Prologue

The early 21st century was marked by an increasing, optimistic belief in globalization, technological progress, and cooperation among nations. Yet beneath this surface lay a dangerous mix of nationalism, resource scarcity, extremism, and deeply rooted geopolitical rivalries among the world's superpowers. On one side stood the democratic West. Under the guidance of NATO, the USA, Canada, and Europe acted as a bulwark against the ever-expanding forces of authoritarian and militaristic nations. On the other, a new Russian-Chinese axis had formed. With substantial manpower reserves, rapid industrialization, and massive funding for military research, they stood as a counterforce to the Western armies. This fragile balance of power between Russia, the USA, and China masked the ever-increasing problems brought about by environmental changes, regional wars, mass migrations, and economic inequality between the lower and upper classes.

The cataclysm came in 2045, a year that carved itself deep into modern history. A coalition of countries led by Russia, China, and North Korea launched a preemptive and highly coordinated nuclear attack on the United States. This was not a half-thought-out act of aggression, but rather a meticulously planned attempt to remove the USA as a global competitor. Within hours of the first strike, cities across the USA—cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago—lay in ruins, with most of their populations either dead or injured. Key military installations were destroyed, reducing the US Armed Forces to only a fraction of their former strength. Agencies such as NORAD, NASA, and FEMA ceased to exist. Major highways, railways, airports, and seaports were obliterated in subsequent bombings, preventing aid from traveling between states.

The United States retaliated with its last desperate act. With the help of their massive nuclear arsenal, they detonated multiple nuclear bombs in the stratosphere, causing a high-altitude EMP explosion that crippled the global satellite network. Though this tactic succeeded, it was not enough to stop Russia and China. While most of the world plunged into chaos, with economies crumbling, supply chains fracturing, and governments struggling to maintain control over increasingly desperate populations, Russia and China's long-time experience in quelling civil unrest and enforcing total submission helped them silence dissent and restore law and order. However, by this point, the United States no longer existed.

In the aftermath of the nuclear bombing of the USA, countries struggled to adapt. While less stable nations, primarily in Asia and Africa, crumbled, most still managed to survive. North America managed to rebuild and resemble a country after a while. However, with most of its army, industry, and infrastructure destroyed, it closed itself off again, fully convinced it was the final survivor after the global Armageddon. Europe fell under Russian influence, while Asia and Oceania were open to total Chinese domination. South and Central America isolated itself in a desperate attempt to distance itself from the European, Asian, and Oceanian centers of power. However, inevitably, their governments fell to the influence of criminal organizations. The geopolitical map was redrawn, but this time not with pens and treaties, but with blood and fire.

***

Europe was among the hardest-hit regions following the collapse of the United States. With its economy and defense so closely tied to America, it was powerless to act if Russia decided to spread its influence across its current borders. The European Union, already fragile from internal strife, economic stagnation, and incompetence, disintegrated entirely. NATO dissolved, leaving European nations vulnerable to both external and internal threats. While countries maintained friendly relations and attempted to work closely with one another, the connection at the level of the EU was never seen again. Many more pro-Russian nations, such as Hungary and Serbia, began working closely with Russia and soon began their own attempts to undermine European stability, hoping to strengthen themselves enough to become partner states of Russia.

Amidst the chaos in Europe, Russia seized the opportunity to expand its influence—and perhaps its borders. Under President Viktor Sokolov, a former FSB agent turned populist autocrat, Russia launched an extensive campaign to subjugate other European countries and restore itself to its former imperial glory. Sokolov's vision, known as the Eurasian Doctrine, sought to unite Europe and Asia under the banner of Mother Russia.

Russian strategy was multifaceted. As it had done in the early 21st century in Ukraine, it attempted to undermine Europe from within while exerting pressure from the outside. With complete control over the European market and the ability to economically exploit Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas and oil, Russia could cut off supplies and market access to countries that resisted its influence. On the other hand, it funded extremist movements in Europe, creating serious internal threats. During this time, assassinations of political leaders, terrorist attacks, and the inability of national governments to act caused widespread chaos and anarchy in most nations. Russia presented itself as the only force in Europe capable of protecting nations from the extremists it had helped fund.

