Eight years ago, in the year 2022, the world finally breathed a sigh of relief. After years of isolation and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, life began to return to normal. Markets were bustling again, planes filled the skies, and smiles once more adorned people's faces. People spoke of the future with hope—plans to travel, rebuild their lives, and children went back to school with innocent smiles.
But no one knew...The worst was yet to come.
On a cursed day that year, everything turned upside down.
A strange phenomenon appeared in the sky—a catastrophe unlike anything humanity had ever witnessed. The entire sky turned a deep, bloody red, as if the heavens were bleeding. Crimson whirlpools spiraled through the air like open wounds spewing scarlet mist in all directions. It was mesmerizing, terrifying... and utterly incomprehensible.
Later, the world gave it a name: The Glow.
This surreal sight became the talk of the globe—from scientists and politicians to the everyday citizen consumed by dread. Theories flooded the news and social media. Some believed it to be a temporary astronomical event. Others feared it was an alien invasion.
Global News Broadcast
Reporter:"It has been three months since the phenomenon began… Scientists insist it's a celestial anomaly that will soon disappear, but the public isn't convinced. Some believe it's linked to parallel worlds—or that a hellish gateway has opened above us."
Twitter Posts:
"I can't sleep anymore… Why does it feel like the world is crumbling?""If I die today, just know I loved you all… (except my neighbor who keeps stealing my parking spot)."
Tokyo, Japan
A man stared up at the blood-stained sky."It's still like this? Three months? I hope nothing worse happens…"
Then, suddenly—
The air split open.
It was as if an invisible blade had torn through the fabric of reality itself. A vortex of darkness emerged, devouring light, radiating a gravitational pull that everyone could feel in their bones.
And from that vortex... came the first monster.
It stood stories tall, its skin cracked like volcanic stone. Each step caused tremors through the streets. Glowing red eyes blazed like twin suns of rage, and every roar shattered windows and shook the earth.
The first monster… was born.
Screams filled the streets. People ran in all directions. Some thought it was a film set, but the truth became horrifyingly clear the moment its massive foot came down—
SPLAT!!!
Hundreds were crushed into crimson smears of flesh and screams.This wasn't a dream.It was a living nightmare.
New York, USA
Even the heart of the modern world was not spared. Another monster emerged between skyscrapers, wreaking havoc without mercy. The military responded. Jets and helicopters opened fire… but the bullets didn't even scratch its skin.
A young soldier, trembling, shouted:"Th-this can't be real! Are we… going to die here?!"
BOOOOM!!!
With a single blow, the monster sent dozens of soldiers flying like paper dolls.
United Nations Emergency Meeting
U.S. President(slamming the table):"This isn't a natural disaster! We're under attack by something beyond our understanding!"
Chinese President(calmly):"The question isn't how to fight them… It's how to prepare for what's coming next."
Amid the chaos and destruction…
From the smoke and ashes, a tall man emerged, his body crackling with electric sparks. His eyes burned with a blazing blue light, like twin flames of judgment. He stood before the monster—unshaken, unafraid.
He spoke in a deep, commanding voice:"Your time is up."
Then, from the heavens, a bolt of lightning crashed down, cleaving the monster in two. Flesh and bone vaporized. Silence followed.
The world… had changed.
Across Europe, Asia, and Africa, mysterious individuals began to appear. Humans—yet unlike any before. Some could control elements. Others had superhuman strength, speed, healing powers... even time manipulation.
The world named them: The Awakened.
Facebook Post (Trending):"Did you see the ones who stopped the monsters? Who ARE they?!""They're our real heroes!"
News Broadcast – Breaking:"Thanks to the help of unknown individuals, monsters have been stopped in several countries. But who are they? Why do they possess these powers? Are they still human?"
Casablanca, Morocco
But… Morocco wasn't as lucky as the others.
While some countries faced one or two monsters, Casablanca faced over a hundred.
People fled in panic, trying to escape the city in cars, buses—anything.
"Mom, get in the car! Hurry!" a man yelled—Before a massive monster hurled their vehicle like a toy.
In less than a day, the city fell.It became a monster zone, a forbidden area no one dared enter.
Blood stained the streets, and buildings became hollow ruins.The survivors? Only a few.And the world? It was completely unprepared.
But this... was not the end.It was only the beginning.
Present Day
Rabat, Morocco
My name is Adam. I'm 19 years old, living in Rabat, Morocco... and today, I'm visiting my sister in the hospital.She suffers from a mysterious illness that began with the appearance of "The Glow" eight years ago.The doctor says the red sky is the cause. The more she's exposed to it, the worse she gets. That's why she can't go outside… not like other children.
"Brother…" she whispers with worry.
I squeeze her hand gently."I have to go to the university now, okay?"
As I walk through the hospital corridor, I mutter to myself:
"I read on Facebook that there's a crystal that can cure this illness…But only the Awakened can retrieve it—because it's guarded by powerful monsters."
A deep frown forms on my face.
"And I haven't Awakened yet…Damn it."