Dan's apartment.
Felix paced back and forth in Dan’s small apartment, the place felt eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath his steps. “Dan,” Felix said, breaking the silence. “You have to talk to me. You're saying you just set something on fire with your hands. Your hands, dude! How is that not the first thing we’re freaking out about?” Dan sat slouched on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers laced together tightly. He wasn’t looking at Felix; his eyes were glued to the floor. Inside, his mind was a whirlwind of fear, guilt, and confusion. “I don’t know, Felix,” Dan finally muttered.“ All that matters now is that Lauren is dying…and I couldn't save her,” he said looking up at him with a grim expression. Felix blinked, caught off guard. The frustration in his face melted into something softer, almost apologetic. He sat down on the armrest of a nearby chair, his face lined with worry. “ Come on man. Now you're gonna beat yourself up over something no one in your place would've known what to do about ?” He asked. Dan shook his head with a sharp voice, “but I should’ve. If I’d been stronger, faster…maybe I could’ve stopped it before she got hurt. Maybe—” His voice cracked, and he clenched his fists until they trembled. “Maybe she wouldn’t be in this mess because of me.” Felix opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he noticed something. Dan’s fists were faintly glowing. A soft orange light pulsated from under his skin. “Uh…Dan?” Felix pointed cautiously. Dan looked down, startled. The glow was faint but unmistakable. He flexed his fingers, and the light dimmed before disappearing entirely. For a moment, both of them sat in stunned silence. “This is insane,” Felix whispered, adjusting his glasses as he leaned forward. “You have actual powers. Like, legit powers.” “ The other Dan. He was…cold. Yes he was a crazy butt kicker, but he still looked defeated. Not to mention he's the most pessimistic asshole I have ever met,” Dan said, rubbing his right wrist. He looked up and let out a deep sigh, “ but that's not who I want to be.” Dan’s lips pressed into a thin line. He then sprung to his feet abruptly and walked towards the window. Looking through the thin curtains at the faint city lights, he could see his reflection staring back at him, resolute. “ I'm not going to just sit around and wait for those things to come back. I can't lose any of you, Felix. Not Lauren, not you, not anyone,” Dan said. Felix frowned, confused. “ Are you saying what I think you're saying ? You don’t even know how this works, Dan,” he warned. Dan turned back to him, his expression steely. “Then I’ll figure it out. I don’t have a choice. Those things won’t stop, and I’m the only one who can fight them,” he said Felix stared at him, searching for some hint of hesitation, but there was none. He recognized the look on Dan's face. He knew there was no talking him out of whatever he was about to do now. “So what are you going to do?” Felix asked quietly. “I’m going to get stronger,” Dan said firmly, inching closer to Felix. “Strong enough to make sure this never happens again.” And with that, Felix slowly sat down, adjusting his glasses. He looked up at his friend barely surprised and scoffed. “ Alright then, let's do it. Let's get stronger,” he said. He knew it was a crazy idea and they could get themselves killed, but he knew there was no other way. This was it - the suicidal attempt to rewrite destiny and save the world. Dan made up his mind to find the beast that nearly ended Lauren's life and tried to kill him too. If only he had a better grip on his powers, that thing wouldn't have made it out alive. Now, with the rest of the general public oblivious to this looming threat, Dan knew he had to find it and end it before anyone else got hurt. Going to the police was certainly the last thing on their minds for Dan and Felix, more for Dan's sake. On one hand, a threat like this was beyond anything the police could handle, and for all they knew, if the government were to find out about Dan and his new ‘ talent ‘, they could turn him into a lab rat and perform all sorts of experiments on him. Mankind was bound for an otherworldly doom even if ignorant of it and Dan believed he was the only one who.could save them. — — — Thanks to Felix's digging, they had found a lead and now they were in a small neighborhood somewhere within the city following up on it. They had gone from door to door asking questions to ask many residents as were willing to share any information about any strange sights they might have seen, but they hardly found anything useful. “ Well that was exhausting,” Felix said, heaving a deep sigh as his eyes scan the whole place. “ You sure we aren't missing any houses ?” Dan asked, shielding his eyes from the brightness of the sun. “ Or maybe we picked the wrong time?” “ We've been to every last one, Dan, and most of these residents are retired, so a hot afternoon like this is one of the best times to catch them at home,” Felix assured.” Can we get going already? I'm starving.” “ Good idea. Me too,” Dan “ What's that ? The burning man eats too ? Shouldn't you be busy saving the world ?