INSCRIPTED REALITIES

I stirred as a bright light hit my eyes, my head throbbing. I forced my eyes open, furrowing my brows as a glare hit me.

My head was resting on my arm as I squinted my eyes to see the screen flashing in front of me.

When did I fall asleep?

I drowsily raised my head, feeling dizzy as I straightened up. I glanced around, massaging my sore arm.

‘You fucking liar!’ Daekhui shouted, jolting me awake. I stared blankly at the flashing screen, extending my arm to move the mouse.

The screen stabilized to show an open document, the cursor blinking before the words, ‘To be continued’.

Daekhui scoffed. ‘Hah, I should’ve known than to trust you. Promise, my ass.’

‘Huh?’ I asked. ‘W-what happened?’

It can’t be…right?

There was a loud bang. ‘How is this fixing everything?!’

What…exactly happened?

I flinched, leaning forward to read the contents on the screen.

My eyes widened, as I grasped the sides of the monitor with both hands.

My head touched the screen, and I shook my head.

No, NO! What…how? Why?!

I pulled back, slumping back down on the chair. ‘I-I didn’t-’

‘Shut up!’ He sharply cut me off, panting. ‘You-how could you…’

One Hour Ago…

I stood at the cave entrance, looking up at the sky. I sighed.

Will…I finally be able to see the blue sky again?

I stared at the red sky, orange clouds floating by.

A huge rift opened in the middle from which strange creatures kept pouring out.

It’s been 10 years since Earth was invaded for its natural resources.

I looked down at the barren ground, dried crops littering with the broken skeletons of those who once lived here.

They took…everything. Killed and purged.

We blamed our fate, we thought it must’ve been a matter of time.

I shook my head.

Some thought this was the apocalypse, and others believed it was a calamity we could survive…especially after the prophecy.

My nose burned as tears filled my eyes. I raised my hand and covered my eyes with a palm as tears streamed down.

I believed…I was the hero. That…I could save the world no matter the cost.

I took a deep breath.

Who would’ve thought this was all just the doing of one man.

That we’re just puppets dancing under his whims.

I rubbed my face, closing my eyes as I clenched the pouch with her ashes in my damp hands.

That we…weren’t even real.

I raised my trembling fist close to my lips and kissed it.

But that doesn’t matter…as long as she can come back.

I brought her close to my chest.

As long as I can be with her…I’ll forgive him. If he can really make it all right.

I looked back into the cave at my followers sitting crossed legs as the chief prepared the spell in the center…prepared the diamonds from her ashes.

My heart ached, and feeling nauseous I turned my head the other way.

As long as they can all come back and…our world can be saved…I’ll forgive him.

The chief cleared his throat. ‘This is the moment we have been waiting for! The diamonds are infused with the power of death from the one burned alive from the Flame of Vengeance.’

I turned to look at him as he paused. He met my eyes, flinched, and looked down.

‘Her sacrifice…will be remembered. With this stone, we can cast the spell to close the rift and start anew in a new era of peace!’

The people roared in applause.

A man missing an arm yelled out. ‘Yeah! Kick them out!’

A woman stood up with the support of a stick, limping ahead. ‘I almost died when ripped off my leg to see how it tasted.’

She trembled, tears streaming down her face. ‘Th-they took my baby…’

She collapsed onto the ground. ‘He tried to save me, so they bit his head off in front of-’

She clutched her chest and passed out. The other rushed to help her to the side.

Indeed all of us…are survivors. Not one of us here is someone who hasn’t lost someone to those monsters…

I looked at an elderly woman hugging the grieving mother.

Helda…saw her whole family being boiled alive and was left because that group didn’t like the taste of older humans.

I sighed and turned my head to look at an eye-patched man crouching in a corner.

Seb lost his wife and mother while trying to save their daughter from an experiment. She ended up being ripped apart in front of him.

I scanned the room, looking at every person.

Each of them…has lost something. But will they really get it back?

I gulped, my heart racing at the thought. My mouth curled when I heard a loud bang, followed by screams.

My eyes widened. ‘NO!’

My breath hitched, staring wide-eyed at the scene. A rift had opened on the ceiling from where and a cloud of black smoke poured in on top of where the chief's head was.

Blood gushed out, splashing at the members as the chief twitched and spasmed. He dropped to his knees with a thud, falling on his side and convulsing. Blood pooled around him, quickly staining the sand red.

The diamonds slipped from his hands and rolled to the liquid with a small splash.

I tried screaming but no sound came out as I watched the clouds devour the members, one by one.

Blood splashed around the room, their agonizing screams as their hopes were being trampled on. I tried to leap forward but a white halo trapped me in a bubble.

Damn, this…what just because I’m the chosen on-no just because I’m the protagonist I get to live through this crap while they have to die?!

I choked out, my throat constricting. ‘N-no stop! Please stop! P-please…you promised! You promised! Why are they dying then?! Fuck you! Shit! How could you?! How is this fair?!’

I dropped to my knees, pounding on the invisible wall as I watched the only people I had left in my life be dismembered and devoured in front of me.

Their blood covered the walls as the pools slowly made their way toward me. I frantically backed away to avoid it, moving to the cave wall. I shut my eyes, covering my ears with my palms to shut out the horrifying scene in front of me.

My heart pounded, stomach twisted as I felt suffocated. After a few moments, I shakily put my hands down to silence. I forced myself to look around to see they were all gone.

The rift had closed and the creature had disappeared after the carnage. Not even their bones were left only the sea of blood remained as proof of what just happened.

The diamonds!

I leaped forward, crawling into the blood as I splashed around in the spot they had fallen.

My hand was covered in red, I searched till I was soaked in crimson.

Nothing…they’re gone. It took them.

I pounded on the ground shouting till my throat went hoarse.

I got on my knees and looked up. ‘You fucking liar!’

To be continued…