Zach's POV
Darkness.
I looked around, but couldn't see anything except myself.
Wait—no. Not myself.
It's Devin. It's his body— but I know I'm the one inside it.
I took a step. Slowly. Then I ran. Darkness stretched endlessly in every direction, yet my feet seemed to know where to go. I ran until my chest tightened, until I had to stop and catch my breath.
A screech echoed behind me, but when I looked back—nothing. I turned again, when something brushed against my back.
I froze.
Then—I saw it. A mirror. I stepped closer, staring at my reflection. My true form and not Devin's.
My true form staring back at me—
Then it flickered.
Devin.
Me.
Devin.
Me.
The image glitched—unstable, corrupted—like it couldn’t decide who I was. I tried to touch the mirror and the image faded, shifted back to that very scene.
The underwater scene—where I tried to negotiate with Devin.
Dark. Cold. Endless.
The same moment. The same place. The day everything changed.
I remember this.
That was the day I thought he was the one I was looking for.. The one I needed to save.
I was really sure that it was him, when I heard a choir singing behind me—a divine intervention. Like a signal that I was finally close to completing my mission.
So I reached out to him. I extended my arm, offering a second chance. That's how it always worked. Save them. Guide them. Stay with them.
But this time—
Something went wrong.
I woke up on that shore and everything felt wrong. A human saw me. Touched me. No one can see me unless they are the ones who I helped. But this woman...
"Hey! Are you okay?" my eyes snapped open. Confused, in cold sweats, darkness again—but different. Back to our hut. I pushed myself up, disoriented, a dull ache pounding in my head.
“You alright?” she asked. “You were squirming. Having a nightmare? Want some water?”
I shook my head.
“No. I—I’m fine.” I exhaled, still trying to steady myself.
“…Thanks.”
-->8
It's been two days since that night, and that dream still gnawing at me. Haunted of what really happened the night of the accident. Days passed—and I still hadn't spoken to her. sighs. I don't even know where to start.
And that dream confuses me more of what is my true purpose here. Is my mission really to save a life? Or is there something more?
MEANWHILE...
Far from what's happening in the island, the city is now at stake. With Devin away from his empire, his enemies are now taking advantage. Businesses are plummeting, underground is in chaos.
At a city warehouse, a mob of men in black suits stand in formation, surrounding the entire space. Their hands are clasped behind their backs as they wait for their Boss's command. On the center, a man sitting on a couch—hair brushed back, a scar on his lips—biting down on a cigar and lighting it on fire.
The silence is deafening, and the only noise will hear was him exhaling the smoke.
He gives an order.
"Take. Everything." Just two words, delivered with the kind of warning that needs no explanation—one mistake, and it will be your end.
And with that, the chaos has started.
A man sitting at his car in the middle of a highway in the middle of the night is listening on the radio while puffing his cigarette out in his opened car door seat.
[Radio Broadcast — Live Report]
Stoneford, Illinois. 10:00 PM.
This is a live update coming in from downtown Stoneford, where what began as a routine evening has suddenly taken a violent turn.
Moments ago, the streets were calm. Office workers were seen exiting nearby buildings, some heading home, others lingering on sidewalks and waiting at pedestrian crossings.
Then the situation escalated.
Multiple fire hydrants along the surrounding streets have reportedly burst open—one after another—sending powerful jets of water into the air. Witnesses describe the incidents as simultaneous.
Panic quickly spread among civilians in the area. Several were heard screaming, caught off guard by the sudden eruptions.
Some also heard an explosion from the nearby area.
Authorities have confirmed a blast from a nearby building, though details remain unclear at this time. The people fleeing the scene as emergency response is now underway.
Residents are advised to avoid the area as investigations continue.
More updates to follow.
The man switches it to a different program, and another news update is being broadcasted.
[Radio Broadcast — Breaking Update]
Aurora Valley, Illinois. 10:15 PM.
Another developing report at this hour.
An explosion has just been confirmed at the Regional Fire Museum in Aurora Valley—approximately fifteen minutes after the initial incident reported in Stoneford.
Details remain limited, but authorities are now investigating a possible connection between the two events.
Emergency responders are currently on site, and the area has been placed under immediate lockdown.
Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid the vicinity until further notice.
This is a developing story. More updates as information becomes available.
He turns off the radio and opens his phone and sees a notification of a live streaming from a TV Network, clicked it and it redirected to the live broadcast at somewhat familiar place. He smirked as he flicks the cigarette butt outside and focuses on watching the news.
DV Prime Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. 10:20 PM.
[ON SCREEN: LIVE]
News flash! We are coming to you live from outside DV Prime Corporation here in downtown Chicago, where a sudden explosion was reported at exactly 10:20 PM—believed to have originated from the 36th floor.
Several witnesses describe the blast as unusually bright—almost resembling a fireworks display—but shattered glass is now falling from the upper levels, sending people into a panic as they rush to clear the area—
LOUD CRASH IN THE BACKGROUND.
Emergency responders have just arrived on—wait—hold on—
A DISTANT SCREAM.
Did you hear that? Something’s happening behind—
MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS ECHO.
Get down! GET DO—
FEED DISTORTS — LOUD STATIC.
SCREEN FLICKERS.
SIGNAL LOST.
ON SCREEN: NO SIGNAL
And with Devin's absence, his enemies took advantage. The chaos has started.