Welcome to Paradise

Near Dafton City

‘Dafton City and a king?’ Dae repeated, glancing at the others. They all shrugged.
‘Sorry, ma’am, but we don’t have time for that. We need to get to the airport.’

‘May I ask what for?’

‘No, you may not,’ Dae replied. ‘We won’t bother anyone.’

‘I see. Then allow me to drive you there. We have cars.’

‘That would help.’

‘Great. Just follow me.’

In Dafton City

‘What did you mean earlier—when you said the city felt evil?’ Sarah asked. Nade shrugged.

‘Just a hunch. Maybe it’s the darkborn inside me. I don’t know. But something felt off while we were flying over—no people anywhere.’

‘Now that you say it…’ Sarah nodded. ‘Maybe they’re hiding. I mean, with the moon and the ghouls, who wouldn’t be?’

‘Let’s go,’ she continued. ‘Maybe we’ll find someone along the way.’

They approached a metal door. Emilia kicked it open. Inside, the stairwell was dark. They moved carefully. By the time they reached the fifth floor, they heard a sound. Emilia was about to descend further when Sarah stopped her. ‘I know we’re in a rush, but we should check this out. A plane can carry more than just four people.’

‘Okay, Miss President. But if it’s something out of our league, we leave immediately.’

‘Deal.’ Emilia crept forward and cracked open the next door, her gun entering first. The hallway inside flickered with broken lights. She checked both sides, then stepped in. To the right was a stairwell and an elevator. Voices echoed from the left. Sticking close to the wall, Emilia crept forward, the others following in tight formation. She stopped at a door, didn’t knock, and kicked it open.

Turned out—it was good they came.

Outside, in the streets

Dae and the group stuck close together. The streets were empty—no ghouls, no humans. A strange silence hung in the air.

‘Why is no one here?’ Rayshel asked. The woman guiding them answered without turning around.

‘There was chaos. Monsters attacked, ate people, played with them… it was horrifying. But then he appeared. A brightborn. He turned the dark monsters white, and now they serve him. He built a city underground, where we’re protected.’ Dae raised a brow.

‘He turned the monsters—but not back to humans?’

‘No. But they obey him completely. And since he arrived, no one’s died.’

‘Really?’ Dae challenged. ‘No one at all?’ She nodded.

‘No one. Occasionally, he chooses someone to ascend to heaven.’ Dae burst out laughing.

‘Let me guess—you send someone to him, he or his monsters eat them, and you’re told they went to heaven?’

‘You’re wrong,’ she said calmly. ‘When you’re called, he shows you the truth. (Rayshel: The truth?) People go in sick, and come out healthy. Of course, their behavior changes afterward, but that’s just a side effect of the truth. Better to change than to die.’ Dae whispered to himself,

‘What the…’ The woman turned to them.

‘I’ll be called soon, too. Most surface vehicles are destroyed or dead. We have to go underground. You can keep your weapons. I know how it sounds, but trust me—you’ll like it. We call that place Paradise.’ Before Dae could respond, Rayshel pulled him aside.

‘One thing I trust in life—my instincts. And they tell me she’s not lying. She wasn’t hypnotized. I just know it. Which means either that place down there is everything she says… or something deeply wrong is happening.’ Dae sighed.

‘We don’t have time. We need that plane.’

‘They’re probably long gone if they used the helicopter. And none of us knows how to fly. Do you?’

‘…No.’

‘Then we go underground. If it’s really as nice as she claims, maybe we’ll find someone who can help.’

Dae looked at her, surprised. ‘I thought all you cared about was fighting. But this… this side of you surprised me.’

Rayshel flushed, cupping her cheeks with both hands.

‘Of course! We’ll be husband and wife one day. I might as well show you all my sides!’ Overwhelmed, Dae stepped away and turned back to the woman.

‘We’ll come with you.’

‘Good,’ she said with a bright smile. ‘Then follow me—to Paradise.’