"2037, the world is in complete turmoil. Violence reigns across the barren wasteland of Detroit, Michigan. If there is an Essential out there, send help."

In the shadow of the ruin of a building, a bloodied corpse sent a message via a levitating screen. His corpse was disfigured, losing its original shape. The man's blood sent a visible trail throughout the dark alleyway. His weak, raspy breaths brought upon him a lot of pain, yet he endured. His vitality was on thin ice.

With his levitating device, he sent another message.

"I am Suika Hideki. My wife is Nashi Hideki. If you ever see her, tell her I love her."

In his mind, he remembered all the joyful moments in is life, as well as the dark somber ones. Each memory brought a tear to his wounded eyes.

'I really am dying...'

'Damn...'

Dissatisfied with his life, Suika Hideki bit the dust.

***

Darkness surged around him. In the darkness, Suika could hear a voice, saying:

[To whom do you pledge your allegiance?]

"Huh?" Suika said.

[To whom do you pledge your allegiance?]

[The Essentials]

[The Non-essentials]

[The Fallen]

"Oh... The Essentials," he answered.

[Thou hast verily spake.]

[By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. Proverbs 24:3]

After hearing those words, Suika found himself in a white room. Lay on a hospital bed, he noticed the two women reaching their hands out to him as if they were healing him.

"You're finally awake!" exclaimed on of the women.

Gathering the strength to fully open his eyes, Suika left his reclined position to a sitting position.

"Where am I? What year is it? Have you seen my wife?"

With genuine concern in her voice, the woman on the left instructed:

"Don't make such abrupt movements, sir! You might open your wounds!"

She softly pushed him back to his reclined position.

"Well... you're in the last remaining human settlement in Detroit. It's May 7, 2038, and sir..."

Eager for an answer, he listened keenly.

"Sir... Your wife had passed away--"

"WHAT?!" Suika protested in disbelief, "WHEN?!"

Continuing to heal Suika's corpse, she answered:

"She passed away a year ago after hearing the news of your supposed death. Her body was found in the depths of a river of blood."

"Suicide?" He asked.

"We aren't sure."

***

Walking in an all-black outfit provided for him, Suika, in his healed body, explored the human settlement.

'Just an ebony skyscraper? Bruh...'

Suddenly stopping his stroll, Suika looked forward to see a wooden door written E342.

Reaching his pocket with his hand, he removed a keycard written E342. Swiping his black keycard, he unlocked the door to see a extravagantly decorated room.

Everything, from the smell to the looks, everything just felt... wealthy -- the extravagant type of wealthy.

'Thank God! I became an Essential!'