Chapter 1:

Who am I?

Good Dream ~ Bad Dreams' (Original)


In the boundless expanse of the universe, where galaxies swirled like scattered jewels in the darkness, a beam of light appeared that surpassed anything ever seen before. With a speed exceeding light itself, it traversed entire galaxies, its incredible energy illuminating the void of space and leaving behind a trail of sparkling stardust. This beam of light seemed to possess a will of its own, moving with a grace and majesty that left observers in awe of the stunning and breathtaking spectacle.

With an unstoppable power that was both terrifying and admirable, the beam of energy pierced the atmosphere like a spear, illuminating the land with a brilliant light that eclipsed the moon, casting an otherworldly glow. The clouds above scattered and churned in its path, their moisture seeding the air as if reacting to the immense atmospheric disturbance. As it landed on the Earth, the ground shook beneath its impact, as though the planet itself was trembling with the immense force that had arrived upon it. The landscape lay barren and charred, smoke and ash filling the air as the ground trembled beneath the weight of the destruction wrought by the beam of light. Smoke and ash filled the air, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of the devastation.

Like an ancient meteor, the beam of energy caused destruction, unleashing an unyielding and violent blaze of light and heat that engulfed everything in sight. The world around it was set ablaze, as if the sun itself had descended upon the Earth and scorched everything with its blazing rays. For Harsh, this was a moment that would forever be inscribed in the pages of his memory, a testament to the raw power and grandeur of the universe, and a warning of the enormous forces that existed beyond the limits of his world. As the Earth shook and skies burned, the very fabric of existence was shaken, reminding us of our mortality and humble place in the universe.

February 14th, 2002 – Harsh, an ordinary young man from India, was leading a simple yet content life with his small group of friends, unaware of the cosmic forces that had recently reshaped the night sky. He had recently secured his dream job, and now, on his way to the Ultimate Cake Shop, a small bakery tucked away in a quiet alley, anticipation buzzed. He pedaled his antique two-wheeler bike deep into the narrow alley-way, his heart thumping with anticipation. He was collecting a special Valentine's Day cake for someone special – a red velvet delight from this renowned bakery. As he entered the shop, Harsh was surprised by the unusual silence that enveloped the place. The atmosphere was still and quiet, as if time itself had stopped. The sales boy brought him the cake, carefully packed in a box labeled with the bakery's prestigious name tag. As he handed it over, he asked Harsh if he had come alone. Harsh couldn't help but feel suspicious about the way the sales boy had asked the question as it was way casual, but he dismissed the feeling and headed towards the exit of the bakery. The door opened with a chiming noise, and Harsh stepped outside into the cool night air. The Waxing Crescent Moon shone faintly above, casting an ethereal glow over the surroundings.

The silence of the alley was broken only by the occasional hoot of a raven or the rustling of leaves in the wind. As he made his way down the lane, he noticed an electric pole crackling with yellow sparks and emitting a faint buzzing noise that sounded like a swarm of angry bees. The eerie sound sent shivers down his spine, and he instinctively turned away, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had taken hold of him. Suddenly, a black cat with bright yellow eyes leapt from the hedges in front of him. The cat let out a rough, loud scream that made Harsh jump in fright. The sound was so intense, it seemed to pierce the silence of the night. The cat was a sudden figure, almost as if it had materialized out of thin air. Harsh lost his balance and fell onto his back with a loud thud. The impact knocked the wind out of him, leaving him momentarily stunned.

As he struggled to regain his composure, the cat bolted away into the night, leaving Harsh shaken and afraid. He slowly got up, feeling scared and vulnerable, and took a turn towards a dimly lit alleyway, a sense of unease settling over him. Harsh approached a group of rough-looking individuals, his heart beginning to pound heavily in his chest. The men were gathered around a towering green dumpster, drinking from green glass bottles and casting furtive glances in his direction. Harsh knew this area was notorious for gangs, a fact reinforced by news reports. He knew he needed to leave, quickly. But before he could make a move, one of the burly men stepped forward, blocking his path.

