The night sky over New Horizon was darker than usual. The Black Hole Rift loomed overhead, pulsing with an eerie, unnatural energy. It had grown larger.
Kai leaned against a railing on the school's rooftop, watching the Rift swirl ominously. The usual sarcastic grin was missing from his face.
"It's getting worse."
The Rift had been expanding slowly over the past year, but lately, something felt… off. The Hellions were stronger, smarter. The last invasion had been chaotic, but something told Kai that the worst was yet to come.
"You always stare at the sky like that?"
Kai turned to see Luna Everhart, standing with arms crossed, her long pink hair catching the breeze.
"Trying to figure out if I can wish on a black hole," Kai said, smirking again. "Maybe ask for a day off from school."
Luna sighed, stepping beside him. "You're an idiot."
"But a lovable one."
Luna ignored him and looked up at the Rift. "You feel it too, don't you?"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Feel what?"
"The energy in the air. It's heavier than before."
Kai didn't answer. He had felt it for a while now—like an unseen force pressing against his skin.
Luna finally turned to him. "You know something, don't you?"
Kai chuckled. "Maybe."
"Cut the act, Kai."
Kai studied her for a moment. Then, for the first time, he gave a serious answer.
"I know that something big is coming. And we're not ready for it."
The Rift Disturbance
The next day, Sector 7 Academy was interrupted by a sudden power surge. Lights flickered, and the electronic systems shut down.
Then, the alarms blared.
"Warning: Unidentified Rift Disturbance Detected!"
Kai and Luna bolted outside, along with the rest of their class.
The sky was splitting open.
A new Rift was forming right above the school—something that wasn't supposed to happen.
Teachers shouted for students to evacuate, but Kai was already moving toward the danger.
Luna grabbed his wrist. "Are you insane?! We don't even know what's coming through!"
Kai gave her a cocky grin. "That's what makes it fun."
Luna groaned. "I swear, you have a death wish."
Then, the first Hellion appeared.
But it wasn't like the ones before.
This one was faster, sleeker, more… human-like.
The creature landed with a graceful step, its dark, shifting form flickering like living smoke. Its red eyes locked onto Kai and Luna.
And then, for the first time ever—
The Hellion spoke.
"You are too late."