Ran

I sipped clean my coffee cup then gone out through the door to see my family. It has been a week since the trip that they had and they just got home today. I welcomed everybody who is seemed to be exhausted with their travel. I can see my Mother busy arranging all the things they have brought from the house to the trip. My sister was likewise having things in her hand, putting all the clothes they have used in the trip inside the laundry basket. My two older brothers, however, have gone straight up to their rooms after throwing their things for my mother to pick.

I never really liked outdoor activities and I'm contented staying within the four corners of my room. I mostly play computer games after a long tiring day of work. I like having to work on my home as I don't need to experience the long queue in riding public vehicles.

It is the year 2022. As a 23-year-old corporate man, I am blessed to have this kind of life. I don't dream of a big house and a collection of cars. I just want to live life as it is and be who I am. As for my family, well, I love my parents. My sister is a very responsible person so I like her too. As for my two brothers, I kind of, don't care that much for them.

I entered my room after welcoming my family. As I entered my phone ringed, obviously for work, so I answered it. After taking the call, I started my computer to play some games.

"Hey Ran, turn that off, I'm cooking something. Let's all eat together." my sister shouted behind the door. She is supposedly doesn't have the idea that I have just opened the computer but I guess she knows me that well.

"I'll come after I finish what I'm doing" I replied.

"F*** what you are doing. You're just going to play your beloved games. Come immediately or I'll bust your door," She insisted.

"Easy. I'm going now. I don't have the choice do I?" I said annoyingly.

It is a pretty messed up family to look at on the outside. But I have them, so I'm going to keep them.

"Has the internet provider visited today? Aren't we suppose to change wifi since the internet is so slow?" Our oldest asked, albeit, he is not the one who pays for the bill.

"I kept calling them but there's no avail," I answered.

"Hey look at the news, another mysterious monolith appeared. This time on the last continent." My older brother said. He is very interested in this kind of thing. As for me, I'm the kind of person who's really informed about these mysteries too.

Seven months. In that span, seven monoliths appeared in the world. Interestingly, those that appeared were placed on different continents. The first one spawned in North America. In front of the white house. It was meticulously investigated. Well, I can't blame them. When some mysterious block of metal stone appeared in front of your most guarded area without anyone noticing, treating such as an act of terrorism would be an understatement. Moreover, the stone can't even be destroyed. Guns, tractors, cannons, whatever. All of their attempts to remove the monolith has failed. That was the last news about that monolith though, all have been kept secret by their government.

After a month, another monolith appeared. This time in South America. The Brazilian government took the quickest action to keep things confidential. People from their country demand information about this phenomenon but the government's reply was just about strengthening the defense of the country and keeping the safety of its citizens.

Everyone was very curious. The trending topic across all social media was about these monoliths. There are even speculations I have read in a thread on Reddit about terrorism, aliens, and pranks made by the governments.

Afterward, the government officials didn't had the chance to bury the topic.

Another monolith appeared in the United Kingdom in Europe. Other monoliths that came after are located in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and lastly here in Asia.

As of today, the continents now have their monoliths each. As if I know what that means. It is really interesting to ponder upon how these monoliths appeared out of nowhere. Although I'm not enthusiastic about searching and contemplating about the reason, I am sure time will tell.

The news is currently about the speculations on the appearance of these monoliths. The newscasters have their opinions of their own. They even invited specialists of different fields to join in their discussion.

All of a sudden, the argument was stopped and the news was transitioned on a live telecast. The TV network was streaming a pillar of light. The camera is far from the source but I can pretty much see that it is in front of the White House in the USA. The broadcast was then halved after a minute, on the new stream, another pillar was seen. I assume it is the same location where the monolith in Brazil appeared. Another minute passed, the stream that was halved to show two live casts were again separated. This time, in a total of seven. There's no need for me to ask anyone in our house where the other pillars of light are located since I can pretty much assume that all are coming, no, the lights came from above towards the direction of the monoliths.

All of us in the house are perplexed. We don't even know what to do. Should I start saying I love you to everyone now? Is this an apocalyptic type of event? We all still have to wait to know.  There's no noise coming from our neighborhood. All of our neighbors are probably stocked on the screen of their televisions eager to know what would happen next, the same with my family. I stood steadily in front of our window while my family is in their comfortable place as we watch the news. After ten minutes without development, the camera that was focused on the white house took all the space on the screen. There, I can see the place being covered by light. But then something from inside moved. A shadow, something, it is moving. Then it was followed by another shadow, and another, and another, and another. It is a person, no, a creature, a monster to be exact. What was it? I was excavating my brain thinking of my game experiences. I certainly know what those creatures that came from the light are called. It resembles hyenas, but those creatures are standing. I figured it out after a minute. Those creatures ran from the monoliths are gnolls. They truly are monsters. But what are they doing, where did they came from. It was 30 minutes after the broadcast. All channels that we can watch the news on are all playing commercials. They all stopped after those gnolls appeared. The members of my family were all puzzled. I can see on their faces the question 'what's happening in this world?'. I too have the same question.

At the same moment, the sound of public announcement horns was heard.