The year 2022 would forever be etched as the fateful year when the “End of the Old World” unfolded—an unfathomable cataclysm that would haunt the survivors for the remainder of their days. This tragic event descended upon humanity without warning, leaving shattered lives and haunting memories in its wake. Regardless of whether they were basking in the joys of an amusement park, seeking solace within the warmth of their homes, or working tirelessly at their jobs, the world as they knew it crumbled. Each survivor, if asked to recount the horrors that occurred on that fateful day, would think back to an unusual event in the sky...
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“Isaac, can you tell me how you got good grades despite goofing off at home?”
Leaning against the doorframe, I crossed my arms and directed a stern gaze at Isaac. Freshly graduated from high school the day before, he seemed completely engrossed in his video games. With his short, ebony hair neatly tousled and his slender physique, he embodied the image of a carefree teenager. It was as if he had discovered the secret to surviving solely on junk food, indulging whenever the mood struck him. Thankfully, my cooking spared him from resembling a shorter version of the Slenderman, despite his occasional grumbles to add a few inches to his five-foot-ten frame.
“Just pay attention to the important bits and it’ll somehow work out. Also, do you need anything? Kinda busy right now.”
As I stood there, observing Isaac in his element, his voice strained with concentration as he engaged in an intense battle. Seated in his ergonomic office chair, he leaned forward, consumed by his game. His right thumb moved with lightning speed, tapping the four shapes on his controller, executing precise actions with each press. It revealed his immense focus on the game through a slight crease between his brows.
“I need you to go to the store. We’ve run out of rice since this morning.”
“And I have to do it because?” he said curiously, his attention still on the monitor.
Isaac’s gameplay reached a new level as his character on the screen summoned two formidable black wolves. A low, menacing growl resonated from the speakers, mirroring the ferocity of the digital creatures as they materialized to join him in the fight against the hordes of enemies. The wolves moved with fluidity and purpose, their sleek forms weaving through the battlefield with a predatory grace, tearing into the mobs with teeth and claws.
“I’m busy studying for exams,” I said, getting a little annoyed at him dragging this on.
“Just take a quick break from studying and get to the store yourself. I’m sure you’ll ace the tests.”
“Why can’t you do something so simple?” I scoffed, entering his room. “If you don’t do this simple favor for me, then I won’t cook for you.”
Within the confines of Isaac’s room, space was a luxury. The room was cozy, its dimensions diminished by his bed, desk, and drawers, leaving little leftover space for movement. His bed, neatly made, occupied one corner, its frame adorned with a simple yet comfortable bedding ensemble that invited rest and relaxation. His desk, next to the bed, was the focal point of his gaming sessions. On the gray desk was a small monitor and a black controller. Additionally, a black console caught the eye, its sleek design punctuated by the number four emblazoned on the front.
“You think you can make me leave my precious games by bribing me with food? I hate to admit it, but you’re right...”
I smiled as I rummaged through my hoodie pockets. “Here’s the money you need. You can also get whatever you want from the store as long as it isn’t expensive.”
Isaac narrowed his eyes, glancing at the money. “Look at you giving me extra for myself. I don’t owe you anything if you don’t get the change, right?”
“You know what? I change my mind. Since you want nothing, just give the extra money ba-“
He snatched the money from my hands and was gone in a flash, leaving me standing in stunned silence.
“Too late, I’m already heading out!”
The front door was shut with a loud noise, followed by the squeaking of a bike's wheels, which grew more distant over time.
“I don’t know why, but that kinda pisses me off...”
A deep sigh escaped my lips as I exited Isaac’s room, the weight of the day’s events still lingering in the air. Making my way towards the kitchen, I felt my stomach rumble. Opening the cabinet on the far right, I retrieved a granola bar from its wrapper, savoring its familiar taste of honey as I silently chewed. My eyes wandered, scanning the house with a quiet introspection, taking in the atmosphere that surrounded me.
The scent of bleach hung in the air, permeating every nook and cranny of the house. It spoke volumes about our commitment to cleanliness, a shared aversion to living amidst dirt and grime. Isaac and I understood the value of a pristine living environment, and we diligently carried out our chores to ensure that the environment was clean. The very thought of unwashed clothes and unemptied plates strewn across tables and sinks elicited a sense of revulsion within us. It triggered memories of our past living conditions. Cereal had become our staple during difficult times, a meager meal that sustained us...
“Ah, that’s right. I forgot to ask him to get milk, too. Nah, it shouldn’t matter. He’ll figure it out on his own.”
