"Hungry…"
"I'm so hungry…"
In an alley sits a boy, dressed in nothing but rags and oversized clothing. These barely protect him from the extreme cold — so cold it numbs his fingers and toes. He shivers and shifts on his dirty mattress, and his stomach growls as loud as the car engines passing nearby.
"…I'm so hungry…"
He looks up at the sky, his red eyes piercing through the strands of his inky black hair.
This boy will die soon if he doesn't get a meal and shelter from the cold. But the people walk and drive by, uncaring.
Thud. He falls onto his side. It's getting hard to breathe. He pants, trying to hold on.
"…Not yet… Please help…" He reaches out and cries, but no sound comes from his lips.
"I don't want to die… I don't want…"
As his vision blurs and his limbs go limp, he begs for life — fighting the pain and exhaustion.
But it's not enough. His eyes close for the last time…
•••••••••••
I slowly open my eyes, seeing a bright blue sky above me.
"Why am I wet…?"
Sitting up, I look around. There are so many people — uncountable. Beneath me is a shallow pool of red liquid. Immediately, thirst takes over, and I begin collecting the water in my hands and drinking it.
"Should you be drinking that?"
Looking up, I see an older man in a business suit.
I shrug and keep drinking. He crouches down, looking at me with what might be pity… but I'm not sure.
"How old are you, son?
"Fifteen," I respond quickly, shifting slightly to guard my water.
"If you're thirsty, go get your own." I glare at him.
He looks confused at first, then chuckles a bit.
"Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. You can keep the, uh… water. I just wanted to check if you were safe. I'm Morino Daisuke. I'm a high school teacher. What's your name?" He offers a hand. I don't take it.
"Kuno Shuji."
My stomach growls. He notices and starts searching his bag.
"Good thing I went to the convenience store before… whatever happened, you know, happened."
He chuckles, pulling out a couple snacks and holding them out.
"Thank you…" I grab them and start eating right away.
"I've got more if you're still hungry later."
He's a nice man…
"Daisuke-sensei!"
We both turn. A crowd of students in clean, proper uniforms are huddled together.
"Those are my students. They need me. They must be so confused and scared…" He frowns and stands, water dripping from his suit.
"Shuji-kun, please come with us. I couldn't leave behind a child when I know I can help."
He offers his hand again.
But I keep eating.
"I'm fine by myself. Thank you for the food."
He frowns, then reluctantly walks back to his class.
As I watch him go, I start to feel a little bad for rejecting him.
But the snacks make me feel better.
Suddenly, a flash of light blinds me. Screams and cries of fear echo around.
"Hello, humanity~!"
The light fades. I look toward the sky where a floating ball of light hovers. Then it condenses — shaping into a person.
When the glow fades completely, a small girl floats above us, completely naked except for symbols carved into her body that cover her privates.
She has long locks of blonde hair, pure white eyes, a glowing halo above her head.
"Are those… wings?"
A pair of golden wings spread out as she smiles — a smile that makes me almost want to smile too.
"Welcome, humanity. Be not afraid. I am Arzæl."
Her voice is soft and warm, but somehow carries far and wide.
A collective whoa echoes from the crowd.
Some people fall to their knees, clasping their hands together.
"OH GREAT ANGEL OF DEATH, TAKE US BELIEVERS OF CHRIST TO HEAVEN!"
A man bows with tears in his eyes and a wide smile.
Others follow suit, praying and begging for mercy and salvation.
"Mercy? Heaven? Salvation? Humans still believe in that? My great Lord is such a trickster."
She shakes her head with a smile. The man's expression drops to confusion — and so does mine.
"I don't understand. Is this not Judgment Day? Has the world not ended?"
"No. These concepts never existed. But the world you once knew has ended."
"Then what are we here for?!"
An older woman behind me yells at Arzæl. Others join in — shouting, cursing, begging to go home.
I just open a new snack and munch on it.
"Silence."
Immediately, everyone falls quiet.
"Now, I'll explain why you're here…
My Lord — or what you would call 'God' — is bored of humanity."
Bored… I'm bored too… and out of snacks…
"But he's also bored of being the most supreme being. So that's where you worthless little worms come in!"
She giggles and flaps her wings.
"All of you are now participants in my Lord's glorious game — what an honor! But don't think it will be easy. Most of you will die. But the one who wins… gets a most amazing prize~!"
People gasp at the word die — but I raise my hand.
"What do we get if we win? Is it food?"
She looks at me and smiles.
"Such small desires. No, the winner will receive… the universe itself~! You'll be able to shape your own personal Heaven or Hell."
Heaven… my own heaven…
"To aid you in this deadly journey, you will each be assigned an Oracle. They will answer your questions — but don't get it twisted. They do not care about you and will not assist with your tasks directly."
In front of me, a small ball of light appears. I reach out, but it glides just out of reach.
"Cool…"
"Now that you're all ready… let the games begin~!"
She turns toward the sky. Suddenly, a massive pyramid falls from above, slamming into the water.
A huge splash soaks me.
Now I'm wet again…
Arzæl turns back, staring down at us. But no one moves. The crowd murmurs — confusion, panic, prayer. Some people pass out, especially the elderly.
It's chaos.
Arzæl pouts.
"I said begin~."
She snaps her fingers.
At first, nothing happens. Then — a scream.
I turn to see a wave of people running toward me.
Before I can react, I'm shoved to the ground. I can't even scream — my jaw breaks under the weight of stomping feet.
Their shoes press down on me, crushing bone, twisting flesh.
Just like that alley… No one cared then either… I hate this. I hate this world…
I want my own world… where I can eat as much as I want, sleep anywhere… where cold doesn't exist and no child is unwanted…
I don't want to die yet… I don't want to die… I don't want to… I don't…
..~Kuno Shuji has awakened~..