The thug sneered at him, gripping Harsh's shoulder tightly as he spoke. "You think you're smarter than us, kid?" "What the hell are you doing here at this hour?" "Shouldn't you be tucked up in bed with your mommy, sucking your thumb?"

Harsh's eyes widened in fear as he looked at the menacing thugs. He noticed a tattoo on their necks that was the same as the sales boy's; this mark belonged to one of the ruthless scavenger guilds formed in this area. These gangsters followed the law of the jungle - 'see one, kill all.'

His eyes frantically scanned the surroundings, searching for an escape route, but to no avail. The thugs had him cornered, surrounding his every move. He knew that he had to comply with their demands, or face the wrath of their fury.

The burly thug asked him to take out whatever he had with him.

Trembling with fear, Harsh reluctantly reached into his pocket and handed over all he had, which amounted to a mere two thousand rupees. He knew that it was a small price to pay for his safety. The thug sneered in contempt, dissatisfied with the loot he acquired.

Suspicion etched on the burly thug's face, he probed Harsh, demanding to know if he had more. Harsh, too scared to speak, shook his head, indicating that he had nothing more to give.

With a menacing glare, the burly man frisked Harsh thoroughly, searching for any hidden treasure. His eyes lit up in excitement as he found the key to Harsh's bike. "This will do it," he exclaimed, and asked for its whereabouts. Another thug interjected with a smirk, "No need." "We already know the place."

Harsh thought he was through all this and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Harsh was finally out of danger. However, his relief was fleeting as a thug lunged towards him, attempting to snatch the cake from his hands. Despite his instinctive resistance, the thug's brute force overpowered him, snatching the cake away with a violent twist. The group of thugs huddled around the cake, their laughter sharp and cruel, as they made disparaging remarks about its pathetic former owner. Humiliated and powerless, Harsh felt the heat rise in his face as he listened to their mocking taunts, unable to defend himself or his belongings.

Knowing that these men were dangerous, Harsh stood with forced stillness, bearing the onslaught of insults and waiting for it to be over. The intense vulnerability he felt in that moment was overwhelming, a heavy weight pressing down on him. He knew better than to argue or defend himself, for he had already suffered enough at the hands of these brutal thugs, and further resistance would only invite more pain. Despite the pain and humiliation he had endured, Harsh stood tall, an outward show of defiance unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing him broken.

After the traumatic experience Harsh experienced, he was left shaken. Burly thugs sneered at him, their voices thick with malice as one ordered him to leave the premises. Harsh hesitated at first, his eyes flickering between the group of thugs warily. He thought he was out of trouble, but the way the thugs were looking at him sent shivers down his spine.

As Harsh turned to leave, a sudden, sharp kick to his back sent him stumbling to the ground. Fear and confusion gripped him as the thug behind him laughed cruelly, the thug's voice booming over the sound of the crowd. "No grudges, mate," he jeered. "Just brushing off the itch in my hands."

The thug's words were laced with sadistic pleasure, and the thug's eyes glinted with malice as he continued to deliver brutal blows to Harsh's already battered body. Harsh's mind reeled in shock, unable to comprehend the savagery. The sound of fists connecting with flesh echoed through the alley, completely silencing Harsh's moans for help. It was as if he was trapped in a waking nightmare, unable to escape the relentless onslaught of pain and fear.

The lead thug growled at the attacker to stop, warning him that Harsh was of no worth now. But the thug ignored his leader's command, and soon, other members of the gang eagerly joined in, relishing the opportunity to inflict pain on someone weaker than themselves.

Harsh was pummeled from all sides, his body twisting and contorting in agony as his nose bled profusely, creating a crimson mask, and his skin became covered in raw, stinging scars. There was no one to help him - only a crowd of onlookers who cheered on the violence and drank alcohol while they watched, the onlookers' eyes glinting with a twisted sense of enjoyment. The alley became a stage for the thugs' depravity, and Harsh was the hapless victim caught in the middle of their brutal performance.

