Kael's eyes fluttered in disbelief at the environment he now found himself in.
"This isn't real. It's not possible. I can't be here. I'm still on the bus, still in my seat. Maybe I passed out..."
He froze, realizing he'd been speaking his thoughts aloud. His throat felt dry, his skin breaking out in goosebumps. Instincts screamed at him to stay alert.
Something was approaching him—slowly.
A subtle noise came from behind: a footstep. Kael spun around, fists clenched and raised defensively.
But there was nothing.
{You are not prepared.}
{Your soul hasn't been heard yet.}
A guttural voice pounded in his ears like a drum, sending waves of panic coursing through him. Desperately, Kael turned his head left and right, trying to locate the source. Suddenly, his vision darkened.
For a moment, it felt as though he had gone blind. Then, the world returned.
"Kael! Kael! Are you okay?!"
The voice—gentler now, but frantic—broke through his daze. Elsa shook his shoulder, her face filled with concern.
"I'm back... I'm here," Kael muttered, forcing the words out. His chest tightened. I'm back on the bus... What was that just now? A daydream? Or something worse?
"You scared me!" Elsa said, her voice trembling. "You froze for ten minutes, not saying a word. I thought you were dead!"
Tears glistened in her eyes. Her voice quivered with worry.
"Sorry," Kael said, shaking his head. Even he couldn't explain what had just happened. "I must have zoned out."
It was a weak excuse, one Elsa could likely see through, but she didn't press him. She just nodded, her face still uneasy.
"So... do you have plans for tonight? Are you coming to Rose's party? We could hang out, get drunk, and just have fun. It might help distract you from... you know, your dad."
Kael hesitated but gave a small nod. "That's actually a great idea. Anything to get away from him." He sighed. "He's always a hassle, coming home late and drunk. Thanks for inviting me."
"Well, let's make it a friendly date."
Kael raised a brow. "A friendly date?"
What did that even mean? Did she mean just a casual hangout with their friends?
Before he could ask, Elsa quickly changed the subject.
"Do you have a wish?" she asked.
"A wish?" Kael echoed.
"Yeah, like something you really want."
Kael figured this was his chance to subtly ask what he could get her as a party gift.
Elsa twirled a lock of her brown hair, thinking deeply before replying.
"Hmm. I just want to be happy with my friends and forget my problems... especially with exams coming up." She laughed nervously, but Kael barely joined in.
Friend zone, Kael thought, though he couldn't be sure. Maybe he was reading too much into it.
"In that case," Kael said, forcing a smile, "I'll make sure we have lots of fun."
"Thanks, K—"
{Installing...}
{Installing...}
{Package expanding...}
The world went silent.
Not just Kael and Elsa, but everything: the noise of the bus, the hum of the engine, even the faint rustling of the wind—it all stopped.
A translucent blue hologram appeared in front of Kael's eyes.
He blinked in disbelief. "What... is this?"
Turning to Elsa, he saw her pale with fear, her lips trembling.
"What the hell is this?!" she whispered, her voice shaky.
Panic broke out among the other students on the bus.
"Is this a prank?!"
"Hey! What the fuck is going on?!"
The driver swerved the bus wildly before slamming on the brakes. The tires screeched, the vehicle jerked to a stop, narrowly avoiding a collision.
Kael heard distant explosions, the crash of cars, and the rising tide of screams. Chaos was erupting everywhere.
"Kael, what's happening?!" Elsa whimpered, clutching at his arm.
Kael gripped her hand tightly, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry. I'm here. Nothing's going to happen to you."
As if mocking his words, another notification appeared.
{Your doom has finally come. Those who perish will become worse than animals. Those who survive shall attain a curse.}
"What the hell is this?!"
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
Kael's throat went dry. A chilling sensation spread across his skin, and goosebumps erupted—not just on him, but on Elsa and everyone else on the bus.
Then, their skin began to throb.
It wasn't normal—it was as if something was vibrating beneath the surface like worms crawling all over, violently.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"
Screams filled the air—high-pitched, guttural, desperate. The students clawed at their arms and legs, writhing in pain.
Kael looked down at his own hands. His skin crawled, as though tiny worms were slithering beneath it. He scratched at them furiously, his mind spinning into panic.
{Your planet's forced evolution has begun.}