A Glimpse of the Unknown

The voice, majestic and genderless, reverberated through Daichi's mind, resonating with an otherworldly power. As the speech came to an end, a profound silence engulfed his head, contrasting the intensity of the previous moment.

"..."

"..What?" Mumbled Daichi, standing still in shock trying to jumble his mind on what he just heard.

Then, without warning, the ground beneath him trembled. The earth shook with a deep rumbling sound that sent shockwaves through his very being. It was an earthquake of significant magnitude, shaking the foundations of his reality as if reaffirming the validity of the voice's message.

'Mom! Hana!'

His immediate concern shifted to the safety of his loved ones. With a surge of urgency, he fought against the trembling ground, determined to reach the living room. Hugging the wall for support, he took cautious steps, his hurried pace attempting to maintain balance amidst the chaos. The once pristine plates and bowls slid off the rack on the countertop, cascading down to the floor with a resounding crash, scattering ceramic shards across the kitchen tiles. Simultaneously, in the living room, the tremors sent objects flying and tumbling, creating a symphony of falling and clattering sounds. Amidst the cacophony, screams can be heard and an untimely blare of a siren outside resonated, a piercing reminder of the earthquake's sudden and unanticipated arrival.

"Mom! Hana! Are you okay?!" Daichi called out to his mother and sister in the living room, ensuring their well-being amidst the tremors.

His mother's voice, filled with worry, reached his ears, bringing temporary relief for the moment, "We're both okay, Daichi!"

Realizing the potential dangers that accompanied such powerful tremors. Daichi reached the living room and hurriedly led his mother and sister towards the apartment door, his hand tightly gripping theirs. "We have to get out, quickly!"

As they stepped out into the corridor, they were met with a flurry of activity as their neighbors, driven by the same instinct for survival, scrambled to find safety.

"Everyone, please remain calm and don't push each other! Calmly go to the emergency exit and watch your step!" A man in his 40s shouted out near the emergency exit, trying to calm the panicked residents as they made their way to the exit door, while others rushed down from upstairs as the whole building is shaking back and forth.

Exiting the door, the sound of footsteps echoed through the stairwell as they descended, each step bringing them closer to the ground floor. Amidst the chaos, their minds were still reeling from the encounter with the mysterious voice and the subsequent earthquake.

With a mix of fear and concern, Daichi's mother asked, her voice trembling slightly, "Did you all hear that voice too? Something about gates and planet-" Breathing hard, her knees caved in as she was about to stumble, and just in time Daichi swiftly caught her from the side, lifting and carrying her on his shoulder, resembling a fireman's carry.

"Don't worry, mom. I've got you." Daichi reassured with a whisper while keeping an eye on Hana in front of him to make sure that she was okay.

"Yeah, Mom. I think he..? or maybe she also mentioned something about a race?" Hana chimed in, not knowing what happened behind, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of breathlessness from their hurried descent down the stairs.

"Yeah, whoever it was, they talked about a race involving beings from across the cosmos, and something about a primordial planet." Daichi replied, joining the conversation, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts and confusion, "I don't know, it's all so confusing. And what was with that earthquake? What could have caused it?"

As they reached the ground floor and stepped outside, the tremors began to subside gradually. Amidst the fading rumbles, Daichi couldn't shake the feeling that their lives had been irrevocably changed. The silence that now enveloped their surroundings contrasted starkly with the chaotic events that had unfolded just moments ago.

After reaching the ground floor with their neighbor, Daichi, and his family found themselves amidst a gathering crowd of people who had also sought refuge outside. The area was abuzz with conversation as individuals from the nearby cafe and office joined the residents in discussing the recent earthquake and waiting for updates from local authorities or news sources.

The atmosphere was a mix of concern and curiosity, with people sharing their experiences of hearing the voice and speculating about the cause of the earthquake. Some were checking their phones for the latest news, while others engaged in conversations with strangers, seeking reassurance and information. The sound of chatter filled the air, punctuated by occasional sirens and the distant hum of emergency vehicles.

After making sure that his mother and sister were okay, Daichi's attention was immediately drawn to his buzzing phone, and he swiftly opened the chat group he shared with his close friends from university. The influx of unread messages indicated that they had also experienced the voice and felt the tremors.

Hiroshi: Hey everyone, is everyone okay? That earthquake was intense!

Ayumi: Yeah, I'm alright. Just a bit shaken up since I was in the middle of cooking when it happens. Thank goodness nothing bad happened. How about you guys? And did anyone else hear that voice too? Right before the earthquake!

Kenji: I'm safe too. That was one wild ride. I was just sleeping and got woken up by my mom and immediately got outside. And what voice? I don't hear anything..?

Hiroshi: You've heard it too, Ayumi?! I thought that was coming out from the anime I'm watching.. No wonder it doesn't make any sense!

Emi: Yeah, I've heard that voice too! I think it was something about a race? With some trials? And btw I'm fine too! Since I was outside with my family when the earthquake happen. But it was pretty terrifying!

Ayumi: @Daichi are you okay??

