The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the city of Delaros.

Nero Daeguel, a young and nimble thief, darted through the labyrinthine streets, his heart pounding in his chest.

Clutching a stolen bag of precious jewels, he knew he had to lose the relentless pursuit of the police.

Behind him, the echoing shouts of officers filled the air, their footsteps closing in. Nero's dark eyes darted from alleyway to alleyway, seeking a means of escape.

He was agile, cunning, and always managed to elude capture, but tonight's chase felt different—more urgent.

As he turned a corner, Nero skidded to a halt, barely avoiding colliding with two officers who emerged from the darkness.

Their eyes widened in surprise, recognizing the young thief they had been chasing for months. Sergeant Bouli Urapopoulos, a stern and seasoned veteran, stepped forward, his voice laced with determination.

"Nero Daeguel, your days of thievery are over! Surrender now, and maybe the courts will show you some leniency."

Nero smirked, his voice tinged with a hint of arrogance. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Sergeant. I've got places to be, people to help."

Cadet Maggie Oman, a young officer with a spark of idealism in her eyes, spoke up, her voice filled with curiosity. "Helping people? By stealing from the wealthy?"

Nero's eyes met Maggie's, and for a moment, he saw a flicker of understanding. "Yes, Cadet. You see, the privileged hoard their wealth while communities suffer. I take from the rich to give to those who have been left behind. It may not be conventional, but it's my own way of making a difference."

Sergeant Bouli's voice grew stern. "No matter the intentions behind your crimes, theft is still a crime. It's our duty to uphold the law and bring you to justice."

Nero's lips curved into a wry smile. "Justice is a matter of perspective, Sergeant. I've always managed to elude capture, haven't I? I believe that proves something."

Nero's mind raced, his senses heightened. He spotted a fire escape ladder leading up the side of a building.

With a burst of adrenaline, he sprinted towards it, quickly ascending the metal rungs. The officers reached the ladder just as Nero disappeared onto the rooftop, their frustrated shouts fading into the distance.

Breathing heavily, Nero scanned his surroundings, seeking a way to disappear into the night. His eyes landed on a series of interconnected rooftops, forming a path that could potentially lead him to freedom.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Without hesitation, he set off, his agile movements guiding him effortlessly through the perilous urban terrain.

As he leaped from one rooftop to another, Nero could hear the officers' desperate calls reverberating through the city streets.

The chase intensified, with police sirens wailing in the distance, their flashing lights casting a red glow over the cityscape.

Adrenaline coursed through Nero's veins as he pushed himself to the limit, his determination unwavering.

Amidst the chaos, Nero found himself cornered on a rooftop overlooking a bustling street. He locked eyes with the officers closing in on him, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination.

Cadet Maggie Oman, her eyes filled with a mixture of intrigue and sympathy, spoke up in response to Nero's previous statement. "There's something about you, Nero. I don't condone your actions, but there's a part of me that wants to believe you're doing it for a greater purpose."

Before the dialogue could continue, Nero's escape was abruptly halted. An unnatural exhaustion began to feast on his body, slowing his movements just enough for Sergeant Bouli Urapopoulos to seize the opportunity.

With a swift, calculated maneuver, Bouli managed to catch hold of the young thief's arm. Nero struggled, his body yearning for freedom, but his strength waned.

Just as they were about to handcuff him, a wave of dizziness washed over Nero. Darkness consumed his vision, and his consciousness was yanked away, transported to a realm unknown to him.

...

In the wake of Nero's apprehension, chaos erupted throughout the world. People fell into a deep slumber, their bodies scattered across cities and towns.

Accidents ensued as cars careened off roads, unmanned planes plummeted from the sky, and buildings stood empty, their occupants lost to the eternal sleep.

Streets once filled with the hustle and bustle of life now lay deserted, with only the peaceful slumbering figures to bear witness to the strange phenomenon.

Nature, too, seemed to hold its breath, as if recognizing the unprecedented event unfolding.

From bustling city centers to tranquil countryside, the world became a tapestry of sleeping bodies and deserted spaces.

The fear and confusion that gripped humanity were palpable, like a heavy fog that clung to every corner of civilization.

As the days passed, the slumber spread relentlessly, until not a single soul remained awake. The world stood frozen, caught in an eternal stillness.

...

When Nero awoke, he found himself in a small room, the scent of antiseptic hanging in the air. Confusion washed over him as he realized he was in a police station.

But something was amiss. The building was eerily quiet, devoid of any bustling activity.

Stepping out into the station, Nero's eyes widened in disbelief.

The world outside was chaos unleashed. Abandoned cars littered the streets, buildings stood empty, and the city was locked in a deep slumber.

Panic coursed through him as he frantically searched for any signs of life.

A feeling of dread settled in as Nero stumbled upon a newspaper headline, its bold letters screaming the horrifying truth: "A Global Plague: The World Falls Asleep."

In a state of disbelief, Nero fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. And then, from the depths of his despair, a majestic voice resonated within his mind, echoing through the empty city.

"The world will now face its biggest trial yet."

Nero looked around, bewildered, but found no source for the voice. Fear and curiosity intertwined within him as he realized that his journey was far from over.

The awakening trial awaited him, and the fate of the world hung in the balance.