The story begins in a quiet home in Japan, where a boy named Garve was sitting with his family in the living room, watching TV. On the screen, the news anchor spoke in a serious tone:
"Over the past two years, the government has drastically increased the production of rare resources such as graphene, vertical glass, gold, and eternium metals. Almost all national funds are being directed toward these metals. But is there a hidden reason behind this? Is the government keeping secrets from us—or is there something else at play?"
Garve's father sighed deeply.
"These days, the government has become completely corrupt. And this is no longer just a problem of our country… it's becoming a global threat."
He glanced at his son and muttered, "Who knows what will happen to this world… Anyway, Garve, you don't have to go to high school tomorrow. Now go to bed."
Garve nodded, "Alright," and headed toward his room.
Lying on his bed, he turned to the window for some fresh air. Suddenly, two fighter jets soared across the night sky, heading south. As he looked down toward the street, he noticed a woman draped in a white cloak, staring directly at him before walking away.
"Hey! Hey!" Garve called out.
But the woman disappeared into the night.
Puzzled, he returned to bed. Something weighed on his mind, but instead of dwelling on it, he turned to the other side and fell asleep.
The Next Morning
At breakfast, as Garve prepared for school, his father warned him:
"Listen, son. Times are dangerous. People are disappearing at an alarming rate, and the government remains silent. Either take a few days off school… or be very careful."
Garve shrugged. "Dad, I don't believe in all that. Whatever happens, happens.
The whole family laughed at his arrogance.
Garve picked up his bag. "Anyway, I'm off to high school."
On the way, he passed dozens of posters of missing people plastered on walls and lampposts. A disturbing sight.
Soon he met his classmate Yashasvi, who greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Garve."
"Hey," Garve replied, still distracted.
"You look troubled. Everything okay?" she asked.
"It's nothing," he said quickly.
Scene: Classroom
Maths class was dragging on. Garve stared out the window, his eyes fixed on the school ground. Suddenly, he saw the same cloaked woman from last night. She placed something on the bench and walked away.
When the lunch bell rang, Garve rushed outside and found the note. It contained a single, haunting question:
"Who do you think is the enemy—the Creator or the Creation?"
The words shook him. His friends soon arrived, breaking his focus.
Yashasvi, Ryan, Claus, and Umaima gathered around.
"Hey Garve, what are you doing here?" Claus asked.
"Nothing, just getting some fresh air," Garve replied.
Ryan grinned. "Come on, let's head to the canteen."
Claus teased Ryan, "Tell me, Ryan—how do you eat so much and still not grow taller?"
"Shut up!" Ryan snapped. "I told you not to talk about my height!"
Yashasvi stepped in, laughing. "Enough, you two. Let's eat before the canteen closes."
Umaima shook her head. "I can't. I'm fasting today."
"Oh, then I'll skip too," Garve said.
Claus groaned. "Fine, then the three of us will go. We have sports period next anyway."
As the group began to leave, Ryan asked, "Garve, are you coming to the Miyamoka Shrine festival tomorrow?"
"Oh, that's tomorrow? I can't. I'll be busy," Garve said.
Yashasvi tilted her head. "Busy with what?"
"Nothing special. I just want some time alone… maybe I'll go to the Tokyo Skytree," he admitted.
"Alright, see you later then," Claus said as they parted ways.
Before leaving, Umaima looked at Garve with concern.
"Garve, is something bothering you?"
He forced a smile. "No, everything's fine."
"Good," she said softly. "But if anything does, you can always tell me."
At that moment, two helicopters flew overhead, carrying massive loads of gold. Garve froze, remembering the note's chilling question: Who is the enemy—the Creator or the Creation?
Scene: At Home
"Mom, Dad, I'm back," Garve announced as he entered.
His parents were glued to the news. Reporters spoke of missing victims with no trace of kidnappers—people vanishing as if swallowed by thin air.
"What on earth is happening?" his father muttered. "And why are the world governments so silent?"
Turning to Garve, he said, "You're not going to school for the next few months, not until the police catch whoever's behind this. Tomorrow, get ready early. We're going to the Miyamoka Shrine to pray for a long life."
