Yura woke up, breathing hard, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face.
"It was… just a dream?" he whispered, voice trembling.
He swung his legs over the bed and stood, legs shaky. Heading to the kitchen, he froze for a moment, listening to the familiar sound of his parents laughing and joking. A small sigh escaped him.
"Yeah… just a dream."
He glanced out the window. Night had fallen, the city streets quiet under dim streetlights. A thought flickered in his mind:
"Maybe I'll watch TV for a bit… then do my homework."
He flipped on the television. The screen flickered to life, then the news anchor's voice cut through the room:
"Shiduko residents—evacuate immediately. Cult attacks are expected. Repeat—"
The cable went silent. Static hissed across the screen. Yura's heart slammed in his chest.
Screams erupted outside. Sirens wailed. Panic spilled into the streets like wildfire. Yura's hands trembled, eyes widening.
"Wh-what's happening…?" he muttered.
BOOM! BOOM! Explosions shook the house. Windows shattered, glass raining down around him.
A shadow moved in the doorway. A masked figure. One… two… more. Their masks twisted into unnerving smiles, eyes cold and empty.
Yura froze. His voice cracked.
"U-u-u-uh… w-w-who are you?"
THUD! One of them swung, a fist connecting with his side. He staggered, blood trickling from a cut on his face. Pain exploded in his skull. He collapsed to the floor, vision blurring. Darkness swallowed him.
What… what was happening?
What was going to happen next?
He had no answers. Only fear.