CHAPTER- 1 THE DREAM
All this happened years ago—six years, to be precise. I won't pretend that I remember everything clearly; my memories are still hazy. However, I will try my best to tell you this story. This tale isn't about the clash of great powers but of different ideologies.
On one side, there was hell, and on the other, heaven. Everyone chose heaven, but he chose hell. As he moved, Hell and heaven switched places. Heaven took the place of hell, and hell where heaven once shone. He was furious to see this. He tried to rush back, but it was too late. He was drifting towards heaven. Then there was a blinding flash of light—
main character, around whom this story will revolve, wakes up in his school.
I don't remember his name, but to continue our story, let's call him Jace. If I recall his name while writing, I will make sure to tell you. Until then, we'll go with this.
Jace was a normal guy. He was good in sports as well as academics, but more importantly, he was kind-hearted and pure. At this time, I don't remember his exact age, but I think he was younger than 16. Jace's world was vastly different from ours. People had different ethics, and the earth there had one huge supercontinent, unlike our world.
Jace woke up.
His head ached; his vision blurry. He was in his classroom, slouched over his desk, unnoticed by anyone around him. Students filled the room, chatting, laughing—the noise of a regular school day. Jace sat up, rubbing his temples, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream.
"That dream again," he muttered, frowning. "Why does it always feel so real? It felt like I had a deep grudge against someone in that dream"
No one paid attention to him. They never did. People knew Jace existed, but it was as if he was invisible. They only talked to him when they had to, for schoolwork or group projects. Otherwise, he was on his own.
The bell rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He grabbed his bag and left without a word. There was no one waiting for him, and he preferred it that way. At least, that's what he told himself.
As usual when Jace came home, immediately completed his homework, and went to the IHCE.
The IHCE is a beautiful but small place with some ponds and filled with greenery, isolated from the outer busy world, owned by none other than his own family. Someone rarely came to that place, but Jace went there pretty often; he enjoyed that place a lot. This IHCE still exists to this date, and it's still as beautiful as it was six years ago. I still go to that place sometimes for peace.
Jace was lying on the grass in IHCE, listening to birds. He got up and drank some water from the pond. He had already forgotten about the dream, but then it immediately struck his mind again, and he recalled that he had been having the same kind of dreams for months.
Why do I keep dreaming about this? It's like I'm someone else. all I feel in dreams is a grudge, a really strong one. I feel really powerful in those dreams. Maybe I've got supernatural powers or something. That'd be nice for a change.
He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the sun relax him, when he heard footsteps approaching. Opening his eyes, he saw his mother walking toward him.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Jace sat up, surprised.
His mother smiled softly, though there was concern in her eyes. "I came to see you. You've been spending a lot of time alone lately."
"I'm fine, really," Jace replied, brushing some dirt off his clothes. "I like it here."
"I know, but you need to connect with people more. You never join the school activities, and I'm worried. Why don't you join the sports festival next week? It'll be a good chance to meet new friends."
Jace gave her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry, Mom. I've already signed up for the 3000-meter race. Besides, I'm not that alone. I've got my cousin and Elina."
They talked for a bit longer before heading home together
Even though I don't remember every single detail from back then, this was clear: Jace loved his mother the most, so much that he could burn the whole world or stand against the will of gods if he had to for her sake, without a second thought. There were two people whom he loved this much
At that time, Jace had already forgotten about the dreams he had. After having dinner and playing some games, Jace went to bed. Later that night, Jace was in the same kind of dream once again. He was running in a deserted valley, but this time, he had full consciousness in the dream.
Where am I? Yeah, I remember, this is one of those kinds of dreams. It feels like I am trying to find something, something very precious. If I don't hurry soon, I might lose it. Maybe that's why I am running
Jace stopped running and took a look at his surroundings.
"What is this place? Where am I?"
Jace looked at his hands.
"I feel strong, really strong, and what is this mark on my right arm?"
"What the hell is this?" he whispered, rubbing at the mark, but it wouldn't disappear.
Jace was trying to understand his own situation, he heard some noise coming from his back. When he looked, he was surrounded by Men, armed with swords, their faces shadowed but filled with malice
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to!" Jace screamed in his sleep.
His mother woke up because of the scream and immediately rushed to Jace's room. She opened the door and saw Jace with tears in his eyes, one hand up like he was trying to reach something. Jace saw his mother, looked at her face, and started crying.
"Jace! What happened? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of panic.
"Trust me, I swear I didn't mean to. You trust me, Mom, right? It wasn't intentional, I swear," Jace said, with tears streaming down his face.
His mother knelt beside him, gently stroking his hair. "It's okay, honey. You're shaking. Did you have a bad dream? What was it about?"
"It was horrible, it was like…"
Jace looked at his hands, horrified and surprised, then looked at his mother.
"I can't remember."
She smiled softly, trying to ease his fear. "Nightmares can feel real sometimes. But they're just dreams, Jace. Try not to think too much about it, okay? You've got school in the morning. Get some sleep."
Jace nodded, wiping his eyes. "Yeah... okay."
His mother kissed his forehead, lingering for a moment. "Good night, sweetheart."
As she left, Jace lay back down, but the unease still clung to him. He stared at the ceiling, his thoughts restless, trying to shake the feeling that something was wrong…... and he fell asleep….
CHAPTER- 2 SPARK
So, we've made it to the second chapter. Before we continue any further, let me introduce myself. I am Amane Kiruzawa, a member of TI. Writing this story was a dream of TI. Everyone there thought that this story should be shared with the world. But for me, this is a task I must complete, as I am the only one from TI here.
---
The next day, Jace woke up and left for school. On the way, he admired the different types of trees, enjoying every moment. The reason he didn't talk to many people was because Jace loved the life he had and didn't want it to change. He thought everything was perfect, so there wasn't any need for him to talk to others.
As he walked to school, Jace saw a cat in the middle of the road. He immediately rushed to save the cat from the moving cars. At the same time, Jace's uncle was in the same area.
His uncle was a cool young man in his 20s.
"Is that Jace?" his uncle saw Jace from a distance, then looked at his wristwatch. "Oh, yeah, it's 8:11; it's the time when he leaves for school, so that must be him."
Uncle waved his hands and shouted, "Hey, kid!" But Jace didn't respond.
He watched Jace from a distance, then saw him jump onto the road. "What is this kid even thinking?" his uncle rushed towards Jace in panic. Jace held the kitten in his arms, and a fast-approaching car bore down on them. Jace saw the car, closed his eyes, and held the cat tightly.
Jace's uncle ran as fast as he could to save Jace. He picked up Jace and jumped to the other side of the road. Jace and his uncle were safe, but the car ran over the kitten, leaving it dead on the road. Jace was in shock, staring at the dead cat with tears flowing from his eyes.
"What the heck was even in your mind? You should never do something as stupid as you just did!" his uncle said angrily. This was the first time his uncle had shouted at him.
"I just couldn't let any more people die because of me," Jace said, with tears flowing from his eyes, in a very low tone.
"Whaaat?" His uncle tried to calm himself and then he put his hand on Jace's head. "Listen, I know you are a kind person, but no matter how hard we try, we cannot save everyone. This is harsh, but it's reality. This leaves a lot of regrets, but you just have to move on. So, just cheer up, kid. And do you want your super cool uncle to treat you to some ice cream?" he said, smiling.
Jace snapped back to his senses. He looked at his uncle. "I would love to, but I have to go to school. I can't be late."
"You worry too much, kid. I was in this area because of a meeting, but the meeting is cancelled now, so I can drop you at school on my bike."
There was no meeting cancelled; his uncle just couldn't let Jace go to school on his own at that time.
They both went to an ice cream shop. "So, what do you want to have?"
"Anything is fine, uncle."
His uncle went and bought ice cream for Jace. "Here," he handed Jace the ice cream.
"Wow, that thing is huge! It looks amazing."
"Oh, yeah, this baby cost me more than my weekly income. I didn't even know they could make it this expensive."
"You didn't have to buy this one."
"Ah, leave it. By the way, how are your studies going?"
"They are fine, but I am worried about the sports festival."
"What about the sports festival?"
"I signed up for the race, but I don't want to embarrass myself in front of my whole school. What if I come last?"
"Just give it your best shot, kid. If you do, you won't have any regrets. And I know you can do it."
