Date: October 3, 1978 – Pacific Ocean, near Hawaii

It was the kind of event that shook the world to its core. No warning, no signs. A meteor, massive and unstoppable, struck the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Hawaii. The explosion was so violent that it ruptured the ocean floor and sent shockwaves across the globe. The force of the impact caused tsunamis that devastated coastal cities, while the skies darkened for weeks, blanketing the world in an eerie twilight.

Within hours, global communication systems fell. Satellites were knocked out of orbit, and radio signals sputtered into silence. It was as if the world had entered an eternal night.

For months, the world struggled to survive. Governments collapsed as nations scrambled to deal with the widespread destruction. Thousands of islands were submerged, entire cities erased from the map, and nearly half the world’s population vanished in the blink of an eye. It was the apocalypse in every sense.

Yet, as with all tragedies, there was a strange silver lining that emerged from the ashes.

A new generation was born.

But these children were different. The Fractures, they were called. Not every child born after the meteor had the same gift, but those who did became the focal point of hope, fear, and chaos.

At first, the powers seemed random, a cruel twist of fate. Some children were born with the ability to manipulate the elements—fire, water, wind, and earth. Others had the power to move objects with their minds, or communicate without words. But not all powers were passive or harmless. Some were dangerous, uncontrollable. And in a world already torn apart, these powers became both a blessing and a curse.

Governments quickly saw the potential, and the fear, in the Fractures. They either sought to recruit these individuals for their own purposes or eliminate them entirely.

But with every rise, there is always a fall. The world was forever changed, shaped by both the meteor's power and the fractured new generation that followed.

Date: May 17, 2025 – Tokyo, Japan

The alley was silent except for the faint sound of the wind rustling through the scattered litter. Streetlights flickered overhead, casting dim shadows on the cracked pavement.

At one end of the alley, a man stood, his figure tense and predatory. In his hand, he gripped a large knife, the blade gleaming in the dim light. His eyes were locked on the figure of a young man standing a few paces away.

Kaito Tanaka—the young man didn’t make a move, his body still, every muscle taut. He had been cornered, but he wasn’t afraid. Not entirely.

“I know who you are,” the man said, his voice cold and mocking. “You think you’re special just because you have a power. I’m going to show you how powerless you really are.”

Kaito didn’t respond. His breath came slow, measured, as his eyes locked on the knife. He’d faced danger before, but this was different. This man didn’t have powers. He wasn’t like the others Kaito had fought. This man relied on speed and cunning, and Kaito had learned the hard way that sometimes raw power wasn’t enough.

The man lunged first, knife flashing through the air toward Kaito’s chest. Kaito jumped back, barely dodging the strike. His heart pounded in his chest, but he had to remain focused. His power was still new to him, unpredictable at best. He couldn’t afford to waste it.

The man didn’t stop. Another slash came, aimed at Kaito’s side. This time, Kaito raised his arm to block it, but the blade still cut through his sleeve, grazing his skin. The sharp pain made his vision blur for a second, but he held his ground.

“Is that all?” the man sneered, watching as Kaito stumbled back.

Kaito wiped blood from his arm, his mind racing. He was too slow. His control over his abilities wasn’t where it needed to be. His power to absorb and redirect kinetic energy was there, but the way it surged through him wasn’t something he could fully command yet.

He was still learning.

“Damn it,” Kaito muttered to himself, trying to concentrate. He needed to focus. He could do this. But before he could get a solid grip on his power, the man rushed forward again, faster than before.

Kaito swung his arm out, attempting to deflect the knife with an energy blast. But it wasn’t enough. The blast sent the knife flying, but it only startled the man. He quickly recovered, grabbing a gun from under his coat and pointing it directly at Kaito’s chest.

Kaito froze. The gun was too close. His mind raced, his instincts screaming for him to move.

Bang!

The sound of the gunshot was deafening in the narrow alley.

Kaito didn’t have time to dodge. The bullet clipped his shoulder, sending a shock of pain through his body. He winced, but the bullet didn’t pierce deeply. Still, it was enough to make him stagger. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt.

The gunman’s smile widened. “You’re not as tough as you think, kid.”

Kaito’s body shook from the pain, but he couldn’t afford to show weakness. He had to keep fighting. He didn’t have a choice.

The man took a step forward, gun still aimed at Kaito. Kaito raised his hand, gathering the energy inside him. His power was raw, untamed, but he could feel it building—something was happening.

The ground beneath him trembled slightly, and Kaito’s head spun. He was pulling too much energy, too quickly.

He pushed harder.

CRACK!

The force erupted from his hand, sending a shockwave of kinetic energy outward. The gunman was thrown backward, his body crashing into the alley wall.

Kaito’s legs gave out beneath him, his vision spinning. He couldn’t stand much longer.

The gunman slowly rose, spitting out blood. His eyes were full of fury.

“You think you’ve won?” the man snarled. “This isn’t over.”

Kaito’s mind was spinning. He was still recovering from the blast of energy he’d used. His vision blurred, and everything around him felt distant. He couldn’t stop. He had to end it now.

But before he could take another step forward, the alley was plunged into darkness. The world around him faded.

To be continued…