Selene's eyes widened as a man landed in front of her, his body glowing with a faint, golden light. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He turned to her, offering a hand.
"You don't look like you're from around here," he said, his voice calm despite the chaos around them. "Come with me if you want to survive."
Selene hesitated, but the system's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Potential bond detected. Proximity to strong individuals increases survival rate. Establish connection."
She didn't know who this man was or why the system seemed to think he was important, but right now, she didn't have a choice. She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet.
"I'm Marcus," he said. "We need to move. There's a safe zone a few blocks from here, but we have to hurry."
Selene nodded, "Selene Wright" she said hastily, her mind spinning. As they ran, the system's voice echoed in her head again, a reminder of the strange new rules she was now bound to.
"Survival requires connection. The stronger the bond, the greater the power. Proceed accordingly."
Selene's jaw tightened. She didn't know what the system wanted from her, but one thing was clear: this wasn't the world she had known, and if she wanted to survive, she was going to have to adapt—no matter what it took.
Selene and the girl followed Marcus through the wreckage of the city, her breath coming in short gasps. The sounds of destruction echoed around them—screams, explosions, and the roars of demons—but Marcus seemed unfazed. He moved with precision and purpose, his glowing aura slicing through the darkness like a beacon.
"Stay close," Marcus said, his voice firm but not unkind.
Selene nodded, her body aching from the strain of running and fighting. Every few steps, the system's voice echoed in her mind, its clinical tone contrasting sharply with the chaos around her.
"Host energy reserve depleting. Emotional or physical bonds required for replenishment."
She gritted her teeth. "Not now," she muttered under her breath.
Marcus glanced back at her. "You say something?"
"No," Selene replied quickly, shaking her head. "Just... trying to keep up."
As they rounded a corner, Marcus suddenly stopped, holding out an arm to block her path. Ahead of them, two demons stood, their grotesque forms hunched over the remains of a car. One of them turned, sniffing the air, its fiery eyes locking onto them.
"Stay behind me," Marcus ordered.
Selene opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Marcus stepped forward, his aura flaring brightly. The demons snarled, lunging at him, but he moved with supernatural speed, dodging their attacks and striking back with a blade that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
Selene watched in awe as Marcus fought, his movements fluid and powerful. The demons didn't stand a chance. Within moments, they were reduced to ash, their monstrous forms disintegrating under the force of his attacks.
When the fight was over, Marcus turned to her, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"
Selene nodded, though her heart was still racing. "Yeah... I'm fine. Thanks to you."
Marcus gave her a brief smile before gesturing for her to follow him. "The safe zone isn't far. Let's keep moving."
As they walked, Selene's thoughts raced. Who was this man? How did he have such incredible powers? And why was the system so insistent on her forming bonds with people like him?
The system's voice interrupted her thoughts again.
"Potential bond remains unformed. Emotional connection required for power transfer."
Selene sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface. "What do you mean by bond?" she whispered.
"Emotional and physical intimacy create energy pathways. Increased proximity and interaction enhance power acquisition."
Her cheeks flushed as the implications of the words sank in. She barely knew Marcus, and now this strange system was suggesting... what, exactly?
Before she could dwell on it further, Marcus spoke. "We're here."
They arrived at what looked like an abandoned building, its windows shattered and its walls scorched. But as Marcus led her inside, Selene realized it wasn't as empty as it seemed. A group of survivors huddled together in the main room, their faces pale and their eyes wide with fear.
"This is the safe zone?" Selene asked, glancing around.
Marcus nodded. "It's not much, but it's secure. For now."
She settled the little girl in with the rest of the survivors and then she saw Marcus.
He led her to a quieter corner of the room and handed her a canteen of water. "Drink. You'll need your strength."
Selene took the canteen, grateful for the small kindness. As she drank, Marcus watched her, his expression thoughtful.
"You're not like the others," he said after a moment.
Selene frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you survived out there on your own. That's not something just anyone can do." He leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "There's something different about you, isn't there?"
Selene's pulse quickened. Did he know about the system? Could he sense the strange power inside her?
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, trying to sound casual.
Marcus didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he leaned back, his expression softening. "Whatever it is, it saved your life. And right now, that's all that matters."
Selene nodded, though her mind was still racing. She couldn't tell him about the system—not yet. She didn't even fully understand it herself.
Later, as the survivors settled in for the night, Selene found herself alone with Marcus. He sat beside her, his presence steady and reassuring.
"You're going to be okay," he said softly.
Selene looked at him, her heart aching with gratitude and fear. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitted. "This world... it's too much."
Marcus reached out, his hand brushing against hers. The contact sent a jolt through her, and for a moment, the system's voice grew louder in her mind.
"Connection forming. Energy reserve increasing."
Selene's breath hitched as warmth spread through her body, the system's influence blending with her own emotions.
She glanced at Marcus. "What happened?" she asked quietly. "How did the world turn into this... this nightmare?"
Marcus's jaw tightened as he considered her question. "It wasn't overnight," he said slowly. "It started with whispers. People thought it was some kind of plague at first, then they called it a rift—a tear in reality itself. It wasn't just monsters that came through. People changed, too. Powers, abilities that no one had ever imagined were suddenly manifesting everywhere. But the worst part? The rift opened more than just a portal to the monsters. It changed the fabric of our world."
He glanced at her, his eyes dark. "The governments tried to control it. They couldn't. People turned against each other, alliances were shattered, and chaos spread like wildfire. People—humans—fighting for survival, fighting for power. It's been a constant war ever since."
Selene shook her head, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what he was saying. "So... demons, monsters, people gaining powers... and no one could stop it? Why didn't anyone just shut it down?"
Marcus gave a bitter laugh. "It's not that simple. The rift is tied to the earth itself. The magic, the power—it's all so deeply embedded now. There are people, organizations even, who want to control it, but they're just as lost as the rest of us. No one knows how to stop it. And every time they try, it gets worse."
He looked ahead, his expression hardening. "That's why we fight. Every day. Because if we don't, it'll swallow us all."
Selene felt a chill run down her spine. "That sounds... hopeless."
"There are days when it feels that way," Marcus admitted, his voice low. "But there are still people out there fighting to rebuild, to restore some semblance of what we once had. It's hard, but it's the only choice we have."
For the first time since the apocalypse began, she felt something other than fear—something stronger.
Hope.