Chapter 13.5: The Falling Particles

Hugo's announcement had unleashed a wave of panic and anxiety, enveloping the globe in a shroud of uncertainty. While some saw this as an opportunity for humanity, others sought to exploit it for their own sinister agendas.

In the midst of the chaos, Eli, Sarah, and Katelyn huddled together in their neighborhood, clutching bags of resources they had gathered from house to house.

Eli, his voice trembling with nervousness, voiced their fears, "We... we're fighting against gods? Even with the help of other gods, how are we going to fight against that?"

Sarah, her face filled with horror, whispered, "I... I don't know if I can keep doing this..."

Eli reached out and grabbed Sarah's hand, offering comfort. "It's okay. We might be among the lucky ones who gain a class. And even if we don't, Katelyn and I will protect you, won't we, Katelyn?"

Katelyn stuttered her words, her voice shaky, "Y-yes, we'll protect you, Sarah. But if we're not among the 30% of people who receive a class, we need to find a safe place to stay and watch each other's backs."

Sarah wiped away her tears, finding strength in the thoughtfulness of Eli and Katelyn. "Okay... but... do you think we can go back for Mason? We can't leave him there, especially after what Light did to him..."

Eli nodded in agreement with Sarah. "I was thinking of meeting up with Ms. Anderson and the rest of the students... if….if..they're still alive." He wore a sad expression, fearing the worst.

Taking charge, Katelyn spoke up, "I think it would be best to check if Mason is back at the school. It's close anyway, and Ms. Anderson's house is too far to reach on foot. We need to increase our numbers."

Both Sarah and Eli nodded, their determination evident. Carrying their heavy luggage, they maneuvered through the apocalyptic terrain, each step becoming more arduous than the last.

As they navigated through the chaos, Sarah pointed to the sky, which seemed to be filled with swirling red particles. The mysterious phenomenon affected everything electronics, causing disruptions in planes and other devices.

Eli's amazement mixed with fear as he tried to articulate his thoughts, "What is th—"

The sky had captured the attention of countless civilians, and their panic echoed through the air. People from all walks of life were drawn to the spectacle, their voices filled with a mixture of awe, confusion, and terror.

A civilian cried out, "Look! It's like the end of the world!"

Another shouted, "God, help us! What's happening up there?"

The red particles continued to fall like snow, blanketing the entire world in a fleeting display. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving only traces of its eerie presence.

The chosen few, those fortunate enough to have glimpsed their newfound classes and power levels, experienced a momentary revelation. Their faces filled with awe and wonder, some even hearing a brief voice from an AI before it dissipated into silence.

Chosen civilian: "I... I have a class! My power level... it's unbelievable!"

Another chosen civilian: "Did you hear that voice? This... this changes everything!"

But for those who weren't chosen, despair clung to their hearts like a suffocating fog. Panic swept through the masses, as the realization of their powerlessness sank in.

Panicked civilian: "What are we going to do? How can we survive without a class?"

Desperate civilian: "I can't bear this... I don't want to live in a world where only the chosen few have a chance..."

Around them, the cacophony of civilization reached a fever pitch. Some rejoiced, their bodies briefly illuminating as they were chosen, their power levels visible above their heads. Others, overlooked by the celestial lottery, sank into despair. The eerie silence that followed was punctuated by the sound of bodies hitting the ground - those who had chosen to flee the new world order in the most final way possible.

The chosen ones, in the wake of their selection, heard a brief AI voice, a fleeting message lost amongst the chaos before it disappeared.

Eli, Sarah, and Katelyn watched the spectacle unfold with mixed feelings of awe, terror, and helplessness. The weight of the situation seemed to press them deeper into the ground, but they knew they couldn't afford to break - not now.

"Is this the new world?" Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible above the chaos.

"It seems so," Katelyn murmured, her gaze fixed on a man who had just jumped from a nearby building, a grim testament to the desperation sweeping over the unchosen.

As the dust of the man's fall settled, Eli's voice cut through the heavy silence. "We need to stick together more than ever now. Are we ready to find Mason?"

Sarah and Katelyn nodded, their faces set with grim determination. They turned their backs on the horrifying scene and trudged towards the school, the eerie silence of their world ringing in their ears. The path ahead was uncertain, the stakes higher than ever, but they knew they had to face whatever came their way. Together.

Throughout the world, governments scrambled to control the situation, their attempts only adding to the bedlam. Leaders tried to make sense of the new world order, their words a weak balm against the fear gnawing at the hearts of their constituents. Military forces were mobilized, scientists worked frantically to understand the phenomenon, and religious leaders called for calm and prayer.

Despite their efforts, despair and panic continued to spread like a contagion. The world had changed in an instant, and humanity was left reeling, struggling to adapt. As the sun set on this fateful day, the eerie glow of the red particles lingered, casting long, sinister shadows over the world. The fight for survival had just begun.

When they reached the school, they noticed something peculiar in the lunchroom. The bodies of the goblins they had encountered before were torn apart as if an animal had feasted upon them.

Eli, scanning the room with fear, asked cautiously, "Does anyone see... Mason?"

Sarah's fear caused her to break into a sweat. She replied nervously, "N...No, but... we have to be careful... there might be a monster inside..."

Katelyn, her expression a mix of horror and confusion, added, "I... I don't see Chuck's body..."

Their attention was drawn to a pool of blood where Mason had cradled Chuck's lifeless body. It appeared as though the blood had been licked clean, but droplets led somewhere else.

Following the trail of blood, Eli, Sarah, and Katelyn felt a sinking feeling in their stomachs. As they drew closer to the source, they saw a silver-like creature, resembling a giant wolf, devouring Chuck's corpse.

Fear gripped their throats, leaving them stunned and speechless. They knew that they could be next on the beast's menu. Slowly, they tried to back away, but the creature sniffed the air, sensing their presence. It turned around and began to move toward them.

Katelyn, her voice trembling with fear, called out, "M...Mason... is that you?"

The werewolf, with blood still dripping from its fur and mouth, halted in its tracks. Recognizing Katelyn's voice, Mason's transformation slowly reverted back to his former self.

Eli and Sarah, shocked by Mason's transformation but knowing he had been chosen, couldn't help but ask with curiosity, "Mason... you were chosen... what class did you get?"

Mason, still dazed but cold, replied, "Shapeshifter and Berserker..."

Katelyn, stunned, expressed her remorse, "Mason... I'm sorry that we left you here by yourself... Light-

Mason's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and pain as he heard Light's name mentioned. The memories of Chuck's death and the torment inflicted by Light fueled his hatred, intensifying the fire within him.

"Mason," Katelyn said, trying to calm him down, "we will get our revenge against Light. We'll make sure he pays for what he's done."

Eli and Sarah watched with guilt-laden expressions, realizing the weight of their decisions and the consequences that had befallen their friend. Mason's transformation back into a human form revealed the scars left by the battle he had endured.

Mason, his voice laced with determination, spoke through clenched teeth, "I won't rest until I tear Light's body with my bear hands! He won't get away with this!"

Together, the four friends formed an unspoken pact to seek out the truth, fight against the gods, and protect each other at all costs. They knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but they couldn't allow despair to consume them. The strength they found in their bond would guide them through the darkness that lay ahead.

Leaving the gruesome scene behind. The hallways were eerily silent, the classrooms abandoned, and remnants of destruction scattered throughout. It was a haunting reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.