The first nations to fall to Russian aggression were Ukraine, the Baltics, Belarus, Poland, Serbia, and Romania. Other countries soon followed suit, with Eastern Europe falling by 2048. While Western Europe initially seemed resistant to Russian influence, it, too, eventually yielded. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland were the last countries to fall after a swift invasion by the Russian army. With that, Europe succumbed to Russia, forming a sphere known as the Eurussian Entente.

For nearly two decades, Europe lived under the shadow of Russian domination. While there was limited resistance, no nation could stand alone against Russia's military and economic might. Life for ordinary citizens was harsh, heavily controlled, and filled with paranoia. The Russian Federation flooded European airwaves, portraying Russia and its regime as saviors from the oppression of the United States and the inefficient, indecisive governments that had once ruled Europe. History books were rewritten to glorify Russia's role in the continent's "liberation," while voices of dissent were silenced—either through intimidation, imprisonment, or, in the most extreme cases, quiet executions. Every media outlet was controlled by the government, which in turn was controlled by the central authority in Russia. Paintings depicting Mother Russia saving Europe became the standard for continental artists, while movies portrayed American imperialism as the cause of all 21st-century problems, asserting that Russia had, in fact, done the world a great favor by extending its influence over European nations.

No matter what, economic exploitation was rampant. Entire industrial sectors across Europe were repurposed to serve the Russian war machine. Production lines churned out tons of material every day. Resources and goods, both civilian and military, began flowing towards Moscow to fuel their newfound ambitions beyond Europe. Ordinary Europeans worked long hours for meager wages that barely sustained them for months. Their labor contributed to a regime that saw them as nothing more than expendable assets, tasked with fueling Russia's growing military strength.

Surveillance was omnipresent. The FSB, Russia's feared secret police, monitored every aspect of civilian life. Calls were regularly recorded, and people were abducted from their homes for "questioning," many of whom never returned. Citizens were encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to authorities, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and mistrust. Neighbors stopped speaking to one another, and families avoided meeting out of fear that one of them might be a Russian spy. Some resistance movements formed, but most were unable to achieve anything before they were crushed, with most of their members either dead or locked away in gulags.

However, it soon became clear that this system would not last much longer. While it was meant to improve the living standards of Russians and thus enhance Sokolov's popularity, most Russians did not support the aggressive takeover of European states, which, after the downfall of the United States, they no longer considered a threat. As dissatisfaction in Europe grew, mass protests erupted in major European and Russian cities. Citizens across Russia demanded the resignation of Viktor Sokolov and his government, the democratization of Russia, and an end to Russia's imperialist vision. The final blow came during the Moscow Winter of 2069, a particularly harsh winter that exacerbated food shortages and sparked nationwide unrest. Factories ceased operations, wreaking havoc on Russian supply chains and exacerbating shortages of even basic commercial goods.

In a desperate attempt to maintain control, Sokolov ordered the military to suppress the uprising, utilizing Russia's immense military strength. However, many soldiers, sympathetic to the protesters, refused to open fire on their own people. Instead, they used their strength to protect the civilians from the increasing attacks by Sokolov's loyalists. Fierce firefights broke out, and there were many casualties, but the will of the people remained unbroken. At this point, it was clear to everyone that Sokolov's regime was on the verge of collapse. Political and military allies within the government withdrew their support, declaring that he had gone rogue. Sokolov himself made a last stand in Moscow, surrounded by his dwindling number of supporters. As the Russian Army, rebel forces, and civilian protesters marched on the capital, Sokolov took his own life, leaving his loyalists without proper leadership. The ensuing battle was a mere formality. Revolutionary forces gathered the loyalists and executed many of them without trial.

The new democratic government, led by prominent reformist leader Alexei Novikov, pledged to undo the damage caused by the authoritarian regime to both Russia and Europe. His new doctrine, which replaced the old Eurasian Doctrine, aimed to establish independent European nations based on the nationality of their residents. The results were significant. Russia relinquished its control over Europe, helped to liberate the nations it had once subjugated, and provided them with the necessary materials and capital to begin rebuilding their economies in a more balanced and environmentally sustainable way.

