Chapter 1.2: Before the Light

His eyes were wide open, staring at something that seemed utterly unreal.

It wasn't just those runes written in a language impossible for a mere human to understand, or the humanoid bodies lying on the ground, spilling an amount of blood that seemed limitless.

Rather, it was that eye, which refused to look away from him, as if it knew his every last secret. Its blood vessels were fully visible and pulsating, a grim reminder that it wasn't something entirely unearthly.

With every passing second, it felt as if Eden and that eye recognized each other from somewhere. There was no exchange of words, only silence.

A silence that felt eternal.

But suddenly...

That space shattered into millions of images: memories, wars, blood, screams, tears, laughter. Everything in that place coexisted all at once.

There was no beginning and no end; it simply existed.

"Welcome home, Master," exclaimed a voice that was strangely familiar yet entirely unknown. "It has been too long."

Eden couldn't utter a single sound before everything vanished.

That entire space disappeared without a trace, like a fleeting illusion.

All the chairs were back in their places; his classmates were still there. Nothing and no one had moved.

A drop of sweat, so heavy it felt like it could shatter the world, rolled down Eden's face, while his blood seemed to turn to ice. He whipped his head from side to side looking for a "logical answer," but he only found the attentive gazes of his classmates fixed on the blackboard.

"Are you okay, Eden?" Miya asked, noticing Eden's vacant stare.

"Y-Yeah..."

"Hmm... I see."

Even though Eden's words said one thing, his body screamed another...

His hands were trembling; his breathing was ragged and heavy.

Eden... he muttered in his mind.

Hours passed, class after class, but his mind was completely consumed by those images.

RING! RING! The bells rang once again, marking the end of classes. Everyone was packing their things, making plans for after school, but Eden barely moved, as if he were still trapped in that place.

But a friendly voice interrupted his waking nightmares.

"Eden Yomi!" Miya exclaimed, lightly smacking the back of his head.

"Ouch! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Ha! Looks like you're finally back."

"What are you talking about?"

"You've been staring blankly into space all day. Did something happen?"

"No... It's nothing."

"I see..."

...

Suddenly, Miya placed his hand warmly on Eden's head and said, "You know you can tell me anything. We've been friends for as long as I can remember; I'm not going to judge you."

A faint smile appeared on Eden's face as he replied, "I know, you don't have to remind me."

"But you can rest easy, they're just nightmares."

"Do you know how to keep nightmares away?" Miya asked.

"How?"

"With a full stomach."

"Are you an idiot?" Eden asked with a wry smile. "Besides, I'm not even hun—"

But before Eden could finish his sentence, his stomach growled fiercely.

"Huh?"

"Told you, I know you too well," Miya said, shrugging. "My treat this time; consider it your birthday present."

"Alright, you win this time," Eden said with a laugh.

—————

At that exact moment, the door opened again, revealing Professor Mei.

"By the way, young Yomi," she said.

"Yes?"

"Today is your turn to clean the classroom along with your classmate Chiba."

"Ah, that's right...! But I can't right now... Could I change the day?"

"I'm sorry, that's not possible."

"Professor, I'll take care of it," Miya said, raising his hand.

"Huh? Miya? But we were going to..."

"Remember you have a match today, or did you forget?"

"A match...? Shit, you're right!"

"Consider it my second birthday present."

"Thanks, Miya. And apologize to Hayato for me!"

"Leave it to me!" Miya said, waving his hand lightly as Eden walked away.

...

"Now it's your turn, god," he muttered with a disturbing smile.

As the minutes ticked by, Eden could be seen running at top speed while the sun began to set on the horizon.

"Damn it! Why am I always late for everything?!" he exclaimed in annoyance. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

Turning a corner, Eden crashed into someone, falling hard to the ground.

"That hurt..." he muttered, slowly trying to sit up. "It's like I hit a brick wall."

As Eden slowly opened his eyes, he met a pair of purple eyes, as deep as the abyss. In that very instant, his body froze.

"Are you alright?" the mysterious man asked, extending a hand.

"I'm so sorry..." Eden stammered, accepting his hand. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Don't worry about it, kid," he replied.

"I really am sorry..."

"It's fine, it happens to the best of us."

"Thanks for understanding. B-Bye."

"...I'll be seeing you," the man muttered under his breath, watching Eden walk away.

—————

Minutes later, covered in sweat and breathing heavily, Eden arrived at the soccer field.

The energy of the crowd was enveloping, the smell of the grass was intoxicating—it felt like home...

"You're late, Eden!" Coach Akino exclaimed, clearly annoyed.

"I'm sorry, Coach Akino! I completely forgot!"

"Didn't Professor Reo give you a note?"

"Huh? That note?"

"Yes, that exact note!"

That's impossible... Eden thought as terror crept back into his body. Was that real?

"I knew you'd forget, that's why I sent you the note," Akino stated. "After all, you are the captain of this team."

"Y-Yes..."

Maybe Professor Reo just mixed up the notes, he thought with a nervous chuckle. Yeah, that has to be it.

"I don't know why I made you captain..." Akino muttered, scratching his head. "You better give me your answer out there on the pitch."

"Yes, sir!" Eden exclaimed, staring firmly at the field as he laced up his cleats. "We'll win, I promise you that."

He's an idiot, Akino thought, but when he steps onto the field... he's someone else entirely. He could even make it to the national team.

"Are you ready, Eden?"

"Yes!"

...

The wind seemed to stop; the birds ceased their singing; every human exhaled at the exact same time...

The earth groaned and began to crack... Skin began to burn to the point of disintegration. Soon, there was no longer skin or muscle—only bones.

There was no time for screams, only silence.

A light that felt like divine punishment swept away everything in its path without making a sound.

...

But after the light... came the explosion.

BOOM!

That explosion obliterated everything in its wake: humans, animals, buildings, dreams... That fire left nothing standing.

Only silence.

Chapter 1.3: