It was still early in the morning. The sun was shining its warm and soothing light across the entire village. It gazed through a series of houses, bringing life to the neighborhood around.
Meanwhile, inside a humble wooden house just outside the residential area, a 17-year-old boy was enjoying fried rice and eggs on an old yet stain-free plate, which are the remnants of the food he had prepared for the new year. Around him was a relatively empty place with only the essentials around. There, on a wooden chair, he sat alone.
He was orphaned at a relatively young age, forcing him to grow up overnight. Despite this, a smile can be seen on his face as he eats his breakfast.
"Oh, it is already 8:00 am. I need to take a bath," he said like a disciplined child. Unlike the oblivious kid, the rest of the world was already in a panic. [1]
In a nearby house, a family was quietly eating their breakfast while watching their favorite show when breaking news popped out.
"Breaking News! We are here just in front of the Malacañang Palace, witnessing a scene that can only be described as unprecedented!" The reporter announced.
"Dad, what is that?" their 15-year-old daughter asked while looking at the spectacle on the screen. Right above the palace, the sky was distorted. It seemed like it the space itself was torn apart. After a while, the distortion became clearer. It revealed a majestic sight. Inside the portal, a garden filled with blue trees and grasses can be seen. Sky-blue hibiscus flowers filled the entire garden, making it seem like a scene from a movie.
The girl's parents could not answer the question as they all stared dazzled at the television.
At the same time, in the Malacañang Palace, a huge horde of people can be seen staring at the portal.
"Look! Someone is coming out!" a random person shouted.
"There! Not just one! A lot!" another person exclaimed.
There, a group of light-blue-haired and white-skinned Elves stared down from the portal. A look of excitement and relief can be seen in their eyes as they look at the scenery in front of them.
"Go! Search for our young master! Leave no bush unsearched!" a lady wearing a beautiful crystal crown, standing in the middle of the group, commanded before turning away.
The group of Elves immediately obeyed. They quickly jumped out and dispersed while holding a soul compass.
A similar event happened all across the globe. Chaos reigned supreme as foreign races flooded Earth. There were areas that were unlucky since unruly races came out of the portals, such as the Iltekz, an assassin race with only holes in their heads as ears and holes in their faces as noses. A race who loves killing to their very soul, so much so that it is part of their assassin training to limit their desire to kill.
Due to these kinds of creatures coming out, nations were forced to declare war against the invaders. It was probably the fastest humanity had ever responded to. In a mere hour, powerhouse countries already gathered most of their troops and positioned them around all the gates in their nations. A common enemy had arrived. For the first in a very long time, humanity became one.
It is currently 9:00 pm in Washington DC, USA. The white house is in shambles.
"Mr. President, all military personnel are already positioned in all confirmed locations of the Pathways. The two biggest ones we have are in time square and Las Vegas. We are currently in the process of evacuating civilians around the area," the president's secretary said.
"Did you hear anything from our scientists? What is happening?" the president asked.
"They have no idea," the secretary answered in dismay.
"Damn it! Tell the troops to be on full alert. Gather the congress immediately! I will be declaring a state of war!" the president said in outrage. Just then, a beautiful lady entered the office of the president. She had colorful hair resembling that of a coral. Her skin shined as they reflect the light inside the office. However, her most notable feature is her lack of arms, which are replaced by manta ray wings.
"Who are you--" the guards inside the office could not complete their question as they fell one by one after melodious music echoed in the office.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a young lady is sitting on her throne. Just above her shoulder, a small fairy was innocently flying. In front of her, a secretary is bowing down before her majesty.
"Assemble all the members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, immediately," the queen stated with a calm yet suffocating pressure.
At the same time, in the Lintong District of China, home of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Qin Shi Huang, an old man with withered skin and dark energy radiating through his body can be seen digging.
In Zhongnanhai, the central headquarters of the Chinese government, a muscular man with golden bracelets, necklaces, elbow guards, and other accessories was standing mightily yet respectfully in front of the president holding a misty pearl.
Countless people around the world met surprised visitors. They came from a plethora of races with only one thing in common, all of them were holding misty pearls.
Oblivious to all of this, Aezir, who had just finished taking his bath, was casually washing the dishes. He had no TV or access to the internet, so he was completely unaware of the development.
"Such a peaceful day. I hope this year would be just as quiet," Aezir said with a relieved smile.
However, as if responding to his point, somebody knocked on the door.
'What? I have been living alone here for a very long time. No visitor ever came by,' Aezir thought. "Who is it?" Aezir asked, but he did not wait for the answer as he immediately opened the door.