It was a quiet afternoon, as usual. The marketplace buzzed with activity, as the scents of spices filled the air. Traders shouted over one another, trying to lure buyers to their stalls, while customers haggled fiercely, careful not to end up with counterfeit goods.
Then, the sky erupted in chaos.
A blazing streak tore through the heavens, its fiery descent captivating every soul who could see it. The object, presumed to be an asteroid, illuminated the sky like a second sun. Its roar grew louder as it hurtled toward Earth, flames licking at its sides. All movement in the marketplace ceased. The once-bustling streets fell into an eerie silence as people craned their necks upward, their faces lit with a mix of awe and fear.
All except one.
Jack, a light-skinned young boy of 17, with slightly pink lips and a pointed nose, moved against the tide of mesmerized spectators. His dark, bushy eyebrows furrowed in irritation as he weaved through the crowd, trying to make his way home. Jack's disinterest in the spectacle was evident in the briskness of his pace. To him, it was just another distraction in a world full of noise.
Before he could leave the market entirely, the fiery object vanished beyond the horizon. Whispers erupted around him, people speculating wildly.
"I knew you wouldn't care," a familiar voice teased, drawing his attention.
Jack turned to see Elisa walking beside him, her blonde hair catching the afternoon sunlight. Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she adjusted the plastic bag she carried as if to punctuate her statement.
"It's a waste of time," Jack replied flatly, his tone dismissive. "What's so exciting about a rock falling from space?"
Elisa shook her head, her smile unwavering. "Sometimes, Jack, you need to let yourself be curious. Every little thing matters, you know?"
Jack didn't respond immediately. He simply shrugged, his focus remaining on the path ahead. Elisa sighed but continued walking beside him. They had been friends since childhood, their bond surviving Jack's introverted tendencies and his persistent apathy toward anything he deemed unimportant.
From a distance, they could easily be mistaken for a couple. Jack's striking features—his thick eyebrows and uniquely pink lips—contrasted perfectly with Elisa's radiant smile and her warm, brown eyes. Together, they exuded an effortless charm that turned heads wherever they went.
When they finally reached Jack's home, the sound of the television greeted them. Jack placed his basket of goods on the kitchen counter as Elisa's attention was drawn to the news broadcast.
"Breaking news," the anchor announced, the urgency in her voice palpable. "What was initially thought to be a meteor is now believed to be an unidentified object, possibly a missile. Experts warn that it contains a dangerous amount of hydrogen sulfide, capable of killing anyone within a five-kilometer radius with a single breath."
Elisa's eyes widened, her grip tightening on the sofa's armrest. "So it wasn't a meteor after all," she murmured, glancing toward Jack, who was unpacking groceries.
The newscaster continued, her tone growing more speculative. "Our researchers suspect the object was man-made—or perhaps constructed by an intelligence beyond Earth. Could this mean we're not alone in the universe?"
Before Elisa could digest the information, Jack reached over and switched off the television.
"Hey! I was watching that!" she protested, sinking back into the sofa with a frown.
"They're spouting nonsense," Jack retorted, not even sparing her a glance. "There's no such thing as life outside our planet."
"But what if it's true?" Elisa insisted, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I mean, isn't it possible?"
Jack sighed, shaking his head. "Believe what you want. I've got more important things to worry about."
Elisa frowned but said nothing.
***
Far beyond the earthly commotion, in a realm of light and purity, a golden gate stood tall, its intricate patterns shimmering as if alive. The gate opened silently, and a man clad in a radiant white robe stepped through, his presence commanding yet serene.
The space beyond the gate was otherworldly. The air itself shimmered with ethereal energy, and flames burned in suspended sconces, emitting not smoke but a soft, golden glow. This was no ordinary place—it was the dwelling of the great one.
The man knelt before a blindingly bright platform, his head bowed in reverence. "Rabbi," he began, his voice steady but respectful. "I bring troubling news."
From the mist of light emerged a figure, his form both human and divine.The great one's voice echoed through the vast hall. "What is it, Gabriel?"
Gabriel raised his head slightly, his expression grave. "The Saltins are preparing an assault on our people. Their king, Asmund, has grown bold."
The Almighty's form flickered, his tone measured but heavy with concern. "Asmund is now confident as he knows the power their God hold, Saturn is powerful. His strength rivals my own."
Gabriel hesitated before speaking. "Perhaps we should let humanity fight this battle. If you intervene, Saturn will retaliate defending his people, and such a confrontation would have devastating consequences."
The great one began to pace, his every step resonating through the luminous floor. "The people cannot face the Saltins unaided. Their weapons are no match for the Saltins' advanced technology, and strength."
Gabriel straightened slightly, his wings unfurling behind him. "Then we must grant them the Systems—the ultimate tools crafted for wars of this magnitude. They were designed to bridge the gap between mortals and gods."
The great one paused, considering Gabriel's words. His gaze fell on a nearby pedestal, upon which rested a glowing book—the Book of Life. "The Systems must not fall into the wrong hands," he said finally. "Only those whose names are written in the Book shall receive them. The Saltins are masters of deception and will seek to corrupt the weak."
Gabriel nodded solemnly. "It will be done."
As the Almighty returned to his luminous throne, Gabriel rose and departed, his mind already turning to the task ahead. The war between worlds was beginning, and humanity's role in it was about to change forever.