As the beating continued, Harsh's eyes soaked in tears, a testament to the overwhelming pain and despair. The pain was almost unbearable, and he could feel himself slipping away into unconsciousness, a growing numbness overtaking his limbs. The world around him became a blur of indistinct shapes, the sound of the thugs' jeering laughter and the crowd's cheers fading into a distant, muffled roar as he fought to stay conscious.

But in the end, his body and mind could take no more; it was too much for him to bear. Harsh cried out in agony, his body writhing in pain as he fought with every ounce of his remaining strength not to surrender to the encroaching darkness. His cries fell on deaf ears, drowned out by the continued cheers and laughter of the onlookers, who seemed utterly detached from his suffering. The beating seemed to go on forever, each blow more agonizing than the last, stretching time into an eternity of suffering.

The night sky was shrouded in oppressive darkness, the only sources of light the dimly lit street lamps that flickered intermittently, casting long, dancing shadows. Suddenly, a brilliant beam of white light flashed across the sky, a silent prelude to the cataclysm that was about to unfold. The thugs and Harsh were awestruck, their eyes struggling to adjust to the intense brightness, momentarily frozen in place. Before anyone could react, the light struck the ground with a deafening roar that seemed to tear through the very fabric of reality.

The impact sent shockwaves through the earth, obliterating everything in its radius in a violent burst of energy. Flames erupted with terrifying intensity, consuming everything in their path, and the ground shook violently as if in agony. The force of the blast was so potent that it reduced the bakery where Harsh had just picked up his cake to rubble in an instant. The once-proud name board, emblazoned with the prestigious title of "Ultimate Cake Shop," lay in charred ruins. Its letters were reduced to a flickering 'Ultima,' with one of the letters flashing on and off erratically, almost as if it were desperately trying to cling to the last remnants of its existence.

As the light sank into the earth, it left behind a smoking crater, a raw wound on the landscape where everything had been obliterated. The electric pole nearby was trampled, and the entire city was plunged into sudden, suffocating darkness. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in the blast were instantly killed, their lives extinguished in a single, blinding flash. Their flesh was burned beyond recognition, and their bones lay shattered and exposed, stark remnants of the lives brutally ended. In the midst of this devastation, Harsh's lifeless body, once a target of brutal humiliation, was now consumed by the same inferno that had erased his tormentors, a final, tragic equalization. His body lay gazing blankly up at the sky, consumed by the raging flames, a silent, tragic end.

The inferno was a sight of indescribable horror, a nightmare made real in every sense, its heat palpable even from a distance. The dazzling beam of light had unleashed a terrible, raw power upon the world, destroying everything in its path. The impact of the blast had split the ground open, sending flames and debris flying in all directions like shrapnel. The once-bustling alleyway, once filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cakes, was now a smoldering ruin. The electric pole that had once provided light to the area now lay in splinters, its wires charred and lifeless, a symbol of the city's sudden darkness. The blast had plunged the entire city into a palpable void, a darkness that echoed with the sounds of chaos and destruction.

The remaining letters of the bakery's name board flickered on and off, almost as if they were desperately trying to convey a final, urgent message to anyone who might have been left to see them. The night sky, once a canvas for indifferent stars, was now a testament to the chaos and ravaging dust, a world irrevocably scarred and forever changed by the catastrophic event that had unfolded that fateful night. The night sky was once again dark, but it was no longer silent; it was filled with the cacophony of destruction and the ravaging clouds of dust. The night sky, once a canvas for indifferent stars, was now a testament to the chaos and ravaging dust, a world irrevocably scarred and forever changed by the catastrophic event that had unfolded that fateful night.

As the chaos intensified around him, Harsh lay motionless on the ground, his body battered and seemingly lifeless. Suddenly, a blinding white light transformed into a colossal sphere of luminescence, emanating an otherworldly aura. The energy surged through Harsh's veins, coursing through his limbs, causing the ground to tremble and pebbles to levitate. As the energy dissipated inside him, the air grew thick and suffocating, and Harsh fell back to the ground, his body no longer burning, but frozen in place, a silent monument to the cataclysm.

