My eyes drifted open. Darkness surrounded me, encompassing in every direction. I tried to move, but the walls around me were too close. My heart pounded in my chest, breath coming in fast gasps. “Where… where am I?” I whispered, running my hands over the rough, jagged surface around me. Solid rock encased me on every side.


    “Hey!” I shouted, pounding on the ceiling. “Can someone hear me? Get me out! Please!”


    A faint rustling came from somewhere above, and bits of stone and dust rained down on my face. I gasped, spitting the grit from my mouth, panic clawing at my throat. Suddenly, a flicker of light broke through the cracks, growing steadily brighter until it flooded my rocky prison.


    “Hey, you alright?” a voice called out. The mans voice was calming in my worried state, his voice was soft and gentle. “Cover your face—the debris can get nasty. Use your forearms, I learned that in a workplace safety seminar works in car crashes too.”


    I shielded my face as more dust rained down. Moments later, the slab above me shifted, and a hand reached inside. I grabbed it, and with a heave, I was pulled into the open air.


    “You good?” the voice asked. Its owner was a young man, maybe my age, 18 or 19, with short blonde hair swept to one side and beautiful blue eyes. He looked ordinary, yet there was something about him—a confidence, maybe—that put me at ease, or maybe it was his friendliness and easiness in this situation.


    “I’m Jakob,” he said, offering a lopsided grin. “What’s your name?”


    “Ezekiel,” I rasped, brushing dirt from my clothes. “Thanks for getting me out. I hate enclosed spaces.”


    Jakob nodded. “Yeah, these coffins aren’t exactly cozy. You’re the first person I’ve found who’s still alive.”


    I nodded, exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing more of the cavernous space around us. A cool draft whisped through the hall, carrying a strange scent—earthy and metallic, like damp stone and rusted iron.


    The ground beneath us was uneven, strewn with dirt and jagged rocks. On either side of the narrow walkway stood more coffins, embedded haphazardly into the walls. Some were cracked open like the one I was in, while others remained sealed tight. The corridor stretched forward, opening into a wider chamber framed by towering marble pillars that gleamed unnaturally in the dim light.


    “Where are we?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Jakob shook his head. “No idea. But this place doesn''t look normal. See how the pillars don’t match the rock around them? It’s like two different places got mashed together.”


    I glanced at the marble columns, noting the polished stone beneath them. The chamber ahead looked like a temple or a throne room, it looked ancient, procedurely generated like out of the backrooms. The contrast made my skin crawl, it gave me an uncanny valley feel.


    Jakob pointed toward three unopened coffins along the far wall. “I’ve been trying to find people like you. Haven’t had much luck so far, but maybe we’ll get lucky again.”


    As if in response, a faint thudding noise echoed through the hall. A muffled cry followed, a weak puff of air and then a voice. Jakob and I exchanged a look. Without a word, we rushed toward the sound, stopping at the nearest coffin.


    “Help! Please, get me out!” a voice cried from within. Together, we pressed against the heavy slab, muscles straining as we heaved it off. It fell to the ground with a loud crash, the sound reverberating through the chamber and then the rock cracked into five peices.


    Inside the coffin lay a young man, eyes wide ad scared. He gasped for air, clutching at his chest as if afraid the walls would close in again. “Thank you,” he wheezed, voice hoarse. “I… I couldn’t breathe. Thought I was going to die.”


    “You’re okay now,” Jakob said, offering a hand. “What’s your name?”


    “I… I don’t know,” the man stammered, pressing his hands to his temples. His fingers dug into his skin, leaving red marks. “I can’t remember anything. Just… something about the system. It… it didn’t accept me. I…my skin was crawling for the longest. I felt my bones in my skin pulse and then—”


    His eyes rolled back, and he let out a scream. Blood trickled from his nose and eyes as he collapsed, convulsing violently. “What is going on here?” Jakob asked, for the first time I heard panic in his voice.


    “I don’t know, but we need to help him—grab him!” I said, already moving toward the man. Together, we lifted him, half-dragging, half-carrying him toward the base of the nearest pillar, where the floor was smoother.


    As we set him down, a sudden blue flash caught my eye. I blinked, startled, as a message appeared in the upper left corner of my vision, glowing faintly:


    — New Mission Acquired: Read the Grimoire —


    — Accept the Quest —


    — Tutorial Unlocked —


    — Loading… —


    — Suitable System Unlocked —


    — Body Modifications Unlocked —


    — System Successfully Integrated with Host —


    — Directional Wheel Unlocked —


    — Start Your Journey. Thrive in Your New World Because Your Old World Is Gone —


    — Main Objective: Survive —


    I stumbled back, heart racing. “What the hell? Jakob, did you see that?”


