A Game?

'What the f**k?'

The words escaped Isamu's lips, barely audible over the rush of blood pounding in his ears. His wide eyes were fixed on the sky, where an impossible sight stared back at him. A shimmering game-like user interface, complete with bright, pixelated text, floated midair as if mocking reality itself. The letters were surreal, glowing faintly against the darkening sky, casting a faint hue over the stunned group.

'No, no, no. This can't be real. It can't be f**king real!' Isamu's thoughts raced, spiraling into panic. 'Congratulations?' The word hung in his mind like a bad joke. 'Does this mean someone is doing this to us? Someone created those things?'

Isamu had a panic attack, falling to his knees as he struggled to breathe. The sounds around him muffled, as if he was underwater. His chest tightening as his vision went blurry.

"Isamu, Isamu!"