The television flickered in the corner of the dim room, the low hum of the broadcast filling the silence. The news anchor's voice was steady but urgent, carrying the weight of a nation on edge.
"Breaking news: The country faces unprecedented turmoil as individuals known as the 'Awakened'—those struck by lightning and recently emerging from comas—are linked to a series of catastrophic events. Across multiple provinces, reports of massive destruction, missing persons, and unexplained phenomena have surged in the last twenty-four hours.
"In Manila, a man was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Witnesses describe him as levitating moments before his death, his eyes bleeding, and his body crackling with strange static. Authorities have yet to release his identity, but confirm he was among the Awakened. The incident has sparked fear and confusion, with many questioning the nature of these individuals.
"In Pampanga, a remote Aeta village was devastated by a sudden earthquake, burying homes and displacing families. Officials are investigating the cause, with some speculating a connection to the lightning survivors. No survivors have been confirmed, and martial law has been declared in the affected areas to maintain order and prevent panic.
"The government urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity. The Department of Science and Technology has been mobilized to study these phenomena, but answers remain elusive as the situation continues to evolve."
The screen cut to grainy footage of collapsed houses, dust clouds rising over shattered trees, and military vehicles patrolling the devastated landscape. Villagers huddled in makeshift shelters, their faces etched with fear and disbelief.
---
The chaos of the news broadcast lingered in the air, but far from the city's turmoil, the forest lay shrouded in quiet darkness. The night was cool and still, the heavy scent of damp earth and pine filling the air. Above, the stars struggled to pierce a thin veil of clouds, their faint light barely touching the shadowed clearing where three figures waited, senses alert to the slightest disturbance.
Geneva crouched low near the dying embers of a small fire, her breath steady despite the exhaustion that weighed on her limbs. The faint silver filigree along her collarbone pulsed softly, a reminder of the cost her chronokinesis exacted. Beside her, Eloisa sat wrapped in a cloak, her eyes alert and watchful. Dana, the black tabby cat, nestled quietly in her lap, her green eyes reflecting the flickering flames.
Marco lay on his side, his forehead damp with sweat, fingers twitching as if resisting the fire that simmered beneath his skin. Above them, perched on a crooked branch, Mavian—the pale-feathered pigeon—watched silently, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
The crack of a twig snapped sharply, breaking the fragile silence. All three froze, senses sharpening.
"Did you hear that?" Eloisa whispered, clutching Dana's carrier tighter.
Geneva's eyes narrowed, scanning the shadows beyond the firelight. "We're not alone."
Marco's hands flared briefly with ember-light, the heat pulsing in response to the tension. Mavian let out a guttural warning cry, low and sharp.
From the darkness, a figure emerged slowly, hesitantly. A boy, small and hunched, his clothes torn and dust-covered. His dark eyes flickered with fear and confusion, darting between the trio and the forest beyond. The earth beneath his feet shifted subtly, a ripple of dirt and stone moving as if alive.
"Who are you?" Marco asked cautiously, rising to his knees.
The boy swallowed hard, voice barely audible. "Tala."
Geneva's gaze softened, but her stance remained guarded. "What happened to you, Tala?"
He looked down, fists clenched tightly. "I woke up… and the earth shook. My village… it's gone. I didn't mean to. I don't know how to stop it."
Eloisa stepped forward, voice gentle. "You're not alone anymore. We understand what it's like to be marked."
Mavian fluttered down, perching on Marco's shoulder, eyes never leaving the shadows where something unseen watched silently.
Geneva exchanged a glance with Eloisa and Marco. "We'll help you. But you need to tell us everything."
Tala nodded slowly, the weight of his story settling between them like the dust in the air.
---
The boy's voice was soft, trembling with the memory of loss and fear.
"I was asleep for a long time. When I woke, the ground beneath me was shaking. I didn't know what was happening. I tried to stop it, but the earth wouldn't listen. Rocks and dirt rose up, crushing everything. My village… it was buried."
He swallowed, eyes glistening. "I ran. I didn't know where to go. I'm scared. I don't want to hurt anyone else."
Geneva's expression was unreadable, but her voice was steady. "You're not the first to feel that way. None of us were ready."
Marco nodded, his own struggles mirrored in Tala's words. "I've been there. The fire inside me almost destroyed everything. But it doesn't have to be that way."
Eloisa reached out, placing a hand gently on Tala's arm. "We can help you learn to control it. You don't have to be alone."
The boy looked up, hope flickering in his eyes for the first time. "You really mean that?"
Before anyone could answer, a faint rustle came from the trees. The trio tensed, eyes darting toward the darkness.
Mavian's feathers ruffled, and it let out a low, warning call.
Geneva's voice was barely a whisper. "Something's watching us."
The shadow shifted, indistinct and silent, blending seamlessly with the night. It did not move closer, but its presence was undeniable—an unseen observer waiting, patient and watchful.
Tala's gaze flicked toward the shadow, a shiver running down his spine. "I feel it too. It's been following me since I woke."
Eloisa's brow furrowed. "Do you know what it is?"
The boy shook his head. "No. But it's not human."
Geneva's eyes hardened. "Then we need to be careful. Whatever it is, it's interested in you."
The fire crackled softly, the night pressing in around them. For a moment, the four sat in silence, bound by shared fear and fragile trust.
---
Later, as the embers cooled and the first hints of dawn bled into the sky, the group prepared to move.
Geneva stood, stretching stiff limbs. "We can't stay here. The longer you're out in the open, Tala, the more danger you're in."
Marco gathered their few belongings, glancing at Tala. "You'll come with us. We'll find a place where you can learn to control your power."
Tala hesitated, then nodded. "I don't want to run anymore."
Eloisa smiled softly. "Then you're already stronger than you think."
Mavian took flight, circling above them before settling on Geneva's shoulder.
As they moved away from the clearing, the shadow lingered at the edge of the trees, watching their retreat.
The hunt was far from over.