But then, his fingers twitched, and a sickening pop, like snapping bone, echoed through the air. Harsh's fingers twitched, and a bone-cracking sound echoed through the air as his eyes began to glow with an eerie blue light, his body cracking and contorting with a spine-chilling sound. With an inhuman gait, he rose to his feet and walked through the flames, his body regenerating with each step he took. The scattered thugs' bodies were mere inconveniences, stepped over without a flicker of hesitation, his movements radiating a chilling, supernatural aura.

The ground shook with each of his footsteps, and the air grew thick with the smell of burning flesh and smoke. The city around him descended into darkness, with no moon in sight, and the impact zone was a crater of blazing chaos. The road was closed off as the fire brigades finally arrived on the scene. As he continued his eerie walk through the destruction, the clouds above opened up, dousing the flames with a downpour of rain. The rescue team arrived soon after, searching for survivors, but the impact had claimed every last soul.

As the night crept upon the city, it brought with it a tempestuous hailstorm that mercilessly battered the windows of Harsh's apartment. But within the cozy confines of his room, a tranquil and romantic ambiance prevailed. The walls were adorned with a multitude of heart-shaped balloons, painted in shades of red and white, suspended in the air like a flock of fluttering birds, adding a touch of whimsy to the room. Soft, melodic music flowed through the air, weaving a delicate melody that perfectly complemented the romantic atmosphere.

Seated on a plush couch, a breathtakingly beautiful woman waited with bated breath for her Valentine to arrive. Her stunning red evening gown flowed elegantly down to the floor, accentuating her every curve and making her appear all the more enchanting. The vibrant hue of her gown intensified the warm and inviting air around her, casting a spell of love and romance that enveloped the entire room.

As the moment drew near, she gazed out of the window, captivated by the breathtaking sight before her. As the moment drew near, she gazed out of the window, captivated by the breathtaking sight before her: the bright white light of the falling object had completely obscured the stars. The intensity of the light was so great that it was impossible for the naked eye to bear.

As the object made impact, the sky lit up in a flash, causing the ground to tremble beneath her feet. It felt like an earthquake was happening right before her eyes. The woman quickly took cover to protect herself from any potential danger. After the event, the power went out, and an alarm blared, instructing everyone to stay where they were.

As she waited, her heart raced with anticipation, her eyes fixed intently on the door, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her love. But suddenly, without warning, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into an impenetrable darkness. The soft melody of the music came to an abrupt halt, leaving the room devoid of any sound except for the relentless beating of the storm outside. Fear and uncertainty gripped the woman's heart, and she wondered what could be keeping her beloved Valentine from arriving.

Despite the chaos, the woman couldn't help but be captivated by the mesmerizing sight of the falling object. Its alluring and enchanting fall was a sight she would never forget. The collision of this celestial event with the stormy night created an atmosphere of both romance and intrigue, leaving her torn between the mysteries of the heavens and the uncertainties of her own heart.

Harsh had, in fact, ventured out earlier that evening to purchase his own Valentine's Day cake. As it turns out, Harsh had actually placed an order for the cake to be delivered to his doorstep on this special occasion. However, things didn't quite go as planned. When Harsh contacted the bakery to inquire about his order, he was informed by the delivery boy that there was a misunderstanding, and that the delivery would be delayed.

Despite the setback, Harsh was determined to make this Valentine's Day celebration a success for her. He weighed his options and eventually decided to take matters into his own hands. Though his partner urged him to stay home and wait for the delivery, Harsh couldn't bear the thought of disappointing his loved one. With this in mind, he made the decision to go out and collect the cake himself.\]

The morning after the catastrophic incident, February 15th, 2002, saw the desolate surroundings of the stadium awash with the bright light of the rising sun, revealing the full extent of the night's devastation. The area was an overwhelming hive of activity as emergency services vehicles of all kinds, flashing their red and blue lights, had converged haphazardly around the scene, creating an utterly chaotic and frenzied scene. News reporters from various outlets had set up their satellite transmission vans, eager to capture every detail of the mysterious event that had occurred the previous night.

