The Beginning

~The strangest thing about the 'Rip's' occurrence was that there was no digital record of the event ever occurring. All electronic devices were scrambled and satellites were automatically shut down. The only source of proof for its occurrence was the testament every living being on the planet at the time~

YEAR: 2171

LOCATION: EARTH

Some called it the Judgement of God, some postulated it was a result of man's negligence and insensitivity toward nature. Some called it the Rapture, Armageddon, Ragnarok... The end of the world!

However, the 'Harvest' was none of these things.

It occurred on April 23, the Year 2171. It was a busy day for Michael, as he was headed toward his recently acquired job.

Having just finished his second degree in International Marketing at one of the best Universities, York, in the UK, he was on top of his game.

Prequel to this was the completion of his course in Business Administration at his home country, Nigeria.

He was a top agent at Grimeshaw's which was located at Loch Lomond, U.K, a major attraction for tourists and residents alike.

Everything was perfect. However, his seemingly enjoyable life was entirely shattered by those who he would eventually know to be the Reapers and the event known as the HARVEST.

The Rip which had happened 50 years prior, suddenly manifested once more. As was in the case of the previous phenomenon, no electronic device could function, and all weapons and nuclear systems were inoperative. What made this Rip different from the last however was that It lasted for a span of over 7 hours.

Michael's planned day was ruined as everyone was ordered to stay indoors by the neighborhood security men, a few hours after the Rip had appeared.

Suddenly a bright light shone from beyond the gaping hole in the sky, and one by one, individuals randomly began to vanish all over the globe, including the building he was in.

Michael, who was stuck at the office was so confused utterly as to why this was happening. His colleague however was petrified with fright and despair enveloped her. He tried to comfort the once talkative and extroverted individual, but the look on her face was that of one who had abandoned Hope!

"It's the Rapture, it's the end.... I've been left behind... God, please not me....." was what she kept muttering to herself.

Another colleague was confidently saying it was Divine Retribution from the heavens for soiling the Earth with toxins and defiling her.

Some were prayed, some were giving out theories, some were trying to pointlessly reach their loved ones, to no avail, while others like him just sat in their corner.... utterly paralyzed and trying to rationalize their current predicament.

His 25 years of life were not going to be cut short by this strange phenomenon.

"Am I going to be next?"

"Has anyone seen Phil?"

"Why was that asshole Rebecca caught up and I was not?"

"Tribulation! Woe unto mankind"

"Come on pick up the phone, come on service just work.."

"Robby hang in there."

And more were the voices ringing in his ears. The chaos could not be quenched as the government could not even be reached to procure an answer and no definite explanation could be given.

"Screw this! I'm out... you all can stay here like the bunch of maggots that you are but I'm gonna find out what's going on outside!" Someone finally spoke up.

It was the proud and pompous Larry whom everyone had grown to despise, but surprisingly the look on their faces was not that of disgust but admiration. For he was going to confront the situation head-on! Since there was no electricity, the ventilation system was inoperative and so they had to leave sooner or later. Everyone followed Larry and opened the doors.

The fresh air of the outside world was... Poison!

Immediately they stepped out, they began to choke, their skins turning pale and a few seconds later, they died... leaving the door open. Those hesitant to leave and remain in the office were also exposed to the Dark otherworldly toxic atmosphere and died as well.

As Michael began to choke on his own breath, his bloodshot eyes were averted to Charlie, the dog in the office that belonged to the Boss.

The mutt which had been asleep through the whole ordeal suddenly awoke. Its eyes bulging, with drool constantly dripping from its mouth.

The cute dog slowly began to transform before Michael's eyes and became a wild beast.

It was so similar to a Grade 5 monster which he has previously seen on his V.S (Virtual Screen)

Was he hallucinating?

He looked to his side as most of his colleagues were already dead. He tried to speak but he could not make out any word... his moment of confusion vanished.

He knew for sure... he was going to Die!

[You Are Dead]

A purple panel appeared before him.

'I'm Dead?' His Inner voice rang.

Like letters being typed out, in the infinite darkness he saw the word 'DEAD' floating before him.

[Yes. You Are A Dead Man]

"I'm a Dead man...?" He mumbled.

'DEADMAN' was now seen clear as day before him, floating in the darkness.

'Is this hell? Where am I?'

Millions of questions rang through his brain, as letters began to form.

'My.... Other....No..... Oh no..... Please... Outside... Leave...You!'

Each of the first letters of the words started coming together...

"MONOPOLY?" He muttered in confusion.

Still struggling to understand what was happening, perplexed as he was, Michael read aloud the maxim before him.

"DEADMAN MONOPOLY"

Suddenly, everything went dark once again.

Michael woke up and opened his eyes.

The bright light around him seared through his eyes causing a sharp sensation to be sent to his brain and the pain permeated throughout his body.

It felt like this was the first time he was seeing, as his eyes were not accustomed to the light. He was not wrong. He had been reborn! The confused man at the time would eventually discover what had transpired after a while passed.

The HARVEST, which had occurred earlier, beamed all the Ability Users on Earth away, including the Special Ability User Force, The ZENITH.... those who were registered and those who were not, all those who had Special abilities were long gone.

Those left behind were humans who had not 'Awakened'.

The aftereffects of the Harvest caused the Earth to be filled with Otherworldly Energy, which proved toxic to beings who were on Earth, causing the death of every human left on the planet.

Michael discovered more of things as time went by, making him question his own existence.

Why was he an exception?

His Special Ability had awakened at the last minute. His "DEADMAN MONOPOLY", which allowed him to extract the special abilities of dead life forms, on the condition that he was 5 meters in distance to them and rendered immobile for ten seconds kicked in automatically as he was about to die.

He then survived the Hellish world for 234 years before he finally found a way back to the past to reset everything.

TO BE CONTINUED...