“ Felix teased. “ Oh don't give me that “ They arrived at the cab stop and were waiting for a cab when Felix noticed something. It was a black suspicious looking Chevrolet Malibu parked on the other side of the road. All it's glasses were wound up and tinted. He noticed that same car earlier that day around Dan's yard. Could it have been a coincidence or someone was spying on them? Felix narrowed his eyes, gazing intently at the mysterious vehicle through his glasses when Zack tapped him. “ Hey, the cab’s here. Let's go,” said Dan. Felix slowly took his eye off the car, and entered the cab. Even though it could have been a mere coincidence or his empty stomach playing tricks on his mind, Felix had seen enough crime and mystery shows to not take certain things for granted. Regardless, that was the least of their worries now. They had to find their target and save others from getting hurt, but first they had to answer natures call over at their favourite restaurant - Benny's Burger. In the black Chevrolet Malibu, a man in the passenger seat adjusted his earpiece, watching as Dan and Felix crossed the street. “ Target is in sight,” he murmured. The reply crackled through his earpiece. “Maintain distance. No interference yet.” He nodded slightly. “Copy that.” The car rolled forward, blending into the traffic.
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ARMAGEDDON Chapter 7
The rhythmic tapping of rain against the kitchen window was oddly soothing as Ben Carter rinsed the last plate from his dinner. Life had been strange since the train explosion—a disaster he still couldn’t fully wrap his head around. How he survived such a ghastly accident still didn't make sense to him. A miracle, one would say, but that ' miracle' had come with consequences - more weird things he could not understand. His hearing had become unnaturally sharp. Sometimes, if he focused too hard, he’d hear strange vibrations in the air, almost like a pulse only he could feel.Ben set the plate on the drying rack and leaned against the counter, wiping his damp hands on a dish towel. The rain outside intensified, thunder rumbling faintly in the distance. He reached for his coffee mug when something caught his attention—a faint noise from upstairs.It wasn’t the normal creaks of an aging house settling. No, this sound was deliberate, almost rhythmic. Like footsteps.He froze, the mug ha
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 8
The flashing lights from dozens of cameras reflected off the sleek glass exterior of NovaTech’s headquarters. A sea of reporters surged forward with microphones raised like weapons, their voices forming a chaotic blend of accusations and demands. At the center of it all stood Alisha Carr, the poised and immaculately dressed CEO of NovaTech. Her tailored navy suit hugged her frame perfectly, and not a single strand of her chestnut hair was out of place. She raised a hand, commanding silence without uttering a word. The mob simmered down, their eager eyes locked on her like vultures waiting for a slip.“First,” Alisha began, her voice calm and authoritative, “let me express my deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this tragic incident.” She paused, allowing a carefully calculated hint of emotion to color her tone. “NovaTech is committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”She let the words settle. Control the tempo. Give them something to hold o
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 9
Dan wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped back from his makeshift targets. His breathing was heavy, his shirt damp from hours of exertion. He had just finished his third part-time job for the day—unloading shipments at a dingy warehouse—and had come straight to this abandoned lot. The sun had long since gone down , leaving the place covered in dim orange from a nearby streetlamp.He looked down at his trembling hands. Ever since the accident, he had not been the same - who would after witnessing such a chaotic train of events in a short space of time. A subtly warm sensation lingered just under his skin, invisible, but constant, like an engine running at low power.Dan sighed and squared his shoulders. He had to focus. He couldn’t let his powers stay raw and untamed, not after what happened with Lauren.A few feet away, he had set up trash cans and broken wooden pallets he’d found scattered around the lot. They weren’t great targets, but they’d do. Dan clenched his fists, le
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 10