The atmosphere was one of terror and unease, as officials from different departments had gathered to investigate the strange and terrifying occurrence. The police officers, forensic doctors, CID agents, and a team of scientists had assembled at the site, cordoning off the surrounding routes to keep the curious onlookers at bay. The live broadcasts of the reporters cast an eerie light over the entire area, intensifying the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

Despite the growing crowds, the police worked tirelessly to ensure that no one impeded their investigation. They were determined to uncover the truth behind the strange impact and the events that led to it. The area had been transformed into an isolated island amidst the busy city, with only the sounds of the emergency vehicles and the anxious murmurs of the officials filling the air.

As the forensic officers combed through the wreckage, they made a remarkable and unexpected discovery. In the midst of the debris, they found a green oval stone amulet shining. Its unusual appearance immediately caught their attention, and they carefully packed it away for further research. Its smooth surface and intricate carvings were like nothing they had ever seen before, and it seemed to radiate a strange, almost otherworldly energy. It was as if the artifact was calling out to them, beckoning them to uncover its secrets.

Sneha, the astute leader of the investigative team tasked with unraveling the enigma of last night's cataclysmic event, stood by the police jeep with his new assistant–Sanjeev. She was holding a marriage proposal forced by her parents, she keeps it in and looks at a picture of her little daughter settled upon her jeep.

The scientists were left flabbergasted by the apparent absence of the meteor that was believed to have caused the catastrophic disaster. Now it was up to Sneha and Sanjeev to comb through the wreckage and uncover the truth behind the unfathomable events that had transpired, a mystery that began with a single, glowing amulet.

The impact of the meteor had been devastating, leaving a trail of destruction as far as the eye could see. The destruction was so intense that the ground was scoured, leaving little but fine dust in its wake. Moving through the rubble, the officers meticulously compiled a list of those who had lost their lives in the disaster, while the forensic doctors carefully gathered the remains.

The news of the disaster had already spread far and wide, with reports of over a hundred casualties causing widespread alarm. The entire world was reeling from the magnitude of the tragedy, and the authorities felt the weight of expectation to provide answers. Sneha knew that the success of the investigation hinged on her ability to decipher the clues left behind at the scene.

As they scanned the wreckage, Sneha and Sanjeev couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming sadness and despair. The devastation and loss of life were unimaginable and staggering. Yet, they knew that they had a job to do, and they were determined to do it to the best of their abilities, driven by the need to bring closure to the grieving. As seasoned investigators, they had witnessed much tragedy, but this was on a different level.

Then, Senior Officer Sneha faced a chaotic scene she had seen countless times before. A sea of reporters gathered, cameras flashing and microphones thrust forward, clamoring for information about the previous night's disaster. The weight of their insistent questions pressed down on her, a physical force that made her shoulders tense, but she stood tall and resolute, determined to maintain her poise and professionalism.

As she navigated the throng, Sneha felt their eyes like a physical weight, their insatiable hunger for answers a palpable force field around her. She could hear their whispers, a low, constant hum beneath the sharper edge of her focus.

Despite the chaos around her, Sneha remained focused, her mind a steel trap as she fielded the barrage of questions coming at her from all directions. She had been trained to stay calm under pressure and provide measured, precise answers.

The reporters were relentless, firing off one question after another with an urgency that bordered on desperation, as they wanted to know what had happened the previous night, and they wanted to know it now. They wanted to know what had happened the previous night, and the air crackled with their desperate need for an immediate answer.

"Could a meteor have caused the incident last night?" one reporter asked, her voice tinged with eager curiosity.

Sneha slowly shook her head, her expression grave. "It does not appear to be a meteor strike. 'Intelligence has confirmed this, and further investigation will be conducted to provide a more definitive answer, one that will shed light on this unprecedented event.'

The questions continued relentlessly, each one more urgent than the last, probing for any hint of a conspiracy. "Could this have been a deliberate attack?" "Do you believe this was an invasion?" another reporter asked, her voice tinged with palpable apprehension.

Sneha sighed, her brow furrowing slightly. "We have no evidence to suggest an invasion at this time. 'It is unlikely, but we are actively exploring all possible angles and will update the public accordingly with any confirmed findings.'

