"Kai."
"Kailendra Ador Saputra."
I murmured my name in my head, trying to convince myself that I was still here, in the real world.
Nineteen years I've lived, yet somehow, it all feels like fleeting shadows, coming and going without warning.
"Today, huh?" I asked, mostly to myself, letting out a long sigh.
Diego, standing beside me, turned his head, one eyebrow slightly raised.
"Yeah, today," he replied briefly, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at the sky.
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Eight planets aligned perfectly above, creating an unparalleled spectacle.
People around me cheered with excitement, many pointing their phones at the sky, trying to capture this rare moment.
But I stayed silent, choosing instead to store it all in my memory. The cheers sounded like distant echoes, as if I were in another world.
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I'm a psychic—
A label that makes me think more about curses than blessings.
For most people, this world is just one reality.
A place where everything flows as it should, logical, tangible, and understandable.
But for me, this world is split into two.
The real world, where everyone lives without realizing what's hidden behind their view.
And the other world, the one I can see.
The intangible world, filled with beings whose existence is often unacknowledged.
Ghosts, spirits, shadows... call them whatever you want.
They're here.
Not always visible, not always real, but they are here.
But that's not what troubles me the most.
What weighs on me is something much closer, something I can never avoid.
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My ability to read human emotions.
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I didn't want it.
I didn't ask for it.
But it's there, clinging to me like a shadow that never leaves my side.
Every time I look at someone, their feelings seem to radiate out, flooding my mind with sensations that aren't mine.
Even when they try to hide it, fake smiles or sweet words can never mask their true emotions from me.
And that… that's a curse.
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But no matter what, I have to learn about this curse, right?
Which crazy person would accept a curse without knowing how to control it or heal it?
But what I see, what I feel, I can't share with anyone.
Not even with the people I consider close.
All of this is just for me, and I have to keep it to myself.
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I stood at the edge of the main street, gazing at the sky as it started to darken.
The city lights blended with the faint twilight, creating an atmosphere that, for some reason, felt suffocating.
"Why? Don't you like celebrations like this?" Diego's voice suddenly broke the silence I was enjoying.
"I'm not really interested. You're the one who forced me to come here."
Diego chuckled softly.
His laughter was light, though I could tell there was a hint of confusion behind it.
"But this is such a rare moment, Kai. Everyone's excited. Aren't you even a little curious?"
I shrugged, still not looking at him.
"I'd rather stay home. If I could, I'd just be a rock."
Diego laughed louder this time, a bit too loudly for my mood.
"A rock? A pebble, huh?" he joked, patting my shoulder.
"Come on, Kai," he continued, his voice softer now.
"Don't tell me you don't see what's up there. Eight planets, aligned. It's a huge phenomenon that only happens once every tens of thousands of years. Who knows, there might be some special meaning behind all of this."
"What meaning?" I replied flatly, my gaze still fixed on the sky.
Diego fell silent for a moment, probably searching for an answer.
"People are excited because they only think it's cool," I answered before he could say anything.
I sighed quietly, not wanting to drag the conversation out.
My eyes stayed on the sky.
People continued to cheer, laugh, and capture the moment.
But me? I stayed where I was, letting my thoughts wander.
Maybe for tonight, I decided to stay quiet, just a spectator watching this incredible sight.
And maybe, just maybe, I'd try to enjoy this brief moment.
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I watched them in silence, my eyes sweeping over the crowd without truly caring about the commotion.
There was something strange in the air.
I could feel it, though faint.
A strange sensation crawled under my skin, like a soft whisper from an unseen world.
The people around me seemed to be exposed to something they didn't even realize.
"Why don't you take some photos too?" Diego's voice broke my train of thought.
He glanced at me with a wide smile, as if this phenomenon was a big party that had to be celebrated.
I just shook my head.
My gaze stayed fixed on the sky, slowly darkening, as if a huge shadow was beginning to cover the night sky.
"It's not important," I replied briefly.
Diego sighed lightly.
"Kai, seriously, when else are we going to see something like this? Everyone else is enjoying it. You don't seem interested at all."
I didn't answer right away.
There was something else nagging at my mind.
A feeling that was hard to explain, but strong enough to keep me uneasy.
"Something's not right," I muttered softly, almost speaking to myself.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Diego furrowed his brow, his voice confused but curious.
I shook my head slightly, trying to ignore the strange urge.
"I don't know... it just feels like something's wrong."
Diego stared at me with a puzzled look.
"Paranoid again?" he chuckled, trying to ease the tension. His warm hand patted my shoulder.
"Come on, this is an incredible phenomenon. Relax a little, Kai. R-E-L-A-X. Just enjoy the moment."
A thin smile crept onto my face, but I knew it was empty, more like a mask I wore to stop him from asking more questions.
"Yeah, yeah... incredible phenomenon," I replied flatly, trying to play along with Diego.
