Gabriel's eyes flung open, yet they were still out of focus. His mind was overwhelmed with a flood of memories, leaving him dizzy. Amidst this mental chaos, he fought to discern his place in this unfamiliar world. As time lost its meaning, he gradually steadied his thoughts, shifting from confusion to lucidity. His gaze became sharp, revealing the details of the small, worn room. The walls showed signs of wear, and the only decorations were a bleached poster and a faintly glowing lamp. In the lower bunk of the bed, his younger brother Raimondo lay in deep sleep, his snores echoing with a deep rhythm.

He quickly assembled a picture of his situation from the jigsaw of memories:

This was a post-apocalyptic world, Earth, approximately 120 years in the future. A catastrophic shift in the Earth's axis had spawned a series of global disasters: sea levels rose, climates changed drastically, and earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis became the new norm. These disasters had dismantled the old world, leading to a drastic reduction in population and an entirely altered Earth.

In this reshaped society, humans had regrouped into a network of vast central cities and surrounding satellite towns, termed the post-apocalyptic city-states. These urban enclaves, fortified with advanced defense systems and protective barriers, were the remnants of civilization. Outside their walls stretched the 'Wastelands', inhabited by mutated creatures, deformed humans, and zombies. In this world, resources were scarce, and danger was a constant companion.

These city-states maintained a modern societal structure, encompassing governance, healthcare, education, and technology. Nevertheless, the scarcity of resources and ever-present external threats kept the societal fabric taut. In this era, certain individuals had awakened supernatural powers and were known as "Awakeners." The righteous among them bolstered the cities' defenses and progress, while the malevolent ones brought forth chaos and malevolence.

In this world, his name was Sky Rebel, an 18-year-old youth who, along with his younger brother Raimondo Rebel, aged 16, formed a close-knit family. Having lost their mother early and their father, a mid-ranking city defense officer, three years ago in a mission, they now made their home in the 14th satellite town of City Sunrise, the central hub of their city cluster.

As Sky was acclimating to his new identity and form, the night's calm was brutally interrupted by a screeching air raid siren, quickly followed by thunderous explosions. Raimondo, startled awake, sat up with eyes brimming with fear. Sky leaped from the upper bunk, rushed to his brother's side, and gently reassured him, "Don't worry, Raimondo, I'm right here with you."

Sky approached the window, carefully observing the scene outside. The night was aglow with the paths of artillery shells, each one a luminous trail slicing through the sky, before being intercepted mid-air by the city's defense, bursting into a spectacle of radiant sparks. The sky resembled a canvas torn asunder, with the artillery weaving an awe-striking tapestry in the heavens.

Raimondo rose from bed, his body quivering, and looked at Sky with palpable anxiety. "Sky, what's happening? Is it another artillery attack by the bandits?" Sky surveyed his surroundings, his mind awash with questions and speculations. "It appears so," he replied. "The bandits from the north have initiated long-range bombardment. They've just overrun the 15th satellite city; I didn't expect their arrival so soon."

A flicker of fear passed through Raimondo's eyes. "What do we do then? Is our city still safe?" Sky dressed swiftly, his face set in a determined and calm expression. "I'm going to the military hospital at the city defense base to check on things. You need to take care of the refugees in our building. All men over 18 might be conscripted before long. Our building is now sheltering more than 20 women and children, and they are relying on you."

Raimondo nodded, his fear somewhat eased by his brother's comforting words. Sky grabbed his coat, inhaled deeply, and was about to leave when another round of artillery fire roared, prompting him to quickly turn back to the window. The dawn sky was marred by the paths of artillery shells, tracing arcs like a meteor shower. The city's skies were illuminated with a ripple-like glow, a sign of the activated energy shield, a vast translucent dome flickering with faint blue light overhead.

Each shell impacting the barrier erupted into a dazzling blaze, the sky resonating with deafening explosions and resplendent light, akin to fireworks in the firmament.

Sky and Raimondo watched, holding their breath, as the battle raged outside. As the barrage persisted, some shells finally breached the energy shield, plummeting toward the city. The descending shells carved terrifying trajectories in the air, slowly nearing their district. With each subsequent explosion, the windows of Sky's building shook violently, threatening to burst apart at any moment.

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Then, a more intense round of bombardment ensued. Several more shells shattered the barrier, hurtling directly toward Sky's building. Suddenly, a silhouette soared through the sky, grazing past the shells in a close call. As the shells exploded in a sequence of low-altitude detonations, the sky erupted in a brilliant display of fire.

A fragment of a shell zipped past the building across the street, sending bricks and stones flying. A small stone, moving at an astonishing speed, smashed into Sky's window, shattering the glass instantly.

Sky reacted instinctively, swiftly pulling Raimondo down onto the bed and shielding him with his body. They felt the tremors and the spray of debris from the shattered window.

Pinned beneath Sky, Raimondo's voice, now devoid of fear and filled with excitement, exclaimed, "It's an Awakener!" His tone was laced with awe and aspiration.

