• The mercenary walked alone down what used to be a highway. Now, it is just a desert. In fact, mostly everything was like that. He didn’t know why he was still alive and how it was possible. It seemed as if he were the only one who survived. He remembered back when the earth was so full of life. There were bustling cities, technology was at its peak, and the world was at peace. But that was when he was only twelve-just a young boy.
    The problem arose when the Russians developed a weapon more powerful than the atomic bomb. This bomb had the ability to vaporize everything in an area about the size of Ireland. In fact, that’s how the Russians tested it. Extremely afraid and paranoid, the U.S. tried to rally as many countries as it could to oppose Russia’s devastating force and its massive army. But it was to no avail. Russia threatened Europe to aid in the oncoming war. The whole continent was more than a challenge for the U.S. Europe was able to easily destroy any units that were deployed.
    However, the Russians weren’t happy leaving the situation as is, so they turned on the major powers in Europe and Asia. No one was able to put their differences aside and work together. One by one, the countries fell until it seemed that only Russia was left. But the war on the world ended when China was able to develop the same weapon, holding Russia in check.
    Jack led a peaceful life at home at the time. He saw the news as to how the U.S. was failing. His parents were doing everything they could to tell him it would be okay. But he wasn’t stupid. He knew that there was no chance. When all seemed lost, the president made an announcement. Scientists were developing barriers to counteract the bombs. They would only have a total of about ten built and that only a handful of people could fit in one. The problem was that there was not a substantial amount of funding to build larger barriers.
    After two months of impatience, the letters were sent to the homes of those who were randomly chosen to survive. Jack was one of them. The rest of his family wasn’t so lucky. He had two days to gather his necessary belongings and make it to his designated barrier. That was the day the Russians came. They did not accept the U.S. trying to bring about a balance of power and relentlessly attacked. All but two of the barriers fell. This left only fifty people alive.
    When Jack emerged from the barrier, he saw that there was nothing left. All the people had was the food and water inside the barrier. There was no telling how long it would last, so the survivors decided to trek out to the ocean in search of food. Only half of them made it there alive. All of the ones who knew how to fish were doing so all day. There was never enough to feed everybody. Even being a kid, Jack could not eat every day.
    One day, a man became frustrated with everything and decided to venture out alone. Days passed and the remaining survivors believed him to be dead. A week later, the man returned bringing great news. The Russians overlooked a community and it still remained untouched. He led the group to the village. They were all happy to see that the man was correct. They were able to receive plenty of food and shelter. They all sent groups out in search of other villages that remained untouched.
    Years passed and the U.S., still barren, was starting to rebuild. However, it did not yet have a central government. This meant that the crime rate was unbelievably high. Some people decided to form an alliance of police to stop the uprisings. Some people decided to work on their own as mercenaries traveling about.
    Jack is now 24. He works as one of those mercenaries. Since there were no more guns, people resorted to swords and knives. Jack was one of the swordsmen. He came upon a sword one day while exploring a cave. One man was able to identify it as the legendary Sword of Aegis. It has no parallel in strength and can stand up to anything.
    When he took it in his hand, the sword seemed to teach Jack everything he needed to know to wield it. After time, people started to revere him as a master. Now, he lives a wealthy life halting the acts of master criminals and spending his time walking down the barren highways.