However, the liberation of Europe was not without its challenges. Years of occupation, mismanagement, and exploitation had left a deep mark on the continent. People struggled to trust one another, and countries fought for resources and capital. Yet, the shared experience of suffering under Russian and authoritarian rule brought the nations together and fostered a unity never before seen in Europe. In 2082, a new political entity, the European Federation (EF), was established. Built upon principles of democracy, cooperation, and mutual defense, the EF sought to ensure that Europe would never again suffer under foreign rule, whether from the East or the West. The EF expanded rapidly, incorporating not only traditional European nations but also countries such as Russia, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, as well as smaller parts of Turkey and the Urals. The inclusion of these countries as equal members symbolized the Federation's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The EF also partnered with many smaller nations across four continents, creating a Democratic Pact—an alliance built upon shared belief in democracy and the protection of human rights.

Under the EF's new government, Europe entered a second technological and cultural renaissance. The continent became a global leader in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum physics. Living standards improved across many countries, and prices, regulated by the Federation's government, remained low.

While prices were lowering, tensions were rising. Powers rivaling the EF, such as the Last Chinese Empire, India, and the Islamic Emirate, were challenging the Federation's integrity and the security of its borders. The Federation struggled to maintain its borders and protect its population.

While Europe rebuilt itself, China underwent its own radical transformation. Following the long-anticipated collapse of the Communist Party in 2052, the nation was plunged into widespread chaos. Corruption, economic instability, poor living standards outside major cities, and high pollution led to a series of uprisings, culminating in the Yellow Phoenix Revolution, a wave of government overthrows that further destabilized China and diminished its chances for recovery.

The revolution's leader, General Huang Xiang, emerged as a unifying figure. While working to gain the support of farmers—farmers who had once won the Communist Party's war in the 1940s—he undermined the economic stability of cities by creating false opportunities in stocks. A brilliant strategist and a charismatic, inspiring leader, he declared the end of the People's Republic and proclaimed himself Emperor Huang I, reviving China's old imperial traditions. The new regime, which came to be known as the Last Chinese Empire (LCE), combined ancient Chinese imperial traditions with modern authoritarianism and capitalism.

Under Huang's leadership, China recovered its economy and secured new territory. It launched a series of offensives into neighboring countries to expand its borders. North Korea was the first to fall, followed soon by South Korea, which became a puppet state. Soon, large territories of Asia were under China's control, while Siberia remained a neutral nation—a buffer between the Federation and the Empire. India, which had also expanded by annexing Pakistan, parts of Iran, and Central Asia, repelled a Chinese invasion and defeated Chinese forces in a series of battles in Tibet. India itself transformed into a one-party state, led by a highly religious party that reinstated Hinduism as the state religion and reintroduced the caste system. Japan, on the other hand, wary of Chinese influence, fractured into smaller city-states, adopting an isolationist stance and reducing its military size to avoid direct conflict.

The Middle East united under the banner of religion, forming the Islamic Emirate. Ruled by a council of elders elected by the population—though it should be emphasized that only the male population had voting rights—it became one of the most democratic nations in Asia. However, its long-standing territorial dispute with India over parts of Iran brought the two powers into direct conflict, resulting in numerous battles, each fueled by deep religious fervor. The Emirate maintained a close alliance with the New Egyptian Nation, which supported it with its significant economic strength, supplying weapons and ammunition to sustain its military efforts.

Africa was one of the regions that could not withstand the fall of America and Europe. Large portions of the continent fell under the control of competing and aggressive warlords, with countries collapsing by the day or becoming trapped in an endless cycle of civil wars. Among the many warlords, General Mbaye Okoye—a former UN peacekeeper turned militant leader—rose to prominence, controlling vast territories across Western and Central Africa. He established his own quasi-state, which thrived on resource extraction and illicit trade, further destabilizing the region. In North Africa, nations backed by the Federation managed to maintain a degree of internal security. However, they were forced into a constant struggle to defend their borders against incursions from the warlords to the south, fighting to prevent their territories from falling into the same chaos.

The South African Republic was one of the few nations that managed to emerge from the cataclysm more or less unchanged. However, signs of apartheid soon reappeared, though this time focused more on economic disparity rather than race. The SAR effectively turned into a dystopia, where voting rights were limited to those with wealth. Despite this, it became one of the Federation's most vital partners, supplying it with rare metals as well as other essential resources, which it exchanged with neighboring territories in return for military protection. In turn, Europe traded finished products, food, and water back to the SAR. While the nation's profits soared, not everyone shared in its wealth.