"But what if I lose?"
"You're forgetting the main point. It isn't about winning or losing; it's about having fun. You will make some memories that you will treasure your whole life, no matter the outcome."
"Yeah, I will give it my best shot."
......
He pointed his hand, holding the ice cream, toward his uncle. "Hey, uncle, I don't like this."
"Uh, okay, give that thing to me. Kids these days don't know how to appreciate things."
"You were the one who bought it for me. It tasted good at first, but it doesn't now."
"By the way, uncle, what is the time right now?"
"It's just…" His uncle looked at his watch. "Oh, it's just 8:27."
Both screamed, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!" They immediately rushed to Jace's school.
And Jace was late.
After dropping Jace, his uncle looked at the time. "Oh, shoot, it's 8:35. If I don't hurry, that demon will devour me." He finally made it to the destination where the meeting was held.
He looked at the time. "It's 8:42." With tears in his eyes, he said, "I can only imagine how bad she is going to treat me."
His uncle entered the meeting room. It was a dark room with a huge table in the middle. Different people with high positions from HCR and the organization he worked for were sitting there. A lady among them spoke.
"So, you have finally made it, Mr. Horikawa. We have all been waiting for you to show up for the last half hour. Can we ask why you're late?"
"Oh, I had been saving lives, just like always. Not a big deal."
"Oh, so you have been saving liv—"
"Yeah, I might not seem like a big deal, but I have saved more lives than those superhero shows we watch."
"We? What do you mean by 'we'? It's only you who still watches those shows made for kids. You even slack off work to watch that stupid show. When are you finally going to grow up?"
"Actually, that day the special monthly episode was released. I just couldn't wait to go home and watch it."
They both argued like children, while others present there regretted their life choices.
She slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "This is about people's lives! Why can't you just act like a proper grown-up adult and attend this meeting?"
"Lives?" He immediately became serious. "Alright, tell me what exactly this meeting is about.
"So the people you see here are from HCR and they want a sample of the drug you are developing"
"Is that so..."
A middle-aged person among them stands up and goes near both of them and speaks
"That's right Mr Horikawa, we demand a sample of the drug you are working on bec-"
"Hell no, I ain't giving sample to nobody"
The person who was well respected in HRC was feeling embarrassed for very first time
"Do you have any idea whom you are talking to?" says that man in rage.
"I don't care who the fuck you are, if I say no, it means no, I suspect that medicine could have some major side effects that might not be visible right now."
Another representative from HCR stands and speaks
"We work for the welfare of humanity, you should know that we just need a sample. That's all, so please cooperate Mr. Horikawa."
"Yeha yeha, I know you guys are those wanna be heroes. But I still refuse, I will contact you guys by myself when I am confident about the medicine. So until then don't show your faces here. And I, hereby announce that this meeting is over."
Horikawa leaves the room
The room buzzed with lingering conversation as Horikawa slipped out. As he made his way down the hallway, a familiar voice called out.
"Horikawa!"
He turned to see his friend and colleague, Fujita, leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
"So, how was the meeting?" Fujita asked as they fell into step together.
Horikawa let out a long sigh. "I don't know. Maybe it was okay. The demon was at it again, yelling at me for absolutely no reason."
Fujita laughed, shaking his head. "You really know how to get under her skin. Coffee?"
"Yeah... okay," Horikawa agreed, his tone reluctant but appreciative.
At the coffee machine, Fujita poured two cups, handing one to Horikawa with a grin.
"Here you go, your favourite brew."
They leaned against the wall, enjoying the warm coffee and the rare moment of quiet.
"You know, Horikawa," Fujita started, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "I think the director has feelings for you."
Horikawa nearly choked on his coffee. "What? No way! She's always tearing me apart."
"I'm serious! She gets all riled up whenever she sees you talking to another woman."
"Man, you're imagining things. There's zero chance that's true."
Just then, a familiar, stern voice cut through the air. "What are you two talking about?"
Fujita's face turned pale as he turned to see the director herself standing there. In his flustered state, he fumbled with his cup, sending a stream of coffee splattering across Horikawa's pristine lab coat.
"Oh, come on, man! This was my favourite coat!" Horikawa groaned, futilely dabbing at the stain with a tissue.
Fujita winced. "Sorry, bro…"
Horikawa turned to the director, who was watching with a raised eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
"You managed to upset everyone in that meeting. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to smooth things over?" she asked, her voice tinged with exasperation.
Horikawa sighed. "Is that so…"
"Maybe you should think a little more before you speak, Horikawa."
She held out her hand "Give me your coat. I will clean it for you."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I'm not letting you have my DNA. Who knows what you'd do with it."
She stared at him, then rolled her eyes. "Are you serious? If I wanted your DNA, I could get it from that coffee cup you're holding."
Horikawa chuckled. "I was just kidding… You really need to relax, Director. The stress is getting to you. Maybe you should take a break and hit up IHCE."
And he hands the coat to her
She crossed her arms, considering his words. "IHCE, huh? I could go… if you come with me."
"Why do you need me to go?" Horikawa asked, surprised.
"I just don't like going alone," she admitted, her tone softening slightly.
"But isn't that the whole point of IHCE?"
"Yeah, but still."
"Alright, fine. I'll book a slot for two. Come at the central IHCE at 3:45."
A rare smile spread across the director's face. "Okay"
"Good. Now, I'm heading home. Bye, Fujita. Bye, Director."
"Byeee!" the director chirped; her earlier annoyance seemingly forgotten.
"Later, man," Fujita said, giving Horikawa a half-hearted salute.
As Horikawa stepped outside, his phone rings in his pocket
He takes a look
"Oh, it's my sister,"
CHAPTER-2.3 THE LAST SMILE
HCR, originally founded by four men, had grown into a government organization, but its beginnings were steeped in tragedy. Long ago, unspeakable horrors were carried out in the name of religion. Those who defied religious doctrines paid with their souls—entire villages were massacred for the transgressions of a few, children included, while the government turned a blind eye. The violence was justified as righteous, and the bloodshed was accepted as necessary.
It was in this grim world that four men dared to stand against the tide of cruelty. They formed an organization called HCR, proclaiming that the only true religion was humanity itself. They believed there was no greater creed than compassion. Their message was a beacon of hope, but it also made them targets. They were regarded as "God less people whose destiny is only hell" by the religious people. The clash of ideologies soon brought violence to their doorstep. Three of the founders were captured, hanged in a public execution along with their families. The last founder was forced to watch from the crowd as his friends and loved ones were butchered before his eyes.
The prime days of HCR began not with triumph, but with the sight of his comrades swinging lifelessly in the wind. The last founder, now leading HCR alone, was haunted by the loss. Yet, as news of the atrocity spread, so did the influence of HCR. People across the world began to see the injustice for what it was. They had always known the truth, but now they had the courage to stand with HCR against the tyranny of religious extremism. Governments, once complicit, now trembled before the rising tide of humanity's true faith.
HCR gained power, and with it came a fragile peace. The organization orchestrated a global treaty under the slogan "We All Are One."
They said the greatest enemy humanity could have are humans
Bio-weapons and nuclear arms were dismantled, nations united under a common banner, and armies disbanded. For a time, it seemed the world was healing.
But peace came at a cost. The last founder, the man who had seen his comrades and their families brutally killed, who had watched as the very ideals they had fought for were trampled underfoot, paid the ultimate price. His sacrifice was not just of his life, but of everything that made him human—his family, his friends, his future.
The last remaining founder of HCR takes the life of the leader of a major religious group
Then he surrendered himself to the cult, he was taken to the streets, paraded before the very people he had tried to save. The cultists mocked him, spit at him, but he held his head high. They bound his arms and cut them off, the crowd gasping as blood sprayed the ground. They pierced his eyes, blinding him to the world, but still, he did not cry out. His face remained serene, almost peaceful, as if he had already accepted his fate.
Finally, they set him on fire. His body became a human torch, flames licking at his skin, charring his flesh. The smell of burning filled the air, and the crowd fell silent, expecting to hear his screams. But there was nothing. As the fire consumed him, the last founder of HCR stood tall, unwavering, with a smile on his face.
And his final words were: "Someone had to do it, and we were just a sacrifice." His voice was calm, resolute, and as the fire roared around him, his smile never wavered.
