Just when the unnatural darkness seems unbearable…
A low hum begins to tremble through the ground — not loud, but felt deep inside the bones.
Then, it happens.
From cracks in the street corners, alleyways, and even rooftops, strange grayish-blue smoke begins to rise upward, slowly at first — then fast, thick, unnatural. It carries no fire… only silence and dread.
The smoke doesn't sting eyes. It doesn't smell.
But it seeps into everything.
People try to run… but stumble.
Citizen (panicking): "What is this smoke!? It's in my chest— I… I can't…"
One by one, they fall.
Mothers crumple mid-step. Guards collapse with weapons still drawn. Children stop mid-laugh and lie motionless.
No screams. Just thuds.
Even the King, high in his castle, grabs his chest before his eyes roll back and he falls beside his throne.
The entire city of Lumisgrave…
goes unconscious.
No movement. No voices.
Just smoke gently curling over a sleeping kingdom.
2–3 Hours Later...
The smoke fades, like a retreating fog. The wind returns.
Sunlight breaks through clouds.
The weather looks peaceful again, birds chirping as if nothing happened.
One by one… people start to wake up. Dazed. Confused.
Looking at each other. Checking their children. Calling for loved ones.
> Woman (rubbing her head): "What happened? Was it… a dream?"
Old Man (gasping): "I haven't slept like that since the War of Shrouds…"
Young Man (frightened): "Did we all just… pass out?"
They look around. The market is in shambles. Lanterns shattered. Fruit spilled. Horses still asleep.
And then…
A deafening grinding noise echoes from beneath the earth.
In the main square… in the forest nearby… even near the riverside — the ground rips open with glowing cracks.
From these, massive black-metallic gates slowly rise from the ground, pulsing with ancient runes and crimson veins. Each gate is towering, etched with alien symbols, as if they've existed long before humans ever walked the world.
Some are arched like thrones, others are tall, spear-like, with chained locks still wrapped around them.
> Child (pointing): "L-Look… there… something's coming out!"
> Merchant (backing away): "It's the end… the legends were true… this is our punishment!"
> Citizen (screaming): "THE GATES! THE GATES HAVE RISEN!"
Terror spreads like fire. People begin to run, cry, collapse in fear.
Some pray. Others grab their children and flee.
But the gates remain unmoving… looming…
as if watching.