With the fall of America, Oceania lost its vital ally, resulting in its swift capitulation to China. Many smaller island nations formed a neutral Oceanic Pact that worked closely with China, India, and Japan but remained independent from foreign influence. Australia became a Chinese puppet state, ruled by a military government formed by the Emperor. New Zealand, on the other hand, became the de facto leader of the Oceanic Pact and its principal military force. It was also the only nation in Oceania that remained democratic, with the rights of all residents well protected. In the following years, it became the center of the Asian-Oceanic tourism industry, making billions every year from Chinese and Indian tourists.

Latin America fell to the cartels and organized crime enterprises in the years following the fall of the US. In the years immediately after the nuclear bombing, cartel violence increased exponentially. Most of their actions targeted government facilities and law enforcement agencies. News outlets reported daily shootings between police and cartels. Corruption was at an all-time high. One by one, nations fell—first the smaller ones like Nicaragua, Panama, and Uruguay, and soon Chile, Argentina, and Brazil followed. The cartels installed puppet governments, placed their people in the highest positions of power, and took complete control of law enforcement and the military. Wars erupted as rival cartels sought to expand their markets and secure new production territories. Drug consumption reached an all-time high. China and Europe, in one of their rare moments of agreement, decided to impose a naval blockade to prevent the influx of drugs into their countries. Across the continent, many resistance movements formed, but they stood no chance against cartels that controlled the military, law enforcement, and the illegal markets. Crime skyrocketed—murder and theft became commonplace. Workers toiled for long hours in cartel-run factories, and women were forced either into prostitution to survive or into sexual slavery under cartel leaders.

This brings us back to North America. The United States suffered the most. With large parts of its land rendered radioactive, farming became nearly impossible. The absence of an official government only worsened the situation. Nobody knew who was in charge, so local communities often banded together and attacked neighboring towns and villages, pillaging them for food, water, and medical supplies. As time passed, some communities began forming alliances, connecting with one another for mutual survival. Many also aligned themselves with the few remaining military bases, though these were scattered and isolated. Americans convinced themselves that they were the last bastion of civilization, and so they developed a new political system and military doctrine accordingly.

The new state, known as the Bastion State, was an authoritarian regime with a single dictator chosen for life. A large portion of the survivors—about 39 million—partnered with Canada to form a North American superpower. Based on the East Coast and Central U.S., it managed to restore its industry relatively quickly. The state's military forces developed a new doctrine that emphasized the protection of its people and, more importantly, resource deposits and strategic installations such as factories. As a result, aerial technology advanced rapidly. With breakthroughs in VTOL technology, the state could deploy troops with minimal delay. These aircraft also proved highly effective in strike roles, combining high mobility with extreme efficiency in dogfights while evading ground-based SAM systems, making them ideal strike craft. Ground forces, meanwhile, were centered around light infantry and armored cars, which the state's factories churned out at an ever-increasing speed.

But this bastion had a problem. While the elite ruled over the entire nation and enjoyed the spoils of its industry, the lower class—essentially the rest of the population—barely survived. The State used heavy propaganda to convince its citizens that it was the only thing standing between them and death. Any rebellion was crushed with the full might of their military. However, you cannot silence voices of dissent when they come from everywhere. The formation of new rebellions surged, partially with support from outside influences. Government forces and rebel factions often clashed in fierce battles, with either side being completely destroyed by the end. Soon, neighboring nations, none of which could possibly wage war on the State alone, began openly supporting the rebels. The show of support often concluded with the State's "intervention," where it installed a friendly government. These were hard days, but the rebellion spread across the continent like wildfire. And soon, nobody could put out the fire.

***

The year is 2098. People across the world hold onto a fragile hope that the new millennium will usher in peace, prosperity, and the unity of the human race. Yet, war is everywhere, and death is an ever-present reminder that life is merely the time spent between the encroaching darkness.

The European Federation is locked in a brutal conflict with the Last Chinese Empire, India is at war with the Islamic Emirate, and in Africa, it seems like a chaotic free-for-all, with no sign of peace on the horizon. In Latin America, cartels wage endless battles for control, and the State is locked in a ceaseless war against its own citizens, with neighboring city-states offering support to the growing rebellion. Meanwhile, the flames of war threaten to spread further, reviving the shadow of a nation that many thought had been destroyed for good.

And so, a question remains: will humanity rise above its history of division, forging a new path of unity and progress, or will it continue to repeat the mistakes of its past, forever bound to the cycle of conflict and destruction?