Akashi's Point of View:
As I meticulously packed my belongings into a worn-out duffle bag, Scarlett stood by the window, her presence a looming shadow in my small apartment. Her crimson cloak billowed behind her, a stark contrast to the muted colours of the room. She wore her authority like a badge of honour , her demeanour radiating confidence as she recounted the origins of the organisation she led with pride.
"It all began in 1945," Scarlett's voice echoed softly, carrying the weight of history. "The world was embroiled in the chaos of the Second World War, yet nothing could have prepared humanity for what followed."
Her words hung in the air, pregnant with anticipation, as she painted a vivid picture of those fateful days. "In the summer of 1945, the skies cracked open, unleashing horrors beyond imagination. Monsters of all shapes and sizes emerged from those rifts, casting a shadow of fear over the entire world."
I paused in my packing, drawn in by Scarlett's narrative. She described the monsters in chilling detail, their grotesque forms haunting the edges of my imagination. Goblins with razor-sharp claws, ghouls with empty eyes, dementors that sucked the very life from their victims, and dragons that breathed fire and death upon the land. These creatures, uncivilised and merciless, laid waste to humanity without remorse or restraint.
"Humanity was not without defence, however," Scarlett continued, her voice steady. "In the face of this existential threat, we discovered something extraordinary within ourselves – quirks. Supernatural abilities that manifested within the human race, a gift and a curse bestowed upon us in our darkest hour."
As she spoke, memories of those early days flooded my mind. The chaos, the confusion, the desperation to survive against impossible odds. Quirks, once seen as a blessing, quickly became a double-edged sword as humanity struggled to harness their newfound powers in the midst of the apocalypse.
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"We fought back," Scarlett declared, her eyes blazing with determination. "But our powers were untested, our strategies flawed. The casualties mounted, and hope dwindled with each passing day."
In the wake of the devastation, the survivors banded together, forming a new nation – Evergale. A bastion of humanity in a world overrun by monsters, its walls rose high, shielding its inhabitants from the horrors beyond.
"Among the survivors, ten emerged as leaders," Scarlett explained, her tone reverent. "Extraordinaries, they were called, and they became the first captains of the Executioners. Humanity's strongest soldiers, tasked with the mission to reclaim our world from the clutches of darkness."
Eight decades had passed since those tumultuous days, yet the shadows of the past still loomed large over us. Evergale remained our sanctuary, our prison, a constant reminder of our failure to overcome the monsters that roamed the earth.
"And yet, despite the passage of time, humanity remains complacent," I interjected, my tone flat, devoid of emotion. "Content to live within the confines of Evergale, ignorant of the truth that lies beyond our walls."
Scarlett turned to face me, her gaze piercing and unwavering. "It is our duty to seek out that truth, Akashi," she reminded me, her words a solemn vow. "To confront the darkness that threatens to consume us and emerge victorious, no matter the cost."
With a heavy sigh, I zipped up my bag, the weight of Scarlett's words settling upon my shoulders like a leaden cloak. "I understand," I replied, my resolve firm, yet my true intentions hidden beneath a carefully crafted facade. "I will join you, Scarlett, and together, we will uncover the secrets that lie beyond the walls of Evergale."
As we stepped out into the fading light of the evening, I couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that gripped my heart. The journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but I knew that it was a path we must tread if we ever hoped to reclaim our world from the darkness that had swallowed it whole.