    Jakob clutched his head, wincing. “Yeah… yeah, I saw it. And something’s happening to me. My body feels… weird.” He staggered toward the center of the chamber, gripping the pedestal for support. His breathing came in ragged gasps, and sweat dripped down his face.


    “Jakob!” I called, stepping toward him. His hands trembled as he reached for the book resting atop the pedestal. “Grab it!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall.


    The moment his fingers touched the book, the air around us shimmered, and a high-pitched whine filled my ears. My vision blurred, and I felt a strange, pulling sensation, as if my body was being unraveled thread by thread.


    “What’s happening?” I gasped, reaching for Jakob, but it was too late.


    Yellow, red, and green squares flickered around us, breaking our bodies apart like pixels on a glitching screen. I felt weightless, drifting in a sea of color and static. My mind raced, stimulated beyond belief. I went to open my mouth, but no sound came out and then.


    Ai! Are ye ready for war?” an older man growled, his face inches from mine. His brown hair was cut short, shaved on one side, with a jagged scar slicing down his scalp like a lightning bolt frozen in flesh. The stench of stale liquor and rotting teeth hit me like a fist, and I flinched back. War? What war? Where the hell am I? And where’s Jakob?


    “I… I don’t even know where I am—” I stammered, my voice catching in my throat.


    He grabbed my shirt and yanked me forward. His grip was iron, fingers digging into my collarbone as his glare drilled into me.


    “Enough of yer games, Fredrick. Try to run, and I’ll kill ye where ye stand.” His voice dropped low, rough with years of smoke and bitterness. “See the horde out there? We hold the line, or our families back home die. I ain’t goin’ home to find my son gutted on the floor. So do yer job, or I’ll end ye myself.” He shoved me back hard enough that I stumbled.


    I caught myself, breath shaky, heart pounding. I wasn’t in my body. Somehow, I was inside some guy named Fredrick—a middle-aged, worn-down soldier. My hands were rough and pale, my build stockier. It was surreal seeing my skin change right before my eyes, but that wasn’t even the worst part.


    “What exactly am I supposed to fight them with?” I asked, voice unsteady, hoping he wouldn’t notice the fear creeping into my tone.


    “That sword on yer back and yer bloody skills, what else?” He scowled, then spat on the ground. “Did ye hit yer head? We ain’t got coin for rifles. We’re lowly swarm guards—just meat for the grinder.”


    Swarm guards? Oh, fuck this.


    “I don’t know where I am,” I muttered, shaking my head. “What’s going on out there?”


    The man’s eyes narrowed. He leaned in close, voice dropping into a growl. “Don’t tell me you’re playing mad to weasel out of this. Yer not gettin’ out. The Graverobbers and Scarab-Borns out there’ll butcher us if you ain’t ready. Now, take a swig.” He shoved a flask into my chest, nearly knocking the wind out of me.


    I hesitated, glancing down at the dented metal container. Its cold surface pressed against my skin, the smell of cheap bourbon leaking from the cap. Slowly, I unscrewed it and took a sip. The liquid burned all the way down, harsh and bitter, making me cough.


    “There’s my man, Fredrick.” He grinned, clapping me hard on the back. “That wake ye up? Now—ready yerself. We move on my count.”


    I followed him, crouching low in the trench. Barbed wire twisted along the edges, tangled with broken bodies and torn clothing. The air reeked of blood, gunpowder, and something far worse—like meat left to rot in the sun. Beyond the trench lay a battlefield scarred by craters and littered with debris. Dust clung to the air, thick enough to taste. The figures in the distance weren’t human—not entirely. Hulking creatures with the heads of scarabs and warped, muscular bodies loomed over the chaos, their black carapaces glistening in the dim light. Dead soldiers lay around them, their blood soaking the earth.


    “On my count, son. One… two… three—GO!”


    He vaulted over the trench wall, charging straight into the fray. I stood frozen for a moment, staring after him in disbelief as the battlefield erupted into chaos. Men screamed, blades clashed, and the ground trembled underfoot.


    “Ah, fuck this,” I muttered under my breath. Without a second thought, I turned and bolted in the opposite direction, away from the battle, away from the death and carnage ahead. My feet pounded against the dirt as I scrambled toward a distant hill, hope flaring in my chest. If I could make it over, I might find some way out of this nightmare.