In his final moments, he thought not of the pain, but of the future they all hoped to build—a world free of the horrors he had witnessed. He imagined his friends, their families, all standing beside him, smiling through the flames. "Was I able to make it?, no were WE able to make it? Perhaps we will never know, I will be joining you all very soon I hope that place is little less cruel than this one" And as his life slipped away, his smile remained, untouched by the world.
I have died countless times in my secondary world, in each and every way possible, death by drowning, by head chopped off, by burring in flames, eaten alive by a shark etc. each and every time scream always slipped through my throat, may be sometimes you stand too high that even pain can't reach you..... after this incident a major clash between both communities took place, both of their leaders were murdered so both were outrageous. This battle resulted in takeover of the HCR by government and destruction of that religious group...…...
The clouds of blood faded and ray of hope strikes the surface of earth
HCR still does good work for the humanity like building IHCE's funding project ALINCE and many other things for sake of the humanity, but like every government organisation its also somewhat corrupted now, and it also has a major political influence
CHAPTER-3 CRYSTAL
JUNE 16 2086
JACE IS LATE TO THE SCHOOL
Jace was rushing through the school hallways, trying to make up for lost time. No way—Uncle made me late! I have to hurry. He picked up his pace, breaking into a run.
"Hey! No running on campus. You're late; join the others," a stern voice called out.
Jace skidded to a stop, recognizing their strict discipline teacher. "Sorry, sir."
"Hurry up and get over here."
Reluctantly, Jace joined a group of late students. Scanning the crowd, he spotted his cousin and made his way over.
His cousin, four months older and the son of his father's sister, had always been close to Jace since childhood.
"Hey, brother, I never thought I'd see you late,"
"Jace? What a coincidence—you're late too?"
"Yeah, but it's rare to see you late. You're always so punctual."
"Our bus driver messed up today, that's why so many of us are here."
"Oh, I see."
His cousin leaned in, whispering, "We shouldn't talk in front of this teacher. He's really strict, and if he catches us, we're done for."
"Ah, okay."
The teacher's voice rang out, "Students who are late for the first time this month can join their classes. The rest of you, follow me."
"Let's go, brother," his cousin said, nudging Jace.
"But I've been late twice this month," Jace replied with a frown.
"It doesn't matter. Just leave with me. That guy's terrible at recognizing faces."
"But..."
His cousin grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "Alright, bro, I just hope we don't get caught."
"Nothing will happen. Just trust me."
They slipped away from the group and headed toward their classrooms.
"So, Jace, what have you been up to these days?"
"Not much. But have you heard about that special ice cream they sell?"
"Yeah, that thing is really expensive. Never got to try it."
"I did today. My uncle treated me."
"Wow, that's cool! How was it?"
"It tasted good at first, but it was too much for me."
"I'd love to try it someday—oh, this is my classroom. See you later, Jace."
"Okay, bye, brother."
As Jace walked to his classroom, he thought to himself, I was late, but at least I got to meet my cousin. So, it wasn't all bad...
He opened the classroom door and saw that the teacher wasn't there yet. Jace quickly sat down at his usual spot in the back row.
He yawned. I couldn't sleep well because of those dreams again...
Looking around, he noticed the absence of the teacher. This might be the best time to take a nap.
Jace dozed off in class.
About half an hour later, a voice woke him up. "Hey, dude, you need to wake up."
Jace groggily opened his eyes and looked around.
It was a girl sitting next to him. "The teacher might be here any moment, and if our math teacher finds you sleeping again, you're dead."
Jace suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, it's math class. I forgot."
"Why are you always sleeping in class? Is something wrong at home?"
Jace was surprised—they had never talked before. "No, nothing. I was just really sleepy."
"Alright, then. Be attentive."
"Hmmm."
The math teacher entered the classroom, and everyone stood up. As the class went on, Jace drifted into deep thought. I've been having these dreams for a while now... I usually forget everything, but this one was different—I remember it all, crystal clear.
The teacher noticed Jace wasn't paying attention. "Jace, get up and solve this problem!"
Jace panicked; he hadn't been following along. As he walked toward the board, an announcement came over the PA system. "All students participating in the race, please report to the school stadium."
"Sir, I'm a participant. May I leave?"
The math teacher was irritated but couldn't refuse. Jace quickly left the classroom, heading to the stadium. I wonder what kind of people will be there...
He reached the stadium, where all the participants had gathered for a qualifying round. Jace was observing the crowd, noticing Joel among the participants.
Joel was a handsome 6 ft guy blonde guy with well-built body, extremely popular with girls I don't remember much about that guy but I remember his ego was bigger than mount Everest he had a weird ass smile on his face 24/7 which he used as a weapon to show his dominance. I still hate his arrogant character and it makes me want to punch his face as hard as possible, he could be described in one word "asshole"
On the other hand, Jace was 6'2", really skinny, but with a cute face.
So, Joel's here... I have no chance of coming in first... but all I need is to be in the top three to qualify, Jace thought to himself.
As he was observing, he noticed Zion. Zion was usually seen alone with a girl, and no one really liked talking to him.
Jace saw Zion and the girl. She was tapping his shoulder, saying, "You can do it, buddy."
Isn't she the one who woke me up today? What is she doing here? This is a men's event only...
As Jace was lost in thought, he spotted Elina.
Elina was one of the most beautiful girls in school and also Jace's girlfriend. I have no idea how that guy who never talked to anyone managed to win her over, but she was his actual girlfriend and Jace loved her deeply.
Seeing her made him happy, and he rushed over to her, his heart racing.
"Hey, Elina!"
"Yeah, what is it, Jace?" she replied, looking a bit irritated.
"Did you come to watch my performance?" Jace asked, smiling.
"I just had to be here."
As their conversation continued, the participants were called. "Okay, see you later. I'll give it my best. Bye!" Jace said.
"Yeah, whatever."
Jace, Joel, Zion, and five other students took their positions. A huge guy, the sports teacher, stood in front of them.
"Listen up, students. Your goal is to touch that pole over there, about 800 meters away, and come back. The top three will qualify for the race at the sports festival."
Jace was a bit nervous, taking a deep breath. I have to give it my all... she's watching me.
"On my count, students," the teacher called out.
Jace was ready. "Three, two, one, GO!"
The moment the signal was given, the air filled with the sound of pounding feet. Jace shot forward, his heart racing almost as fast as his legs. Zion took the lead with an explosive start, while Jace found himself just behind him, Joel quickly closing in.
Joel's strides were powerful, and soon enough, he passed Jace with ease, his eyes locked on Zion ahead. As they neared the halfway point, Joel's intentions became clear. With a quick, calculated move, he stepped on Zion's shoe, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Zion hit the track hard, the impact echoed by the collective gasp of onlookers. Jace stopped and was looking at Zion who was on ground as he saw that someone was coming for help
With a surge of adrenaline, Jace pushed on, his mind battling between concern for Zion and his own desire to qualify. Ahead, Joel had already touched the pole and was sprinting back, that irritating grin still on his face.
Jace reached the pole, but in his haste, misjudged his momentum and collided with it. Pain shot through his shoulder, but he didn't let it stop him. She's watching—I can't give up now.
He turned and sprinted back, each step a battle against the burning in his lungs and legs. He could see the third-place runner just ahead, the gap closing with every stride. Joel was already surrounded by a crowd of girls at the finish line, but Jace kept his focus.
Come on, just a little more...
The final stretch felt like a lifetime, but Jace pushed through, crossing the finish line in third place, gasping for breath. Relief washed over him as he slowed to a stop. "Thank God, I was able to qualify. That was so close."
He glanced back to see Zion sitting alone at the edge of the track, his classmate—the same girl who had woken Jace earlier—kneeling beside him. Jace walked over, concerned.
"Hey dude, you alright? You fell pretty hard."
Zion didn't respond, his eyes distant as he stared at Jace.
"Hello?…"
Before Jace could say more, Elina appeared, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside.
"Come with me."
She led Jace to a quiet corner, leaving him puzzled.
"Listen, Jace, if you want to stay with me, never talk to that guy again."
Without hesitation, Jace replied, "Okay, even I don't like him much."
"Good. Bye."
As she walked away, Jace called out, "Hey! I finished third and qualified for the festival!"
"Good for you. Bye."
She left without another word, leaving Jace to wander around alone. Why is there a crowd? Might as well check it out, he thought.
