"Damn bastard humans…" Eizo muttered quietly, his eyes wide from behind the slight gap in the ajar door. His breath caught as he witnessed the horror unfolding right before his eyes—souls being absorbed into the crystal, bodies left as nothing more than empty shells, and the Mayor standing there without a hint of guilt. The world he once knew… had collapsed.
Wasting no time, Eizo turned and ran as fast as he could. He had to warn everyone. They had to know—that the sweet offer was nothing more than a deadly trap. If not, they would lose their lives far sooner than fate intended.
But he was already too late.
By the time Eizo arrived, the guards had come first—this time in armored vehicles. People had gathered in the square. And among them… his three younger siblings.
Eizo's body froze, his breath caught. He saw them standing amidst the crowd, their innocent faces smiling up at the guards—fooled by the sweet promises of a better life. They listened… they believed…
Without thinking, Eizo pushed through the crowd, running toward his siblings. With trembling hands, he pulled them all into his arms, hugging them tightly as if the world might tear them away at any moment.
"Come on, big brother! We can work at the government office together! The pay is great, and then we can live in a nice house!" said his little sister enthusiastically. His two little brothers nodded excitedly, their eyes sparkling with hope.
But Eizo could only shake his head slowly, tears falling without him realizing.
And finally, the emotion exploded.
"YOU MONSTERS!" he shouted at the guards. "Using people like us as SACRIFICES! Where is your humanity?!"
The atmosphere turned silent. The crowd turned toward Eizo. Their faces filled with confusion. They didn't understand. They didn't know. Eizo's words sounded like madness to those who had not seen the truth he had just witnessed.
One of the guards approached. With a calm voice, almost lazy, he said,
"Oi, kid... no need to be so dramatic. If you don't want to come, fine. We're not forcing you. Those who want to work… will be accepted."
And just like that, the world split in two—between those who knew… and those who did not.