The soft hum of the overhead fans filled the classroom as Kai Ardent sat by the window, absently staring at the gray skies outside. His pen twirled between his fingers, but his mind was far from the algebra equations scrawled on the board. A shadow of worry hung over his face, his thoughts consumed by the horrors of the nightly hunts that plagued humanity.
Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open, startling everyone. Mr. Holsten, their history teacher, stepped in, his usual stern expression replaced by a look of shock and excitement.
"Students, listen up!" Mr. Holsten began, his voice trembling with barely contained emotion. "Moments ago, it was announced by the Global Defense Coalition—humanity has found the source of the beasts!"
A murmur spread through the room like wildfire. Kai straightened in his seat, his heart pounding. "Found the source?" he whispered under his breath.
"The portal," Mr. Holsten continued, "it's real. It's located in the Himalayas. And more than that—they've developed a plan to stop the beasts once and for all. A specialized team will pass through the portal to the planet *Comeion* to eliminate the source of these monsters."
The room erupted in cheers, students clapping and shouting with relief and hope. For the first time in years, humanity had a chance—a real chance—at survival. But while others celebrated, Kai felt his chest tighten.
His father, **Damon Ardent**, had already left two days ago, summoned to a classified mission by the Global Defense Coalition. Kai didn't know the details at the time, but now it all made sense. Damon, a renowned strategist and one of Earth's finest soldiers, was going to lead the team into *Comeion*.
Kai's fists clenched under his desk. The world saw Damon as a hero, but Kai saw him as something much simpler—his dad. The man who used to help him fix old gadgets in their workshop, who shared stories of bravery and sacrifice to inspire him. The thought of Damon risking his life in the unknown, in a world swarming with beasts, made Kai feel like the ground beneath him was crumbling.
"Hey, Kai," his friend Eli nudged him. "Why aren't you cheering? This is incredible news! Your dad's probably going to be part of the team, right?"
Kai forced a smile, though his stomach churned. "Yeah… incredible," he mumbled.
But inside, a storm raged. What if his father didn't come back? What if this plan failed, and the beasts grew stronger, smarter, more ruthless? Kai's mind was flooded with worst-case scenarios.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class, but Kai barely noticed. He stood, grabbing his bag and walking out into the hallway like a ghost. As the other students buzzed with excitement, his world felt quieter, heavier.
Outside, the school courtyard was filled with a growing crowd gathered around the giant holographic news screens. Kai stopped to watch as the GDC spokesperson appeared, her voice clear and firm:
"Operation Terminus is our last stand. A handpicked team of Earth's best soldiers, scientists, and engineers will cross into *Comeion* to eliminate the source of the beasts. They will carry humanity's hope with them. Failure is not an option."
The camera shifted, showing the faces of the brave team members, their profiles and achievements displayed in golden text. And there, at the center of it all, was Damon Ardent.
Kai felt a lump rise in his throat as he stared at his father's face. The man who had taught him to never give up, to always protect those who couldn't protect themselves, was now risking everything for humanity's survival.
The news continued, but Kai couldn't hear it anymore. All he could think about was his father's parting words before leaving for the mission:
"Stay strong, Kai. No matter what happens, remember—our family fights for what's right. Always."
Kai clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. If this was the beginning of humanity's final stand, he wouldn't just sit idly by. One way or another, he'd find a way to help.
The beasts might have started this war, but Kai knew deep down—humans weren't going to lose.