As the crowd of reporters swelled around her, Sneha fielded their questions with ease, her responses measured and precise, causing the reporters to lean in closer, their thirst for information seemingly unquenchable. With each answer she gave, the reporters leaned in closer, their collective hunger for information a palpable force drawing them nearer.

But then, from the back of the crowd, a single voice rose above the din, calling out a name that made Sneha's blood run cold, freezing her in place. "Was Raj involved in this?" the voice demanded, a question that struck at the heart of Sneha's personal and professional life.

For a moment, Sneha was caught off guard, her thoughts scattering. She turned to face the crowd, her eyes narrowing as she considered her response. But before she could reply, the questions started up again, coming at Sneha like a hailstorm.

Sneha could feel the weight of their insistent questions bearing down on her, but she remained resolute, determined to maintain her poise and professionalism. She was determined to maintain her poise and professionalism, knowing that her measured and precise answers were crucial. For in the midst of chaos, she knew that her calmness was the one thing that could anchor them all, preventing everything from spiraling into complete disarray.

After a day filled with exhaustive investigation, Sneha decided to take a well-deserved break at the enchanting Monster Café with her newly appointed assistant, Sanjeev. Bathed in the soft, warm glow of the café's lights, Sneha's beauty seemed to shine even brighter. She looked as radiant as ever. Sanjeev found himself utterly entranced by her presence, his heart fluttering as he gazed at her.

Sneha, seated gracefully, felt Sanjeev's lingering gaze, and a subtle blush graced her cheeks. She welcomed the change of subject, her melodious voice breaking the spell of his attention, and a subtle blush graced her cheeks as she asked, 'Sanjeev, what are your thoughts on last night's events?' "Sanjeev, what are your thoughts on last night's events?" Sneha asked.

Sanjeev, his heart still racing, replied, "Madam, what you've uncovered so far is truly fascinating."

Sneha, her intrigue deepening, leaned closer. "It's a mystery," she replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and determination. "There's no evidence of a meteor strike, definitively ruling out that possibility. "It's as if the impact was deliberately caused."

Sanjeev was utterly captivated by her words, absorbing every syllable. When she added, "And Sanjeev, drop the formality. Just call me Sneha," a warm smile spread across his face, and his eyes lit up with delight. When she added, "And Sanjeev, drop the formality. Just call me Sneha," a broad, genuine smile spread across his face, and his eyes shone with pure delight.

Though the case had presented countless challenges, Sanjeev couldn't help but feel inspired by Sneha's unwavering confidence and sharp intellect in cracking it. He found himself drawn to her not only as a mentor but as someone he deeply admired."A weapon?" "Do you think it could be an alien invasion?" he asked, his voice hushed, barely daring to voice the immense possibility.

Sneha nodded, her expression acknowledging his astute observation with genuine consideration. "That's a distinct possibility, Sanjeev. "That's a possibility, Sanjeev. The impact area is known to be a hub for illegal military-grade weaponry." But we would need concrete evidence to proceed, and such advanced weaponry is designed to leave minimal traces.

Sanjeev was captivated by the prospect of solving such a complex case, his mind already racing with possibilities. "What about seeking assistance from DRDO for defense technology analysis or ISRO for potential atmospheric/impact data?" Sanjeev suggested. "They might have valuable insights." "They might have valuable insights that could illuminate this mystery."

Sneha smiled, her admiration for Sanjeev's proactive thinking shining clearly through her expression. "You're thinking like a true detective, Sanjeev," she said, and Sanjeev couldn't have been happier, his heart swelling with pride.

However, Sneha emphasized the critical importance of following their own established protocols for maintaining the integrity of their investigation. "We can't rely solely on them; our own diligence and procedures are paramount." "We have our procedures to follow, and we can't reveal all the details until we have solid evidence to ensure accuracy."

Sanjeev nodded in understanding, fully aware that their journey to uncover the truth would demand patience, perseverance, and expertise, a complex path unfolding before them. He was eager to learn from his experienced boss, ready to assist her in any way possible and absorb her expertise.