It was Joel, basking in the attention of his fan girls.
"I knew I'd win from the start. These guys are just kids compared to me," Joel boasted, soaking up the admiration.
Everyone around him cheered, but Jace stayed at a distance, observing silently.
"That Zion loser fell down—what a failure," Joel said, laughing. The others joined in, mocking Zion.
" That Jace didn't even touched the pole he just started running back from about 100 meters behind the pole.... ha-ha everyone doesn't have good sportsmanship like me"
Jace frowned, his irritation growing. Why is this guy lying? I literally hit the pole... He turned to leave, no longer interested in Joel's antics.
But just as he was about to walk away, he heard a familiar voice, cold and dismissive. "He's a loser, no wonder he would cheat."
It was Elina.
Jace's heart sank as he heard Elina's words. The sadness washed over him like a heavy wave, leaving him feeling hollow. Without a word, he turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped, eyes focused on the ground.
He trudged back to his classroom, feeling numb, and quietly slipped into his seat at the back. As he sat down, he heard a soft voice beside him.
"You did great, buddy."
Jace turned his head and saw the girl from earlier, the one who had woken him up. Her smile was kind, but it barely registered in his mind.
"Does that even matter?" he mumbled, before putting his head down on the desk, shutting out the world.
Maybe he's just tired, she thought. It's probably best to leave him be.
The rest of the school day passed in a blur. The bell rang, signalling the end of classes, and Jace gathered his things, moving mechanically as if on autopilot.
As he walked home, his mind drifted back to the strange dreams that had been haunting him. There was a person in front of me... he was holding something in his hand... a heart? It was dark, it was like he was a shadow, raising his hand... That's when she woke me. What could all this possibly mean?
The images swirled in his mind, unsettling and persistent. Lost in thought, Jace didn't even notice when he reached his front door. He opened it, stepping inside.
"Mom, I'm home," Jace called out as he stepped inside.
"Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your day?" his mother replied from the kitchen.
"It was alright. I'm just feeling really sleepy," Jace said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
He dropped his bag on the bed, kicked off his shoes, and collapsed onto the mattress. His body ached with the weight of the day.
His mom walked in. "What am I going to do with you, son? You should take better care of your things."
She picked up his scattered belongings, placing them neatly in their proper spots. Jace mumbled, "I'm just really tired, Mom," as he let his eyes close.
Barely five minutes had passed before he heard a small voice. "Brother, can you please help me? I'm stuck on this level and can't get past it," his little brother asked, holding a game controller in his hand.
Jace sighed, feeling the pull of sleep, but he couldn't say no. "Okay, I'll help you," he said, sitting up and taking the controller.
They went into the other room, and Jace settled in front of the screen. "Let me show you how it's done," he said, flashing a tired but encouraging smile.
His little brother's eyes sparkled with hope as he watched Jace navigate the game with ease. Fifteen minutes later, Jace cleared the level.
"Wow, big bro, you're amazing!" his little brother exclaimed, his face beaming with admiration.
"I used to play this game a lot," Jace said, rubbing his eyes.
"I'm finally level 35 thanks to you!"
"Level 35? I've got an old account that's level 87. You can play on that if you want," Jace offered.
"That would be awesome!" his brother said, excitement lighting up his face.
Jace logged into his old account and handed over the controller. "Thanks, big bro!" his brother said, engrossed in the game.
Jace yawned, stretching his arms. "No worries. Now I'm going to take a nap."
As he was leaving the room, his brother called after him, "By the way, bro, why is your character named 'Arecus'? You use that name in every game."
Jace paused at the door, with a little confusion in Jace's mind. "Umm… I don't know. I just randomly came up with it one day."
With that, he left and headed back to his room, ready to finally rest.
On the other side Miss Director's heart was racing with anticipation as she stood in front of her closet, carefully selecting her outfit for the day. Today was special—she was going to meet Horikawa, and she wanted everything to be perfect. After deliberating over various options, she finally settled on a light blue dress that hugged her figure just right, exuding both elegance and charm.
"What's the time?" she murmured, glancing at the clock. "Oh, it's already 2 PM. I should get going soon if I want to be there early."
She felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, but it was overwhelmed by the bubbling excitement that had been building all day. By 2:35 PM, she was out the door, her heels clicking rhythmically on the pavement as she walked. The city around her seemed to reflect her joy—the sun shone brighter, the sky looked bluer, and even the distant hum of traffic felt like a cheerful melody accompanying her steps.
As she walked, she found herself humming a light tune, her smile growing wider with each passing minute. She passed by a small flower shop, the vibrant colours of the blooms catching her eye. On a whim, she stopped to admire them, leaning in to breathe in the sweet fragrance of the roses. The scent lifted her spirits even higher, and she couldn't resist a twirl as she continued down the street
Further down the road, she spotted a group of children playing in the park, their laughter filling the air. Normally, she would have passed by without a second glance, but today, she found herself slowing down, watching them with a soft smile. Their carefree joy mirrored her own feelings, and she felt an unexpected kinship with their exuberance. One of the children waved at her, and she waved back, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.
As she approached a shop window, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. She paused, unable to resist the urge to check her appearance one last time.
"I think I look good," she whispered to herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks. I hope he likes my outfit.
The thought of Horikawa brought a fresh wave of butterflies to her stomach, and she continued on her way, her steps She found herself imagining their meeting—how he might compliment her on her dress, or how they might laugh together and spend time together alone. The possibilities made her heart race, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought.
As she walked, she noticed a street musician playing a cheerful tune on his guitar. The melody was infectious, and before she knew it, she was tapping her fingers against her thigh, moving to the rhythm of the music. The musician caught her eye and gave her a nod, his fingers dancing over the strings with renewed energy. She dropped a few coins into his open guitar case, her smile widening as she did.
Finally, she reached the central IHCE at exactly 2:45 PM, her heart pounding in her chest as she spotted someone in a lab coat identical to theirs standing near the entrance. Her excitement peaked—Could it be him? She wondered, her breath catching in her throat. Did he really arrive early just so I wouldn't have to wait?
The thought that Horikawa might have gone out of his way for her sent a thrill through her, and she quickened her pace, her heart swelling with hope and excitement. As she approached, she felt her palms grow slightly clammy with nerves, but she brushed them off, her focus entirely on the figure in front of her.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she approached the person with a bright smile, her voice soft and sweet as she greeted, "I'm here, let's go inside."
But as the figure turned to face her, her smile faltered. "Wait, Director? What are you doing here?"
"Fujita?" her heart sinking, the joy she had felt slipping away like sand through her fingers. The world, which had seemed so vibrant and full of possibilities just moments before, now felt a little dimmer.
"Horikawa asked me to be here for a very important job… Ah, I see what's going on now. That guy really got you, didn't he? Haha!" Joy replaced with a burning frustration.
"That guy is dead to me now!" she snapped; her voice sharp with the sting of unfulfilled expectations.
"Come on, Director, don't be so hard on him. We all know Horikawa's clueless when it comes to picking up on hints. If you really like him, you should just tell him directly,"
"How can you even suggest that I'd like that idiot?" she retorted, though even as she said it, she knew the words lacked conviction.
"Umm… so, we're already here. Want to go inside anyway?"
"I'd rather die," she shot back, spinning on her heel with a huff, her earlier excitement now replaced with simmering anger.
As she stormed away, her steps were heavy with frustration, each one echoing her tumultuous emotions. Fujita watched her retreating figure. with a wry smile
maybe no one knows better than you how hopeless he is, don't give up on him
Fujita sighs and takes phone out of his pocket
"ah now I gotta call that baka"
Wakie Wakie
Jace suddenly woke up, startled, and in his groggy state, his hand swung out and smacked his uncle right in the face.
"Ow! Come on, kid, how long were you planning to sleep?" his uncle groaned, rubbing his cheek.
Jace, still half-asleep, blinked at his uncle, trying to make sense of the situation. "Uncle? What are you doing here?"
"Your mom called me earlier today," his uncle replied with a chuckle. "She thinks something isn't quite right with you."
"Whaat?" Jace mumbled, still trying to get a grip on reality.
"Just get up, wash your face, and meet me in the living room. We'll chat there."
Jace dragged himself to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and wiped it off with a towel. A bit more awake now, he headed to the living room and sat down on the sofa next to his uncle, who was already sipping on a cup of coffee.
