Chapter 1 Ashes and Steel

The world didn't end with a bang-it ended with silence.

No warning, no panic in the streets. Just the quiet hush of technology failing, skies darkening, and cities falling under their own weight.

Ryker Kane had walked alone for 147 days. No companions. No distractions. Just the constant grind of survival in a world where trust got you killed faster than bullets. He moved like a shadow across the wasteland, boots crunching over ash and twisted steel. The air tasted like dust and regret.

Burn Zone Delta was nothing but a graveyard. Hollow buildings stood like bones jutting from the earth, blackened by fire and choked with smoke. Ryker moved through them cautiously, his rifle slung across his shoulder and eyes scanning every corner.

That's when he saw her.

Curled beside a rusted generator, barely breathing. Dirt smeared her face. Her shirt was torn. In her hand-clutched like her last lifeline-was a half-burned map. His heart stopped. Haven Nine. It was real.

He knelt beside her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "You... you're the Nomad," she whispered.

Before he could speak, a sniper's bullet shattered the wall behind him.

Ryker didn't hesitate.

He returned fire.

The silence was broken.