The beginning

"What a drag, another horrible day." This was the thought of Thomas, a young man with short black hair and dark eyes, who didn't stand out in the crowd. At 19, he led a miserable and dull life, working at a job he hated and living in an apartment he could barely afford. That night, he walked down the sidewalk of the avenue without any rush to get home. He was tired, frustrated, and disheartened. He didn't know it, but his life was about to change radically.

"I just wanted to rest, to close my eyes and never open them again… Was that too much to ask? If lightning struck me now and took me to the beyond, I wouldn't mind…" These were Thomas's thoughts, which reflected his desperation and anguish. He saw no meaning in his life, nor hope in his future. He just wanted to be rid of his suffering and loneliness. He wondered if there was anything more beyond his empty and monotonous existence. He questioned whether death would be a release or a condemnation. He pondered if he would ever find peace and happiness.

He gave a faint sad smile, thinking about the irony of his situation. For some reason, he found it funny and said, "Anyway, tomorrow is ano…" But before he could finish his sentence, a speeding, out-of-control car came hurtling towards him. He quickly realized the danger and tried to dodge, but it was too late. The vehicle's speed was astonishing, and his attempts to escape were futile. Before he could think of anything, the car struck him hard, and his vision went dark…

In a space completely dark, flashbacks began to form. The first scene showed two parents, taking a baby to an orphanage and leaving it there for adoption. The second scene showed a child with black hair and dark eyes, looking enviously at a girl with blond hair and blue eyes being adopted by a rich family. The third scene showed a teenager with black hair and dark eyes, talking to someone who appeared to be his friend, but being interrupted by a voice saying, "Clark, a family wants to see you." The boy called Clark quickly gets up, leaving his friend there, and runs towards the family that wanted to adopt him. The fourth scene showed the black-haired and dark-eyed boy, walking out of the orphanage with a smile on his face and a future ahead. The final scene showed the boy with black hair and dark eyes, lying on the sidewalk with his body covered in his own blood. His vision was blurry. "What's happening? I'm so tired… I think that car hit me straight on…" He thought, at the brink of death, on the ground.

"What is this feeling? Is this death? Why does it feel so welcoming yet frightful at the same time?" Thought the boy lying on the ground. His vision began to darken even more and he felt: "I'm going to die." Without the strength to do anything, all he could do was wait for his end to come…

But, just when he thought it was all over, he felt something strange. A bright light appeared before his eyes, and a voice echoed in his mind. It was a feminine voice, soft and mysterious, saying:

"Congratulations, you have been chosen to participate in the Rebirth project. You have the chance to be reborn in a new world, full of adventure and challenges. Are you ready to accept this opportunity?"

He was confused and scared. He didn't know what that voice was, nor what that project was. He didn't know if it was real, or if it was a hallucination caused by pain. He didn't know if he should trust that voice or refuse the offer.

He didn't know what to do…

"You don't need to be afraid. I am here to guide and protect you. You are one of the chosen to participate in the Rebirth project, an initiative that seeks to create a new humanity, stronger, wiser, and happier. You have the chance to be reborn in a new world, full of adventure and challenges. You will have new abilities, new friends, and new opportunities. You will be able to live a life you never imagined. Are you ready to accept this opportunity?"

He was tempted. He thought about how bad his life had been until then. He thought about how he had nothing to lose. He thought about how he could have a new chance to be happy. He thought about how he could become someone different, someone better.

He thought, and he decided.

He said yes.

During the Second World War, mysterious portals appeared across the world. They were like open wounds in the fabric of reality, oozing an unknown and sinister energy. Monstrous beings emerged from these portals, seemingly out of humanity's worst nightmares. They were creatures of various shapes and sizes, with claws, fangs, scales, spines, tentacles, and red eyes. They began to mercilessly attack humans, devouring, mutilating, and destroying everything in their path.

Even in the midst of war, the nations were unprepared to face this new threat. The might of these monsters was something bullets and explosions could not stop. Soldiers and civilians alike were slaughtered by the invaders, who showed no fear or pain. Cities and countrysides were transformed into landscapes of horror and desolation. Humanity nearly resorted to using nuclear bombs, but, fortunately, something unexpected occurred.

Some humans began to evolve and transcend the limits of their species. They became hunters, beings with superpowers capable of fighting against the monsters. They were like heroes, using their abilities to protect and save others. They possessed strength, speed, endurance, intelligence, and magic far surpassing that of ordinary humans. They could manipulate elements, summon creatures, heal wounds, create illusions, and much more.

After a grueling battle, humans prevailed, completely closing all portals and eradicating the monsters from the planet. But this victory cost the lives and efforts of thousands. The hunters became the new leaders and idols of the world, which depended on them to maintain peace and order. But not everything was perfect. The hunters had their own problems, conflicts, and secrets. They were divided into classes, which defined their level of power and ability. They were courted by governments, corporations, and organizations. They were subjects of envy, hatred, and fear. And they were the only ones who could face the new challenges that lay on the horizon.

