Arya sat beneath the tall campus building, his body trembling uncontrollably. His breaths came in sharp gasps, his mind replaying the events he had just experienced. The classroom filled with strange people, bloody handprints on the window, the woman who leapt from the seventh floor—it all felt like a nightmare that defied reason.
His sanity seemed to be slipping away. He clutched his head, trying to convince himself that this was all an illusion, a hallucination brought on by lack of sleep. But the cold sensation lingering in the air and the oppressive atmosphere around him told a different story.
Breaking the silence, a man's voice suddenly called out.
"You're human, aren't you?"
Arya flinched and turned quickly toward the source of the voice. Standing a short distance away was a man who appeared ordinary enough, dressed casually like any other student. But his gaze was sharp, as though he was scrutinizing Arya from head to toe.
Still overwhelmed and caught in his fear, Arya forced a nervous smile and replied, "Of course I'm human. What else would I be?" His tone was defensive.
The man didn't look relieved. Instead, he maintained a serious expression, his eyes focused intently on Arya.
"Leave this place immediately. Run in that direction until you find a tree with glowing jasmine flowers," the man said, pointing toward the campus gate, which was gradually being swallowed by a thick fog.
Arya followed the man's gesture with his eyes, then turned back to him with a confused expression.
"What do you mean? Who are you?" Arya asked, his voice trembling slightly.
The man sighed deeply before answering.
"Calm down. I'm like you."
The cryptic response only deepened Arya's confusion. He stared at the man, his face a mix of fear and curiosity.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm dead?" Arya's voice quivered, panic creeping in.
The man shook his head slowly.
"I don't have much time to explain. Just leave now. Something much worse is on its way."
There was urgency in his tone, and his sharp gaze left no room for argument. Arya, still overwhelmed and confused, couldn't shake the feeling of imminent danger in the man's words. Without further hesitation, he stood and began running toward the gate, hoping it would lead him back to the real world.
Meanwhile, the man remained where he was, watching Arya's figure gradually disappear into the thickening fog. He let out a long sigh and spoke softly, as if addressing someone unseen.
"Nagini, it seems this visitor will be a handful."
At his side, a gleaming keris hung from his waist, its faint light reflecting eerily. He raised his hand and began forming a seal with his fingers, preparing for something he had clearly anticipated.