    But just as I reached the base of the hill, the ground quaked violently beneath me. I stumbled, falling hard onto my hands and knees. Dust clouded my vision, and for a moment, all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. Then a massive shadow stretched over me, blocking out the pale gray sky.


    I froze.


    Slowly, I looked up.


    Suddenly, the world stilled. My body froze, caught in a cold, suffocating bubble, trapped outside of time and space.


    Tsk.


    What?


    Tsk.


    The sound echoed in my ear, sharp and unnerving, followed by a strange breeze, as if someone was blowing air directly against me.


    Then, a weight on my shoulder. A hand?


    I jerked my head to my left, but there was nothing there. Then came a rustling, faint, beside me on the right. My body refused to move, locked in place within this unnatural bubble. I could only turn my head, my eyes frantically scanning for the source of the disturbance.


    Tsk.


    “You disappoint me, Chozeh,” a voice purred, laced with mockery. “Come now, did you really think you could run from the system?” A laugh followed, cruel and mocking. “You’re a funny little man, I’ll give you that. I like you.”


    I shook my head, desperate to pinpoint the source of the voice, but saw nothing. Until—


    “Come now,” the voice beckoned, smoother, more intimate. “I only show myself when you ask. Do you want to see me, Chozeh? Do you want to feel me, Chozeh?” The words lingered like a caress. “I want to feel you. Feel your heartbeat. Tear into your stomach, your flesh and bones. Eat your liver.”


    “Who are you? Why have you frozen me in place like this?” My voice shook, a knot of terror tightening in my chest.


    Then, a touch. A hand brushed against my thigh—slow, deliberate. Long, pale fingers with filthy black nails scraped against my skin through my pants, pressing harder until a thin line of blood appeared, trickling down my leg.


    “You sick fuck, what are you doing? Stop touching me like that! Let go!” I shouted, struggling against the unseen force.


    The voice chuckled darkly. “Oh, come now, the voice of reason. I thought we were bonding. Were we not?”


    I could feel it then—his presence. Something flickered at the edge of my vision, a face—long, white nose and painted skin, twisted in a grimace. Bells jangled faintly as he leaned closer.


    The man looked demonic, his features contorted in a savage grin. His attire was garish—purple, black, and green, with blood splattered across his jester’s suit. Bells on his shirt tinkled with every movement.


    His eyes burned like hellfire, dark crimson irises that bore into my very soul. His jester hat brushed against my skin, the bells ringing like a death knell.


    “I’m just letting you know about the journey,” he whispered, the words oozing with malice. “You’ll be seeing me a lot, Chozeh. Don’t worry—you’ll find out soon enough.” He paused, a cold grin creeping across his face. “Just remember, Chozeh…”


    His finger pressed into my back, sharp as a knife, slicing through skin like paper. He dragged it upward, his touch searing and invasive.


    “You can’t escape me. Or the system. Accept your fate. You and the other gods don’t like it when travelers try to interfere. But I felt your soul. It resonated with me, Chozeh. So much.” His voice became low, almost tender. “So I’ll help you. Until I don’t feel like helping anymore, and then—” His smile widened, sickeningly wide. “I’ll kill you in ways that will leave you feeling it in the afterlife. Got it?”


    He leaned in closer, his grin stretching impossibly wide. He dug his fingers into my back, tearing through flesh with a sickening squelch. Blood trickled down, and he licked it off his long, blade-like fingers as if savoring it.


    Then, he shoved me to the ground.


    His presence vanished as suddenly as it came, leaving me gasping for air. The tension in the air lifted, and I could move again—finally.


    But as I staggered to my feet, my vision spun. My body hit the ground, cold and sharp, pain shooting down my neck. I glanced up just in time to see a headless body collapse in front of me, blood spraying across the ground. A man stood over me, sword raised, flinging the blood off his blade.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    It was the man from earlier—the one who’d warned me not to run.


    “I’ll kill you where you stand if you try to run,” his voice echoed in my head, his words ringing in my ears.


    I guess he wasn’t joking.


    Blackness crept in as my vision faded. The last thought that lingered in my mind was of the clown—the twisted, sickening way he spoke to me—and the words, “Other gods.”


    —-Tutorial Failed: System Reboot—-


    —-Returning Host to Original Body—-


    —-Returned Host—-


    I stumbled forward and collapsed to my knees. I grabbed my neck and fiddled with my bullet necklace underneath. What had I gotten myself into? A hand settled on my shoulder, and a voice broke through my foggy thoughts and foggy vision.


