As the world absorbed the initial shock of the Selection, the news quickly transformed from disbelief to horror. Families huddled around their screens, anxiously awaiting updates on their loved ones, who had not chosen to be transported but had been selected by divine beings for this unknown fate.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically when a grim announcement broke through the broadcasts.
“Reports have confirmed that seven of the chosen individuals have perished shortly after their transportation,” the news anchor stated, her voice trembling. “As of now, only 93 remain alive.”
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Reactions from the Public
In homes across the globe, the reaction was immediate and visceral. Gasps echoed through living rooms as families processed the tragic loss.
In a crowded café in Chicago, a group of friends sat in stunned silence. “How could this happen?” Tia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “They didn’t even choose this.”
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Risha shook his head, eyes wide with disbelief. “This isn’t a game; it’s real. They were taken from us.”
In a modest home in San Francisco, Lily’s parents clutched each other, tears streaming down their faces. “Why was she chosen?” her mother sobbed, filled with dread. “What if she’s hurt? Or worse?”
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Families of the Chosen
The families of the chosen felt the weight of despair settle in. Ethan’s mother, pacing her living room, dropped to her knees as the news hit her. “No, no! Not my son! Why is he not answering” she cried, desperately dialing his number, knowing it was futile.
In delhi, Maya’s younger brother, Rohan, clutched his stuffed bear tightly. “Is she okay?” he asked repeatedly, his innocent voice piercing through the tension. Their mother struggled to find the words, her heart heavy with worry.
“It’s going to be okay, Rohan. We have to believe she’ll come back,” she said, but doubt hung heavily in the air.
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A Global Vigil
As the reality of the situation set in, the public responded with a mix of outrage and sorrow. Vigils were organized in cities worldwide, with people lighting candles and holding signs in support of the chosen ones.
In a park in New York, Theo’s friends gathered, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candles. “We have to keep their spirits up,” one friend declared. “They’re fighting for us out there.”
Back in the heartland, the elderly woman who had clutched the photo of her grandson joined others in prayer, their whispers of hope mingling with the night air.
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The Divine Perspective
In the ethereal realm, Zepharion observed the chaos he had unleashed with a mix of satisfaction and intrigue. “They are beginning to understand the stakes,” he murmured, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Only the strong will survive.”
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As news of the fallen spread, the world grappled with the brutal reality of the Selection. The excitement had morphed into a chilling realization that this was not merely a game, but a fight for survival. The families of the chosen, their hopes intertwined with their loved ones’ fates, prepared to face an uncertain future, clinging to the hope that they would see them again.