Felix walked the backstreets of Seal City with his hood pulled low over his head, eyes flicking from shadowed alleyways to suspicious faces lurking in the dark. The underbelly of the city reeked of dampness, rot, and desperation—places where law and order barely reached, and where favors were bought with blood and desperation.He didn’t belong here. Never had. Felix was a tinkerer, a man who spent his days hunched over gadgets and tools, working his fingers to the bone in whatever odd job he could find to keep the bills paid. He wasn’t tough, wasn’t ruthless. But today, desperation overpowered common sense.He had spent days scouring the darkest corners of the city, chasing a rumor that had cropped up among the city’s whispers. The kind of rumor that felt too thin to be real but too persistent to ignore.Someone out there could bypass high-security systems. Someone who could do the impossible.Felix clung to that faint glimmer of hope like a man c
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 11
Riley’s eyes widened at the sound of footsteps and low, gruff voices echoing through the darkened warehouse. She spun around, her gaze locking onto Felix, who was crouched behind a stack of rusted crates.“Great. Just great,” Riley muttered.Felix glanced at her, his own nerves rattled but his expression stubborn. “You’re the one who broke into this place. I just followed.”“Yeah, well, you’re still an idiot.”They were tucked behind a metal shelf cluttered with broken tools and rotting wood. The room stretched far, with shadows deepening toward the corners. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed only by their hurried movements.The men were moving quickly, flashlights sweeping across the room. One of them kicked over a metal can, the clatter making Felix flinch.“They’re tearing the place apart,” Felix whispered.“No kidding.” Riley’s fingers danced along a small, rectangular device she had pocketed moments before—some kind
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 12
The cell door slammed shut behind Dan with a metallic clang. The place was cramped and smelled of sweat and mildew. Light seeped in through a small, barred window, cutting through the dimness. Dan stared at the wall, his fists clenched.Dr. Sanders had played his cards well. Accusing him of trying to kill Lauren was a stretch, but the Doctor had money, lawyers, and enough connections to make things stick. Dan had barely spoken to his court-appointed lawyer—an overworked man who seemed more interested in clearing his schedule than fighting for him. It was obvious doctor Sanders had it all wrapped up. He was doneDan tried not to believe it, but doubt gnawed at him. Lauren’s father had made it clear he didn’t want Dan around his daughter. But to go this far? It felt personal.Prison life was rough, and Dan did his best to avoid trouble. Most days, he kept his head down, only speaking when necessary. But staying out of sight didn’t stop the rumors o
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 13
It was a cool evening and Dan sat cross-legged on the stiff mattress, his gaze fixed on the metal bars of his cell. They stood there like prison guards, cold, unyielding, taunting him with their permanence. The urge to lash out, to burn them down until nothing remained but smoldering ash, had been clawing at him since he was thrown in here.But he couldn’t afford to lose control. Not with eyes always watching, waiting for him to slip up.Instead, he trained. Not his muscles—though prison life forced him to stay in shape—but his power. His fire.He reached out, his fingers curling around one of the thick, iron bars. The coolness of the metal seeped into his skin. Dan closed his eyes, inhaling slowly, trying to channel the rage and frustration coiled inside him.Heat gathered in his palm, a prickling warmth that intensified the longer he focused. His hand trembled with the effort, sweat beading along his forehead. He imagined the metal glo
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 14
Dan’s body screamed in protest as he dragged himself through the shattered window. His palms sliced on jagged glass, knees scraping asphalt. Behind him, Felix groaned, wedged between the deflated airbag and the twisted steering column."Felix!" Dan coughed, grabbing his friend by the collar and yanking. The smell of leaking fuel filled the air, sharp and dangerous.Riley crawled out of the backseat, clutching her ribs and wincing. Her laptop was smashed, wires and fragments trailing from her backpack. “I’m okay,” she rasped, eyes wide as she scanned the wreckage. “Dan, they’re coming.”He turned.The men moved with ruthless efficiency, dressed in tactical black, no insignias—just cold purpose. One held a compact rifle low, sweeping it across the wreck like he was clearing a room. Another moved toward Dan, his boots crunching glass underfoot.Dan barely got to his feet, shielding Felix. “We don’t have anything you want,” he shouted.
