It was 6:00 a.m.
Kael had only slept for thirty minutes, slumped in a dining chair. He jolted awake and checked his phone.
"Only thirty minutes," he muttered with relief. "Well, that's not so bad."
Just then, the doorbell startled him.
"It must be Sara," he said to himself. "Should I tell her about the weapons? What if she freaks out? But… she's my best friend."
He stood quickly, straightened his clothes, and headed for the door. When he opened it, he smiled.
"Hey, Sara. Welcome." He kissed her on the cheek.
"What happened, Kael? You had me worried. You called earlier and sounded so down."
"Yeah, Sara. Come in. I'll tell you everything."
She stepped inside without another word and sat across from him. The moment her eyes landed on the table, her blood ran cold.
"Kael, what is that?!" she exclaimed, staring at the knife and the gun. "Why do you have weapons in your house?"
Kael paced back and forth, searching for words. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling.
"I'm in serious trouble, Sara. I need your advice."
"What kind of trouble? Kael, you're scaring me. Talk to me!"
Kael sat beside her, eyes lowered, and began to speak as tears welled up.
"I killed a relative of a dangerous man. He was beating a woman—horribly. I tried to stop him, to protect her, but she… she ended up dying. They almost killed me too. I thought I was done for, Sara. I don't know what to do."
Shocked, Sara leaned in and hugged him tightly.
"Oh my God, Kael. But he was a monster. He deserved it. I just… I never imagined you doing something like that. I'm in shock."
"Me neither. But when he attacked me, all I could think about was surviving. And now I'm terrified."
"You think they're coming after you?"
"Yeah. That's why I kept the weapons. Just in case."
Sara looked into his eyes—serious, but kind.
"I love you, Kael. You're my best friend. But listen: you can't keep those weapons. They're dangerous. If the police find out, you could end up in jail."
"You're right, Sara. Thank you. I love you too." He hugged her.
"Want something to drink? I've got soda or tea."
"Tea is fine, thanks."
Kael headed to the kitchen, but just as he was about to heat the water—
The doorbell rang again.
"Kael, were you expecting someone else?" Sara asked, frowning.
He returned quickly, nervous.
"No. Just you."
The doorbell kept ringing—louder this time. Then came pounding.
"No… shit," he whispered, going pale.
"Kael, what's going on? You're scaring me."
"Hide! Go to my room, now!"
"Kael—!"
"Please! Just go!"
Sara obeyed. She ran into his room and hid under the bed.
Kael, trembling, stared at the door. The pounding grew violent. He grabbed the knife and gun, tucked them into his waistband, and pointed the gun toward the door, his hands shaking.
"I don't want to die. Sara's here. Why is the world so cruel to me? God, I need you!" he cried, on the verge of breaking down.
Then—silence.
BOOM!
An explosion blew the door off. Kael was thrown to the floor, dazed, still clutching the gun.
Five armed men in ski masks stormed in.
"Drop the damn gun, asshole!"
Barely conscious, Kael let the gun fall. He lay on the ground, disoriented.
Then Ismael walked in—hatred in human form—grinning.
"Well, well. Thought you could run, bastard?"
"Get him on his knees!" he barked.
Two men grabbed Kael and forced him down, holding him tight.
Ismael stepped closer.
"The men who came after me. Do you know them?"
Kael said nothing, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Look at me when I talk to you, you piece of shit!" Ismael yelled, grabbing his hair and yanking his head up. "You want to die? Want me to kill you now? Answer me!"
Kael remained silent. His face said everything—tragedy, resignation.
Ismael snapped.
"So you're not gonna talk. Fine, asshole. I'll kill you."
He pulled a knife from his waist. The blade shimmered cold and deadly.
"Your death will be slow. Painful. A punishment."
"Hold him down!"
Kael struggled, but the men held him like iron.
"Please don't kill me! I'm sorry! I was defending myself! I didn't mean to hurt anyone! Please!" he begged, sobbing.
Ismael smiled—cold, cruel.
"Too late."
He knelt before Kael and stabbed him in the stomach.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Blood gushed out.
"No! Why?!" Kael screamed, eyes full of tears.
The knife remained buried in him. Ismael leaned in close.
"Suffer, bastard. This is your sentence. See you in hell."
He left the knife in and stood.
"Let's go. This idiot will bleed out in minutes."
They dropped Kael, and he collapsed like a rag doll. The men rushed out and vanished down the street.
Kael, bleeding out, lay on his back. Thoughts echoed in his mind as the pain consumed him:
Why me? I was always a good person. I'm going to die. I'm scared. Is Sara okay? I'm so tired. I can't move.
Why do the innocent suffer? It's not fair. God, where are you? Help me. I don't want to die...
Blood poured from his mouth. His eyes closed. He passed out.
⋆⭒✧༺༻✧⭒⋆
When he opened them again, everything was white.
No houses. No ground. No sky. Only endless light.
"What is this place? I don't see my body. I can't move."
In front of him, a human-shaped figure appeared—made entirely of light. Faceless. Floating.
"Kael. Welcome. You're dreaming, but I'm real."
"A dream? I don't understand. Who are you?"
"I am the Creator of this world. You are dying. But you called to me. You asked for help. And I've come to answer."
"Why do such horrible things happen in the world?" Kael asked.
"Because of those who break the world's laws. And as the Creator, I cannot interfere. I can only observe."
"Then help me. I don't want to die. It's not fair that the innocent die while killers walk free. If you can't intervene, then let me. I'll protect the innocent. I'll do whatever it takes."
The figure drifted closer.
"I cannot give you powers, Kael. No mortal can receive them. But I see potential in you. I will lend you a forbidden book."
"A forbidden book?"
"Yes. Created by Good and Evil. If you learn to control it, you'll wield its power. But there will be consequences."
"What kind of consequences?"
"It will consume your soul. You will become a hollow being. And you must obey its rules. Are you willing?"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I'll do anything. Just don't let me die."
"Then you will live. From now on, the book is yours. Only you will be able to see what lies inside.
Good luck, Kael—and do what is right."
The Creator raised an arm. Kael lost consciousness again.