"So, you're finally awake, Jace," his mom said, handing him a cup as well. "Here, have some coffee."
"Yeah, thanks, Mom," Jace muttered, taking the cup and settling in.
His mother left the room , leaving Jace and his uncle alone.
"So, what were you talking about earlier, Uncle?" Jace asked, still a bit drowsy.
"It's nothing too serious, kid," his uncle said, waving it off. "Your mom mentioned you've been having nightmares a lot lately."
"Oh, yeah, that's true," Jace admitted, fidgeting with his cup.
"And I think I know what's causing them,"
Jace's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?" he asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"Oh, it's love," his uncle replied
"Love?" Jace repeated, not quite believing what he was hearing.
"Yeah, love."
"Love is the reason?"
"I think you didn't hear me, kid. I literally said that three times."
"Love?"
"I think we need to get your hearing checked too,"
"Are you serious?"
His uncle burst out laughing. "Haha, no way, dude! I was just kidding. It's nothing serious. Just cut back on the video games, and you'll be fine."
"Ah, you really had me worried there for a moment," Jace said, relieved but also slightly annoyed.
Just then, his mother returned with a plate of freshly baked cookies.
"Here, you two, enjoy these," she said, setting the plate down.
His uncle eagerly grabbed one. "Thanks, sis! I love these."
"All right, you two enjoy. I have some household chores to finish," she said before leaving the room again.
As his uncle munched on a cookie, he turned to Jace, "By the way, Jace, how's everything going with that girl from your school? What was her name… Elina?"
Jace sighed. "Things haven't been going well these days," he admitted.
His uncle's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What? You gotta fill me in on the details!"
"Umm… I don't know if I should or not," Jace said hesitantly.
"Come on, I might not look like it, but trust me, I give the best relationship advice,"
"That's why you're still single?" Jace shot back with a smirk.
"Ah, come on, kid. You know I'm single by choice. If I actually tried, I could have more girlfriends than that Rentarō guy from that show you watch."
"I don't watch that show,"
"That's not the point, kid."
Just then, his uncle's phone rang. It was Fujita.
"Wait a moment, Jace," his uncle said, answering the call.
"GG, bro, you played well!" Fujita's voice boomed through the phone.
"Why are you shouting? And what happened?" his uncle asked, frowning.
"She's super pissed at you now," Fujita replied, his tone suddenly serious.
"Who? The director?" his uncle asked, already knowing the answer.
"Who else would it be?" Fujita sighed.
"Whaaat? Why is that? I booked two tickets for her, and because she didn't want to go alone, I even asked you to accompany her."
"Why can't you understand?" Fujita said, exasperated.
"It's just that, Fujita, the world is filled with ungrateful people. I haven't done anything, but she's always angry at me for no reason at all," his uncle replied, clearly frustrated.
"Exactly, that's the reason. You haven't done anything, even when you were supposed to," Fujita explained.
"What are you even talking about? I did everything just like she said."
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, with Fujita growing more annoyed until he finally hung up.
His uncle stared at his phone, bewildered. "What did I played? I can't understand."
Then, suddenly, he turned to Jace with a grin. "Yo, kid, wanna go to Central IHCE? I have two tickets, and we can continue our conversation there."
"We have our IHCE near our home. Why would we go to that one?" Jace asked, puzzled.
"Listen, that one's completely different," his uncle said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Umm… I don't know. IHCEs are for depressed adults " Jace said, unsure.
"I mean, there's one right in front of you,"
"It's not that I don't want to go. It's just… what will I do there?"
"Come on, it'll be fun! And I'll treat you to something," his uncle offered.
At the mention of a treat, Jace's energy spiked. "Okay, then, let's go!"
"Alright, then, hop on my bike. Let's go," his uncle said, leading the way.
They both rode to Central IHCE, and as they arrived, Jace's eyes widened.
"Wow, this place is huge, Uncle!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know," his uncle replied, proud of his find.
"Our IHCE is completely different," Jace noted, still taking in the sights.
"That's why I wanted to show you this. Let's go inside."
His uncle showed their reservation at the counter, and they entered the isolation chamber together.
"Woah, this is beautiful!" Jace was filled with excitement, his eyes darting around to take everything in.
His uncle stood beside him, hands in his pockets, with a contented smile on his face. "Yeah, I know."
From inside the chamber looked like huge place with hills filled with greenery but with very less trees and there were also little huts at small separated distance and the temperature there was controlled .... and always it was the perfect little cold environment inside.... with cool breeze
"This place is totally different," Jace said in awe. "Our IHCE is small, but this chamber must be at least 20 acres."
"Yeah, it's massive," his uncle replied with a knowing smile. "I love coming here when I'm feeling really down. It's one of the few places that truly relaxes me."
"I feel really good and relaxed here"
"Maybe it's because the atmosphere here is 100% oxygen," his uncle added with a wink. "But enough standing around—let's go for a walk."
As they walked, Jace couldn't help but take in the surroundings, observing everything with curiosity.
"So, kid, earlier you mentioned that things haven't been going well with your girlfriend," his uncle said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," Jace admitted. "I don't know. I think she's lost interest in me."
"Did something happen?"
"Not really, but her attitude's changed in the last five days."
"I see," his uncle said thoughtfully. "Things used to be amazing between you two, but now it feels rough, huh?"
"Exactly."
"So, how do you feel about her?"
"I love her, of course," Jace said, his voice sincere. "Just like when we first met."
"And what do you plan to do next?"
"I have no idea," Jace sighed.
"Listen, kid," his uncle said, his tone turning serious. "Just be yourself and tell her exactly how you feel. She'll understand."
Jace felt a surge of hope and courage. "Yeah, I will. I'll talk to her when I see her tomorrow."
"That's the spirit," his uncle encouraged, patting Jace on the back.
"Hey, Uncle, what are those small huts for?" Jace asked, pointing to a series of structures scattered around the area.
"Apparently, each hut has a purpose… wait, I think they gave me a map," his uncle said, pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "There aren't any electronic devices allowed inside the chamber, so they use these old-school maps."
He unfolded the map and studied it for a moment. "Okay, so if we're here…" He pointed to a spot on the map. "That hut over there is for drinking water, that one is for food, and the other one is for the restroom and All the red huts you see are for emergencies."
"Oh, I see. Let's go to the food one," Jace suggested
"Yeah, yeah, I know I promised you a treat. Let's go."
They made their way to the food hut, but as they approached, Jace noticed something strange. "Umm, I don't see any people here."
"That's because we're the only humans in this chamber right now," his uncle explained. "But look, there's a vending machine."
"Oh yeah, you're right," Jace said, spotting the machine tucked away in the corner.
"I think they gave me two tokens for it. Here, you take them and get whatever you want," his uncle said, handing over the tokens.
"Aren't you going to eat, Uncle?"
"No, I'm full. I ate a lot of the cookies your mom made."
Jace approached the vending machine, his excitement growing as he scanned the options. "Umm… what should I get? I've never seen any of these dishes before," he murmured to himself, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar choices.
Unable to decide, he randomly selected two items, then took them and sat down next to his uncle.
"These are super hot and seem fresh," Jace said, about to dig in.
"That's because they are fresh, not some preserved food," his uncle replied with a grin.
Jace took a bite and his eyes widened. "Yum… these are really good! Are you sure you don't want any, Uncle?"
"Sister's cooking is way better than this," Jace's uncle said with a nostalgic smile, watching Jace eat. "She used to cook a lot for me when we were young."
Jace, still chewing, glanced up. "Is that so? I was asking my mom to buy me new gaming gear, and she seemed to agree, but then at the last moment, she refused… I don't get why they're like this."
"Oh, that's because I asked them not to buy it for you," his uncle replied casually.
Jace stopped mid-bite, staring at his uncle in disbelief. "Why? Everyone my age has the latest stuff. My brother and I are still playing retro games, while everyone else is enjoying the new ones."
"It's not good for your health, kid. I said that for your own benefit."
Jace felt a pang of disappointment, but he understood. He finished his meal quietly, lost in thought.
"Alright, let's go explore this place a little more, Uncle," Jace said, setting his plate aside.
"You've got a pretty good diet for someone so skinny," his uncle teased.