    “Are you okay?” I jerked back involuntarily, breathing hard and letting go of the cold metal bulle. “Woah calm down. What happened to you?”


    Jakob gripped my shoulder, he was clearly concerned his brows furrowed together. I looked up, feeling the warm drip of liquid running from my nose, touching it and then smearing it on my lip. A sharp pain throbbed at the base of my skull, pulling my eyes down to earth into a the rocky terrain underfoot. At least I wasn’t dead; it could’ve been worse, right?


    “Did you not—? Did you not see that?” I asked, breathless, my heart was punching me in the chest. I was sweating so much from the adrenaline and the pain that I didn’t notice the searing pain in my neck.


    “See what?” he looked backwards, and then back at me.


    “I was… in someone else’s body. I felt it,” I muttered, my dreads falling over my face, sweat beading on my forehead. I wiped them away, moving them out my vision, my bright red eyes flaring in the darkness of the cave. Wet damp drips hit me as we moved forward looking for an escape. My brown skin flickering in the torchlight as if I was glowing.


    Jakob’s grip tightened slightly, holding my shoulder in a way a brother does. “No, I didn’t see anything like that. Are you sure you’re alright?”


    I frowned, legs aching from the fall of before. “Yeah… sure. I’m fine. Let’s just keep moving—-It''s probably just the heat of this place frying my brain, or something. I don’t know I just feel weird.”


    Speaking of Jakob. I haven''t noticed, what are you wearing?” I muttered, frowning as I grabbed a fistful of the scratchy, gray fabric draped over me. “Where did my clothes go? They’ve got me in rags? Wait…”


    I froze, staring at my bare feet, then slowly lifted the hem of the robe. My eyes widened in disbelief. “Jakob… Jakob…”


    “What is it, Ezekiel?” he asked, turning toward me with concern.


    “They… they took my clothes. AND MY SHOES.” My voice cracked, rising in pitch. “They took my SHOES! They gotta die. Who would do that? Where are my shoes?!”


    Jakob glanced down at himself, his expression shifting from curiosity to confusion. “Now that you mention it… I’m in a loincloth and a tunic. That’s… huh?!”


    “Jakob!” I dropped to my knees, clutching my head in despair. “Who would take a man’s shoes? WHO would do that?”


    Jakob blinked at me, bewildered. “Are… are you crying?” He crouched beside me, patting my shoulder awkwardly. “I’m sure you’ll get them back. Or find new ones. There’s gotta be shoes somewhere.”


    I sniffled, wiping my eyes. “You think so?”


    “Yeah, definitely. And honestly, I’d like to find something better than this ridiculous tunic. It’s… uh, kinda drafty. Feels like I’m wearing a skirt.” He pulled at the fabric, grimacing. “Anyway, where even are we? This doesn’t look like the same cave. It’s too dark—I can barely see anything besides rocks and walls.”


    I stood up, brushing dirt off the rough robe. “I don’t think so either. It feels… different. The air’s colder and a wind is blowing this way.” I squinted into the dimness. “Wait—look, there’s a light over there.” I pointed toward a faint glow in the distance. “It’s not much, but we should follow it. It Might be a way out.”


    We started toward the light, cautious but hopeful. Each step echoed faintly in the dark, the sound swallowed by the cavernous void around us. As we drew closer, the glow grew brighter, until it flooded our vision in a sudden, burst of light.


    I stumbled back, raising an arm to shield my eyes. The searing brightness dulled a moment later, revealing… nothing. Just an endless expanse of white stretching in every direction, a void without walls, ground, or sky.


    “Jakob… what is that?” I whispered, confused.


    Before he could answer, a voice echoed in my mind:


    — System Transport Complete —


    — Mission Accepted: Reincarnated —


    — Main Goal: ??? —


    —


    — Class Unlocked: Seer —


    — Skill Unlocked: Analyse —


    A chill ran down my spine as I stared into the white. Whatever this place was, it wasn’t anywhere I recognized.


    Jakob exhaled, his shoulders tense. “Reincarnated… what does that even mean?” He turned to me, a flicker of fear in his eyes. “Ezekiel, what do we do now?”


    I clenched my fists, feeling the rough fabric of my robe scratch my skin like it was made of a hundred rats. “First… we find out where we are. Then we figure out if anyone else is here. And after that…” I glanced at my bare feet. “We find my shoes.”


    “Wait Ezekial that book, do you remember it?”