.

.

.

After saying yes to the voice, Thomas felt a sharp pain in his head, as if something was tearing through his brain. He screamed in agony, but no one heard him. He was alone on the sidewalk, with his body bloodied and his soul shattered. He thought he would die right there, but he was mistaken. He was about to be reborn in a new world.

He lost consciousness, and when he regained it, he found himself in a completely different place. It was an empty and dark space, without walls, ceiling, or floor. It was as if he was floating in nothingness, without gravity, sound, or light. He didn't know where he was, nor how he had arrived there. He only knew that this was his domain, a place that represented his soul.

He looked at himself and saw that his body was different. He no longer had the wounds from the accident, nor the torn and dirty clothes. He was dressed in a simple white garment that contrasted with his black hair and eyes. He also noticed that he had a birthmark on his forehead and body that glowed with a blue light. He didn't remember having those marks before, but he felt that they were a part of him.

He tried to move but couldn't. He was trapped in his domain, unable to leave or communicate. He felt frightened and confused. He wondered what was happening and what that voice was that had offered him a new chance at life. He wondered if it was real, or if it was a dream. He wondered if he was alive, or if he was dead.

He didn't know the answers, but he would soon find out. Because the voice spoke to him again, saying: "Welcome to the Rebirth Project, Thomas. You're about to start your test. Are you ready to face your destiny?"

Thomas was scared and confused. He did not understand what was happening or what this Rebirth Project was. He wanted answers, but the voice gave him none. It just repeated the same question, as if it were a robot programmed for that purpose.

"Please explain to me! What is this test? What is going to happen to me?" He begged, trying to free himself from his domain. But he couldn't move or see anything beyond the darkness. He felt trapped in a nightmare with no way out.

Then, the voice changed its tone. It became more serious and authoritative and said:

"Thomas, you have no choice. You've already agreed to participate in the Rebirth Project, and there's no turning back. You will be sent to a new world, where you will have to face various challenges and dangers. You will have to use your abilities and intelligence to survive and evolve. You will have to find out your purpose and your destiny. Are you ready to face your destiny?"

Thomas fell silent. He did not know what to say. He did not know if he could trust the voice, or if it was lying to him. He did not know if the new world would be better or worse than his own. He did not know if he wanted to face his destiny, or if he would rather die.

He did not know what to do…

Thomas gritted his teeth, realizing he had no options left, he thought: "I have nothing to lose anyway, right?" With resolve, he answered: "I am ready!"

Upon hearing Thomas's response, the voice was pleased. It said, with a tone that mixed pride and expectation:

"Initiating the Rebirth Project! Beginning the integration and evolution of humanity."

Suddenly, the empty space lit up, and a scene from a battlefield projected before Thomas's eyes. He looked on in surprise and saw several armed men shooting at each other. He recognized the uniforms, the flags, and the weapons from the Second World War. He wondered if it was a recording or a simulation of the past.

But before he could think further, something unexpected happened. A portal opened in the middle of the battlefield, like a rift tearing reality apart. It was a black hole, sucking in light and air. From it emerged monstrous creatures that seemed to come from humanity's worst nightmares. They were creatures of varied shapes and sizes, with claws, fangs, scales, spines, tentacles, and red eyes. They began to mercilessly attack the humans, devouring, mutilating, and destroying everything in their path.

Thomas was horrified. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He wondered if it was real or an illusion. He pondered the meaning of the scene and his role within it. He wondered what the voice wanted from him, and what he would have to do.

He didn't know the answers, but he would find out soon. Because the voice spoke to him again, saying: "Thomas, this is the first phase of humanity's evolution. What you're seeing is real, and all of it revolves around you. You are the starting point, the catalyst, the agent of change. You are responsible for all of this, king of monsters."

As the voice spoke, portals began to appear around the world, like open wounds in the fabric of reality. From them, terrible monsters emerged that attacked humans mercilessly. It was the beginning of an unprecedented war that would change the fate of humanity. And Thomas was at the center of it all, the eye of the hurricane, the king of monsters.

Thomas was shocked and felt deceived. He didn't want any of this to happen. He didn't want to be responsible for bringing forth portals and monsters to the planet. He didn't want to be the king of monsters, nor the agent of change for humanity. He just wanted a new chance at life, a normal and happy life.

But before he could say anything, the voice said:

"You will now be sent to that world, good luck…"

Thomas felt a tremendous pressure in his chest, as if something was crushing his heart. He tried to breathe, but he couldn't. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. He tried to resist, but it was futile. He was being dragged towards the portal, unable to escape.

He looked at the scene of the battlefield and saw the men and monsters clashing. He saw blood, fire, death. He saw the horror, the chaos, the war. He saw the world that he had unintentionally created.

He wondered if he would be able to survive in that world. He wondered if he could change that world. He wondered if he could find his place in that world.

He didn't know the answers, but he would soon find out. Because he was about to step through the portal and begin his test.