"Ah, come on, Uncle, I'm not that skinny! Let's go."
"Alright, alright, let's go," his uncle chuckled, standing up.
They left the hut and began walking again, his uncle with his usual pose—hands in pockets, a smile on his face, and an easy stride beside Jace.
"So, kid, tell me something—do you believe in God?" his uncle asked after a moment of silence.
"Umm… I don't know," Jace replied, thinking it over. "Everyone says God made everything, but then I wonder—who made God? But if God does exist, denying His existence would definitely get me sent to hell after I die."
"So, you're not sure what to believe," his uncle observed.
"Yeah, maybe… What about you, Uncle?"
"I believe in God, but I don't believe in people,"
Jace pondered the meaning of that statement, trying to grasp its full depth.
His uncle spread his arms wide, taking in the slow breeze that swept through the open space. "Our world is amazing, isn't it?"
Jace felt a wave of excitement from his uncle's sudden shift in mood. "Yeah, it is amazing."
"We can just sit here, or lie down without any worries, and enjoy our lives—free from suffering," his uncle continued, his voice filled with a rare exuberance.
Jace noticed the change in his uncle's demeanour, the way he seemed more alive, more present in the moment. He looked over at Jace, his smile still intact but now tinged with something deeper. "Our world wasn't always like this. Many people made sacrifices so we could have these happy lives—so, kid, you have to enjoy each day to the fullest."
"Yeah, I will…" Jace responded, his voice filled with newfound resolve.
"My father—your maternal grandfather—hates me a lot," his uncle said suddenly, the mood shifting once again. "I've never seen him proud of me."
"Why is that, Uncle? I mean, you're super cool."
"I could be working for another company for a much higher salary, but I refused because I like my work here. My dad would talk to me every day, trying to convince me to join that company, but I still refused. We've been distant ever since."
His uncle lay down on the short grass, looking up at the sky. "Listen, kid, do whatever you feel like doing. Follow your heart, and maybe then you can at least die in peace."
"Hmm… I sure will," Jace said, joining his uncle on the grass.
They lay there in silence, side by side, with Jace eventually dozing off. His uncle glanced over at him, a fond smile on his lips. *How much does this kid even sleep?* he thought
May be I should take a nap too
Two hours later, Jace woke up and nudged his uncle awake. "Uncle, what time is it?"
"I don't know," his uncle replied groggily. "The red huts have digital clocks. Let's go check."
They got up and headed towards the nearest red hut, the peaceful atmosphere lingering around them as they walked side by side.
They hurried to the red hut and checked the time.
"Oh my god, it's 8:17! I was supposed to go to the temple for prayers with my family today," Jace exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.
"Is that so? Let's leave then. Every red hut has an exit," his uncle replied calmly, but with a sense of urgency.
"Uncle, hurry up! Today is a very special day."
"Okay, okay, let's go these red huts also have exit," his uncle said, picking up the pace.
They quickly made their way home, where Jace's mother, father, and brother were waiting, concern etched on their faces.
"Why are you late? It's 8:30. We were supposed to go for prayer. Did you forget? And we couldn't even contact you" Jace's mother asked, her voice laced with both worry and a hint of frustration.
"Actually, Mom, we both fell asleep," Jace admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Just get ready fast," his mother instructed, turning to Horikawa. "And you should head home soon. Driving at night can be dangerous."
"Yeah, sister, I'll leave soon," Horikawa assured her.
He watched as all four of them quickly prepared and left for the temple. Standing alone in the now quiet house, a smile touched his lips, mixed with a trace of longing.
"I think now I also should leave"
Horikawa was about to leave when he heard a voice calling out to him from behind. He turned and saw Jace's grandfather approaching.
"Yo, Uncle, how are you? I didn't see you today," Horikawa greeted him warmly.
"I was working on the farm all day. Do you have any idea where everyone else went?" Jace's grandfather asked, wiping some sweat from his brow.
"Yeah, they headed to the temple for prayer," Horikawa replied, swinging his leg back over his bike.
"You didn't go with them?" the older man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uncle, you know I'm not the most religious person,".
"Oh, okay, I understand. Since you're here, why don't we…" Jace's grandfather made a subtle drinking motion with his hand.
"I think one or two shots won't hurt," Horikawa agreed, stepping off his bike and following the older man inside.
They settled down with a couple of bottles of whiskey in front of them. Jace's grandfather poured a glass for each of them, and they began drinking.
"This stuff is smooth," Horikawa remarked, savouring the taste.
"Yeah, I know.," Jace's grandfather replied, a wide smile spreading across his face.
As they continued, the "one or two shots" quickly turned into 20 or 30.
"You know what, dude, I don't know how, but you always find the best stuff." Horikawa said, his words slurring slightly.
"I'm 60. I think I'm too old to be called 'dude'." Jace's grandfather laughed.
"Nah, trust me, you're the youngest 60-year-old I've ever seen,"
They were getting seriously drunk now, with bottles piling up around them.
"Bro, I think we should stop now. This stuff is really bad for the liver." Horikawa said, swaying slightly in his seat.
"You science kids worry too much. Back in my day, alcohol was healthy for you," Jace's grandfather replied, waving off the concern.
"Here, pour me another. We've come too far to give up now." Horikawa said, sliding his glass over.
The night wore on, and they continued their drinking battle.
"Listen, bro, you've got to promise me you'll get your liver checked ASAP." Horikawa said, his voice unsteady.
"You worry too much. Here, take one more." Jace's grandfather said, pouring another glass.
Eventually, they both realized they'd had far too much.
"How many bottles have we gone through?" Horikawa asked, struggling to keep his eyes open.
"I don't know. I don't think I'm in any state to count, but this is the last one I have, and it's half-empty." Jace's grandfather replied, holding up the bottle.
"Pass me that thing." Horikawa said, grabbing the bottle and finishing it in a few seconds.
"Haha, kid, I like that attitude of yours." Jace's grandfather laughed.
"Alright, now that everything's under control, I should take my leave. It's getting really late," Horikawa said, trying to steady himself as he got up and stumbled toward his bike.
"I don't think you're in any state to drive that thing."
Horikawa paused, then stepped away from the bike. "Yeah, you're right, bro. I'll just walk home."
"Alright, take care, kid." Jace's grandfather said, watching him go.
Horikawa waved a hand as he walked away, calling back, "No, no, no, bro. Don't refer to me as 'kid.' We're buds—best buddies for life!"
And with that, he disappeared into the night, heading home on foot.
That guy really walked over 12 kilometres to his home that midnight.
I don't know about Redbull, but alcohol sure gives you wings.
Jace and his family reached the temple, a massive white monument embedded with shimmering gemstones. As they approached, Jace's mother turned to him and said, "Listen, Jace, today is a very special day. Everything you pray for today will come true."
They proceeded with the religious rituals, and when it was time for prayer, Jace closed his eyes, joined his hands, "Make me rich. Wealthier than all my relatives. Thank you in advance, love you, bye." Satisfied with his prayer, he opened his eyes and waited for everyone else to finish.
As they left the temple, it was already past 11 PM. The night was calm, and the cool air brushed against their faces.
"Mother, what did you pray for?" Jace asked as they walked to the car.
His mother smiled warmly at him. "For your good health and well-being. What else would I pray for?"
"Oh, is that?" Jace trailed off, pondering.
"What did you pray for, son?" his mother asked, curious.
"It's a secret." Jace replied, smirking.
"Come on, I told you mine; you should tell me too…."
"Nope" Jace said firmly, sticking to his secret.
They all got into the car, with Jace settling into his usual spot in the backseat. His father drove, and his younger brother sat in their mother's lap in the front seat. The drive home was peaceful, and they arrived just after 11:20 PM.
Jace was exhausted. "I should brush my teeth and go to sleep fast.," he thought to himself. After brushing his teeth, he headed towards his room but overheard a conversation between his brother and their mother.
His brother was crying softly. "Mom, we all will die one day, right? Me, you, dad, grandpa, and brother. We all have to die one day. It breaks my heart, Mom. I don't want to be away from you, never ever."
I don't know why but those words really striked Jace's heart at that moment.
Soon, Jace fell asleep, but his sleep was restless. He woke up in the middle of the night, his legs aching. "Ah, my legs are hurting. Maybe I pushed myself a little too hard today at the race. I should take some painkillers."