    He patted his pockets, searching his persons. His brow furrowed, his movements more patting his illusionary pockets. Before he could say another word, the air shimmered, and the book appeared, raising from a pedastool off the marble floor beneath us.


    Jakob froze, his gaze darting between the book and his empty hands. “What the… Did you see that? It just proofed out of nowhere.”


    “I did. What’s going on? This place looks like a solid white box. There’s literally nothing here except the marble floor.”


    He reached out, as if willing something to his palm. Nothing happened. He tried again, his face contorted to show his concentration. A faint shimmer, a ripple in the air—and the book appeared above his hand, floating for a brief second before dropping into his grip. It just fell out of the sky from off of the pedastool.


    We stared at each other, wide-eyed. My mind raced, thoughts spiraling. “Looks like we have some kind of… retrieval ability? Or is that just this room? This could be huge. Are we in a video game or something? Or just a different universe with different physics?”


    Tentatively, I focused, reaching out in my mind, searching within the core of my chest and then expanded it to my arms and then my head. There—a small, cold weight pressed against my brain. I grasped at it, and in an instant, a dagger materialized in my hand, the cold steel glimmered in the white vastness of the room.


    Jakob’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What kind of magic is this?”


    “Some kind of inventory system? Are we in a video game Jakob?” I speculated, my voice unsure. “What’s the book say? Wait let me see if I can get an idea: Analyze.” I looked at it hard and spoke the words. Everything around me went grey and the book began to glow in a yellow light on its exterior, as if glowing.


    —Analyze Complete—


    —Book of the Void. The gaps in spacetime and the story of an interdimensional traveler. A man of the madness and a masterclass survivalist—


    —Upgrade Analyze to unlock more information—


    “Well that didn’t tell me anything on this besides it’s a book of the void.” Jakob nodded and stretched his arm out to grab the cover.


    As he opened the book, something felt as if it was looking at us. The leather cover was weathered, the pages unnaturally pristine, it honestly didn''t make sense how this old book could look so good. Jakob opened it further, flipping through the pages. His eyes skimmed the text, the initial confusion on his face melting into the barren landscape around him.


    “Ezekiel… you need to read this.” His face was worried.


    I took the book, feeling its weight, it was heavier than it looked, and with its dark cover, the blackness sunk into my skin. Skimming the first few lines, I read:


    “You are dead. The life you once knew is gone, left behind like a fading memory. Now, you live within the bounds of this system, a new world governed by rules of power, trade, and sacrifice. Here, your body, your mind, and even your soul are mere resources, expendable in the pursuit of survival or strength.”


    My chest felt hollow, an ache blooming like a flower in a summer evening. The word dead echoed in my mind, peeling away something disgusting beneath. Like a rotten fruit, my core felt wet and soft.


    Dead.


    We were dead. Were we truly dead?


    I had to let that sink in.


    “Does that mean there is no hope of return? No chance, not even the slightest? Were we reborn, or was our earth destroyed, leaving us stranded here? Agh, this raises so many questions. And not a single thing closer to an answer.


    Hey Jakob. Did you get any skill? I was thinking maybe I could upgrade mine and have it tell us more in the future?” He shook his head.


    “No I didn’t get anything. That sounds like a good idea but I have no clue how we could use that to escape this place. Just thinking about what he meant by all that had my mind racing.”


    It felt as if my old life had vanished entirely, slipping away like a dream, one I could no longer revisit. But there was no turning back now—I had to know. I forced myself to keep reading, to at least find the answers, if not some.


    “You will discover your abilities, your limitations, your classes and stats, your strengths and weaknesses. Your weapons, your skills, will materialize from your will alone. You will learn to flourish in a starved environment. You will gain power beyond your former knowledge, but the price is steep. Every choice will demand sacrifice, and every sacrifice, its benefit. You are only here to feed the machine if you can not develop with it.”


    The reality sank in: We could trade parts of ourselves for power? Souls… limbs… emotions? What the hell did that even mean? How would that even work? I just cut off a finger and grow wings?


    “The system chooses your path, but you may diverge. Choose with your intuition rather than thought, for not everything is as it seems in this world. Blood is only as thick as you make it, so choose your friends wisely.”


    Skills? System? Choices? What choices? The only choice that mattered was life or death, wasn’t it? Like what is this book here getting at?”


    The words here didn’t make sense. Who would make something like this? Who would think of such a cruel joke to place on a kid freshly out of high school? I kept reading, each sentence more absurd than the last. A wave of disbelief hit me like this was an absurd joke.