With the empty granola bar wrapper discarded, I resumed my stride towards my room, fully intending to continue my studies. However, a flicker of curiosity sparked within me as my peripheral vision caught sight of a gentle, mesmerizing glow seeping through a window. Intrigued, I veered off course, my steps now leading me towards the source.
“What is that light? It should be dark…“
A couple of seconds after, a sudden ringing disrupted the serene atmosphere, jolting me back to the present moment. I clutched the phone in my pocket and glanced at the screen, only to be met with a chilling sight—a flashing emergency alert notification.
“If it is supposedly massive, then it’s probably some kind of comet. Even then, I should probably turn on the news just to be kept up-to-date…”
In a frantic rush, I dashed towards the television, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of the emergency alert still hung heavily in the air, intensifying the urgency of the moment. My hands trembled as I pressed the power button, hoping for a spark of understanding. As the television screen flickered to life, my eyes locked onto the live feed that dominated the display—an awe-inspiring view of Earth’s atmosphere. My gaze quickly shifted to the figure occupying the screen, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a disheveled appearance. Beads of sweat glistened on his furrowed brow.
Stolen novel; please report.
“If it’s not a threat, then why are they acting scared? Isn’t one country enough to deal with a simple comet? It's likely that the Earth's atmosphere will do its job and tear it apart. Something isn’t adding up.”
Right as those words left my mouth, a tremor coursed through the house, shaking its very foundation and rattling the windows. As the vibrations intensified, the light that had previously cast a soft, orange glow upon the window suddenly grew brighter, its brilliance intensifying with an eerie radiance. The once-subtle illumination now shimmered into the room, casting shadows among the furniture. After a few moments had passed, the tremors ceased.
“Was that an earthquake?! Yeah, I’m definitely staying indoors...”
Wait a minute... What about Isaac?!
With a sense of panicked urgency, I ran out of the house, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind me, echoing the turmoil in my mind. All I could concentrate on was finding my brother and making sure he was safe. However, my desperate rush came to an abrupt halt as something caught my attention, drawing my gaze away from my intended path. Turning my head, my eyes widened in astonishment as I took in the sight that unfolded before me. I witnessed something in my vision that defied all reason and understanding. Time seemed to slow as I pivoted to face the dimly lit sky, my heart pounding in my chest.
Before me, occupying a significant portion of the atmosphere loomed an awe-inspiring sight—an anomaly that defied all known laws of nature. A foreign and enigmatic planet ruled the sky, casting an otherworldly glow upon the world below.
How was it possible? Wouldn't disasters be occurring at this moment if a planet was so close? There was no sign of a planet arriving on Earth. Did they mistake a planet for a comet?
“There’s no use thinking about it. I have to find Isaac!”
“What do you mean, sis? I was here the whole time while you were gawking at the sky.”
My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice, immediately recognizing the familiar tone that carried concern. With a quick, almost instinctive motion, I spun around to find Isaac standing there, his presence a mix of relief and worry.
Isaac trudged to my side and peered at the sight in the sky. “I saw the alert on my phone and came rushing home. When I got here, I saw you looking up at the sky and wondered why you had a stupid look on your face.”
“Why aren’t you freaking out at the sight of a visible planet in the sky?”
“Well, it’s not really doing anything to us now. Besides, I’m thinking about what’s on that planet and how it appeared in this solar system. It being in near proximity defies the law of nature. Kinda cool to think about.”
“Yea... It’s weird how it appeared out of nowhere. It’s like it appeared from magic.”
Isaac turned to face me. “You think so too?”
Tension spread through my shoulders. “As stupid as it sounds, yes. It could probably be something entirely different, but it’s more likely that it’s magic.”
“I hope it comes true. Being able to cast spells and all that sounds fun!”
“Are you sure about that?”
A sudden chill swept through the air, causing a shiver to run down our spines. Instinctively, our heads snapped around, our senses on high alert, drawn to the source of the unfamiliar voice that had pierced through our conversation. What we beheld next sent a jolt of unease coursing through our veins. There, standing on the roof of our home, stood a figure cloaked in a robe that seemed to shimmer under the pale glow of light. The fabric flowed gracefully, as if imbued with a mystical energy. On the figure’s face was a mask, adorned with intricate designs that seemed to dance and twist with a cosmic allure. Its presence was unnerving, evoking a sense of mystery. Peering into its eyes was akin to gazing upon a malfunctioning television screen, a broken antenna causing the visual to flicker and shift with fuzzy static.
I gulped down a large wad of saliva. “Who the hell are you?”
The unknown being’s eyes darted around the area, not wanting to meet mine. A tinge of anger was slowly rising.
