The neon sign of the "Lucky Dragon" flickered, casting an eerie green glow on the rain-slicked street. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of stale beer and the murmur of hushed conversations, a stark contrast to the quiet melancholy that clung to Ethan like a shroud.
Ethan was a 15 year old young man. he nursed a lukewarm soda, the carbonation long since fizzled out, mirroring the fizz that had long since left his own life. The "Lucky Dragon" wasn't just a bar; it was his refuge, a sanctuary from the crushing weight called Money that had settled over him after his parents' tragic accident.
A car accident on a rainy day, had left him orphaned at the age of nine. Suddenly, his childhood dreams of becoming an artist or an explorer fading into distant memories. Now, his days were a monotonous cycle of work, school, and the endless cycle of medical appointments and grocery runs.
In this chaotic world, where we don't know what might happen in next minute, he needs to spend rest of his life as Dormant if he didn't awaken his connection with Resonance network within next year.
....
Eighty years ago, Resonance energy had erupted onto the world stage. It had begun subtly, a strange energy permeating the atmosphere and to changing continents and ocean alike.
The few people were Automatically able to connect their conscious with Resonance network, the "Awakened," as they were called. Awakening of dormant abilities in a select few. Initially, there was fear, of course, but soon, awe replaced. Individuals began to manifest extraordinary powers – elemental manipulation, enhanced strength, telekinesis.
And only less than 1% people was able to form connection with Resonance and the changes doesn't end with just human and also with animals. but 40% animals were turned into beasts. This caused over a 2 billion people death count in that era.
The Awakener's was rose to positions of power and influence. As they fight with beasts and stabilized the new world. New cities were built, powered by Resonance energy. Advanced technologies emerged, revolutionizing medicine, transportation, and communication. The world was forever changed.
A tiered system was quickly established to rank individuals based on their abilities:
Tier 0: Dormant individuals who exhibiting no signs of Resonance.
Tier 1: Entry-level Resonators; with basic abilities, such as enhanced strength or minor telekinesis. This tier included individuals who could manipulate objects with their minds, enhance their physical abilities, or minor control over awakened elements.
Tier 2: Intermediate Resonators; with greater control over their abilities and a deeper understanding of Resonance. This tier individuals possess enhanced regeneration abilities.
Tier 3: Advanced Resonators; with exceptional mastery over their abilities and the potential for unique, specialized powers. This tier included individuals who could manipulate complex elemental fields.
Tier 4: Elite Resonators, considered among the most powerful individuals in the world. These individuals possessed extraordinary power and mastery over their abilities, often serving as protectors, leaders, and guardians of society.
-- There are few Resonators, who gained unique abilities by reaching Tier 4 like creating illusions or teleporting short distances, etc.
-- Not all Resonators are blessed with this chance.
Tier 5: Legendary Resonators, individuals of unparalleled strength and mastery, revered as heroes and legends. These individuals were rare, possessing abilities that defied categorization and often pushing the boundaries of human potential.
....
There was theory, for why beast's Awakening is more than Awakener's, the theory proves - it was because the animals mind power is far lower compared to human. Emotionally or psychologically disturbed persons can connect conscious with Resonance network. knowing that, the Government start building Clinical psychology centers, where a newly Awakened person needs to take 2 months checkup.
Ofcourse only Tier 5 Awakener's, select few Tier 4 Awakener's and High Government members knew about this fact, if the world was to know about this, they knew the chaos that may happen. So, Government made very strict rules and regulations for Awakener's Society.
...
Ethan, however, remained "Dormant," one of the majority, who showed no signs of Resonance. He watched from the sidelines as the world around him transformed, a spectator in a society that increasingly valued power and ability.
He often found himself gazing at the holographic displays that adorned every corner of the city, showcasing the feats of renowned Awakeners – a renowned surgeon performing intricate operations with a flick of their wrist, a renowned athlete shattering world records with superhuman speed. It was a world he felt increasingly detached from, a world that seemed to be moving forward without him.
Lately, strange things had been happening. Unexplained bruises marred his arms, remnants of falls he couldn't recall. Memories flickered in and out of existence, like faulty light bulbs, leaving behind a trail of unsettling gaps. He'd sometimes swear he'd glimpsed fleeting images of places he'd never been – a bustling marketplace overflowing with exotic fruits, a desolate landscape under a blood-red sky, a swirling vortex of colors that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy.
And then there were the whispers – not of voices, but of something else – a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate within his very bones, a constant, unsettling presence on the periphery of his awareness. It was a subtle thing, a barely perceptible tremor in the air, as if the very fabric of reality was vibrating at an imperceptible frequency.
He glanced at the clock above the bar. 11:17 PM. "Time to head home". As he pushed through the swinging doors, a shiver ran down his spine. The streetlights seemed dimmer, the shadows longer, more menacing. He quickened his pace, the unease intensifying with every step.
...
Back in his small apartment, the shadows seemed to dance, elongating and contracting, mimicking his movements. A cold draft, seemingly originating from nowhere, swept through the room, extinguishing the flickering candle flame. Ethan shivered, pulling his blanket tighter around him. He tried to shake off the feeling, attributing it to the late hour and the lingering unease of the city, but a deeper unease, a sense of impending doom, settled over him.
As he drifted off to sleep, the whispers returned, louder this time, a cacophony of unseen voices, pulling him into a swirling vortex of confusion and fear. He dreamt of vast, swirling galaxies, of unseen eyes watching him from the shadows.
The next morning, he awoke up suddenly, his heart pounding. The dream lingered, its images and sensations still vivid in his mind. He felt disoriented, a sense of detachment from reality, a nagging feeling that something was wrong. As he got ready for work, he noticed a strange bruise forming on his wrist, a dark, almost purplish mark that bore no resemblance to any known injury.
"What the hell is this" he said out loud.
.....
At the "Lucky Dragon," the day dragged on. The usual banter with the regulars felt hollow, the cheerful chatter a distant echo. He felt a strange detachment, as if observing the world from a distance, a spectator in his own life.
During his break, Liam, his best friend, who come to meet him, noticed his somber mood. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Ethan," he said, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?"
Ethan hesitated, then told out his anxieties "lately, I was getting these bruises out of nowhere, and these disturbing whispers, the unsettling dreams. simply put I will like shit"
Liam thought a bit, suggested, "Let's go see that new action film that everyone's raving about and do few crazy things then your mood will be back to normal."
Ethan, initially hesitant, found himself agreeing. Maybe a couple of hours of mindless entertainment was exactly what he needed to shake off the unsettling feelings that had been plaguing him.