Chapter 1 - The Beginning of Everything

Chapter 1 - The Beginning of Everything

A young man with sharp features and jet-black hair sat alone in a dimly lit room, a strange blue mask clutched in his hands. His eyes were fixed on the flickering TV screen, where a video played.

[Video playing on the TV screen]

A figure dressed in a sleek black coat and a white-and-black mask began to speak, his voice smooth yet unsettling.

"Do you know how many timelines exist in the universe?"

His voice resonated, each word carrying an eerie weight. "It is infinite. Just like parallel realities. Every action, every event, is part of an endless sea of possibilities."

Though the figure moved, his coat remained perfectly still, frozen in time as if reality itself bent around him. Only the sound of his voice filled the room.

"You have a role to fulfill in this vast, infinite timeline," he continued. "You are merely a part of a scenario he created. Nothing more, nothing less."

The young man reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled photograph. It showed a woman with delicate features, dressed in tattered, old clothes. Despite the dirt and grime, her beauty shone through, and for a moment, the man's voice faltered. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he whispered,

"All of this… was for her."

Then the young man walked over to a table, picked up a gun, and placed it against his temple.

"The scenario… it's all for the scenario…" he muttered to himself before pulling the trigger.

The masked figure on screen smirked, tilting his head as if savoring the moment. "Goodbye, Blue 76," he said, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Or should I call you James?"

[The video ends, static filling the screen.]

~~~~Scene change~~~~

The story shifts to an underground shelter, dimly lit by flickering fluorescent lights. The air was thick with the scent of damp concrete and old metal.

"Hey, James, do you know what's outside the shelter?"

Jenny's voice was bright with curiosity, despite the hardships she had endured. She was a small girl, frail and dressed in ragged, hand-me-down clothes. Her wide eyes sparkled with hope, a stark contrast to the desolate environment around her.

James, a young man with a muscular build and six-pack abs, sighed, brushing a hand through his unruly black hair. He looked like someone who'd been hardened by countless struggles, yet there was a softness in his eyes when he looked at Jenny. "How would I know, Jenny?" he said, shrugging.

"I was born after the Zeon Era, just like you."

"But you go to work every day," Jenny argued, her lower lip jutting out in a pout.

James chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Trust me, there's not much to see up there," he replied, trying to keep the sadness from creeping into his voice.

Jenny's face fell, and she crossed her arms, sulking. "I want to know what it's like out there…"

"Tell you what," James said, grinning. "Let's ask that old beggar near the Founding Temple. He claims to be from the Zeon Era."

Jenny's eyes lit up, and she grabbed James's hand, tugging him excitedly.

"Really? Let's go then!"

The two ran through the darkened corridors, the faint echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the concrete walls until they reached the entrance of the Founding Temple. There, sitting on the cold ground, was the old beggar Jenny had mentioned. His hair was grey, his face lined with wrinkles, yet there was a spark of intelligence in his eyes.

"Hey, old man! Are you really from the Zeon Era?" Jenny asked, her voice brimming with excitement.

The beggar looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yes, young lady, I am."

"Really?" Jenny beamed, her eyes widening. "Then, can you tell us about it? When did the Feon Era begin, and what was the Zeon Era like?"

The old beggar chuckled. "You doubt me, boy?" he asked, raising a brow.

James shifted uneasily. "It's just… it's hard to believe," he admitted. "Living that long, you must've seen things we can only imagine."

The old man's eyes grew distant, lost in memories. "The Zeon Era…" he began,

"It was when the apocalypse started. The Feon Era is what we're living in now, a world struggling to survive."

Jenny tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "But… how did the apocalypse start?"

The old man sighed deeply.

"It began 234 years ago, and to this day, no one knows why. Some say it was God's punishment, others believe it was a man-made disaster. But no one could pinpoint its origin."

James studied the old man closely. How can he be over 200 years old? Did he take the DT-36 medicine? he wondered.

The beggar met James's gaze, and a knowing smile tugged at his lips. "Ah, you're curious about my age, aren't you?" he said. "I took the DT-32, the first version of the DT medicine created by the Founder. It was a miracle drug, extending life far beyond natural limits."

"The Founder was truly a genius," James murmured, awed.

"Yes," the old man agreed, bowing his head toward the temple. "He built this shelter, created the DT medicine, and saved what remained of humanity when all hope seemed lost.

Jenny, still brimming with curiosity, leaned forward and asked,

"I heard that when the apocalypse first began, numerous hordes of monsters emerged all over the world. How did you escape from the monsters?"

The old beggar's expression darkened, and a shiver ran down his spine as he recalled those terrifying days. "You're right," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The day it began, monstrous creatures—giant, grotesque, and utterly terrifying—appeared out of nowhere. They flooded the cities, tearing through everything in their path."

He swallowed hard, as if trying to push down the fear. "I still remember that day clearly. I was sitting at my desk, working on my computer, when everything went dark. The power went out, and the air was filled with this… horrible, bone-chilling screeching. People poured out of their homes, confused and terrified. Then, the monsters came."

"I quickly grabbed my phone and checked the news, hoping to understand what was happening," he continued.

"Every news channel was broadcasting the same frantic message."

[On the phone screen]

A government official appeared on the screen, his expression grave and his voice trembling with urgency. "This is an emergency announcement," he said, breathless.

"Unknown creatures of enormous size have begun attacking cities worldwide. We are declaring a state of emergency. All citizens are advised to evacuate to the nearest safe zone immediately. Follow the instructions on your screens, and do not panic."

The message continued on a loop:

"This is not a drill. Evacuate your homes and proceed to the designated shelters. Do not engage with these creatures under any circumstances."

[Video ends on the mobile phone]

~~~~~~To Be Continued ~~~~~