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Chapter 14
Dan’s body screamed in protest as he dragged himself through the shattered window. His palms sliced on jagged glass, knees scraping asphalt. Behind him, Felix groaned, wedged between the deflated airbag and the twisted steering column."Felix!" Dan coughed, grabbing his friend by the collar and yanking. The smell of leaking fuel filled the air, sharp and dangerous.Riley crawled out of the backseat, clutching her ribs and wincing. Her laptop was smashed, wires and fragments trailing from her backpack. “I’m okay,” she rasped, eyes wide as she scanned the wreckage. “Dan, they’re coming.”He turned.The men moved with ruthless efficiency, dressed in tactical black, no insignias—just cold purpose. One held a compact rifle low, sweeping it across the wreck like he was clearing a room. Another moved toward Dan, his boots crunching glass underfoot.Dan barely got to his feet, shielding Felix. “We don’t have anything you want,” he shouted.
Chapter 13
It was a cool evening and Dan sat cross-legged on the stiff mattress, his gaze fixed on the metal bars of his cell. They stood there like prison guards, cold, unyielding, taunting him with their permanence. The urge to lash out, to burn them down until nothing remained but smoldering ash, had been clawing at him since he was thrown in here.But he couldn’t afford to lose control. Not with eyes always watching, waiting for him to slip up.Instead, he trained. Not his muscles—though prison life forced him to stay in shape—but his power. His fire.He reached out, his fingers curling around one of the thick, iron bars. The coolness of the metal seeped into his skin. Dan closed his eyes, inhaling slowly, trying to channel the rage and frustration coiled inside him.Heat gathered in his palm, a prickling warmth that intensified the longer he focused. His hand trembled with the effort, sweat beading along his forehead. He imagined the metal glo
Chapter 12
The cell door slammed shut behind Dan with a metallic clang. The place was cramped and smelled of sweat and mildew. Light seeped in through a small, barred window, cutting through the dimness. Dan stared at the wall, his fists clenched.Dr. Sanders had played his cards well. Accusing him of trying to kill Lauren was a stretch, but the Doctor had money, lawyers, and enough connections to make things stick. Dan had barely spoken to his court-appointed lawyer—an overworked man who seemed more interested in clearing his schedule than fighting for him. It was obvious doctor Sanders had it all wrapped up. He was doneDan tried not to believe it, but doubt gnawed at him. Lauren’s father had made it clear he didn’t want Dan around his daughter. But to go this far? It felt personal.Prison life was rough, and Dan did his best to avoid trouble. Most days, he kept his head down, only speaking when necessary. But staying out of sight didn’t stop the rumors o
Chapter 11
Riley’s eyes widened at the sound of footsteps and low, gruff voices echoing through the darkened warehouse. She spun around, her gaze locking onto Felix, who was crouched behind a stack of rusted crates.“Great. Just great,” Riley muttered.Felix glanced at her, his own nerves rattled but his expression stubborn. “You’re the one who broke into this place. I just followed.”“Yeah, well, you’re still an idiot.”They were tucked behind a metal shelf cluttered with broken tools and rotting wood. The room stretched far, with shadows deepening toward the corners. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed only by their hurried movements.The men were moving quickly, flashlights sweeping across the room. One of them kicked over a metal can, the clatter making Felix flinch.“They’re tearing the place apart,” Felix whispered.“No kidding.” Riley’s fingers danced along a small, rectangular device she had pocketed moments before—some kind
Chapter 10
Felix walked the backstreets of Seal City with his hood pulled low over his head, eyes flicking from shadowed alleyways to suspicious faces lurking in the dark. The underbelly of the city reeked of dampness, rot, and desperation—places where law and order barely reached, and where favors were bought with blood and desperation.He didn’t belong here. Never had. Felix was a tinkerer, a man who spent his days hunched over gadgets and tools, working his fingers to the bone in whatever odd job he could find to keep the bills paid. He wasn’t tough, wasn’t ruthless. But today, desperation overpowered common sense.He had spent days scouring the darkest corners of the city, chasing a rumor that had cropped up among the city’s whispers. The kind of rumor that felt too thin to be real but too persistent to ignore.Someone out there could bypass high-security systems. Someone who could do the impossible.Felix clung to that faint glimmer of hope like a man c
