Chapter 2: Betrayal and Awakening

The frigid winds howled outside as Hanfang shivered in his makeshift sanctuary. The room was dimly lit by a few flickering candles, casting eerie shadows on the walls. His mind was racing with thoughts of survival and the mysterious powers that had awakened within him.

Suddenly, there was another knock on the door. This time, Hanfang felt a chill that wasn’t just from the cold. He cautiously approached the door, bat in hand. Peering through the peephole, he saw Hona again, looking even more desperate than before.

Against his better judgment, he opened the door and let her in. “Hona, what are you doing here? It’s too dangerous to be out in this weather.”

“I had nowhere else to go, Hanfang,” she replied, tears welling up in her eyes. “Please, let me stay here. I’ll do anything.”

Hanfang’s heart softened, and he led her to the small heater he had managed to get working. They sat close together, trying to share what little warmth they could.

As the hours passed, they talked about their pasts, their fears, and their hopes. Hanfang felt a connection with Hona that he hadn’t felt with anyone else. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his neck, and whispered, “Thank you for saving me, Hanfang.”

Before he could respond, Hona kissed him again, passionately. This time, Hanfang let himself get lost in the moment. But as he closed his eyes, he felt a sharp pain in his side. His eyes flew open to see Hona stepping back, a cruel smile on her face, and a knife in her hand.

“You fool,” she sneered. “Did you really think I was here for you? I need your supplies, and I’ll do whatever it takes to survive.”

Hanfang fell to the ground, clutching his side. The betrayal stung more than the physical wound. As Hona ransacked his apartment, taking what she could, Hanfang’s vision blurred, and he felt himself slipping away.

Just as darkness began to close in, a blinding light erupted from his hands. The green and red lights intermingled, creating a powerful surge of energy. Hona screamed and stumbled back, dropping the stolen goods.

Hanfang felt a rush of strength and clarity. He stood up, his wounds healing almost instantly. “You made a big mistake, Hona,” he said, his voice resonating with newfound power.

Panicked, Hona tried to run, but Hanfang’s powers surged again. The red light enveloped her, and she disintegrated into nothingness. Hanfang stood there, panting, his hands still glowing. The room was now eerily quiet.

Hanfang knew he couldn’t stay here any longer. The world outside was harsh and unforgiving, and he had enemies both within and outside. He needed to learn more about his powers and find a safer place to survive.

He packed what little remained of his supplies, determined to leave the apartment and seek answers. As he stepped outside into the icy world, he made another promise to himself: he would uncover the truth behind his powers and use them to survive the apocalypse, no matter the cost.