Outside, the barrage of artillery and explosions persisted. In the sky, an Awakener darted through the turmoil, his movements swift and deft as he intercepted and exploded the shells mid-flight.

Sky observed for a moment longer before reassuring Raimondo, "We're safe now. Our proximity to the city defense army base is a boon. The city's anti-aircraft capabilities, along with the Awakeners, have kicked in, significantly reducing the danger. I need to head to the base hospital; they're likely short-staffed and could use the help. Look after yourself. Our district might soon be in emergency mode, and essentials could become scarce. As a reserve cadet of the military academy, my ID grants me some freedom of movement. I'll do everything I can to bring back more supplies daily. Hard times are upon us."

Clad in his military academy uniform and shouldering a rucksack, Sky exited the room. The atmosphere in the corridor was so thick with tension it was almost tangible. His footsteps resounded through the hallway, passing a group of distressed refugees – the women and children from his building. They were consumed by fear and helplessness; some children gripped their mothers' skirts, while some women sat in corners, silently holding their young.

Sky took a deep breath and stood tall, ready to exude the leadership they needed. Approaching the crowd, he spoke with a calm and firm voice, "Please, everyone, calm down. I know we're all scared right now, but we need to remain composed."

His voice, like a solid anchor, gradually calmed the crowd. "The city's defenses are operational. The city defense army and the Awakeners are doing their best to protect us. I'm heading to the hospital to help, ensuring our safety and the supply of necessities."

Seeing trust begin to blossom in the crowd's eyes, Sky turned to Raimondo, who, despite his youth, now bore a hint of maturity. "Raimondo, it's time for you to take on more responsibility. These women and children depend on your care. I believe in you, and I know you're capable."

Raimondo looked initially surprised by his brother's trust, but he soon stood taller, nodding in understanding and acceptance. "I'll do it, Sky. I'll take good care of them."

Sky cast one last look around the crowd, adding, "I'm going out to survey the situation and gather as much as I can. In my absence, please follow Raimondo's lead. He's my brother, someone you can all trust. We're all in this together, and we will stay safe."

At that moment, a middle-aged woman with a look of resolve stepped forward. "I'm Anna, a nurse from the 16th satellite city. I can offer medical help if needed."

Sky nodded appreciatively, "Thank you, Anna. Please assist Raimondo. In case of an emergency, you two can work together." He gave Raimondo's shoulder a reassuring pat, then left the building, sprinting towards the city defense army hospital.

The streets were a vista of chaos: citizens dashed about in panic, some desperately seeking their relatives, others hauling luggage, all marked by expressions of terror and helplessness. The shattered glass of storefronts littered the ground, and the air was pierced by a cacophony of alarms and cries.

The closer Sky got to the city defense army base, the more palpable the tension became in the air. Along his path, makeshift relief stations were set up, bustling with activity. Volunteers and soldiers worked diligently, providing emergency medical care to the wounded and distributing food and water to those uprooted by the crisis.

As Sky observed his surroundings while running at a high speed, he suddenly realized he wasn't feeling the breathlessness or muscle fatigue he had anticipated. His breathing remained even, his muscles strong and energized, as though he had just begun his run. Confused, he paused, feeling a wave of dizziness accompanied by a flash of memory.

In this fragment of memory, he was in a special classroom at the military academy. Colonel Marcus Reynolds stood at the lectern, addressing the ten cadets. His voice was robust and resonant: "You are the cream of the crop of our academy, selected through stringent processes to represent this year's reserve class from the 14th satellite city. I have every confidence that you will all become valiant defenders of our city-state. Three days ago, I received a report from the base hospital's bio-research lab on your integration with the J-type basic gene enhancement serum. Congratulations, each of you has surpassed 90% integration. This means your physical attributes – strength, agility, endurance, mental prowess – far exceed those of an ordinary person. Today marks a pivotal moment in your lives." He opened a sealed case, revealing ten gleaming metal auto-injectors, continuing, "The city-state has sanctioned your use of the I-type primary gene enhancement serum. If your integration exceeds 40%, you'll be eligible to don full-coverage alloy armor, becoming gene warriors, a step closer to becoming Awakeners."

Colonel Reynolds' gaze swept over each cadet, his face etched with expectation and solemnity. His voice echoed in the classroom, declaring, "This is a historic moment. Each of you is about to take the first step towards becoming a gene warrior."

The cadets approached one after another, each receiving their injector. Sky was engulfed in a whirlwind of nervous excitement. When it was his turn, he inhaled deeply, accepted the injector, feeling its cool metal. The silver gleam of the injector under the lights symbolized hope and the challenges ahead.

The injection process was calm and swift, each cadet displaying steadfast bravery. After the injections, they returned to their seats, faces alight with anticipation for the future.

As the memory faded, Sky took several deep breaths to suppress the unease. He was becoming more accustomed to these sudden memory recalls. He quipped to himself, "Without strong nerves, these frequent flashbacks would surely drive someone insane." Regaining his composure, he continued his sprint towards the city defense army hospital.