In an alternate future, the great powers of America and Russia unite during the height of the Cold War to combine their space forces, achieving incredible advancements in space travel. However, a disastrous mission to Mars leads to a decade-long standoff between the alien Martian and Earth forces. By the late 2010s, the Cold War has reached a critical point, leading to a devastating exchange of weapons between the two planets. The Martians are defeated by the Earth Coalition, but Earth is left a desolate wasteland, filled with mutants, radiated bogs, and a harsh hellscape. Despite the bleak situation, hope still remains. Prior to the attack, the Earth governments created shelters to protect against Martian fire. Now, the survivors must learn to survive in this harsh new world.

Ethan, a young man haunted by a dark past, is accepted into a prestigious academy. He hopes to graduate and go to college to take care of his sick mother and little sister, but when the war reaches its climax, he and his peers are sent to a shelter to begin a new life.

Inside the shelter, Ethan and his fellow survivors are forced to adapt to a new routine, new jobs, and an early initiation into adulthood. Ethan yearns to fight against this new reality and agonizes over the fate of his family. He vows to be reunited with his sister, who is sheltered elsewhere.

But will Ethan be able to reunite with his sister and survive the dark forces that lurk beyond the shelter's walls? Or will the great darkness consume one of the last remnants of humanity?