Only a week ago, humanity stood at its peak. Cities floated in the sky, powered by limitless renewable energy. Cars no longer touched the ground, hovering silently as they wove through neon-lit streets.
Disease had been nearly eradicated, thanks to nanotechnology capable of healing wounds and curing illnesses within minutes. AI managed every facet of life—transport, agriculture, and even governance—creating a world of unparalleled efficiency.
Earth wasn't just a planet anymore; it was a beacon of human ingenuity. Colonization of Mars had already begun, and deeper galactic exploration was within humanity's grasp.
And then, the Periclusapiens arrived.
---
Their arrival was sudden, marked by the appearance of towering ships in orbit. The vessels were black as obsidian, their surfaces smooth and featureless, radiating an ominous glow.
Attempts to communicate were met with silence. Diplomacy turned into panic as the first wave of destruction began.
Global defenses, once thought invincible, were shattered in moments. The invaders' technology outclassed anything humanity had ever conceived. Entire cities were reduced to ash in the blink of an eye.
Sky cities, marvels of human engineering, fell from the heavens. Gravitational anomalies created by alien tech ripped their foundations apart, sending them crashing to the earth below.
---
The Periclusapiens were not mere invaders. They were perfect beings, biologically engineered for survival and domination. Their bodies were immune to disease, fatigue, and pain.
Every muscle, every reflex was designed for efficiency. Their strength and endurance far surpassed that of any human, making them formidable even without their advanced weaponry.
Their minds were even more terrifying. Faster than any human brain or supercomputer, their cognitive abilities allowed them to strategize and adapt in real time, making them unbeatable in any battle.
---
Their technology was even more incomprehensible. The Periclusapiens wielded high-tier tech-artifacts that made them seem godlike.
Some of these artifacts allowed them to bend light, rendering them invisible. Others manipulated gravity, creating impenetrable barriers or crushing entire buildings under immense force.
Humanity's most advanced weapons couldn't even scratch their armor. Nukes, lasers, and EMPs were all absorbed or neutralized with ease.
---
In just seven days, seven billion lives were lost. Nations collapsed, their governments wiped out alongside their people.
The dream of interstellar exploration, the cities, the advancements—it all crumbled into ash. Survivors scattered, hiding in ruins or fleeing into wildernesses where the Periclusapiens' patrols were less frequent.
The world that had once been a symbol of progress was now a wasteland.
---
Brady adjusted the straps of his backpack as he left the garage, stepping into the cold, lifeless morning. The air was thick with the smell of ash and decay, a grim reminder of what the world had become.
The streets were desolate. Hover cars lay abandoned, their sleek designs marred by dents and scorch marks. Buildings, once gleaming with light, now stood as hollowed-out husks.
Brady pulled his hood up and moved cautiously. His destination was a convenience store a few blocks away, one he hoped still had some supplies.
He knew the Periclusapiens were out there. Their patrols roamed the streets, silent and efficient. One wrong step could mean his end.
---
He kept to the shadows, darting between debris and sticking close to walls. The quiet was unnerving, every small sound making his heart race.
As he approached the store, he stopped. The door was ajar, creaking softly in the wind. Brady's grip tightened on the metal pipe he carried, his makeshift weapon.
He stepped inside cautiously, scanning the room. Shelves were overturned, their contents scattered across the floor. Most of the food was gone, but a few cans of soup and water bottles remained.
Brady grabbed what he could, stuffing them into his bag. His movements were quick, efficient. Time was against him.
---
A faint noise came from the back of the store—a shuffle, barely audible. Brady froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He gripped the pipe tighter, inching toward the source of the sound.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice low but firm.
Silence. Then, after a moment, the sound of something being dragged. Brady's grip on the pipe tightened.
He rounded the corner and stopped. A man was crouched behind a pile of boxes, his face gaunt and pale. His clothes were torn, and his eyes were wide with fear.
"Please," the man whispered, raising his hands. "Don't hurt me."
---
Brady lowered the pipe slightly but stayed on guard. "I'm not here to hurt anyone," he said. "I'm just looking for supplies."
The man nodded quickly, his hands trembling. "They were here earlier," he said, his voice hoarse. "The Periclusapiens. I thought they'd find me."
Brady's stomach sank. If the aliens had been here recently, they could still be nearby. "Did they see you?"
The man shook his head. "No, I hid. But they don't give up easily."
---
Brady hesitated, weighing his options. He could leave the man behind and avoid the risk of slowing down. Or he could help him and risk drawing attention.
After a moment, he sighed. "Come on," Brady said. "It's not safe here. We need to move."
The man hesitated, then nodded. Together, they left the store, sticking to the shadows as they made their way back into the wasteland.
Every step felt like a gamble. The Periclusapiens were out there, watching, hunting. Brady knew it was only a matter of time before they crossed paths again.
For now, though, survival was all that mattered. And Brady was determined to keep going.