I glanced at Diego from the corner of my eye.
He was still smiling wide, his face so bright, as if nothing was wrong in the world.
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I remember the first time I met Diego.
It was a long time ago, back when we were still in middle school, and it feels like it happened just yesterday.
As I mentioned, I have the ability to feel people's emotions, a gift that I even hate.
Before they even say a word, I already know their intentions.
Anger, fear, disgust, happiness, envy, hatred... it's all so obvious.
These feelings often surround the people who come close to me.
It feels like I'm sneaking into their minds, and I can feel it, even if they try to hide it.
But there was something different when this strange person approached me.
That day, I was sitting alone in the corner of the classroom, staring blankly out the window, just like always.
Suddenly, I heard a voice that was so cheerful and full of energy.
His emotional aura was so pure and sincere, like an untouched light.
I could feel that he had no ill intentions, unlike most people who come with hidden motives.
"Hey, nice to meet you! My name's Diego. Diego Sebastian Carter. But just call me Diego. What do you think, cool name, right?"
The voice came out of nowhere, without warning.
I turned toward the sound, and there he was, standing with a wide smile on his face and eyes sparkling.
With confidence, he winked at me, as if to give me the message that he was sure of himself.
I tilted my head, a bit confused.
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What is this guy? What's wrong with him?
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When others approach, they usually carry awkwardness or subconscious fear.
But Diego? Not at all.
He just smiled, as if we'd known each other for a long time.
As I said, this guy is really something.
The way I would describe Diego is that he's a very strong person, even though he's not someone who always thinks long-term.
He tends to act on impulse, sometimes without thinking of the consequences.
However, he remains rational overall.
Like that time when I was being bullied.
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But we won't talk about that.
Disgusting.
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There's one thing about him that never changes, though— he always carries this positive aura.
Yeah, that smile.
His smile is always genuine, coming from the heart, and somehow it makes everyone around him feel at ease.
Even though I once thought there was something wrong with his brain, maybe a bit reckless or overly confident.
His smile was always so sincere, rooted in his pure emotions.
It made me feel like the world wasn't entirely bad, like there was a glimmer of hope amid all the darkness.
Because he shows himself for who he truly is, without pretending.
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At that moment, I was lost in my thoughts, drifting away in my own mind.
Without warning, he spoke up.
"I want to go to a military college," he said, his voice firm, sounding completely different from usual.
I paused for a moment, turning to look at him in surprise.
This time, there was a seriousness in his tone and the emotions I could feel that was hard to ignore.
His eyes were filled with hope, something I rarely saw from him.
"Are you serious?" I finally asked, breaking the silence between us.
Diego nodded slowly, a thin but certain smile on his face.
"Yeah, I'm serious. I've been thinking about it for a while."
I studied him, trying to figure out if he was really sure about what he had just said.
His muscular build and upright posture really did fit the image of a soldier.
His hair, always buzz-cut, only added to the impression that he was born for something like this.
"Well, from just the looks of it, I'm sure the military would take you in right away," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
But beneath the joke, I wanted to make sure of one thing.
"But... are you really sure this is what you want?"
Diego paused for a moment, lowering his gaze as if searching for the right words.
When he looked back at me, his eyes were filled with determination.
"I want to be able to protect the people I consider family. I want the strength to keep them safe."
His words froze me.
I knew he was serious.
This wasn't just a fleeting dream or an impulsive idea.
"Yeah, I believe you can do it," I replied finally.
"But, you know, I'm not really the kind of person who understands dreams like that."
Diego chuckled softly, a light laugh that was still calming.
"It's okay. I just wanted you to know,"
I looked at him longer, trying to read him deeper.
Suddenly, I remembered something.
"Oh right... what about your plan to go to America with your dad? If you really want to join the military, wouldn't it be easier to start there?"
Diego sighed softly, a rare expression I hadn't seen from him before.
"I thought about that. They say it would open up more opportunities. But... I'm not sure, Kai. If I start there, it would feel like everything's being decided by my dad, not me."
I nodded slowly, trying to understand his feelings.
Diego had always had a complicated relationship with his dad, Harvey.
As a well-known diplomat who was incredibly disciplined, his father always had high expectations for Diego, expectations that sometimes felt too heavy to bear.
"So, you're choosing to stay here and start from scratch?" I asked, trying to confirm his decision.
Diego nodded again.
"Yeah. I want something that's truly mine. I want to carve my own path."
I smiled slightly, imagining Diego facing his dad's long lectures.
"Well, get ready for a talk with your dad. I'm sure he won't stay quiet when he finds out your plan."
Diego laughed, this time more freely.
"Don't worry, Diego. Whatever you choose, I believe you'll make it."
His smile was warmer this time, deeper. It was the kind of smile that made everyone around him feel better, including me.
