A golden haired man looked outside a window, tempestuous rain shook the clouds as a torrential deluge brought by the dark sky above, fell upon the earth. Lightning of nature occasionally illuminated the rainy night. The few living beings enduring the wrathful weather quickly found abode inside buildings and other infrastructures. The man observed the outside scenery with a stoic expression, which was hiding a tinge of gloom and affliction in his azure eyes.

"Noah, dinner is ready!" The pondering teenager was suddenly extricated from his thoughts by a loud yet gentle voice.

"Coming."

Putting his reflections aside, he quickly answered while heading towards the fragrant scent of freshly cooked food. Two women were occasionally looking at a tv screen while one of them was skillfully filling one plate after another. A few minutes passed and while Noah was indulged in his own plate, his mother abruptly asked.

"What's wrong son?" The mother, Evelyne, said as he replenished her daughter's plate under her reluctant eyes.

"Your lasagnas are delicious. "The adolescent replied and Evelyne's eyebrows scrunched up. Crossing her legs, the progenitor deeply looked at her offspring with a persistent gaze, which the latter tried to avoid.

*Sigh* "It's not your fault that you didn't awaken Noah. Maybe it will happens later, who knows?" Aware of her child's concerns, the mother tried to soothe the latter's worries.

"Most people awakens at 10, they've proved it too many times." With a neutral expression, Noah looked at Evelyne.

"Only a few haven't yet and I'm a part of them."

All of a sudden, a hand quickly approached the morose teenager and disrupted his neatly arranged hairstyle, leaving behind messy, disheveled hair.

"More than 70% have awakened, Noah. And more are getting those weird powers." Evelyne gently smiled, her caring tone slightly soothing the adolescent.

"And the process is too flashy, trust me. You don't want people looking at you like you're some kind of disco ball. "Eva intervened, an embarrassing expression on her face as she carressed her now crimson hairline.

"When your classmates surrounded you?" A light smile appeared and Noah looked in amusement at her red hair sister.

"Yeah, when they 'surrounded me'." Eva emphasized with her two fingers while chuckling. With the mood livened up, the trio began discussing about mundane subjects until...

"This is an emergency alert, a large group of Traversers have been spotted in the Olan district. Awakened have already been dispatched, and will shortly arrive to eliminate the threat. Please remain safely hidden and do not leave under any circumstances. I repeat, this is..."

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The repeated warnings echoed and under the dreadful sounds of the tv, the lively atmosphere turned tense.

"It's... in our district." Gravely looking at the television, Eva hesitantly spoke, her hands slightly trembling, and her eyes giving off a weak scarlet glow. The trio got up and a decisive mother looked at her two children and proclaimed.

"Noah, Eva, take the emergency backpacks on your desks. We're going to the basement."

Albeit anxious, they did what they were told. Swiftly, they went towards their respective bedroom and came out with light, yet packed backpacks.

The nervous brother and sister then looked at their mother, also equipped with her own bag.

"Let's go."

Hurriedly living the apartment, the trio came upon other residents, horrified and frightened faces met theirs as they hastily walked down the stairs. Young and confused children tried to talk but their parents hurriedly shut their mouth.

"Shhhh. Don't speak too loud ok? If the monsters hear you, they will come and eat you." A woman in her 30s warned her two boys. Acknowledging his mother's words, the children fearfully nodded and followed her as she walked down the stairs. Children, men and women alike, all were terrified by the abominations they were usually seeing through their bright screen. Yet, at this moment, knowing that those cruel monsters may be nearby, their fears increased tenfold.

Emotions can lead to illogical thinking, and with the current stimulus, human absurdity was about to shine in all its glory. As more and more people headed towards the basement, one of them abruptly proclaimed.

"Shouldn't the awakened go down first? They could protect us just in case one of these monsters arrive." A middle aged man said, his bellybutton slightly bouncing as he took one step after another. His gaze was mostly focused on a particular black haired woman. The woman noticing his stare, glared back in revulsion.

"Try to force her and I'll rip that disgusting face of yours, you fat Fu*k."

Accompanying the raven haired adult, a 15 year old boy hatefully answered. Focusing on the boy's lips, the woman squinted her eyes and hold his hand, stopping him from further releasing obscenities.

"Kids these days, they're so disrespectful." As if unbothered, the man kept talking.

"As I said, It's just in case we meet one of those traversers. Come on people, don't tell me you are afraid even with your powers."

Some hesitated while others looked at their friends and relatives in a new light. Conversations started, albeit in a low tone. However, a family of tree did not slow down their pace and kept walking down the stairs.

"I don't care about your nonsense, don't drag our children and families into your absurd plan. Grey, Clara, come with us if you want." The blond haired Evelyne stated as a few signs were made with his right hand.

Seeing Evelyne's signs the black haired woman took the boy's hands and swiftly and silently followed the trio. And like a chain reaction, people continued their descent.

"She's right, we should get into safety as soon as possible. Bickering will get us killed." Murmurs ensued and echoed, and like a holy pilgrimage, they quickly followed Noah, Evelyne and Eva.

The corpulent middle aged looked at the leaving crowd, his expression dissatisfied. He then started walking down the stairs after the last person descended.

"Look at that fat fuc*k. Bossing around people and hiding behind them." Grey mumbled unholy curses under his breath, which was quickly caught by Evelyne.

"Grey."

"Sorry, Aunty." As if knowing the reason of her call, the boy quickly apologized.

Noticing the unusual movements, the raven haired Clara skeptically looked at the blond. Sighing, Evelyne said.

"He cursed again."

A mother said and another tightened her grip. Grey lightly grunted and when he looked at the source of his pain, he was only met by a gaze promising even more agony and suffering.

The siblings sympathetically sent glances at Grey until they reached the ground floor. As people began to notice the door to the basement, they unconsciously relaxed a bit. However...

*RHHAARRR*

A bloodcurdling howl exploded and like thunder, struck the people with primal fear. The heavy rain barely affected the mostruous sound as pale faces appeared one after another. Turning their gazes at the entrance, they saw a bloodied humanoid figure ravenously licking his blood red claws.

Silently it approached, and as the heavenly light struck again, the beast revealed itself in all its grandeur.

Three slit pupils erratically looked around it, and when it fell upon the horrified humans, its bloodstained mouth curled up in a human like manner. Like a snake, his slithery tongue moved in the moist atmosphere and strangely pointed towards the frail men, women and children.

Its thin yet white, tall stature dominated the whole area. Slowly, the beast moved. Heavy steps resounded and trails of blood and water followed his towering appearance.

"Run!!"

An unknown shout from the horror-stricken crowd, and most residents tried to escape the pallid monster, their steps fuelled by their sheer survival instinct. And with inhuman speed, the beast moved, a crescent moon formed on its chilling smile.

*RHHAARRR*

...