Garve frowned. "I don't care about living a long life. I have other plans."
"Hey, listen—" his father started, but Garve walked off.
His mother sighed. "Leave him. He's always been like this, ever since we adopted him. We love him as our own, but… we're not his real parents."
His father's expression darkened. "That's true. Years ago, a thief attacked his family. The man tried to kill them all. Somehow, the police arrived in time to save Garve… but his parents died on the spot."
Upstairs, Garve placed his bag down and lay on his bed. His mind drifted back to the mysterious woman and her note.
"Who is the enemy—the Creator, or the Creation?"
Next morning
A government agent had arrived at Garve's home for questioning. His tone was stern as he asked,
"We require information about your financial status. How much does your household earn in a month? And do you possess materials such as gold?"
Garve's mother frowned.
"My husband is a car driver, and my son is just a student. We don't have any gold."
The officer gave a curt nod. "Very well. Take care of yourselves—and avoid going out alone at night." He left without another word.
Garve's mother shook her head. "What a strange officer…" Then she called out, "Garve! Are you still not awake? It's already ten in the morning! We have to leave soon."
"Yeah, Mom… I'm getting up," Garve muttered sleepily.
Scene: Departure
Garve's parents sat in their car, ready to leave for the Miyamoka Shrine. His father looked back and asked, "Are you really not coming with us?"
"No, Mom," Garve replied. "I want to go somewhere else today."
His father gave him a serious look. "Wherever you go, make sure you're back before 5 p.m."
"I know," Garve said simply.
As their car drove away, Garve tilted his head toward the sky. A strange expression flickered across his face.
"It looks like… today is the day. I need to hurry."
Scene: At the Shrine
Garve's parents stood before the shrine, hands clasped together. They prayed earnestly.
"God, please grant us and our son a long life."
The scene shifted—showing an Indian temple where people prayed for longevity. Then a mosque. Then a church. One after another, every religion was shown, all united by the same wish: a long life.
Scene: The Metro
Meanwhile, Garve was sitting inside a metro, heading toward the Tokyo Skytree. His face still carried the same gloom, the same unanswered questions.
Garve's thoughts:
Are all religions really true?
Humans often turn someone into a god only when they want something from them. But is becoming a god really that easy?
He remembered a saying: "A human only worships those who give them something, even if it's nothing but false hope."
Yes… humans always need something to rely on. They always need someone to prove that they're better, that they're living for a reason. But my question doesn't end there…
Does life even have meaning? If death is inevitable, then why should we struggle? Wouldn't it be simpler if we all just died?
The announcement interrupted his thoughts.
"This is Tokyo Station. Passengers disembarking, please exit."
Scene: Tokyo Skytree
Garve stepped out of the metro and gazed at the towering Skytree. His thoughts grew darker.
And even if life does have meaning… I have no interest in living it. This is why I can't believe in any god. Because the one thing I desire is something they cannot give. Death isn't granted—it must be taken by one's own hands.
His fists clenched as he whispered, "That's why… today, I'll see it all. The end. The end of the world, the end of the universe… everything. And this is how it begins."
Without hesitation, Garve leapt from the Skytree.
The moment he fell, it felt as though time itself slowed. The entire world around him dissolved into a strange green light. Still falling… deeper, deeper… until darkness consumed him.
Scene: A New Beginning
When Garve opened his eyes, he was no longer falling. Two children stood before him.
What is this? Garve's mind reeled. Have I been reborn? Are these… my siblings?
Before he could process, the younger child—barely five years old—spoke.
"Finally… my son has opened his eyes."
Garve froze. Son? His eyes widened. But… she's just a child herself!
Then a man's voice rang out warmly.
"He's beautiful. Our child truly takes after us."
A woman, radiant with joy, added,
"Of course he does. After all, it's been a thousand years since a child was born in this world."
Garve's thoughts spiraled. What is happening? Are these truly my parents? Have I been reincarnated? If so, then why do I still remember everything from my past life? And… what is that enormous crow looming above us?
To be continued…