intercepted with a spinning 540-degree roundhouse, shatt

I lunged again, snapping her neck over and over, yet she

ing from within. She was overflowing with Kai's power,

neered, my smile turning demonic. Raising my

Are you an idiot? You're

hifted as her body began to decay from the

mered, her voice trembling.

fell to her knees, reach

" I demanded, my power

! He said he'd give me the entire solar system if I

I suppose. But why did you bring Flora into this?

made me say it! Please, I beg

. "Do I look like someone

ash flaked away into the air. She screamed as her form disinte

ce. The glowing remnants of her power lingered in the

rred as the raw power coursed through me. The dimension around me buckled, folding in on itse

way for when I needed it most. Kai's presence lingered nearby, a taunting reminder

ing city, people began to gather, thei

e crowd, his voice cutting through the murmurs

my mind remained fixed on the battle ahead. Kai would pay for

ost akin to Jesus. Their unwavering reverence was equal parts amusing and troubling. As more peop

ips painted a more sinister picture. "The leader of the zombies, Kai, has challenged me to a battle to the death. So, listen carefully: if you want to survive-if you want even a chance to thrive in

ing back to their homes, dragging their children along, shouting

ne more thing: General Park betrayed us all. She paid the

mes, hastily packing everything they could think of-beds, jewelry, food, water, toys. Children clung to their

d, I muttered under my b

he edge of the town. Its steeple stood tall, a stark contrast to the frantic en

k of my Crimson Halo's power. Once inside, I found an old man seated alone in a pew, staring up

ing softly in the quiet sanctuary.

n a calm, soft tone, "Just looking

among the hundreds of millions who'll die in a fortnight

he crucifix. "I know the bunkers won't hold agai

r. "You're a clever one, ar

Kop

of spending time with your loved ones?" I a

l be with them again soon-reunited with my wife and children." His tone was unwavering, devoid

esting man, Tim." Without another word, I turned and

gh the walls of their homes, I could see them rushing to complete their bunkers, cramming i

After a deep breath, I leapt from the human world back to Flora, landi

my arms around her waist, pulling her close, and kissed her cheek. S

id, inhaling the aroma

s. And for the main course, I made some chicken with a mi

r again, then moved to set the tabl

wls and brought them to the table. Flora plated the main course,

e main dish, savoring the tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. As always, the macros wer

were there?" Flora asked, bre

He challenged me to a death battle in a

ay you're ready, then I believe you. I can sense ho

wipe her from existence. I absorbed the power

e them. Power really is the only thing that matters in this world." Then, with a playful gli

d out like balloons, she sat on the couch, arms crossed and sulking in a way t

d at me. Her pout deepened, and I noticed her eyes glinting with th

. When I came back, Atlas had appeared in the living room, his face a

row and motioning toward Flora. "Why does s

uch. "We were playing tennis, and, well, I

He turned back to Flora, his eyes narrowing slightly in mock disap

ramatic huff. She glanced at Atlas, then at me, before muttering,

fted. "Alright, jokes aside, we need to focus. Kai isn't someone you can afford to take lightly. Even w

t up straighter, her pout replaced by a look of conc

verse. He destroyed everything in his path without mercy, without hesitation. But something happened-something significant-and now he's not as powerful

at you're saying is true, that means I might have at least a small chance. One percent, maybe. It's not

percent might as well be zero if you're not ready," he said bluntly. "But don't worry. I'll make sure you're

to my body. They blended seamlessly into my clothes but still carried the i

val. "Good. Then we'r

eyes darted between me and Atlas. "You were wearing those... the ent

e a big deal of it. "Yeah. It

nfused, maybe even a little impressed. She knew I had been holding back,

s out of our thoughts. "Alright, enough talk

e a small smile of encouragement, and I felt the f