The boy carefully opened the packet and brought it close to his mothers lips.
She was so weak, even chewing seemed hard .
He broke a soft piece and slowly fed her .
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
only the distant wind outside, and the faint crackling of plastic wrapper.
then, after a few more bites, his mother opened her eyes and gave his a faint smile.
You've grown fast, she whispered.
faster then all of them
The boy smiled, hiding hid tears.
because I have to take care of you now.
There was silence again.
Kaal sat beside his mother on the floor.
Outside, the strange lights in the sky still flickered faintly. His mother had lit a small lantern between them. shadows danced in walls.
"Maa," he asked, "what really happened to the world? The truth-not the stories."
She looked at him for a long time. then she spoke.
"It began 500 years ago... with a crack in sky."
Kaal listened as her voice grew softer, almost afraid to remember.
"One night, the stars vanisher. In their place... Long fractures appeared-giant cracks glowing like fire. And from those cracks, they came. Not aliens. Not spirits. But being from ancient nightmares-Rakshas, Pishach,Daitya. Monster that we thought were myths. They destroyed cities, devoured armies, and broken the earth apart."
She paused
"Than, the system appeared"
"No one knows who created it. Some say it came from gods. Other... that it was a weapon left behind by something older that humanity. it began choosing people. Random people. poor, rich, criminal, saints. And those received powers. Abilities beyond reason. That could kill monsters. protects people"
"At first, it was hope. people fought back. But over time... those with the system began seeing themselves as superior. They build cities. Fortresses. And then the Wal. We, the powerless, were left out here - systemless. Forgotten.
Kaal clenched his jaw. "Why didn't we get chosen?"
She looked down. "some say the System only picks those whit fate. Others say it pick those who are willing to sacrifice. but I thing... its picks those the world will need, when the world is at its worst."
Kaal looked up at sky again. "Than why is it glowing now?"
His mother's voice trembled. "Because the worst... might be returning."