A Step

The night was deep. Dim streetlights cast long shadows on the empty pavement. Every now and then, the sound of passing cars echoed before fading back into the city’s silence.

I, Iyars, walked alone. A plastic bag of food in my right hand, my left hand buried in the pocket of my blue jacket.

I was used to this loneliness. A life without parents, without a lover, without friends. Every day followed the same routine—work, eat, sleep—a never-ending cycle that grew emptier with time. I often talked to myself, maybe because there was no one else to talk to.

Then, I felt it.

A stare.

I lifted my gaze and saw a man standing in the distance. He stood tall, dressed in an elegant butler’s outfit with a neatly tied black tie. His face was shadowed by the darkness, but there was something… off about him.

Slowly, he started walking toward me.

My heartbeat quickened. Every instinct told me to run. I tried to move, but before I could, he was already standing right in front of me.

He smiled.

The air around me turned cold.

Without a word, he handed me a card. It was deep red and black, with a crescent moon split into two colors—red on the right, blue on the left. The card looked luxurious, almost antique.

I stared at it, hesitating.

"Hey! Who are you? Why the hell are you handing me this out of nowhere?" I asked, trying to mask the unease in my voice.

His smile stretched wider. And wider. Until the corners of his lips almost reached half his face.

Then, in a soft yet chilling voice, he whispered:
"You seek the past, don’t you? Then come."

And just like that, he vanished into the night.

I stood frozen, staring blankly at where he had been.

—

Back in my small apartment, I gripped the card tightly. The dim light cast long shadows on the walls as I sat on my old wooden chair, placing the card on the table. My fingers tapped against it anxiously.

"What the hell is this?"

With a deep breath, I flipped it open.

"Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen! If you’re holding this card—congratulations! You’ve been invited to the greatest party on Earth!
A party that only happens once every 1,000 years, on the night of the Full Moon.
Only those who seek something are chosen—whether it be wealth, power, women…
…or the past."

The letters on the card shimmered, like a distorted glitch.

My throat went dry.

"So, what are you waiting for? Sign your name below to confirm your attendance...
WITH FULL ACCEPTANCE OF ALL RISKS THAT MAY OCCUR."

The last sentence was written in a deep red color—so dark it looked like dried blood.

I took a long breath.

"This is insane..." I muttered.

But… I had no reason to refuse.

I’d always felt like something was missing in my memory. My childhood… my family… everything was a blur. Like a black hole in my mind that never stopped expanding.

Maybe, if I went to this party… I’d find answers.

With hesitation, my fingers trembled as I picked up the small pen attached to the card. It was ice-cold against my skin, as if it wasn’t an ordinary object.

I signed my name.
IYARS.

The moment the ink touched the paper, the card lifted itself into the air.

And then…

The world around me began to crack.

The floor beneath me turned black, spreading outwards like ink seeping through paper. Within seconds, half the room had turned into pure darkness—an endless void.

From within that darkness, another man emerged.

He looked younger than the butler. Pale blond hair, violet eyes that shimmered in the dim light, and he look beutifull and sweet for a man.

His smile was gentle and sweet.

But his eyes… they held something I couldn’t describe.

With a slow, fluid motion, he waved his hand through the air, creating a doorway that flickered like an illusion.

I took a step back.

"What… is happening?" My voice came out hoarse.

The man chuckled softly.

"Relax. No one can see us right now. And even if they did..."—his gaze sharpened—"they would die. Hahahahaha."

His laughter echoed, sending chills down my spine.

I wanted to step away… but it was too late.

He reached out his hand toward me, his smile never fading.

I swallowed hard.

Then, with only a moment of hesitation… I took his hand.

And the world collapsed.

—

The sensation was indescribable.

My body twisted. My eyes felt like they were being ripped out. My skin burned, my bones shattered and reassembled over and over again. I wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

Until suddenly—

It stopped.

I woke up in a room.

The place was small, yet filled with luxurious items—clothes, perfumes, jewelry. My stomach still churned from whatever had just happened.

The blond-haired man stood before me, smiling gently.

"Welcome, Young Master. I am An, your guide for this evening’s party."

I held my head, trying to steady myself.

"An... what the hell is going on? Where am I?"

He simply smiled and stepped closer, lightly touching my cheek.

"You’re at the most exquisite party in this world. And your only job is to enjoy the night… looking your absolute best."

I still had a million questions, but I could tell An wouldn’t give me a straight answer.

So, I let it slide.

An carefully styled my hair, dressed me in a sophisticated suit, then stepped back to admire his work.

"Young Master… you look stunning. Now, you are ready for the night."

He examined me from head to toe, satisfied.

I turned toward the large mirror in the room.

The outfit felt foreign, yet oddly comfortable.

A long black coat, sleek and fitted, with silver embroidery along the collar and cuffs. Underneath, a crisp white shirt with a high collar and dark buttons. A deep blue vest hugged my torso, subtle yet refined. Black leather gloves, fingerless, added a touch of elegance without being excessive.

Black slacks. Polished shoes. Nothing flashy—just the perfect fit, like it was meant for me.

For the final touch, An handed me a simple black half-mask.

"Now, Young Master…" he whispered, slicing through the air once more.

A shimmering doorway appeared.

"Let’s step into the party."

I took a deep breath—

And walked through.