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546words2026-01-26 11:21

The high-temperature apocalypse hit.
It was scorching hot everywhere. Everything felt like burning.
Though I had acquired abilities to control water, I didn't use it to save others.

Because in my past life, I was betrayed.
I led a squad and made it to the establishment of a base. Before I could even enjoy it, my own sister killed me.
I asked her why. Her face twisted with rage.
“Why did you get powers and play the hero while I had to rely on your scraps?”
“The base is built. You're useless now. Just die already!”
When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the beginning of the apocalypse. I'd just got my power.

“Everyone, hang in there. Water is coming soon!”
A voice choked with tears reached my ears. It was my sister Chloe comforting the team.
I instinctively clenched my fist, feeling that surging water energy inside me.
Only then did I believe it — I had been reborn.

A month ago, the high-temperature apocalypse struck out of nowhere.
Global water supplies vanished. Half the population died of heat.
Then, some of the survivors awakened abilities. Some remained ordinary.
Luckily, not only did I awaken an ability, it was the power of controlling water.
Last life, I led my team, scraping by in this scorching hell.
Just when we finally established a base, my sister brutally murdered me.
To squeeze the last drop of water from me, she threw me into a furnace.
Burning in flames, I screamed, demanding to know why she betrayed me.
Chloe's face was pure hatred.
“Why do you get to be the hero while I live on your pity?”
“The base is done. You're useless now. Just die.”
I turned to charcoal. Chloe used the last water I produced to buy herself a decent place in the base.
Maybe the hatred triggered by those memories was too obvious in my eyes. Chloe tentatively asked,
“What's wrong, Mia? You don't look well.”
“But we need you to produce some more water... The team's getting restless. Just a little calm them down, please.”
In my past life, I always made sure Chloe drank her fill. Even if I was endangered by thirst, I pushed myself to give her water first.
And Chloe would share the water with others, so I would produce more for her.
I was happy that people thanked adored Chloe for her kindness.
But I never imagined that it would lead me to an unmarked grave.
When Chloe killed me, I begged the others for help, promising them endless water.
But they just gazed adoringly at Chloe.
“Chloe's the one with water powers. We all survive because of her. You're just deadweight, a burden holding her back. You deserve to die.”
Even my boyfriend, Zach, held Chloe's hand tenderly and said to me,
“You vicious b**ch! How can you even compare to Chloe? Just die already. Stop wasting resources.”
That's when I realized: all along, Chloe had told everyone she was the one with water powers, and that I was just useless trash, surviving by her grace.
Back to the present, as Chloe was asking me for water again, I said,
“I don't have abilities. I'm just ordinary. I can't make water out of thin air.”