He headed to the kitchen, deciding to boil some water for the medicine. When he reached for the pot, he noticed something strange. As he touched it, the pot bent under his fingers.
"What just happened? I only applied a little force. How?" he murmured, staring at the bent pot in disbelief.
After a moment of thinking, he shrugged it off. "Ah, this must be one of those super realistic dreams where I'm strong as hell, I'm just gonna sleep in the dream again, maybe I'll wake up."
The next morning, Jace woke up to a commotion. His mother was shouting from the kitchen, her voice filled with frustration. "How on earth did this pot get broken? How am I supposed to cook now?"
Jace's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the incident from the night before. "Was that… real?" he thought, a mix of confusion and realization washing over him.
Chapter-4: The Living Corpse
Ever since of the existence of humanity, huge progress was made generation by generation but some questions have always remained; what are we, who are we and why are we?
Some thought maybe these answers doesn't exist in ourselves, but there would be someone out there who knows what was the purpose of humans and why do we exist.
Project alliance's main objective was humanity's contact with extraterrestrial beings who are smarter or more developed than humans.
"What the heck… there's no way that could actually happen," Jace was in disbelief. Panic seized him as he quickly grabbed it again, his fingers trembling as he tried to replicate the impossible. But no matter how hard he strained the pot didn't bend.
"This can't be real," Jace whispered, his voice barely audible as fear crept into his thoughts. His mind raced, searching for an explanation, but all he found was a void of confusion. He gave it one last effort, pouring every ounce of his strength into bending the pot, but still, nothing happened.
Just then, his mother's voice cut through the tension, pulling him back to reality. "What are you doing with that thing? Get ready for school, or you'll be late!" she called from the kitchen.
No answers to the mystery. Shaking his head, he hurried to get dressed, trying to push the strange incident out of his mind
As he stepped outside, cool breeze was flowing, it was cloudy and air was cold like it rained nearby.
"I love this kind of weather.... I don't usually like summers because it too hot outside at afternoon and we can't go outside to play but this kind of weather is the best."
With a newfound sense of determination, Jace walked to school. "I'm going to tell her exactly how I feel today", he promised himself, his smile widening.
The thought filled him with both nervousness and joy, his heart fluttering with every step he took.
When Jace reached the school, he quickly made his way to his usual seat. His classmate, who always sat next to him, glanced over in surprise.
"What's up with him today? He usually drags in here half-asleep…"
The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as Jace anxiously awaited recess.
He was wondering what if you had a pact with someone and one of the conditions was that you have to forget about the pact, won't it be like that it never happened for you
And soon after, the bell rang, and Jace was out of his seat in a flash, heading straight for Elina's classroom. His heart pounded in his chest as he entered the room. As he entered the classroom everyone was staring at him, he ignored their stares, and approached her. She looked up as he arrived.
"Elina, I want to talk with you," Jace said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Then just say it."
"Not here," Jace replied, shaking his head. "Come with me."
They walked together down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty space. Jace's heart was racing, the excitement he had felt earlier now replaced with a growing sense of anxiety. His thoughts were jumbled as he tried to recall the words he had carefully rehearsed. They reached a quiet, secluded spot where no one usually came, and Jace knew this was the moment he had been waiting for.
"Elina, listen—" Jace began, but the words got stuck in his throat. Everything he had planned to say suddenly felt jumbled and confused. The heat of the moment overwhelmed him, and he froze, unable to speak
"Be fast," Elina said impatiently, glancing at her watch. "Just say what you want to—I have to get back."
Just do as Uncle said… Jace reminded himself, taking a deep breath. He tried to steady his nerves, focusing on what he needed to say. "Elina, I… I wanted to say that these last few days, it feels like we're getting distant, and I don't like that."
He paused, his heart hammering in his chest, waiting for her response. But Elina's face remained unchanged, her expression unreadable.
"Is that all you wanted to say?" she asked, her voice flat. "If yes, I'm leaving now."
Jace's heart sank. He had hoped for something, anything that would indicate she felt the same way. But instead, her indifference cut through him like a knife. As she turned to walk away, desperation seized him.
Jace felt tears welling up in his eyes.
"But I love you, Elina," he blurted out, his voice trembling. "And I don't like you behaving this way…"
Elina stopped, but when she turned to face him, her eyes were cold. "Love? What do you know about love, huh?"
"Are you crying?" Elina asked, her tone a mix of irritation and disbelief. "Why are you like this, Jace? Can you at least try being like Joel? Look at him—he's so cool, completely different from you. You're just a crybaby. You know nothing about love. I tried to make this work but you always slack off and behave like a child all the time. I have to head back now, see you later."
She left and so did jace
Jace quietly entered his classroom and sat on his seat with his head down
Soon the maths teacher arrived and started teaching, as he was teaching, he saw Jace.
"Jace, stand up and solve this question"
Jace without saying any word, grabs the chalk and he was just standing there without any motion
"What are you doing solve this"
"But I don't know how to"
"Why are you so stupid" everyone starts laughing at Jace but he was standing still imagining all their laughing faces
"Why can't you solve this simple equation meanwhile everyone here can with ease... why can't you be like others, they don't slack off in class and they pay attention, I have to make a phone call at your home and report them about your, this behaviour in school"
Teacher points his finger at Jace's desk
"Now go and sit"
Jace didn't said any thing just sat at his place
Soon the school was over and jace reached home
His mother was waiting for him at the door step, she was looking extremely angry
"I got a phone call from your school today, they said that you never pay any attention, sometimes you are sleeping in class and you can't even solve some basic sums…... do you have any idea how hard we work for you, and in return you give us this? Look at your cousin he has excellent grades, he is always punctual and no one has any complaints from him… why can't you try being like your cousin "
Jace didn't said any word and gone straight to bed
why do I have to be like someone else, I don't have any existence of my own? Why am i like this
with these questions Jace spent his rest of the day in silence and sorrow
ALLIANCE HEADQUARTER JUNE 17 2086TIME 10:34 AM
The hall was filled with the hum of machinery, huge screens, and other technical equipment, surrounded by about 50 people. Everyone was celebrating the success of the project.
One person, seated in front of a screen, raised both hands in triumph. "Hell yeah! We finally did it!"
Another added, "This is a historic day for humanity."
The room buzzed with joy and high spirits as they received one of the first signals from outer space. The message was simple but profound: "We are coming."
The director of the alliance stepped forward to give a speech, but amidst the cheers, one man looked pale and terrified.
No way it is actually happening
That man's heart raced as he hurried to a nearby computer.
The director began, "Listen, everyone. Today, humanity made tremendous progress. We've finally established contact with an extraterrestrial civilization. They'll be here soon, and the advancements humanity will make from this point on, are beyond imagination. So, enjoy these days until they arrive for further communication."
Suddenly, the terrified man let out a panicked scream. "I don't think they need this many ships just for communication!"
He frantically projected the footage of outer space onto the main screen in the hall. All eyes turned to it.
There, in Earth's exosphere, were countless black ships.
His voice trembled as he continued, "I knew it would come to this. I begged all of you to terminate Project Alliance, but no one listened. Now we're doomed, and there's no feasible way to fight this."
A voice from the back shouted, "Cut off the media, now!"
Director was also in panic
Another person, seated in front of a computer, shouted urgently, "Sir, we're receiving another signal!"
The director's heart pounded in his chest. "What does it say?" he asked, panic rising in his voice
Hand us over the blood of Amberion
"Amberion?" the director blurted out; confusion evident in their voice. "What is Amberion?"
Soon the room which was filled with joy was filled with terror
They knew they messed up, and with no weapons around there isn't any possible way for them to fight back
"So zexus how long it's been"
"800 years"
"Hmmm Hmmm is that so, 800 years"
"Are you ready?"
"Not at all.... tell them, gods are coming back"
Jace lay in his bed, the glow of his phone casting a dim light over his face as he sent text after text to Elina. His heart pounded with each passing minute, his eyes glued to the screen, hoping for the little notification that would tell him she'd replied. Four hours passed like this; the silence of his room interrupted only by the soft taps of his fingers on the screen.
