Kyle:
"My life wasn't grand. Not luxurious. Not thrilling. But it was mine. Quiet. Simple. Predictable.
Until that one day… the day the world flipped inside out.
Humans became monsters—savage, primal things.
Some survived… and some of us changed.
Half-human, half-something else.
We called it evolution.
But tell me… are we still human?"
---
The alarm buzzed.
Kyle blinked. Groaned. 7:30 AM. Another day.
He pulled himself up, yawning, and grabbed the nearest pillow to smack the mound of blankets beside him.
"Zeke, wake up. It's not Sunday."
From under the blanket:
"Mannnn… I don't wanna go to college today..."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "That's your everyday routine, Zeke…"
A grunt was the only reply.
Kyle tossed some clothes toward him. "Get dressed. We're already half an hour late."
---
After some chaotic dressing, cereal spilled across the table, and a classic sock-hunt, they finally stepped out into the morning light.
It was just like every day—busy streets filled with strangers, cars rushing by, the old neighbor yelling at kids, and best of all, the clear blue sky.
Kyle was a student at college. Coming from the countryside, it had taken a mountain of studying and effort to get into Ashen University—one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Zeke trudged alongside him, dragging his feet like a zombie. "Seriously bro, education is pain."
Zeke had been Kyle's childhood friend. They'd grown up in the same neighborhood. After Zeke's parents died in a tragic accident, Kyle's family took him in.
Since then, they'd been inseparable. Not just friends—brothers.
Kyle replied, "Yeah! It'd be better if yo—"
"HELP!!"
A woman's scream cut through the air.
They turned. A balloon floated up lazily into the sky. Below it, a little girl stood frozen in the middle of the road, arms stretched toward her toy. Her mother screamed again, dashing from the sidewalk—but she was too far.
Kyle's heart skipped. Time slowed.
A truck came barreling around the corner.
Before he could think, Kyle lunged forward, grabbed the girl, and rolled them both to safety.
The truck's brakes screeched. It swerved—missing them by inches.
Kyle sat up, the trembling child still in his arms.
Zeke jogged up, panting.
"Dang, dude. You okay? That was cool!
But alas… looks like she won't be getting her isekai after all."
Kyle snorted, giving Zeke a side glance. He helped the girl to her feet. Her mother ran up to them.
"Thank you so much! You saved my daughter!"
Kyle replied, "It's okay, just… be careful."
The woman thanked him again, and they continued walking.
His reflexes again… always like this.
Ever since he was a kid, they were inhuman. He'd always been the best at any sport he touched. Those reflexes felt like second instinct—like something deep inside was waiting to wake up…
---
They passed a shop with a glowing TV in the window. The anchor was mid-report:
> "...a once-in-a-millennium solar eclipse scheduled for this afternoon—lasting longer than any recorded in history. Scientists are baffled by the phenomenon's sudden appearance…"
Zeke leaned in, eyes lighting up. "Wow! A special solar eclipse! Isn't that cool, Kyle?
The only downside is… we're not getting a day off. It's a one-in-a-million eclipse, man! Shouldn't we, like, be on a picnic or something?
Hey Kyle, what do you say we take a 'cosmic break' from college today?"
Kyle stared at him blankly.
"No one's getting a day off."
He grabbed Zeke by the ear and dragged him forward.
"OW—ow ow ow! Easy bro, alright, I'm coming! Sheesh!"
As they walked off, the second part of the news report played behind them:
> "...in related reports, local authorities continue investigating the unusual and sudden disappearances of individuals across the city. Residents report flickering lights, strange shadows, and eerie sounds before vanishing…"
---
"Here we are. Welcome to hell," Zeke muttered as they approached the entrance to campus.
College was the usual chaos. Students everywhere. Half-asleep teachers. Crappy vending machines.
And Zeke's never-ending terrible jokes.
Suddenly, a dazzling figure walked toward them.
It was Clara.
"Hey Kyle, do you have the notes from yesterday?" she asked in her sweet voice.
Clara was the class rep… and Zeke's crush.
Kyle teased, "Clara, you're the class rep. Shouldn't you be giving me the notes?"
Before she could reply, Zeke jumped in. "Hey Clara, I have the notes! Do you want them?"
Clara laughed, "Nah. Yours are probably filled with mistakes."
She walked away, leaving Zeke utterly crushed.
Kyle patted his back. "Don't worry, man. She likes you. Otherwise, she'd have roasted you into oblivion."
"Mannn…! Stop teasing. I'm actually worried about my future here."
"Okay, okay. I'll stop. At least you're serious about something."
Zeke pulled out a pack of gum. "Want some?"
"Nah, I'm good."
Suddenly, Kyle didn't feel good.
He rubbed his temples, swallowing back a wave of nausea.
His stomach churned. His skin felt hot and cold all at once.
"Ugh…"
"You good?" Zeke asked, chewing his gum.
"Yeah… just a weird day. Stomach's acting up."
"Probably guilt for sabotaging my love life," Zeke smirked. "Stay here. I'll grab us something to drink."
He disappeared into the hallway.
---
Kyle leaned back in his chair, eyes fluttering shut.
Then—
BANG.
A thunderclap inside his skull.
His head pulsed. Vision blurred. The walls tilted.
He clutched his forehead as the pain intensified—
It felt like his brain was being fried alive.
Then—
Darkness.
---
When he came to, everything was different.
No lights. No voices. The usual chaos was gone.
The classroom was empty. Silent.
Kyle stood, staggering toward the window.
The sky…
Red.
Not sunset. Not pollution.
The entire sky was soaked in a deep, unnatural crimson—like blood had been smeared across the heavens.
The sun was blood-red. Ominous. Unsettling.
---
A sound. Crying.
He followed the echo through the hall, heart pounding.
He saw her.
A girl sitting on the floor, uniform torn, shoulders shaking.
"Rita?"
The popular girl from his class. Always surrounded by friends. Always smiling.
She looked up—slowly.
Kyle froze.
Her face twisted.
Her skin was peeling—replaced with something scaly. Inhuman. Her mouth stretched unnaturally wide. Her limbs jerked, twitching.
She shrieked.
"WHAT—"
Kyle turned and ran, breath ragged. Corridor after corridor, he sprinted.
He burst into the courtyard—and stopped.
The college campus was swarmed with—
Monsters.
Humans twisted into nightmares. Claws. Tentacles. Teeth. Skin that shimmered, cracked, oozed.
He barely had time to scream—
A blur. Claws. Coming straight for his back.
But—
"KYLE!"
Zeke dove in, pushing Kyle aside.
Blood splattered. Zeke gasped, falling.
"NO—no no no—Zeke—"
Kyle dropped beside him, shaking.
The mutants closed in.
Dozens. Surrounding them.
One stepped forward. Its arm stretched and curved like a sword. It raised it—
Kyle looked up, wide-eyed.
SWOOSH.
Black.
---
[To Be Continued…]