"I'll remember that, Kai. Thank you."
I nodded, but inside, I felt a little awkward.
I wasn't the type of person who was good at giving emotional support like this.
Diego was always full of hope and big dreams.
As for me?
I was often caught up in confusion and doubt.
But somehow, seeing Diego's spirit gave me a glimmer of confidence.
Confidence that maybe, someday, I too could find my own dream.
Maybe one day...
I hope so...
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Diego shook my shoulder excitedly, nearly making me lose my balance.
"Kai, look at this! This is amazing! The sky... it's absolutely incredible!" he shouted, his eyes sparkling with awe.
I looked up, staring at the sky that was gradually darkening.
The orange and pink hues of sunset were now replaced by the deepening darkness, with thousands of stars shining brighter than usual.
Yet, the beauty felt strange.
The air felt heavy, and the atmosphere seemed odd, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
The city, which had been buzzing with the hum of traffic and chatter, had now fallen silent.
Cheers came from all directions as people pulled out their phones, trying to capture this rare phenomenon.
The sound of phone cameras snapping pictures and recording videos filled the air.
Suddenly, a small chaos began to unfold.
One by one, phones died for no clear reason. Not just one or two, but everyone's.
"Hey, why did my phone die?" a woman's voice rang out from the crowd, her tone anxious.
"Why's mine not turning on?" a man called out from the other side.
Diego furrowed his brow.
"What's going on?" he asked, his eyes darting from side to side, trying to figure it out.
"Power's out too? The display board on that building is off," someone said, informing their friend.
I turned to him, feeling uneasy.
"Is your phone still on?" I asked, though I already had a feeling what the answer would be.
Diego pulled out his phone, pressing the power button several times.
He shook his head, shrugging.
"No. It was fully charged earlier, but now it's completely dead," he replied, his voice starting to show concern.
I sighed, trying to process the situation, which was feeling more bizarre by the minute.
"Is this... a citywide blackout? But why are all the phones dead too?"
The tension in the air was growing.
People frantically tried to turn their phones back on, pressing the power buttons as if that could fix everything.
Diego looked at me.
"This city's going to go pitch dark," he said, his voice low.
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Before I could answer, something even stranger happened.
A blue light appeared in front of me, like a holographic screen emitting a cold, shimmering glow.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" a young woman screamed, confused.
"Diego, do you see this too?" I asked, equally bewildered.
"Blue screen? Yeah, what is this? A prank?" he replied, just as confused.
I took a step back, trying to make sense of what was happening.
On the screen, large silver letters began to appear.
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Cosmic Announcement -
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Earth is about to evolve to a higher level in the universe.
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Silence immediately enveloped the crowd.
No more conversations or camera sounds.
Only the sound of breath, hesitant footsteps, and quiet whispers could be heard among the people.
Diego stared at the screen with wide eyes.
"What is this thing?" he whispered, trying to touch the screen in front of him but unable to.
A man from our right spoke quietly, as if to himself.
"Is this some kind of government joke?"
The woman next to him shook her head violently, attempting to touch the screen but her hand passed right through.
"Impossible. All the phones are dead. This screen... it's unlike any technology I've ever seen."
In front of us, a teenager in a worn-out hoodie muttered.
"Evolution... maybe this is some kind of warning from nature?"
Speculation began to spread, but I stayed silent, trying to digest it all.
The words on the screen were simple, yet their impact was electrifying.
I stared at the screen in silence, trying to find a clue.
Those words felt like more than just a warning.
Then, a large number appeared below the text.
A countdown that made my heart race.
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00:30:00
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Anxiety spread rapidly through the crowd, like fire carried by the wind.
Some people started moving in a panic, their steps hurried with no clear direction.
Crying broke out in several corners, while others just stood frozen, too shocked or confused to react.
People began to panic.
Some screamed, while others tried to find a safe place, even though no one knew what was really happening.
"What happens in thirty minutes?!" a woman cried out, her voice trembling.
"Kai," Diego shook my arm again, pulling me out of my trance.
"What is this?!" he asked in a desperate tone.
I shook my head slowly.
"I don't know either. But... this isn't a joke. Look at everyone. They don't know anything either."
Then, a new message appeared on the screen, further emphasizing the absurdity of the situation
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Cosmic Announcement -
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Welcome, Awakened in a New Era.
Earth Quarantine #5 has been completed and is ready to enter the cosmic era.
Continue evolving to explore the universe.
View personal information by tapping on the character profile display.
Suggestion: Do not trust sharing your information anywhere!
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Survive and continue evolving to witness the new era.
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I felt a chill run down my spine.
The words felt like a subtle threat pounding in my chest. This was more than just a game.
This was real.
Real and threatening the lives of everyone.
There was no escape.
The world we had known had changed.
And we only had one choices.
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SURVIVE...