"Why won't she reply?" his voice tinged with desperation. "Maybe she's busy... Yeah, that must be it." He clung to the hope, trying to convince himself that there was a good reason for her silence.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed—not with a message, but with a notification that Elina had posted something. His heart leaped as he quickly opened the app, but the excitement drained from his face as he saw the photo. It was Elina, smiling and radiant, standing next to Joel
Jace felt a sharp pang in his chest, his breath hitching as the realization hit him
He stared at the photo, his vision blurring as tears welled up in his eyes. Maybe he is better than me, he thought bitterly. She deserves someone better than me. The tears began to spill over, tracing wet lines down his cheeks. But even as his heart broke, a small, sad smile tugged at his lips. She looks happy... maybe that's for the better
Jace wiped his eyes, turned off his phone, and curled up in bed. The room was now completely dark, with the faint glow of the city lights outside his window. He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would bring some relief.
Jace's morning had started off with a jolt. "Jace, wake up! You're definitely late today," his mom's voice echoed as she shook him gently.
Half-asleep, Jace groaned, "What time is it?"
"It's already 8:15."
"Oh, shoot!" he exclaimed, jolting out of bed. In a rush, he threw on his clothes, barely taking time to brush his hair, and dashed out the door. Thankfully, he made it to school just in time, feeling a wave of relief as he walked across the campus.
As he was making his way to class, Jace's cousin spotted him from a distance. With a mischievous grin, his cousin hurried to catch up, planning to surprise Jace. Just as his cousin reached out, hand ready to playfully slap Jace on the back, Jace spun around with lightning speed, grabbing his cousin's hand mid-air.
"Oh, it's you, cousin," Jace said, recognizing him immediately.
"Jace, you're hurting me! Let go of my hand, please," his cousin winced, still caught in Jace's grip.
"What were you trying to do?" Jace asked, holding on a bit longer.
"Let go of my hand, damn it!"
"Oh, yeah, sorry," Jace quickly released him, realizing he'd been a bit too rough.
His cousin rubbed his sore hand, a frown on his face. "It hurts a lot… Anyway, I'm going. Bye."
"Yeah, alright. Bye," Jace replied, watching as his cousin walked away, a hint of guilt tugging at him for reacting so strongly.
What just happened it felt like my body moved on its own
Jace entered the classroom, finally able to catch his breath after the rushed morning. He slid into his seat, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling in his mind since he woke up. But as he sat there, the events of the previous day began to replay in his head, making it impossible to focus. He remained quiet and distant, barely acknowledging the lessons being taught, his thoughts consumed by what had happened.
When the break finally came, Jace felt like he couldn't stay in the classroom any longer. The loneliness was suffocating, so he left to get some fresh air. As Jace walked through the school corridor, his thoughts were a chaotic mess. The lingering pain from yesterday's events gnawed at him, making it impossible to focus on anything else.
he suddenly caught a glimpse of someone familiar. Was that Joel? He hesitated, but then the anger surged. Why does it matter, he asked himself—but deep down, he knew it mattered more than anything.
Before he could second-guess himself, Jace quickened his pace, He reached out and grabbed Joel's shoulder, spinning him around with more force than he intended.
Joel turned, his surprise quickly morphing into a cocky grin. "What do you want, loser?"
"Stay away from Elina," Jace demanded, his voice shaking with a mixture of anger and fear. "She's, my girlfriend."
Joel's grin widened, a smug, infuriating smile that made Jace's blood boil. "Your girlfriend? Don't make me laugh. You're just a pathetic cheater—no one in their right mind would want to be with you."
Jace's heart pounded in his chest, his vision narrowing until all he could see was Joel's arrogant face. "You're the real cheater," his voice stronger now. "I saw what you did—stepping on that guy's shoe on purpose, acting like you're above everyone else."
The smirk vanished from Joel's face, replaced by a menacing glare. "What did you just say to me?"
"I said you're the cheater," Jace repeated, his voice steady, though his hands were trembling slightly. "You're nothing but a—"
He didn't get to finish the sentence. Joel's fist flew toward him like a sledgehammer, connecting with Jace's jaw with a sickening crunch. The impact sent Jace stumbling back, his vision exploding with stars as pain shot through his skull.
But Joel wasn't done. He lunged forward, grabbing Jace by the collar of his shirt and yanking him close. "You should know how to talk with stronger people who are better than you, you pathetic existence," Joel growled, his voice low and dangerous. With a brutal shove, he slammed Jace against the lockers, the metal rattling loudly with the force.
Jace, blood trickling from his mouth, managed to choke out, "At least I'm not a cheater like you, idiot."
And he gets a even harder punch
Jace gasped for air, the wind knocked out of him, but his defiance hadn't been beaten out yet.
"You know I'm right, why are you fighting" he managed to choke out, his voice rough but unwavering.
That was the final straw. Joel's eyes darkened with fury, and he unleashed a barrage of punches, each one more vicious than the last. Jace tried to raise his arms to defend himself, but the onslaught was relentless. Joel's fists pounded into his stomach, his ribs, his face, each blow accompanied by a sick thud that echoed through the corridor.
Jace's vision blurred, and he could taste blood in his mouth, but he refused to cry out. He wouldn't give Joel the satisfaction of hearing him scream. But as the pain intensified, it became harder and harder to hold on.
Just when Jace thought he couldn't take any more, Joel grabbed him by the hair, forcing him to look up. Through the haze of pain, Jace saw Elina standing nearby, watching. But instead of the concern or shock he desperately hoped to see, there was only a twisted smile on her face—a look of cold satisfaction.
"Look at you," Joel sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're nothing but a weak, pathetic loser."
Jace's body was trembling with exhaustion, his legs barely holding him up. But the sight of Elina, her smile cutting deeper than any of Joel's punches, was the final blow. His heart shattered, the last bit of fight draining out of him.
With a final, brutal shove, Joel threw Jace to the ground. Jace landed hard, the breath knocked out of him as he hit the cold floor. Before he could even attempt to get up, Joel hauled him up by his shirt and dragged him to the nearby storage room.
"You don't deserve to be with her," Joel spat as he threw Jace inside. The door slammed shut, the sound echoing through the empty hall.
Jace lay on the cold, dusty floor of the storage room, his body battered and broken. The physical pain was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to the emotional torment tearing him apart inside
Jace lay crumpled on the cold, hard floor of the storage room, the world around him a blur of pain and humiliation. His body throbbed with the sting of every punch, every kick that Joel had landed, but it was the ache in his chest that hurt the most.
For a moment, he couldn't move, couldn't think, his mind numb with disbelief. How had it come to this? How had he ended up locked away in this dark, lonely room, abandoned and broken?
Panic began to rise in his throat, choking him with its intensity. He scrambled to his feet, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps as he rushed to the door. His hands shook as he pounded on the unforgiving wood, each desperate thud echoing through the small, stifling space.
"Help! Please, someone help me!" His voice was raw, hoarse from the strain. He just needed someone—anyone—to hear him, to save him from this nightmare. "Get me out of here! I don't want to be here! Please!"
But the door remained silent. His screams seemed to vanish into the emptiness, swallowed up by the oppressive darkness that surrounded him. Time lost all meaning as he continued to shout, to bang on the door until his hands were bloody, until his voice was nothing more than a feeble whisper.
And still, no one came.
His heart sank as the reality of his situation began to settle in. He was alone. Truly, utterly alone.
A bitter anger started to bubble up inside him, mixing with the fear and despair until it formed a searing, white-hot rage. Why was this happening to him? Why was he always the one who got hurt, the one who was left behind, the one who was never good enough?
"Why am I so weak?" he muttered, his voice trembling with emotion. The words felt heavy, each one cutting into him like a knife, reopening old wounds that had never really healed.
Without thinking, he lashed out, slamming his fist into the wall beside him. The impact sent a sharp pain shooting up his arm, but he didn't care. He hit the wall again, harder this time, his anger fueling each blow.
"Why can't I fight back?" tears streaming down his face as he continued to pound on the wall. "Why am I always the one getting hurt? Why can't I be strong?"
The loneliness, the helplessness, the anger—it all crashed over him in waves, drowning him in a sea of emotions he couldn't control
Why am I like this? Why the heck I am so weak
"Lend me your body Jace. You tried but you failed, your innocent soul has no room in this world. You are already dead, they killed you. What you couldn't do, I will accomplish that. I will show everyone what it's like to kill a soul….."
That day something inside him died and something new was born
He gets up and grabs the door from one side and smashes it to the other side