Ethereal Life, Chapter 1: Prologue

Year 2023, September 27, Friday 10:00 AM

A sudden and unprecedented rise in temperature was observed worldwide. The farmers living in regions affected by the equator were struggling to work under the scorching heat and expressing their frustration with every breath.

"Did it get suddenly hotter right now, or is it just me?"

Individuals who were either walking on the streets or traveling in open-air vehicles, such as students and workers, were silently expressing their dissatisfaction with the sudden increase in temperature, as they found it uncomfortable.

"So hot! Wha—h, what with this day? I should have brought my umbrella."

Nevertheless, this is merely the beginning. What truly caused worldwide panic was the succession of unfortunate incidents that were occurring everywhere.

"Flash Report!"

A piece of statistical reporting suddenly caused an uproar among the whole world's populace. The first news, people living within the influence of the equator started fainting from heatstroke.

"Help! Help! Help! My uncle fainted just now!"

Those with money and who have air conditioners in their homes or workplaces were safe. The ones who lived in windy and cool places like mountains, forests, and near seas were lucky.

While those who were poor, while working under the sun's rays, were sadly "Did you come here? I heard my wife said that the temperature around the world suddenly increase."

"So that's why it's so hot right now, eh?" The whole world is in uproar, and the media outlets and reports were full of the results of global warming for the fainted people around the globe. "Report coming from Manila."

Authorities in various countries were alarmed. They immediately mobilized their various institutes and research facilities for the cause. While waiting, the whole hierarchy was nervous.

"I want all scientist and researchers to give me what's the caused IMMEDIATELY!"

Somehow, almost everyone can feel something ominous coming from the future. "I'm afraid, it isn't simple as it can be."

A few hours later, the researchers had an unsightly expression. They looked at each other with gloomy eyes at the increasingly dangerous premonition in their hearts.

"Are we going to survive? No...this might be the end."

The government was shocked upon receiving the reports. Water levels on various dams have been detected to be decreasing at a rapid rate during the past few days compared to the last three months.

"Why haven't you reported this to me!"

Various signs of dangerous animals and pests started coming out of their natural habitats. thus increasing the chances of humans meeting them, and thus accidents of being bitten, poisoned, or eaten occur.

"Run! Run! Run away from the farm! A cobra suddenly find it's way from the mountain!"

A few hours later, another report stated that there were grass fires and forest fires near every city on the equator. Many homeowners in rural areas and animals fled; some died, while others caused panic in the city after spreading the news. "My home!"

Two months later, every city around the globe suddenly received an urgent notice from the government. The use of public water in every households were now limited in supply. The countless rivers on the continents started drying up at visible speed. "Did you bathe today? You stink."

Farmers and those who work on fields suddenly found their crops dying because of the lack of water flowing out of their regional dams. "What's going on?! Call the water district and complain!"

Because of the increase in temperature, products like air conditioning and cooling devices started getting popular to the point that even the poor tried hard to find chances to buy one amidst their holed and rusty houses. "Son, you're 10 already. Help me work tomorrow."

The demand started increasing, while the supply didn't disappoint the consumers. The various evil companies naturally wanted to find large profits via market control of these new trends, lowering the supply but increasing the demand bit by bit, but we were stopped and warned by governments.

"Did they really have not bit of intelligence in this incoming disaster?!"

However, these are just the temporary measures of various countries. As the increase in temperature didn't drop. Nor did it stabilize; instead, it was still increasing during noon, when the sun was the hottest. "I don't want to work. I'll stay at home today."

Various companies that profited by burning chemicals and rubber were forcefully stopped by authorities. "Stop!!! Don't close my company! Where can we get money to buy our own food after this?!"

Another department rose amidst that. Using the funds of the countries, the whole world started researching solutions to the problem that resulted in a chain reaction among the various foundations of the countries—global warming.

"This is what I told you years ago! But nobody heard me."

Months passed. There was no rain. The water levels in various reservoirs were still lowering. This news caused the price of every mineral water bottle, gallon, and tank sold in supermarkets to inflate.

"I ordered it first! What's your deal with the others on paying you more?!"

The whole population started to panic. Everyone thought that it was the end of the world. The punishment of the universe is on the greedy humans who profited by destroying the world's ecosystem. "Pray now for salvation is near!"

Year 2031, April 1, Thursday 8:00 PM

The whole government is now in chaos, and the whole research team in the special department has failed to find any immediate solution to the increasingly dangerous problem of global warming.

"Is there really no solution? Do we really have to do that?"

In the end, after various solemn meetings and suggestions, It has been decided to switch to living underground from now on. The construction immediately started. No one cares about money anymore as long as they can live inside the project's underground cities.

"Even if the corruption stopped. I'm not happy at all."

Even the marine produce for the past few months has decreased. The ponds and lakes breeding fish died one after another from the suffocating hot water. "No more fish, mates. This pond is now for sale!"

"What would happen to us now?" Various businesses goes bankrupt or was disrupted because of the ongoing increase in demand but scarcity of supply on food related products.

The government didn't just dilly-dally on the construction of the underground city. The various researchers and scientists have also found many minor and temporary projects on how to sustain the livelihood of every underground city. "We need to speed up."

Year 2037, October 30, Monday, 5:00 PM

A world-wide underground migration has started. All cities above the surface were abandoned. In order to accommodate the dwindling population over the years. The underground cities were built to completely sustain them.

"So this is our new home from now on huh."

Living underground in their new home, all people were strictly registered and given work according to their skills. There's no need to study for 16 years of education for a university or college diploma anymore. "Is it true?!"

All youngsters over the age of 18 were immediately given a choice for their future work. A year of practical experience on site, and he's or she's ready to go. "Are we on marathon?"

Food was now grown half artificially while using the little bit of sunlight above the surface, which was controlled and used as one of the many sources of power for the underground cities. "Pew~ Thankfully, I can still use internet."

Water is now taken from underground, and the remaining dam still has water reserves that were sustained a little bit by the scarce rain every month. "Ah! Is this water purified? It's your pee!?"

The government would sometimes come out to the surface to collect some samples and repair some machines that were connected to the city's power sources.

"Ah, so hot! So hot! What have become of this world?"

Animals started dying, and were it not for the associations for animal welfare that built underground cities for them to survive, animals might have gone extinct already.

"Hey, it's been a long time now but, I see no more birds flying around since a few years ago."

Although there are still people who are stubbornly living on the surface, the government hasn't called on them. It's their choice after all. The government didn't even care if the empty surface city was ransacked.

"After all, how could a dead city with no electricity and water nor food to provide to them can give?"

Year 2050, July 22, Wednesday, 1:00 PM

The public was in an uproar. The various governments in every part of the world had just announced that the sea had started to dry up. The clouds above have crystallized, like nitrogen ice. "Really? And then?"

Another story also caused the whole populace to gasp in amazement and disbelief. In just a day, almost everyone knows that there will be a project that will reshape their world.

"Leaving the solar system?"

Someone asked if they were going to build a spacecraft next. A big one that can carry and sustain their needs for centuries.

"Are we going to sleep for a long time?"