Chapter 9
Dan wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped back from his makeshift targets. His breathing was heavy, his shirt damp from hours of exertion. He had just finished his third part-time job for the day—unloading shipments at a dingy warehouse—and had come straight to this abandoned lot. The sun had long since gone down , leaving the place covered in dim orange from a nearby streetlamp.He looked down at his trembling hands. Ever since the accident, he had not been the same - who would after witnessing such a chaotic train of events in a short space of time. A subtly warm sensation lingered just under his skin, invisible, but constant, like an engine running at low power.Dan sighed and squared his shoulders. He had to focus. He couldn’t let his powers stay raw and untamed, not after what happened with Lauren.A few feet away, he had set up trash cans and broken wooden pallets he’d found scattered around the lot. They weren’t great targets, but they’d do. Dan clenched his fists, le
Chapter 8
The flashing lights from dozens of cameras reflected off the sleek glass exterior of NovaTech’s headquarters. A sea of reporters surged forward with microphones raised like weapons, their voices forming a chaotic blend of accusations and demands. At the center of it all stood Alisha Carr, the poised and immaculately dressed CEO of NovaTech. Her tailored navy suit hugged her frame perfectly, and not a single strand of her chestnut hair was out of place. She raised a hand, commanding silence without uttering a word. The mob simmered down, their eager eyes locked on her like vultures waiting for a slip.“First,” Alisha began, her voice calm and authoritative, “let me express my deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this tragic incident.” She paused, allowing a carefully calculated hint of emotion to color her tone. “NovaTech is committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”She let the words settle. Control the tempo. Give them something to hold o
Chapter 7
The rhythmic tapping of rain against the kitchen window was oddly soothing as Ben Carter rinsed the last plate from his dinner. Life had been strange since the train explosion—a disaster he still couldn’t fully wrap his head around. How he survived such a ghastly accident still didn't make sense to him. A miracle, one would say, but that ' miracle' had come with consequences - more weird things he could not understand. His hearing had become unnaturally sharp. Sometimes, if he focused too hard, he’d hear strange vibrations in the air, almost like a pulse only he could feel.Ben set the plate on the drying rack and leaned against the counter, wiping his damp hands on a dish towel. The rain outside intensified, thunder rumbling faintly in the distance. He reached for his coffee mug when something caught his attention—a faint noise from upstairs.It wasn’t the normal creaks of an aging house settling. No, this sound was deliberate, almost rhythmic. Like footsteps.He froze, the mug ha
Chapter 6
Dan's apartment.Felix paced back and forth in Dan’s small apartment, the place felt eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath his steps.“Dan,” Felix said, breaking the silence. “You have to talk to me. You're saying you just set something on fire with your hands. Your hands, dude! How is that not the first thing we’re freaking out about?”Dan sat slouched on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers laced together tightly. He wasn’t looking at Felix; his eyes were glued to the floor. Inside, his mind was a whirlwind of fear, guilt, and confusion.“I don’t know, Felix,” Dan finally muttered.“ All that matters now is that Lauren is dying…and I couldn't save her,” he said looking up at him with a grim expression.Felix blinked, caught off guard. The frustration in his face melted into something softer, almost apologetic. He sat down on the armrest of a nearby chair, his face lined with worry.“ Come on man
