Beginning of the End

In the tumultuous 21st century, humanity faces unprecedented challenges as plagues—some man-made and others natural—devastate nearly 30 percent of the population. Racial tensions spark civil wars, leading to fragmented nations ruled by local warlords, while society spirals into chaos and conflict. Just when it seems things cannot worsen, the arrival of an asteroid named Wormwood heralds a dramatic shift, setting the stage for a new chapter in humanity's struggle for survival.