Chapter 1: The Chosen One
Jack Martin trudged through the desolate streets of Mumbai, his footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The once-bustling metropolis had transformed into a wasteland, a grim testament to the apocalypse that had descended upon the world. Skyscrapers lay in ruins, their skeletal remains jutting into the gray sky, while abandoned cars cluttered the roads, rusting away in solitude.
Jack pulled his tattered coat tighter around his thin frame, shivering against the cold wind that cut through the city's empty canyons. He had always been an average man, a twenty-year-old automobile engineer living a mundane life. But everything changed when the cataclysm struck. Disease, famine, and violence had swept through humanity, reducing it to scattered pockets of survivors. Jack had lost his family, his friends, and his hope—until now.
As he navigated the rubble, Jack's mind wandered to his childhood. Growing up in Chennai, he had been raised in a devout Christian family. His mother often told him stories from the Bible, tales of miracles and divine intervention. Despite the harsh realities of life, those stories had instilled a sense of wonder and faith in Jack, a belief in something greater than himself.
But faith had been hard to hold onto in recent years. The apocalypse had tested his spirit, and the loss of his loved ones had left him questioning everything. His parents, Maria and Thomas Martin, had been among the first to fall victim to the mysterious plague that swept through their city. His sister, Meera, had disappeared in the chaos that followed, leaving Jack to navigate this new world alone.
He reached what used to be Colaba, now a ghostly echo of its former self. Jack paused, catching his breath and looking around warily. The world was a dangerous place, and trust was a rare commodity. He knew better than to let his guard down, even for a moment.
It was then that he heard it—a faint whisper in the wind, a voice calling his name. Jack turned, his heart pounding. There was no one there. He shook his head, attributing it to exhaustion and stress. But as he took another step, the voice came again, clearer this time.
"Jack Martin."
Jack froze. The voice was not just in his head; it seemed to resonate within his very being. He scanned his surroundings, but the streets were empty. The voice spoke again, calm and commanding.
"Do not be afraid, Jack. You have been chosen."
A bright light enveloped Jack, blinding him momentarily. When the light faded, he found himself standing in a vast, empty space, an expanse of white stretching endlessly in all directions. Before him stood a figure, cloaked in radiance, features indistinguishable.
"Who are you?" Jack asked, his voice trembling.
"I am a messenger," the figure replied. "Sent by God to guide you. The world is on the brink of destruction, but there is hope. You have been chosen to restore balance, to bring healing to the land."
Jack's mind raced. "Why me? I'm just an ordinary man."
The figure smiled, a gesture that filled Jack with warmth and reassurance. "God does not choose the mighty or the powerful, but those with a pure heart and a willing spirit. You possess the strength and the faith needed for this task."
Before Jack could respond, the figure raised a hand. A small, glowing device appeared, floating in the air before him. It was shaped like a watch, sleek and modern, with an otherworldly glow. "This is the Divine Interface, an artificial intelligence system imbued with holy wisdom. It will guide you, grant you abilities, and reward you as you complete the tasks set before you. The powers you receive will be those of the ancient prophets and saints, gifts from the Bible to aid you in your mission."
Jack reached out tentatively, his fingers closing around the device. As soon as he touched it, a surge of energy coursed through him, filling him with a sense of purpose and determination he had never known. He fastened the watch around his wrist, feeling its warmth spread through his body.
"Go forth, Jack Martin," the figure said. "The fate of the world rests in your hands."
The light enveloped him once more, and when it faded, Jack found himself back in the ruins of Colaba, the Divine Interface glowing softly on his wrist. He looked around, the weight of his new responsibility settling on his shoulders.
Taking a deep breath, Jack started walking. He didn't know what lay ahead, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope. With the Divine Interface as his guide, he would face the challenges to come. The journey to save the world had begun.