The billboard said “Welcome to Red Rock: Populat

ion 2,317.”

Lena Morgan squinted at it from the diner counte

r. Population hadn’t changed in years.

A bell jingled. The door slammed.

“Coffee,” said a deep voice.

She turned. The man was tall, sharp suit, and ey

es like black glass.

“Cream or sugar?” she asked.

He didn’t blink.

“I don’t require sustenance.”

Lena raised a brow. “Then why the coffee?”

He stared at the mug like he’d never seen one.

“Observation.”

She poured anyway.

Outside, a car screeched. Then another.

Sirens.

Lena looked out the window. A black limo was tea

ring down Main Street, pursued by three sheriff’

s cars.

The man stood. His body shimmered — just for a s

econd — like heat off asphalt.

“You’re not from around here,” she said.

“No,” he said.

A flash lit the sky.

Not lightning.

Something slower. Lower.

He turned to her.

“They’ve found me.”

Lena’s heart thumped.

“Who?”

He touched her wrist. His skin was cold.

“They’re not human. And they’re here to kill me.

”

She pulled back.

“Why?”

“Because I’m the last one.”

Another boom. This time, the ground shook.

A building across the street exploded in fire an

d glass.

“Run,” he said.

She didn’t move.

“What’s your name?”

He looked at her like she was insane.

“Kael.”

“I’m Lena.”

She grabbed his hand.

“Then let’s go.”

They sprinted down the alley.

Behind them, the diner went up in flames.

Kael moved fast — faster than human.

Lena kept up, legs burning.

A shadow passed overhead.

She looked up.

A ship.

Not like in the comics.

This one was sleek. Black. It hovered like a pre

dator.

Kael pulled her behind a rusted pickup.

“They’re scanning for my signature,” he said.

“What are you?”

“A warrior.”

“From where?”

He looked at her.

“Another world.”

Her breath caught.

“Why are they after you?”

“I stole something.”

“What?”

“A weapon.”

A voice crackled from the sky.

“Surrender the device. We will not ask again.”

Kael’s jaw tightened.

“You don’t have to get involved.”

Lena stared at him.

“I’m already involved.”

He nodded once.

“Then stay close.”

They slipped into the woods.

The town was gone.

Burned. Empty.

No bodies.

Just silence.

Lena’s chest ached.

Everyone she’d known — gone.

Kael walked ahead, scanning the sky.

“You knew this would happen,” she whispered.

He stopped.

“I hoped it wouldn’t.”

She caught up.

“Why didn’t you leave?”

He turned to her.

“Because I couldn’t leave you.”

Her breath caught.

“You barely know me.”

“I know enough.”

He reached into his coat. Pulled out a small orb

.

“This is what they want.”

“What does it do?”

“It ends wars.”

“How?”

“It erases the user.”

Lena blinked.

“That’s not a weapon. That’s suicide.”

Kael’s eyes softened.

“Only if used against yourself.”

She stared at it.

“Then why not use it now?”

He shook his head.

“It only works once.”

They walked until the trees thinned.

In the distance: the football field.

Red Rock High.

Lena’s old campus.

Empty bleachers. Silent scoreboard.

Kael stopped.

“This is where we make our stand.”

She looked at him.

“You’re going to use it.”

He nodded.

“I have to.”

She grabbed his arm.

“There’s another way.”

“There isn’t.”

A low hum filled the air.

The ship descended.

Dozens of figures dropped from it.

Tall. Armored.

They fanned out, weapons raised.

Kael stepped forward.

Lena followed.

One of the aliens spoke.

“You have something that belongs to us.”

Kael held up the orb.

“I do.”

“Surrender it, or die.”

Kael looked at Lena.

“I’m sorry.”

He turned and pressed the orb to his chest.

Light exploded.

White. Blinding.

Then —

Silence.

Lena opened her eyes.

The aliens were gone.

So was the ship.

Kael stood where he’d been, eyes closed, body fl

ickering.

“You’re fading,” she whispered.

He smiled.

“I chose the war’s end.”

Tears welled in her eyes.

“You didn’t have to.”

He reached for her hand.

“I did.”

His fingers went through hers.

Like smoke.

“I’m not done,” he said.

She stared.

“What do you mean?”

He looked up.

“The weapon only works once.”

“But you used it.”

“I did.”

He met her eyes.

“And now I’m reborn.”

The light returned — softer this time.

And then Lena knew.

This was just the beginning.