Red Alert

Chapter 3: Red Alert

Elysius... A city of metal towers reaching into the sky, glowing with neon lights. A civilization ruled by technology, luxury, and order. But when you go underground, everything changes. The dark, broken streets where the Rares live... This is a prison, a place ruled by poverty, hunger, and hopelessness. The Aetherians, those who live at the pinnacle of Elysius and see themselves as the chosen people, only accept the Rares as long as they are useful. But they no longer needed them.

When the red light began to engulf the city, everything changed. Holographic screens began flickering on every corner, and the red tones blinded people’s eyes. Sirens suddenly blared. The citizens tried to make sense of what was happening. Something was wrong, but what was it? No one knew.

And then, that cold, echoing voice was heard.

“RED ALERT: Population control operation has begun. The Aetherian Government is taking necessary steps for a sustainable future. As part of the genocide plan, a date has been set for the exile and restructuring of the Rares. Everything is under control.”

The echoes of the voice rang through every street, every building. Genocide? No one could believe it. The idea of completely eradicating the Rares sparked chaos and fear. Many people rushed to the streets in panic. Some tried to escape, while others tried to hide from the security forces. Several local radio stations were cut off, and the messages on the big screens only heightened the tension. The city was spiraling into chaos.

However, something was missing… Why the Rares? And who had designed this plan?

Only the voice of the secret leader, Lyra, continued with her cold tone. “Dear citizens, as a result of the events that transpired last night, the Aetherian Government has been forced to take these actions. From today onwards, the Rares will be removed from the city, and the restructuring process will begin. These measures have been taken for the safety and well-being of our people. There is no threat. All precautions have been taken for your safety.”

But the events of last night remained unclear. People’s anxiety grew as they couldn’t understand what had happened. It was said there were explosions, but it was never explained why these explosions had so disturbed the public. Some rumors said that many Rares had disappeared and truly been erased. It had become a secret everyone whispered about, but no one knew exactly what had happened. However, this terrifying alarm signaled the beginning of a new era.

A wave of fear swept through the streets. The Rares fled, screaming. Mothers tried to hide their children, the elderly stood frozen. While some searched for a place to run, others began to revolt in desperation. They raised their hands to the sky, shouting:

“We already live in the cramped underground! You don’t even give us food and water; we’re dying of hunger! What more do you want from us?!”

A soldier laughed indifferently and raised his weapon. With a cold voice, he replied:

“How beautiful, we’re saving you from great pain.”

And he pulled the trigger.

A child’s eyes widened in horror as he watched his mother collapse to the ground, bleeding. The Rares screamed and tried to attack the Aetherian soldiers. But they were all mercilessly knocked down. As the city drowned in death and violence, the only person left calm in this chaos was Luca.

Magnus sat in his room, scanning real-time data on the screens. He was watching the moments Camille and Luca had shared. To him, these screens were just tools for his games.

“How interesting, my dear. Right before the Red Alert, you made a new friend. Quite a timing,” Magnus said, grinning as he showed his teeth.

Then his eyes shifted from Camille to Luca. “I’d like to see, what your next move will be, little bug,” he said. He controlled people's lives and then watched the events unfold like a theater show.

At that moment, Luca took a step toward Camille, panic and fear in his eyes. “Camille, if I die, you need to know that I loved you until my last breath,” he said. “Even in my last breath, you’ll be the only one in my heart.” Camille was shocked by these words. Her mind was filled with a thousand questions, and she couldn’t say a word.

The silence lingered as Luca lowered his head even more. Like a child, like someone who had misbehaved while playing a game, he felt ashamed.

Finally, Camille gathered her courage and asked, “Is this true? Are you a Rare?”

The streetlights flickered. In the background, people were scattered in chaos.

Luca raised his head. Desperation was in his eyes. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling. Cursing the day he was born, he said, “Yes.”

Camille’s breath caught in her throat. The man she had spent months with was a Rare. That meant he had been lying to her all along.

Camille’s heart and mind were in battle. “You always told me to trust you, and I trusted you. But everything’s been a lie from the start,” Camille cried out, unable to accept what she was hearing.

Luca was stunned by her words, “No, nothing was a lie. My love for you was real. How could you think that everything we’ve lived through was a lie?” he said, getting angry, but he understood Camille’s feelings.

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Camille asked, her hands and voice trembling. All the moments they had shared together flashed before her eyes.

“Because… because I was scared, Camille. I thought you’d hate me if you found out. I thought you wouldn’t trust me. And now…” (he took a deep breath) “I’m dying,” Luca said, unable to find the courage to look her in the eyes.

Camille’s heart squeezed. Yes, Luca was a Rare. And now, the Rares were being eradicated. The man she loved could soon be dead, along with many others.

“You need to run! If you stay here, they’ll kill you too!” Camille shouted, panic-stricken, unable to fully understand what was happening. She couldn’t accept what she was hearing, but she didn’t want Luca to die either.

Luca shook his head sadly, tears welling in his eyes. But there was still a glimmer of hope in his gaze.

“Where could I run to, Camille? There’s nowhere to escape here,” he whispered. His voice was barely audible in the chaos. The Rares were setting shops on fire.

Camille didn’t know what to say. For the first time, she saw Luca as helpless. Her heart couldn’t bear to see the cheerful, brave man she had always known in such a state.

Luca took a deep breath. Slowly, a light of hope began to appear in his eyes.

“Camille… help me. If you don’t help, I’ll be just a corpse. Please,” Luca pleaded.

Camille’s world was shaken. She wanted to save her bond with him, but she could lose everything—her job, her father. Now, she had to make a choice. Would she lose her love or her career?