We trudged down the dark path, the air thick with an unsettling silence. Shadows danced at the edges of my vision, making the trees appear as if they were harboring hidden figures. Masato walked beside me, his steps light yet purposeful. Even he felt the weight of the oppressive atmosphere.

“I think I see the gym,” I said, squinting at the indistinct shape looming ahead. It stood against the black sky like a silent sentinel, its stillness unnerving.

Masato’s voice broke the tension. “Then let’s pick up the pace.” A mixture of excitement and fear tinged his words, but before I could respond, he quickened his stride. I followed suit, my body reluctant but my heart racing. The echo of our footsteps ricocheted off the pavement, creating a haunting rhythm that made my pulse quicken.

As we approached the gym door, Masato reached for the handle. It creaked open, slicing through the night’s quiet. Inside, the low murmur of gathered students buzzed like a swarm of anxious bees. The air felt heavy, charged with an unsettling energy.

A huddle of anxious faces met us. Students from every corner of the school wore expressions taut with dread, their pallor accentuating the dim light. Lawrence stood beside me, noticing the unsettling atmosphere.

“Geez, even the gardening club is here,” he whispered, scanning the room. Students huddled in clusters—tracksuits, art smocks, and science jackets—whispering in hushed tones. This wasn’t a typical meeting. Something was terribly wrong. Min-Ji, beside me, furrowed her brow.

“Where are the sports teams?” I asked, scanning the room again. The absence of the athletic students felt glaringly obvious. “Volleyball, soccer, baseball… none of them are here.”

“They’re either gone or wiped out,” Masato replied, his voice grim. The weight of his words settled like lead in my stomach, and I stared at him, searching for a hint of sarcasm. His serious expression confirmed my worst fears.

“You can’t be serious,” I said, my voice trembling. It felt surreal that something deadly could sweep through unnoticed, leaving entire teams missing.

“It’s true.” The rough voice came from a corner where a boy in battered football gear slumped against the wall. Seth’s eyes were shadowed by matted hair, his shallow breathing a testament to his ordeal.

“Seth?” Lawrence stepped forward, his voice barely a whisper, laced with fear. “What happened?”

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Seth's fists clenched, his knuckles white. Pain etched deep lines into his face, his silence heavy with unspoken horrors. Before he could answer, a figure stepped into the center of the room, capturing everyone’s attention.

Lucas stood tall, hands clasped behind his back. His blue curls framed his face, and the white lab coat draped over him made him look more like a scientist than a student. His sharp, calculating gaze scanned the crowd, and the room fell silent.

“May I have your attention, please?” Lucas's calm yet firm voice sliced through the murmurs. “We need to act.” The urgency in his tone cut through the growing panic. “We may be the only ones left on campus.”

His words landed like a punch, sending a ripple of tension through the crowd. Students exchanged anxious glances, some shifting in their seats. Finally, a boy at the back raised his voice, desperation creeping in. “What’s your point, Lucas? Shouldn’t we wait for the Espers? We’re not trained for this.”

Lucas’s expression darkened. “It’s not that simple.” He pulled out his phone, tapping it quickly. A crackling sound filled the gym, followed by the chilling voice of a news broadcaster:

[Breaking news: Rifts have appeared in several Monolith cities. Officials advise citizens to find safety immediately.]

The room fell deathly quiet as the weight of those words settled over us. Rifts. Portals to another world. We all knew the horrors they could unleash—creatures beyond comprehension that could wipe out entire cities.

Lucas’s voice cut through the silence again. “This isn’t just about us. The rift isn’t contained. It’s happening everywhere.” He hesitated before turning the screen toward me. My heart dropped.

The creature on his phone was the same one I had escaped—a grotesque form, jagged spikes, and glowing, malevolent eyes that haunted my dreams.

“Rei,” Lucas said, locking his gaze onto mine. “You know something about this, don’t you?”

I swallowed hard, feeling dry and shaky. The memory of that creature’s power surged through me. “It’s strong enough to kill us,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Is it possible to kill it?” Lucas pressed, his eyes fierce. The gym was so quiet I could hear my heartbeat thudding in my ears.

A voice broke the tension from the crowd. “Wait… you’re not actually suggesting we fight it?” Panic rippled through the students. “This is insane!” another shouted. “We’ll be slaughtered!”

Lucas’s expression hardened. “If there’s even the slightest chance of escape, yes, I’m serious. Would you rather sit here and wait to die?”

Chaos erupted. Students shouted over one another, their panic contagious. But amidst the turmoil, one voice rose above the rest—steady and defiant.

“I’m in.”

All eyes turned to Seth, standing tall, fists clenched at his sides. Grief had transformed into simmering rage. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”

“Seth, are you insane?” Lawrence grabbed his arm, his voice trembling. “You’ll die for sure!” Seth shrugged him off, cold determination etched on his face. “And I’ll take one of those bastards with me.”

Lawrence groaned but stepped forward, narrowing his eyes. “Fine. Count me in. I’m not letting you die alone.”

Min-Ji smacked Lawrence on the back of the head. “You idiot! If you’re going, then I’m in too. Someone’s got to keep you from getting killed.” Masato raised his hand. “I’m joining,” he declared, his voice steady.

I glanced around at my friends, their faces set with newfound resolve. Fear still hung in the air, but now it was mingled with something stronger—defiance. I stepped forward, heart pounding. “Me too.”

One by one, more students raised their hands. The fear in the room didn’t vanish, but it transformed into something sharper, harder—determination. The odds were against us, but that didn’t matter anymore.

Lucas surveyed the room, his voice steady. “We may not survive this,” he said, “but we’re going to give it hell.”

The air shifted, no longer heavy with dread but charged with defiance. We were no longer just a group of scared students; we were a team ready to fight back ag

ainst the darkness that threatened to consume us.

[End of Chapter]