As they continued their conversation, Sanjeev wondered if there was more to the case. He had a nagging hunch that they were dealing with something beyond their immediate comprehension. "Could this be something... extraterrestrial?" "Could it be an alien invasion?"

Madam Sneha chuckled, amused. “Don’t be absurd, Sanjeev. "There's only a one and one-tenth percent chance of an actual alien invasion happening at that scene."

Sanjeev, ever the curious soul, couldn't shake off the suspicion that he and Madam Sneha had only scratched the surface of the case. Despite Madam Sneha's skepticism about the possibility of an extraterrestrial invasion, Sanjeev couldn't resist asking, "So, you're saying there's a chance?"

Sneha smiled enigmatically. “There’s always a chance, Sanjeev. But let’s not indulge in conspiracy theories. Our responsibility is to uncover the truth behind this incident, and that's exactly what we'll do, no matter how alien it may seem."

But while Sanjeev and Madam Sneha were chatting, Harsh woke up outside the walls of Monster Café, with his head pounding and his body wrapped in tattered cloth. As he sat up, a disquieting emptiness greeted him; he had no memory of how he had ended up there. The urban landscape, with its peculiar architecture and hushed, almost expectant atmosphere, felt utterly alien.

Looking at his reflection in the café window, Harsh gasped; a remarkable change had occurred in his appearance. His once-brown eyes now blazed with a piercing blue, and his body felt a newfound, formidable strength, his muscles more defined than before.

Despite the sharp pain in his head, Harsh strained to piece together the events of the previous night, but his mind offered only a frustrating, fractured blankness. He decided to explore the area and headed in the opposite direction of the café.

Harsh passed by an electronics store, the blare of a television screen drawing his attention. Reporters were dissecting the previous night's catastrophe—the loss of hundreds of lives attributed to the impact of an unpredictable boson star, a phenomenon scientists struggled to explain. The broadcast also touched upon the bizarre weather that followed. The news also covered the unexpected weather that had occurred after the event. Harsh, still reeling from his disorientation, chose not to dwell on the news reports about the boson star and the strange weather, his mind too consumed with his own mysterious predicament.

A profound sense of disorientation washed over Harsh; he struggled to recollect his past or any knowledge about himself. He felt disoriented and wondered how he had ended up in his current ragged state. As he tried to piece together his memories, he was overcome with fear and anxiety. His mind became a battlefield, assailed by a cacophony of disembodied voices and fleeting, nightmarish visions that clawed at his sanity, each moment amplifying the agonizing pressure behind his eyes.

Desperately clutching his head, trying to quell the escalating agony, Harsh's vision blurred, and in that heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, his gaze landed on a small girl standing before him, her eyes wide with an unreadable emotion. A peculiar sensation washed over him, as if the very fabric of reality had momentarily frayed, leaving him suspended in a disquieting, in-between space where the familiar rules of existence seemed to warp and bend. A soft, unsettling whisper reached his ears, seemingly from the girl, imploring, "Save me." A quivering gasp escaped his trembling lips, and in that bewildering instance, his tears flowed like crimson rivulets, an eerie tableau of emotion perhaps brought on by the intense pain.

The surroundings warped and dissolved around him as if the very fabric of the world had unraveled, and he was violently plunged into an abyss of the unknown, a chaotic freefall where perception itself was a casualty. It was a place alien to his senses, a realm divorced from the world he had known. In this surreal descent, Harsh tumbled through a kaleidoscope of landscapes, from shifting nebulae to impossible geometries, each more mystifying than the last.

Amidst the perplexing scenery, he discerned a faint, haunting voice—a woman's voice—gentle and poignant, echoing his own sense of loss. 'Don't forget about me,' she implored, her words a fragile whisper that echoed in the vast abyss, a plea resonating in the core of his being.

