The sky burned a deep crimson. The stench of blood hung thick in the air, mixed with the smoky remains of charred corpses. A lake of blood stretched before him, bodies floating like broken puppets.
Rudra stood at the heart of the bloody lake, his hands covered with blood. Bodies inside the lake groped on his legs to bring him down to the abyss with them.
His hands shook in terror of the moment, where ever his sight took him, there was only death.
And then... the corpses started moving, with an eerie calm.
Hundreds of heads turned towards him at once, screaming...shouting for free from this hell.
"Soaked in blood... just like him"
"You are the only reason we suffered this... you are not even human. You... you are a monster!!!"
Rudra staggered back. Their words echoed in his mind like hammer strikes.
He looked at his bloodied hands again... and couldn't remember if the blood was theirs or his.
Their screams made his mind go blank in an instant. Terror filled him up. In the centre of the lake, a figure emerged tall, armoured with black scales. Blood dripped from the tip of a long sword clutched in his hand. His eyes glowed red, horns twisted from his skull like bone thorns.
Rudra's breath stopped and he spoke:
"....Father?"
The demon didn't answer. The only thing he asked was for freedom from this hell. In that instant, countless images of war between demons and gods flashed through Rudra's head.
He screamed:
" STOP!!!"
Rudra woke up choking. The bed was soaked in sweat. The scream had died in his throat. Again.
"Cough!.. cough!"
The same nightmare. Ever since his father vanished twelve years ago, he thought.
'Only now... the corpses had started Moving. Speaking. And that person... who exactly looked like... my father. It's haunting me for the last 12 years.'
The morning rays pierce through the curtains, drawing faint lines across the room. Rudra sat still, he ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. He glanced towards the nightstand. A chipped photo frame of his gently smiling mother, and beside her... him.
His father.
A knock came at the door, soft and careful.
"Rudra, breakfast is ready. You'll be late."
His mother's voice. Made his heart warm. Like always.
The apartment was small, two rooms and a kitchen crammed between concrete walls, but it had the warmth of home.
His mother stood by the stove, apron stained. A thin bowl of millet porridge is on the table.
"You had it again, didn't you?" She asked without turning.
He nodded and sat down.
"They've gotten louder," he muttered. "There was... a figure. With horns. Red eyes."
A pause. The spatula in her hand stopped mid-stir.
"Did it say anything?"
"No," Rudra lied. She didn't press further.
She placed a worn amulet around his neck of Shiv Lingams.
"Your father used to wear this. Maybe it'll keep the nightmares away."
He didn't have the heart to tell her it wouldn't.
I am Rudra Sen, in this world full of powerful people, I was weak. Didn't awaken at the age of 7 as people do. Tomorrow is the last chance for me to awaken my powers. Or I will be labelled as a normal human living always at the bottom of the chain.
After reaching school, as he walked through the school corridor, Rudra's eyes wandered to the mural every student had seen hundreds of times.
Painted in haunting reds and blacks, it showed an apocalyptic battle:
Monsters the size of towers ripping through cities. Human warriors stood between them, glowing with power.
Below it, bold words in aged gold:
"The First Beast Tide 180 Years Ago. Power was the only salvation."
This world, full of monsters and mutated beasts, had a devastating tide of swarming beasts running through cities 180 years ago. Over 60% of the land was captured. We, humans were left with 40% of the remaining land.
After this great catastrophe, new united nations formed. New Industry rose, countries covered in walls. Hunters emerged from each nation, and countries resolved their feuds and united to fight against monsters.
Despite advanced technology, the world outside is untamed and full of monsters, demons, and ancient secrets. Only licensed warriors, explorers, and elite researchers are allowed beyond the walls.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a familiar voice.
"What are you staring at, dude? As always, in deep thoughts, huh?"
He is Vishnu Thorat, one of the people I trust, if we talk about him. He awakened spiritual energy, which is one of the rarest powers. As for him, he is just a practice maniac. His father is one of the renowned warriors and has a martial arts dojo. His father believes that normal humans can also become warriors with ancient martial arts.
"Hey, you both, get seated. The teacher has something to announce."
She is Anaya Agarwal, she awakened with healing and research abilities. Daughter of Rajveer Agarwal. CEO and owner of one of the top research and technology companies.
They both awakened their powers at the age of 7.
As the class was full of chattering, the teacher entered the class.
"Attention everyone, as tomorrow is your last day at school, and soon you all will be taking your university entrance exams. So all of you should practice diligently. And the students who haven't yet awakened will be given a last chance tomorrow for awakening." Said the teacher, "Rudra Sen, I know you have always topped in written exams, but if you haven't awakened, you won't be able to attend the university entrance exam, so try your best tomorrow."
"Thanks, teacher, for your kind words." I said.
After the teacher left all the students started chatting again until...
"People! Important announcement!"
Maya Raikar twirled her hair, standing on a desk like a queen in court.
"It's your Princess's birthday today, and the party will be legendary. Be there or stay forgotten."
Maya Raikar, best friend of Anaya. They both have been together since childhood, as their parents are business colleagues.
"Hah.. so our so-called princess is inviting us to her birthday party. Hmm.. should we go? What do you say, Rudra?" Said Vishnu.
"Let's go and see. After all, it is Anaya's best friend's birthday party." I replied, silently.
"Ok, let's meet at the venue tonight." Said Anaya.
As the class laughed and joked, Rudra stared out the window.
The shadows beyond the school gate seemed to stretch… just slightly too long.
And for a moment, he swore he heard that voice again.
"You are not even human…"