“Hey, you! I asked you a ques-“
In a blink of an eye, the mysterious figure vanished from the rooftop, leaving only a lingering sense of intrigue and bewilderment in its wake. Before I could fully process what had just transpired, my gaze shifted, drawn by an indescribable force, to find the masked man suspended in mid-air a few meters above Isaac’s head.
“Isaac, watch out!”
As the urgency in my voice reached Isaac’s ears, he swiftly sprinted towards me. In that moment, his eyes locked onto the sight of the enigmatic figure suspended in mid-air, and a flicker of excitement ignited within him. His eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and enthusiasm.
“Magic does exist! I want to do that!”
I groaned in exasperation at my brother’s idiocy. “Isaac, please shut up and take this seriously. We just saw someone disappear from the roof and start flying in a strange, possibly magical manner. This thing must be here for a special reason.”
The unknown being finally acknowledged me and sneered. “You are remarkably sharp, aren't you? To provide an answer to your question, I am experiencing boredom. You mortals with such a tiny lifespan wouldn’t be able to understand. When you live as long as I do, you would do anything for a speck of entertainment. The sole reason for my presence here and communication with you, lesser beings, is the peculiar display of enthusiasm by the boy in this scenario. When you observe the events that will take place in this world, I ponder whether you will still perceive it as enjoyable. That is, if you make it through the Conversion.”
“What will happen to earth? Also, what’s the Conversion?”
Isaac’s voice broke the tense silence, echoing the questions that swirled in my mind. The feeling of dread that had settled upon me earlier intensified, gripping my heart with an ironclad hold as it pounded relentlessly, its rhythm similar to the beat of a drum.
“I fail to see the reason why I should spoil the surprise for you, considering that you mentioned that this was going to be enjoyable. I hope that you do not rescind your previous statement.”
Unexpectedly, their focus shifted to the night sky, and a chilling chuckle escaped from beyond the mask. Driven by a mix of curiosity, I followed its line of sight. In the night's vastness, I witnessed a sight that confirmed my worst fears. The planet that had captivated our attention earlier was now bathed in an intense, radiant glow. It was no trick of the mind or a fleeting illusion. The light that had illuminated the window earlier had indeed originated from this celestial body suspended above us.
“It is time for the Conversion to begin. I shall take my leave. I hope you humans will provide me with ample entertainment.”
In the blink of an eye, the masked figure dissolved into thin air, leaving behind nothing but a lingering chill that permeated the atmosphere.
Isaac lowered his stare. “I didn’t mishear him, right? I’m pretty sure he said Conversion. That does not sound pleasant at all. What do you think he meant by that?”
A wave of realization washed over me as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. I couldn't shake the ominous words of the masked figure from my mind, and their implications were slowly becoming clear. Conversion and Transfiguration, two powerful terms that hinted at transformation. By connecting the dots, it would suggest...
I grabbed Isaac by his shoulders. “Isaac, we need to head inside now! Being outside is dangerous! If not, we will-“
The light from the planet became intensely brilliant, causing me to instinctively cover my eyes. Squinting against the radiant glow, I tried to maintain focus as I strained to see what lay before me. And then, as if in response to the overwhelming luminosity, a shimmering blue holographic screen materialized in front of my face. It hummed with energy, seamlessly merging with the world around me.
Conversion and Transfiguration will now begin!
With a surge of adrenaline, I grasped Isaac’s arm tightly, and we dashed towards our house. The light from the mysterious planet intensified. As we reached the front of our house, I spared no thought of the consequences. With a swift motion, I slammed the door shut, shutting out the blinding light that threatened to overtake us.
“Oh my god... So, that’s why I felt uneasy.”
The moment the door was locked securely, a scream that made my blood curdle echoed in my ears. My veins were flooded with panic as I turned to Isaac, who was convulsing in pain. I ran toward my brother, fear gripping my heart. Before I could shout his name, a sharp pain throbbed in my head. The searing pain intensified, consuming my senses and drowning out the world around me. My words dissolved into agonized cries that mingled with the chorus of screams coming from my brother. As my vision blurred, the familiar figure of Isaac seemed to distort before my eyes.
“I-Isaac...”
I attempted to take his hand, but the searing pain made it too difficult. It felt as if a gorilla had sucker-punched me. My vision, already blurred by tears, dimmed further as darkness crept in at the edges. The world around me became a swirling vortex of shadows, and my body betrayed me. I collapsed onto the wooden floor as one last message greeted me.
Conversion complete. Welcome to a new beginning!