The Dead Zone learned their names without being taught.
It started with whispers.
"Red Stone."
"Prism Girl."
"Death Twins."
People came in small groups at first refugees from the city, scavengers with empty eyes, mothers carrying kids who didn't cry anymore.
They walked toward the burned power station like it was a shrine.
Juvy saw them first.
"There's more," she said softly.
Maxruell stood on the roof, shadow draped around his feet like a cloak. "How many?"
"Thirty. Maybe forty."
Varkos leaned against a truck, smoking. "That's a village."
The group stopped at the edge of the yard. No one crossed the invisible line.
A man stepped forward, hands raised. "We heard… monsters killed the cult convoy."
Maxruell didn't answer.
Juvy walked out instead.
"We're not monsters," she said. "We don't want your kneeling."
The man swallowed. "Then what do you want?"
She hesitated.
Maxruell spoke from behind her.
"Don't bring violence here. Don't steal from each other. And don't lie."
The refugees stared.
One woman whispered, "He sounds like a king."
Maxruell flinched.
They stayed.
By nightfall, tents were up. Fires burned in oil drums. Kids stared at Juvy's glowing chest like it was a star.
She healed a boy's broken leg with crystal and light.
The people cried.
Maxruell watched from the shadows.
Later, screams came from the road.
Varkos grabbed his rifle. "Raiders."
Three trucks rolled in fast, men hanging off the sides with guns and machetes.
"Food! Women! Now!" one shouted.
Maxruell walked into the road.
His shadow stretched across their headlights.
"Leave," he said.
They laughed.
He didn't repeat himself.
The shadow lifted the lead truck and slammed it upside down.
Men spilled out screaming.
Juvy raised her hands.
Wind tore guns from hands. Fire burned tires into slag. Crystal spears pinned the last men to the dirt.
One raider crawled backward, crying. "Please…"
Maxruell looked down at him.
The man's shadow wrapped around his neck.
Snap.
The refugees watched in silence.
Juvy turned away.
That night, no one came near Maxruell.
Juvy sat beside him on the roof.
"They're afraid of you."
"They should be."
She shook her head. "They're afraid of us."
He stared into the dark ruins.
"I don't feel bad anymore."
That scared her more than the blood.
Far away, in a city church, Mother Cain read reports aloud.
"They have made a sanctuary," she smiled.
"Good.
Altars are easier to burn."