Niro stood alone on the eerily quiet street, his red eyes scanning the horizon where cars once hustled and life buzzed with relentless energy. Today, however, the roads lay deserted, a silent testament to the unimaginable that had just occurred. No adults, anywhere. For someone who had never known the warmth of a family, the disappearance of adults should have been just another Tuesday. But even Niro, with his genius mind and self-assured ego, couldn't suppress the jolt of surprise that electrified his spine.
"What in the world is happening?" he muttered under his breath, a rare admission of confusion from someone who prided himself on always having the answers. It was then, amidst his swirling thoughts, that the sky above burst into a blinding light, compelling him to shield his eyes with a forearm.
From the heart of the light descended a figure so mesmerizing that it seemed to silence the world around. Golden hair cascaded over shoulders of blue skin, shimmering under the sunlight, while white wings unfurled behind her, majestic and ethereal. Niro, along with the scattered few on the streets, could only stare in awe.
"I am an envoy of the divine," the figure announced, her voice carrying a weight that silenced the murmurs below. "A messenger sent forth to bear tidings of a new era."
The angel spoke, her voice resonating through the air, clear and powerful, yet imbued with a gentleness that compelled everyone to listen. "Children of Earth," she began, her gaze sweeping over the faces below, "A great decision has been made—the adults, whose hearts were led astray by corruption and greed, are no longer among you. This world is now yours, left in the hands of those under the age of twenty."
Murmurs erupted among the crowd, a mix of disbelief and awe, as they processed her words. The angel continued, her voice rising above the whispers, "This is not the end, but a beginning. A chance to rebuild what was lost, to forge a world that reflects the purity and hope that still resides within you."
Niro, absorbing every word, felt a spark of realization ignite within him. The world they knew was gone, and in its place, a new one awaited—ripe with challenges but also opportunities.
The angel's gaze seemed to linger on Niro for a moment as she added, "Great trials await you, and not all will be easy to overcome. But remember, the essence of humanity lies in its resilience and capacity for kindness. Let these guide you as you step into this new age."
With a final, sweeping glance at the assembled youth, she concluded, "We watch with hopeful hearts. Make us proud." And with that, she vanished into the clouds, leaving a trail of shimmering light.
The street fell silent once more, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant echo of the angel's words.
The adults, deemed too corrupt by a higher judgment, had been erased from existence, leaving the world to those under twenty. A clean slate, a chance to rebuild what had been tarnished.
Niro's mind raced ahead. It wasn't the divine intervention that occupied his thoughts, but the immediate future. With the old guard gone, a void had opened—a vacuum that nature abhorred.
"Power," he whispered to himself, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "The adults might have gone, but their game remains the same."
Around him, confusion and fear mingled in the eyes of the others, but Niro stood apart. He understood the unspoken challenge, the inevitable struggle for control that would arise. In a world turned upside down, where the impossible had just occurred, opportunity beckoned to those bold enough to seize it.
Niro turned from the sky and started walking. His steps were measured, his mind already weaving through the labyrinth of possibilities that lay ahead. For the first time in a long time, Niro felt a spark of genuine excitement—an anticipation for the challenge, the game of power, that awaited.
And in that moment, amidst the shock and awe of a world reborn, Niro knew one thing for certain: he was going to play to win.
* * *
As Niro made his way through the deserted streets, the silence was almost palpable. The world as everyone knew it had irrevocably changed overnight. Stepping into the nearest convenience store, Niro wasn't there for the usual goods that one might need for survival.
Instead, he went straight for the cigarettes, filling two large suitcases he had acquired from an abandoned shop. In Niro's mind, the rules of the old world no longer applied. With no adults around to enforce the law, it was as if the very concept of right and wrong had vanished along with them.
He knew that in the chaos of this new world, traditional currency would soon become obsolete. Cigarettes, on the other hand, would become invaluable. They were addictive, would be scarce, and easy to count—a perfect new currency in a world scrambling for order and normalcy. After securing what he believed would be his ticket to power, Niro also grabbed some canned food and lighters, practical afterthoughts compared to his main haul.
The streets were more crowded now than when he first ventured out, with groups of students wandering aimlessly, still in shock from the day's revelations. Younger children were there too, some crying out for parents who would never return, others in denial about their new reality. Niro passed them by without a second glance. He had a plan, and sentimentality wouldn't help him execute it.
Back in his modest one-room apartment, Niro carefully stored his suitcases full of cigarettes in a corner. He knew what was coming. The world was on the brink of chaos, and soon, a struggle for power would erupt—a bloodbath was inevitable.
To survive, to truly make a mark on this new world, he needed more than just valuable commodities. He needed power. And power came from having people—people who would follow him, who would execute his orders without question.
Niro murmured to himself, acknowledging the harsh truth of his new reality. "Right now, I need power. Power strong enough to allow me to survive." He was under no illusions about the difficulty of what lay ahead. But Niro wasn't like the others lost on the streets.
He was a planner, a thinker. In the coming fight for dominance, he would be a commander, not a foot soldier. With his strategic acquisition of cigarettes and his keen understanding of human nature, Niro was already several steps ahead. Now, all he needed was to gather his followers, his army. Then, and only then, could his quest for power truly begin.
* * *
Niro, with a keen eye for potential allies, roamed the transformed streets, his mind set on recruiting individuals who exhibited strength and resilience.
His search led him to a robust figure, muscles more pronounced than those of an average student, who stood surveying the new world with a blend of disbelief and curiosity.
Niro approached the muscular guy with an air of confidence, keenly observing his potential as a future ally. He cleared his throat slightly before initiating the conversation, ensuring he had the other's full attention.
"What do you make of all this chaos?" Niro asked, gesturing broadly to the deserted streets and the disarray that had become their world overnight.
The guy, muscles tensing as if reflecting on the weight of the situation, shook his head slowly. "I... I still can't believe it's real," he admitted, his voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of vulnerability.
Niro nodded, understanding the sentiment but seeing it through a different lens. "I think it's a chance," he said, his voice carrying a note of conviction that seemed to slice through the uncertainty of their surroundings. "A chance to be the founders of this new world. To become leaders."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. Niro knew he had a knack for persuasion, his combination of cunningness and charisma often winning people over to his side.
He pressed on, "I want to be a new power in this world, to stop this chaos. The only way to stop conflict is with absolute power."
He extended his hand, an offer and a challenge rolled into one. "I think you could be a huge help for me. Soon, this world would turn into chaos with factions and wars… That's how it was in the past and it is no different now. So I will ask you. Do you wish to accompany me on this journey?"
The guy looked taken aback for a moment, his eyes reflecting the enormity of Niro's ambition. But then, a smirk played on his lips, and he grasped Niro's hand in a firm shake. "You have a point," Alex conceded, a new spark of determination evident in his tone.
Niro smiled, a genuine expression of camaraderie. "Apologies for my late introduction. My name is Niro."
"Alex," the guy introduced himself in kind, his posture relaxing as the initial shock wore off. "So, where do we begin?"
Niro pondered for a moment before responding, "Do you have people you're close with who could help us out?"
"I am the captain of my high school's rugby team. The guys on my team... they could be a big help."
Niro's smirk widened, recognizing the potential in Alex's connections. "Perfect," he said with a nod of approval. "Call them. Bring them here. Let's start building our new world."
Their handshake sealed the deal, marking the beginning of a new alliance in the chaos of a world reborn.