Kenji: What?! You guys heard it too? So it's only me and Daichi who haven't heard it?

Daichi: I'm okay too. I just got outside, and It's really hectic right now. I just hope that there won't be anything following that earthquake. Oh, I heard the voice too! They talked about gates, a race, and that we have to reach some planet or something..?

Hiroshi: Yeah, I've heard that too! Damn, what is this?! Is this real?! Is it magic? Can we get to use magic too??! Are we in an anime?! Pleaseee, don't let this be a dream.. T - T

Kenji: What? How am I the only one not hearing any of this?! Are you guys playing a prank on me? Ha! Come on, I figured it out already! Hahaha.

Daichi: Nope, we're all serious. Maybe, it's because you were sleeping when that being talked?

Kenji: What?! No way any of this is real! I'm going to check the internet!!

"..."

Kenji: Dang.. this is real!! Is there really a being that can talk to all of us in our minds at the same time?! Why did I have to be asleep?!! I'm the only one missing out!! Arghhh.

Daichi: Well if it brings any comfort, I'm sure that if it was because of you sleeping when it happens, then other people who slept at the same time wouldn't hear any of it too.

Emi: Yeah, so you're not alone, Kenji!

Kenji: Arghh! But, I still want to hear it too!

Hiroshi: OR.. it's probably because you're not the chosen one, Kenji! Hehe.

Kenji: NO!! T - T

Kenji: WAITTT!! Look at what I found!! Someone post this video about an archway popping out of the ground near Mt. Fuji!!

[Kenji sends a video]

Daichi's eyes widened as he played the video on his phone. The screen flickered to life, displaying a scene of chaos and upheaval. The earthquake unfolded before his eyes, the ground trembling violently and stones being thrown into disarray. The sheer magnitude of the natural disaster was awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Amidst the chaos, his attention was immediately drawn to a mesmerizing sight. As the camera panned across the scene, he saw it. The archway near Mount Fuji. It materialized before his eyes, emerging from the ground with an inexplicable force. Massive red, blue, green, and myriad colors of small vines coiled and twisted with each other, creating an intricate structure that defied logic.

'Wow..'

But what truly captured Daichi's imagination was the center of the archway, with a pulse of energy, a translucent shimmering portal appeared. It seemed to pulsate with radiant energy as if it held the secrets of another realm. Through the portal, he caught glimpses of an awe-inspiring landscape, a world unlike anything he had ever seen.

The trees, adorned sporadically with leaves of a striking crimson hue, swayed harshly in an unseen breeze barely hanging on. Their branches reached out like ethereal fingers, casting a dreading shadow against the dim light that bathed the realm. The bark of the trees, unlike anything he had ever seen, shimmered with a deep dark red hue, giving them an almost otherworldly allure.

Beneath the petrifying trees, the ground was cracked with bits of rock jutting out, adorned by fallen crimson leaves and dried brown twisted fearn. It formed a prickly rough underfoot as if barring them from exploring and dared those with curious footsteps. The air seemed to bend and weave, a testament to the crimson terrain's hot temperature. While bits and bits of glowing crimson light seemed to pass through from the cracked ground into the air, giving a strange unnerving red glow to the barren landscape.

Daichi: There's no way that's fake.. right?

Hiroshi: I.. don't think so..

Kenji: But.. doesn't this means.. ADVENTURE?! Exploring new lands, fighting monsters, using magic, and rescuing princesses!

Emi: Stopp! This isn't a game, Kenji.. One, that place looks scary, and two, no one would want to be rescued by you anyway..

Kenji: Ugh..

Ayumi: Wow.. It's really like something out of a fantasy novel..

Hiroshi: Oh my God... There's SO MUCH to talk about!! Hey, since we don't have any classes tomorrow, let's meet up at our usual spot in the park at 10 in the morning and discuss all of this in person!! Damn, I'm so pumped up, this is gonna be awesome!!

Kenji: I'm IN!!

Emi: I'm in. I'm in.

Daichi: Count me in!

Ayumi: Me too! I'm going as well.

The decision was unanimous. They would meet at the park the next day, ready to delve deeper into the mysteries that had unfolded before them. While Daichi's heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and trepidation, he pocketed his phone.

The mesmerizing sight of the archway and the daunting glimpse into another world had ignited a sense of adventure within him. However, worries also filled his heart as he contemplated what would happen next. The unknown was both thrilling and unsettling.

Just then, a patrolling local authority arrived on the scene. Several police officers carrying megaphones began directing the people on the street to return to their buildings after a safety check and continue with their day as usual. They urged everyone to wait for further notifications from the government through the news.

"Attention, citizens! The earthquake has subsided, and the immediate danger has passed. We advise everyone to go back inside their homes and workplaces. Please ensure your buildings are safe before resuming your activities. Stay tuned to official news channels for updates from the government. Thank you for your cooperation."

Daichi observed the scene as people reluctantly obeyed the instructions, slowly dispersing and making their way back to their respective buildings. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of relief and lingering apprehension. The events of the earthquake and the mysterious voice had left a profound impact on everyone's minds.