    I looked at Jakob, who nodded grimly. “So… we have magic now? We are like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson or something?”


    He was right. The book had made that clear, but how? It didn’t explain anything. Anything whatsoever?


    I turned the page and kept reading, trying to see what would come next.


    “Beyond this tomb lies the unknown. In it, the weak will be shattered. Strength is no longer a choice—it is a currency. You must become both shield and sword to those who follow you, for they will need you more than they know. But remember: the path of mercy is paved with death. Some will drift into madness, and you must let them fall. Those who cannot carry their weight will become burdens to you, slowing your progress.”


    Jakob’s face hardened. His voice was rough when he spoke. “He’s telling us to abandon the weak… even those who look to us for help? I’m not about to do that?”


    “This book is for those willing to become stone and flame. Its words are written in the ashes of worlds I’ve seen, worlds I’ve conquered, and worlds I’ve left behind. Do not seek allies. Seek only those who share the same curse that binds you. You are not their kin. You will never be one of them. And if you forget that truth, the land itself will rise to remind you.”


    Karion Viscus – Wayfarer of Worlds, Scribe of the Void.


    Jakob placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip tight. “We can’t show this to anyone, if we find anyone and get out of this cave.”


    I nodded, and the bright room suddenly dimmed. This came out of nowhere and I had to blink to readjust my eyes. It all shifted and I stepped away. Shutting my eyes hard. When I opened them everything went back to normal.


    The dark, uneven walls loomed over us, pressing inward with an oppressive presence, jagged edges clawing at the shadows. It felt as though they were pushing us forward, urging us deeper into the unknown. We kept walking, our footsteps echoing faintly as dust stirred with each step. The dry, gritty air clung to my throat, making both Jakob and me cough. I gripped my neck, trying to ease the burn.


    After several minutes, we entered a clearing. The room opened up into a wide expanse littered with stone slabs. I reached out, running my fingers along one of them. They stood in rigid rows, cold and smooth beneath my touch, like caskets for the dead. The chill in the air seemed to preserve them, keeping decay at bay. Jakob and I braced ourselves against a few slabs, straining to pry them open, but the lids wouldn’t budge. They were too heavy, sealed by something beyond mere weight.


    “Anyone here?” my voice echoed through the chamber, each word swallowed by the oppressive silence. “We’re here to help—or at least we’re trying!”


    Only silence answered. Resigned, we turned toward a distant archway and pressed on, moving further through the hall.


    As we neared the cave’s entrance—or exit, I suppose—a sudden gust of wind hit us, dry and stifling, like the breath of something ancient and evil. The air carried the acrid stench of sulfur, and heat radiated from the two suns above, spinning in an awkward, rhythmless dance. Jakob and I exchanged a glance, then turned back, scanning the slabs one last time.


    “I didn’t see anyone in there. Are we alone?” Jakob’s voice was tight with unease.


    I shook my head. “No… Maybe they left before us. It couldn’t just be us, right?”


    We stepped outside, and the ground trembled beneath our feet—not violently, but enough to unsettle us. It felt as though something beneath the earth was shifting, stirring in its slumber. We looked ahead and it seemed people were already here. They must’ve exited before us because the looks on their faces seemed heavy with confusion


    They looked dazed, disoriented—some barely older than children, clutching at one another with wide, fearful eyes. Others bore the weary lines of age, faces etched with lives they would never return to. About thirty of them, all as bewildered as Jakob and me.


    The world beyond was alien. Barren red sands stretched endlessly toward the horizon, broken only by towering pillars of jagged rock that jutted upward like shattered bones. The wind howled through the desolate landscape, carrying flecks of grit that stung our eyes. Above us, two suns hung side by side—one a blazing red, the other a ghostly, pale blue. Slowly, the red sun began to eclipse the blue one, casting the land in a surreal, blood-tinged glow.


    Around me, unfamiliar faces turned toward us, searching for something—anything—that made sense. Jakob caught my eye, and I knew we had to say something, do something, before panic took hold.


    I took a deep breath, forcing down my nerves, and raised my voice above the murmurs of fear. “Everyone, listen up!”


    The crowd stilled, their eyes locking onto me, desperate for guidance.


    “I know you’re scared,” I said, letting the words settle over them. “Believe me, so are we. But you’re not alone. We don’t know what brought us here, or why, but if we’re going to survive, we have to stay together.”


    Jakob stepped up beside me, his voice calm where mine wavered. “This place… it’s dangerous. No one’s going to make it alone. We need each other now more than ever. I don’t know any of you, but if we stick together, we might have a chance.”


