Power of envy

Prologue

Prologue

Everyone talks about how incredible the old Earth was—how its beauty could captivate you in countless ways. Towering mountain ranges, sprawling forests, and endless oceans stretched farther than the eye could see. Then there were the people. Some brought destruction, while others fought for peace, each leaving their own mark on the world's history. It must have been breathtaking.

But there's a reason I call it old Earth.

It isn't ours anymore.

Instead, we live on a new world we proudly call Earth 2.0—a place we owe entirely to the brilliance and determination of our ancestors, who discovered and settled it after the Envy Storm changed humanity forever.

The Envy Storm wasn't like any storm in history. There was no thunder, no rain, and no violent winds. It was a wave of energy—almost like a massive brainwave—traveling silently through space, searching for a world to claim.

When it reached Earth... everything changed.

Some called it a curse.

Others called it a miracle.

The storm awakened powers inside us—abilities no scientist could explain. Every person developed something unique, something impossible. Overnight, humanity became extraordinary.

At first, it felt like a gift.

Then people started disappearing.

Every night, more vanished into the darkness without a trace. The shadows themselves seemed alive, swallowing anyone unfortunate enough to be caught alone. Panic spread across the globe. Governments collapsed. Martial law was declared. Cities became ghost towns.

Eventually, humanity accepted the truth.

Earth was no longer safe.

We had to leave.

Our only hope was Kepler, the planet we now call Earth 2.0. The voyage should have taken decades, but humanity refused to surrender. Using technology far beyond anything previously imagined, our ancestors built a massive portal high above the clouds. In a matter of seconds, it transported millions across the stars.

We brought everything we could—animals, plants, seeds, knowledge, and hope.

Then we began again.

That was in 2012.

Now it's 2050.

We never forgot the old world.

For decades, specialized teams have returned to Earth, fighting the monsters that now roam its surface and searching for a way to reclaim our home. Many never return.

Those who do...

They come back different.

Whether they're soldiers or civilians, no one asks what they witnessed. Some secrets are too terrible to hear.

Life on Earth 2.0 isn't as different as you'd expect. We still have schools. We still have friendships, rivalries, bullies, and dreams.

The only difference is that here, people aren't judged by money or popularity.

They're judged by their powers.

As for mine...

My name is Casen, and I can control light.

Sunlight. Starlight. Firelight. Even the faint glow of a dying candle—I can gather it, shape it, and bend it to my will.

But I have a secret.

No one knows the true extent of my power—or the connection I share with the sun itself.

And I intend to keep it that way.

This is my story.

My life...

Or maybe my death.

Either way, you deserve to know how it ends.