Harsh's plunge continued, and he witnessed a succession of enigmatic scenes that unfurled like chapters from a cryptic narrative. Majestic castles loomed in the distance, their spires piercing the boundless skies. Vast, uncharted spaces stretched endlessly, an ocean of possibilities. A jail cell, its iron bars a stark contrast to the ethereal surroundings, momentarily imprisoned his thoughts, the unsettling sounds of skittering scratches and heavy thuds echoing through its confines. A solitary throne stood as a symbol of forgotten authority, and a meticulously carved painting on a cavernous wall seemed to narrate an ancient tale, a history waiting to be unlocked.

His descent through this surreal realm culminated in a place suspended within the very fabric of space itself, a nexus of cosmic significance. Here, a celestial body resembling a colossal eye regarded him with an unnerving, cosmic wisdom. It spoke, its voice a deep, resonant hum that vibrated through the void, a sound ancient and all-knowing as it chuckled, "There is no escape for you. "It all began because of you, and though you never asked for it, your existence is the catalyst." "Now, you are an integral part of this unfolding epic, the Infinity Saga, and its conclusion hinges entirely upon you." Harsh felt the immense weight of its words settle upon him, an unfathomable responsibility that redefined his very existence.

Suddenly, he was thrust back into the realm of reality, the abrupt transition leaving his once-blue eyes emitting wisps of white smoke. A tempest of emotions, alien and overwhelming, surged through him, a maelstrom of fear, confusion, and a strange sense of destiny that churned within his very soul. With newfound clarity dawning upon him, Harsh gazed skyward and whispered to the cosmos, 'Who am I, and what is this destiny you've thrust upon me?' It was a question that resonated through the depths of his being.

He noticed the small girl approaching him, her innocent presence a stark contrast to the cosmic revelations he had just experienced. She was holding her mother's palm and giggling merrily, her laughter like tinkling bells. But, as soon as Harsh laid eyes on her again, a visceral wave of conflicting terror and joy washed over him, so potent that his nose began to bleed. As he stumbled, the people around him stopped and gazed at him, wondering what was happening. The noises and visions inside his head intensified, manifesting physically as his eyes began to bleed, wisps of white smoke still escaping, a clear sign of his overwhelming internal turmoil.

Shattering the relative calm that had settled after the incident, a sleek grey car careened into the vast expanse of the stadium, its engine a guttural roar and its tires screaming in protest against the asphalt. The sound reverberated violently through the surrounding chaos, an arresting force that drew the immediate attention of the scattered onlookers. As the car came to a sudden halt near the site of the incident, a woman emerged from within, her flowing white robe billowing in the breeze, a stark, almost ethereal presence against the grim scene. Her entrance was striking, yet the stark lines of grief etched around her eyes and the tremor in her lips betrayed the profound agony she carried.

Without a moment's hesitation, the woman sprinted towards the forensic booth, her heart hammering against her ribs, a raw knot of fear and despair tightening within her. The scene that awaited her within was nothing short of a visceral nightmare, a tableau of horror. The forensic tent was buzzing with investigators, each one in white coats, huddled around the lifeless bodies of numerous victims that lay strewn across the ground, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the sterile scent of forensic equipment. The air was heavy, thick with the cloying, metallic scent of death, a palpable presence that threatened to overwhelm even the bravest souls.

As the woman drew closer, her eyes locked with a desperate intensity onto the grim tableau before her. The faces of the dead were locked in a final, silent scream of pain and horror, their eyes, now vacant and lifeless, seemed to stare into an abyss, a stark testament to their final moments. She felt a leaden lump rise in her throat as she fought to hold back a flood of tears, utterly unable to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the tragedy. It was a moment of profound sadness, but also of intense clarity, for the woman knew that she had to remain strong, drawing resolve from the memory of her lost love.

Despite the crushing weight of her sorrow, she resolutely refused to look away. Instead, she knelt down beside one, whispering a silent prayer, a plea for peace amidst the devastation. It was a moment of deep reverence and respect, a silent promise whispered into the chaos, honoring the lost and steelings herself for the fight ahead.

For a long while, the woman remained kneeling among the dead, lost in her thoughts and emotions while the world around her continued to bustle with activity. The world around her continued to bustle with activity, a stark contrast to her stillness as she remained lost in her thoughts and emotions.

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Caelinth
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