    He clapped his hands, trying to break the tension. “If anyone has questions or ideas, speak up. We don’t know much more than you do, but we can start forming a plan.”


    I scanned the thirty faces before me—strangers united by fear and hope. Each one was a flicker of life against the endless, crimson wasteland.


    “We’re going to survive this,” I said, the words feeling empty even as I forced myself to believe them. “Stick with us, and we’ll figure this out.” My throat tightened as a sudden wave of homesickness hit me. God, I missed school. I missed her.


    Jakob shot me a glance, a voice echoed out loud and it had caught my attention.


    Who the hell are you two?” a tall man demanded, his voice rough and commanding. “Where am I, and how did I get here? Do you know anything ‘bout this place? Last thing I remember, I was working on a vehicle in my uncle’s shop—thing dropped on my head—and now I’m here.” His eyes scanned the crowd before locking on us. “You know what it feels like to walk out of a cave with what looks like two hundred people?”


    There weren’t anywhere near that many. I did a quick head count. Fifty, maybe a hundred tops.


    “Calm down, friend. We’re in the same boat,” I said, raising a hand in what I hoped was a reassuring gesture. “Name’s Ezekiel. Nice to meet someone after that long walk down the cave.” I took a step forward, extending my hand. “But listen, we need to get this group together. Right now, it’s a lot of chatter and no direction.”


    The man’s eyes flicked to my outstretched hand, unimpressed. “I’m going anywhere but here. You all might want to follow, or don’t. Not my problem.” He crossed his arms, radiating the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you can handle yourself. “You don’t look like the savior type, son.”


    He was a good half-foot taller than me and Jakob, which said a lot, considering I stood at 6’1. There was something about him—an air of authority, like he was used to people falling in line without question.


    “You military?” I asked, noting the faded fatigues and the stiff, straight-backed posture. “We could use someone with that kind of experience.” I straightened up, pulling my hands from my pockets and standing to my full height.


    “Ex-Marine,” he said with a grunt, his eyes drifting to the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows across the crimson sands. “And from the looks of it, we’re in a desert. If we don’t got no cover soon, it’s going to freeze once night hit.” He raised a hand to shield his eyes, revealing forearms thick with muscle. His salt-and-pepper beard looked rough, like it hadn’t seen a razor in days, and his green hat sat low, casting a shadow over his intense gaze. His chocolate-toned skin glimmered in the fading light of the sun.


    “What’s your name?” I asked. “Glad to see another black man here. Hopefully, we can get along—maybe skip the threats.”


    “Calvin. But you can call me Sergeant Harris,” he replied, tugging his hat lower as if to get a better read on us. “Ain’t got no time to bicker with kids, no offense. Now, I’m about to head that way. Feel free to follow—or don’t.” He jerked a thumb toward the distant dunes behind him.


    “I’m Ezekiel, and this is Jakob,” I said quickly. “We weren’t the first out of the cave but I know we aren’t on earth anymore.” I hesitated, glancing back at the crowd. Most of them looked confused, scared. “We need to get these people organized, Sergeant. They’re looking for someone to take charge. Maybe we could assign roles, form a plan? I might be young, but that doesn’t mean I can’t lead.”


    Harris regarded me with a level stare, his expression unreadable. Then slowly he nodded, I could tell he was thinking, not sure of what, but something came to his mind; and after a second he smiled and then responded. “Smart. If we’re going to make it out of here, we need a base—some kind of temporary outpost where we can regroup, scout for supplies.”


    “Exactly.” I turned toward the crowd, noting how their scattered conversations had quieted, as if they sensed something important was about to happen. “If they’re willing to follow, we might be lucky enough to survive out here.”


    “Then let’s move.” Harris’s voice was gruff, no-nonsense. “I’ll take point. You two keep the stragglers in line. Start gathering the able-bodied. We’ll need scouts, fast.”


    Before I could reply, he scanned the crowd, picking out a handful of men who looked capable and a black hair woman followed behind, and then they set off toward the dunes. Over his shoulder, he added, “I’ll check the perimeter. Fill me in when I get back, you make them listen while I do the adult shit.”


    Jakob stepped up beside me, watching Harris disappear into the distance. “Think we can trust him?” he asked quietly.


    I didn’t answer right away. If Harris knew how to survive, we needed him. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But right now, we don’t have much of a choice.”


    Once Harris was gone, I stepped forward, raised my voice, and called out, “Alright, everyone—group up! We’ve got a team scouting for supplies and shelter. The rest of you, stick close and keep calm.”


    A low murmur rippled through the crowd—uncertainty, whispers turning into irritated mutters. Then a voice cut through, loud and defiant.


    “Who put you and Officer Dipshit in charge? If you check his hat, you’ll probably find streaks from my ass.”


    The crowd shifted, parting slightly as a tall, wiry guy with reddish-brown hair stepped forward. His freckled face was half-covered by his messy bangs, and he wore an oversized band shirt that read ‘Do You See the Whales’ in solid red letters across the front. A winged whale was printed beneath the words, and on the back, the shirt said ‘Gojira.’ His cargo pants sagged awkwardly, two sizes too big, and he shifted on his feet as though caught between stepping up and retreating into the background.


    Jakob took a step forward, he spoke up. “Who said that? Don’t hide in the crowd.”


    “I said it,” the young man muttered, scratching the back of his neck, his eyes flicking nervously between us. “Tired of military types barking orders.”


    Before the guy could respond, an older girl smacked him on the back of the neck, the slap ringing out sharp and loud. He winced, rubbing the spot as he shot her a glare. “Ow—Jerissa, what the hell?”


    The girl ignored him, stepping forward with an air of casual confidence. She wore thigh-high shorts and a green-and-white striped shirt that ended just above her waist showing her belly button and a star piercing coming from her belly button. Arms crossed, she gave me a quick once-over before extending a hand. “Ignore my idiot brother,” she said with a sigh. “I’m Jerissa.”


    I took her hand, giving it a firm shake, maybe holding it a second longer than I should have. “Ezekiel. You can call me Zeke.”


    Jerissa smirked slightly, clearly catching the moment. “Well, Zeke, looks like you’ve got your hands full.”


    “Can you not flirt with every guy you meet?” the guy grumbled. “You’re embarrassing.”


    Jerissa shot him a withering look, and he immediately shut up, scowling as he rubbed the back of his neck again. She turned back to me, her smirk fading as she got serious. “Alright, so what do you need us to do?”


    Before I could answer, Jakob spoke up. “We need to figure out who’s here and what they can do. People know each other—we need to form groups, get a sense of everyone’s strengths, and see who needs help the most.”


    “Right.” Jerissa nodded, catching on quickly. “I’ll help with that. C’mon, Odin.” She gave her brother a pointed look, and he reluctantly followed her.


    As we worked to split everyone into smaller groups, Jerissa took the lead with the women, while Jakob and I focused on the men. We told them to group by height and build, a quick way to identify those who might be better suited for different tasks. As the crowd shifted and rearranged itself, I did a quick headcount—twenty men, ten women. Not great odds, but it was something to work with.


    That’s when I noticed her—a small girl standing alone, apart from everyone else. She couldn’t have been older than seven, her wide eyes fixed on the shifting groups around her, fear and uncertainty written across her face.


    I stepped toward her slowly, crouching down to her level. “Hey there,” I said gently. “What’s your name?”


    She fidgeted with her hands, wide eyes fixed on me. “I’m Delilah. What’s your name, sir?”


    I gave her a gentle smile, trying to look as reassuring as possible. “I’m Zeke. Delilah, I’m going to make sure you’re okay. Is that alright? Is your mommy or daddy here with us?”


    Delilah’s face fell, her hands clutching each other tightly. “No… the last thing I remember is my mommy making me breakfast. Then I took a bath, and… I fell asleep in the tub. I woke up here, and… I was so scared when I heard the rocks fall.”


    A knot formed in my throat, but I forced myself to keep my expression calm. “Well, Delilah, see that girl over there?” I pointed toward Jerissa, who was still wrangling her brother with a look of barely contained exasperation. “She’s a friend of mine. She’ll keep an eye on you, okay?”


    Delilah looked over at Jerissa, then back at me, and offered a shy smile. “Okay, Mister Zeke.”


    I gave her a light pat on the head. “Good. Go ahead and stick close to her.”


    As she ran off toward Jerissa, I straightened up and let out a long sigh. “This is going to be a handful, isn’t it, Jakob?”


    Jakob crossed his arms, nodding toward Jerissa and her brother, who were still locked in an argument. “Yeah, looks like it. Maybe we should go around, ask each group what they’re good at, and start figuring out who can actually help.”


    I glanced over the scattered groups—still a mix of uncertainty and confusion. People were tired, nervous, and on edge, but we didn’t have time to let that fester. “That, I can agree with,” I said, rolling my shoulders. “Let’s get to work.”