'But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.'
Turns out the end happened when no one expected.
And at a time where evil was at its peak. Every sin imaginable plagued the world, stripping it of the light it once held long ago.
People laughed and laughed, without a care in the world, thinking there would never be a price to pay.
But God was not to be mocked.
Because the wages of sin was death—and when the trumpet sounded, that sin finally manifested. It took shape, claw, and hunger, becoming the monsters that overcame the entire world.
They were called Sin Eaters.
Some erupted from fiery portals known as Judgement Tears—masses of flame, sulfur, and molten light ripping through the sky like wounds in creation itself. Others simply manifested from the depths of human corruption, born directly from sin. They spilled into cities, tore through villages, and dragged humanity into chaos.
Governments and militaries fought back with desperation. Tanks, bombs, armies—none of it mattered. The Sin Eaters were too many, too invulnerable, too unnatural. Within weeks, nations collapsed. Billions of people were dead, and fear became the only language spoken across the earth.
And yet—when grace was supposed to be gone, The Most High left a sliver of mercy.
He chose humans—warriors empowered not by chance, but by purpose.
They were called Heralds. Not messengers, but fighters. Chosen to stay behind, to rise against the Sin Eaters, and prove why humanity should not perish.
Unexpectedly, I was one of those chosen. Given a system I would not understand the true meaning of until much later.
10 Years Later
The world had changed, scarred and battered but still alive. Fortified cities stood like islands of hope amidst oceans of ruin. Academies were raised within these bastions—not schools of ordinary knowledge, but crucibles where the young would discover what Talents they carried and how they might wield them in humanity's war.
At the gates of one such academy, three figures walked together.
The first was a young man of eighteen. He had a medium-sized sponged afro, caramel brown skin, and hazel-brown eyes that carried both focus and thought. Standing tall at 6'2 with the build of someone honed by calisthenics and training, he wore the academy's formal uniform: a crisp white dress shirt, red tie, black slacks, and polished black shoes. His name was Dante.
Beside him strode a second young man, an inch shorter at 6'1, with short wavy blonde hair and cyan-blue eyes bright with restless energy. His peach-toned skin and satisfied smile gave him a lively presence. He wore the same uniform but carried it with a kind of casual pride. His name was Aiden.
The third was a young woman who walked with effortless poise. She stood at 5'9, her frame athletic yet strikingly feminine, her silver hair streaked with a red tint that shimmered faintly under the sun. Her eyes burned crimson, sharp and unreadable, and her pale complexion gave her an almost ethereal beauty. Unlike the boys, her uniform was a skirted variant—white shirt, red tie, black skirt, long black stockings, and black heels. Her name was Yani.
As the towering black gates of the academy loomed before them, Aiden spoke, his voice raspy yet eager.
"So Dante, considering that we've been waiting for this moment forever, do you think I'll get an A-Ranked Talent? Maybe if I'm lucky enough I'll even get S-Ranked!"
Dante's voice was deep, crisp, and smooth. "Who knows, Aiden… after all, people like us have gotten F-Rank Talents before. But keep that energy. Good energy attracts good outcomes. Right, Yani?"
Yani smirked, brushing a strand of silver-red hair aside. "Yeah, sure. Whatever Sir Philosophy says."
Aiden chuckled, and Dante allowed himself a small smile at her sarcasm.
Yani added, more seriously this time, "But for what it's worth, I just hope all three of us get something useful. I'd hate for us to end up… janitors." Her lips curled in faint disgust at the word.
Aiden's smile faltered into disappointment. "Yeah, that would be some bull if that happened."
When the Sin Eaters first erupted into the world, most had come through the Judgement Tears. Heralds, humans chosen with Talents, fought to close those flaming wounds before more horrors spilled out. But not all Talents were equal. Those deemed too weak or useless were given the degrading title of "janitors" the ones sent in after battles to scavenge, clean, and collect what was left. They were the lowest of the low in the hierarchy of Heralds.
But to Dante, they were still equals.
"Don't be like that," he said firmly. "At the end of the day, we're all equal. Whether someone has an SSS-Rank Talent or an F-Rank Talent, every gift is useful because The Most High willed it to be."
A sharp laugh cut through the air.
"You still believe in that no good for nothing shithead up above, Dante? I thought you were better than that…"
The three turned to see a tall young man approaching, matching Dante's height and build. His long, dark-blonde hair fell around a face sharpened by green eyes full of spite.
Milo Williams.
Aiden's jaw clenched, his fists balling up. "Don't start, Milo. We were hav—"
Milo sneered and cut him off with venom. "No one was talking to you, Walmart Brad Pitt."
Aiden bristled, ready to swing, but Milo only chuckled darkly at his reaction before focusing back on Dante.
"Anyways, why do you still believe in a nobody, Dante? If your God was real, why did billions die? Why did He let Sin Eaters consume the world? Why won't He let us do whatever the fuck we want? Huh?"
Dante's reply was calm, but his words carried quiet force. "People's free will became their undoing. Why do you think there's sin in the first place? The Sin Eaters are just the real-world manifestation of it."
Yani's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as a blade. "Pride comes before the downfall. You'd know that if that stick wasn't shoved so far up your ass."
Milo's teeth ground together. "Tch. Whatever. We'll see who's talking when I'm on top… and you three are nothing but janitors." He stomped away, his long hair snapping with the movement.
Aiden muttered under his breath, watching him leave. "Never liked him. Honestly, if not for the academy's protection wards, his energy alone would've spawned a handful of Sin Eaters by now."
Yani nodded grimly. Dante, however, spoke with a thoughtful expression.
"There's a deeper reason to his questioning. Something traumatic definitely happened to him… and one day, I'll find out what."
Yani rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that." She then tilted her chin toward the yard ahead. "Looks like they've already started. That's a long line, we better get moving."
Aiden stretched out his hand suddenly. "Quick, guys—let's pray."
Dante exchanged a glance with Yani. She gave a subtle nod, and together they joined hands, uncaring of who might be watching.
Dante bowed his head, his voice low but steady.
"Heavenly Father, I want to start by thanking You. There's too much to count, so I'll thank You for everything. I ask that You be with us in this new journey. Give us the strength and wisdom to handle the gifts You will bestow. I'm not perfect, and neither are they, but we'll do our best. Thank You, in advance. In Jesus name, amen."
Both Aiden and Yani answered softly, "Amen." A few others in line echoed it.
And though unseen by the crowd, a faint, radiant light shimmered just above Dante's head.
Only one knew the reason why.