The Fire Rises

Set in an alternate 2020 where the COVID-19 Pandemic is much stronger, leading to many more deaths and increased political unrest. The world's economies plunge into another recession, societies further radicalize and worst of all, political instability is on the rise. While many still hope that the world can go back to normal once the pandemic is over, the reality is far from that.

Despite his best efforts to avoid it, the ageing Saudi monarch catches the virus and dies shortly thereafter. The crowning of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman caused a civil war, which in turn caused oil prices to skyrocket and create even more headaches for the world.

The United States is now more divided than ever, with nationwide riots against police brutality (at a scale somehow worse than the 1992 LA riots) breaking out nationwide. The aforementioned problems have only worsened the tense political situation in America, not helped by radical and terrorist groups seeing a surprising uptick in membership. With an election looming amidst a sea of anarchy and death, it's not looking good for the land of the free. as January of 2021 passed. The American Century has ended. And a new one has risen.

The rest of the world isn't doing any better, with the current events shaking the geopolitical status quo between the East and the West to its very core.