It was a regular Saturday morning in August, the year 2200, when everything changed. Out of nowhere, twenty percent of Earth's children, aged nine to nineteen, vanished. They reappeared on an unfamiliar planet, a place the size of an island but foreign in every way.
Confusion was the first reaction. A sense of unease rippled through the group as they realized they weren't on Earth anymore. Just as whispers of panic began to grow, a figure appeared in the distance. He didn't walk toward them rather he flew, his massive wings slicing through the air.
He landed on a tree branch, his movements sharp yet unnervingly calm. The man was tall, slim, and looked like he could be in his early fifties. For a moment, he just observed them, his piercing eyes scanning the crowd. Then, he spoke, his voice deep and steady.
"My name is Saul," he began, "and I come from the planet Aerer. Like you, I am human, though I am not from Earth. You can understand me because this planet is technologically enhanced to translate all languages. Convenient, isn't it?"
The kids stared at him, a mix of fear and confusion on their faces. Saul's expression remained unreadable as he continued.
"The reason you are here is simple: find four orbs which are red, blue, green, and colorless. Only the four people who retrieve these orbs will return to Earth. The rest of you? You'll stay here as my slaves."
Murmurs broke out among the group, but Saul raised a hand, silencing them with a slight smirk.
"And before you get any bright ideas about attacking me…" he added, his tone now laced with menace, "know this, if I die, this planet disintegrates. You'll all fall into space, suffocate, and die. So, I'd suggest cooperation."
One teenager stepped forward. Bill Harper, seventeen, his jaw tight with anger. "What if we just refuse to play your game?"
Saul's smirk widened. "Simple, then I'll kill you all myself."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "Around the planet, there are tents, though not enough for all of you. Inside the tents, you'll find weapons and basic supplies. I suggest you move quickly. You have four days to find the orbs. After that, well…" Saul shrugged, his wings spreading wide. "You'll see."
Without another word, he launched himself into the sky, leaving the children stunned.
For a moment, no one moved. Then, the youngest kids started crying, their fear breaking through the uneasy quiet. The older teens scrambled to calm them down, their own anxiety barely masked.
"Alright, listen up!" one of the older kids shouted, trying to sound confident. "We need to find those tents before anything else."
They quickly formed groups, sticking with people they knew from Earth. Those who didn't know anyone either joined a group from their city or stayed alone, looking lost and uncertain. Each group left someone behind to look after the younger kids while the rest set out.
The search for the tents was chaotic. Groups ran in every direction, pushing past each other in desperation. Wild animals roamed the area, their eyes gleaming with hunger. Some of the kids didn't make it, their screams echoed in the distance.
When they finally found the tents, relief swept over them. The tents were clustered near a small stream, but as Saul had warned, there weren't enough for everyone. Among them, one tent stood out, labeled "EQUIPMENT."
The teens wasted no time. They grabbed weapons and supplies, their survival instincts kicking in. Those who couldn't claim a tent stayed nearby, hoping safety in numbers would protect them.
Among the crowd were two eleven-year-old twins, Eze Alexander and Eze Franklyn. The brothers managed to secure a small tent with a few weapons. They were from City LX, known for their resourcefulness and survival skills, but they had no love for violence.
Their luck didn't last. A group of older teens spotted them and decided the brothers didn't look tough enough to deserve a tent. They forced them out, their mocking laughter echoing as the boys retreated with their supplies.
Alexander clenched his fists, his frustration barely contained. "We'll figure this out on our own," he said to his brother, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.
Just then, the ground beneath them rumbled. The sky darkened for a moment, and three beams of light shot into the sky—red, blue, and green. The beams shimmered for a moment before disappearing, one by one.
Somewhere far away, Saul's voice echoed through the air, filled with cruel satisfaction.
"One down."