The Year 206 AD.
It had been five hundred years since Earth was destroyed, and 206 since the foundations of a proper civilization were laid. It is important to note, however, that this was not Earth. No, this was a place a long way from home—a planet where only one rule thrived:
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
In this world, only the strong possessed the right to exist, and humanity was nowhere near the top. When humans first arrived, the world seemed too good to be true. They say you only truly appreciate something once you have lost it, and that was the case for the fortunate few who witnessed this new world: the flourishing green life, the endless blue skies, and a brilliant sun whose warmth was so addictive one would give anything to remain in its embrace.
But as with everything too good to be true, there was a catch.
Creatures existed here that belonged only in the nastiest of fiction. They were the true definition of nightmares; thus, they were named Nightmares—a perfect depiction of what they were. They were things that should only exist in horror stories. On that very first day, paradise became hell.
It didn't matter how far or how fast you ran; they would chase you, and they would catch you. No matter how deep you hid, they would find you. Humans became nothing more than prey—a bitter irony for a species that was once at the top of the food chain. Those monsters didn't just kill; they shredded. They tore a person apart while they were still sane, feeding on them while they were yet alive. It took a long time for humanity to realize that these things hunted through sound.
Breathe too loud, and you die.
In time, humanity's greatest weapon came into play: Adaptation.
Humans adapted. Realizing there was no running away, the choice became simple: fight, or die running. And so began another journey of evolution. The intelligence honed through billions of years of natural selection was not lost, but there was no telling how long it could last in the face of true horror.
Perhaps it wasn't all bad. At the very least, there was now a fighting chance.
...
...
.
"Take this. Your birthday came early."
The deep voice of a man echoed, though the world remained blurry.
"A... present?" a childish voice followed.
"It's from your mom," he said.
"Mom?! Where is she?!" the child asked.
"She's... she'll be back soon. I PROMISE. I'll bring her bsck. For now I need you to be a big boy, I need you to take care of yourself. Be strong for me, okay? Be strong for your mom,"
"....where are you Going dad?"
"To fix something, for now I need you to study. Learn everything you can, no matter how useless it may seem. Knowledge... is true power."
Haaaaa!
I sprang up with a jolt.
"Student 353. Result of evaluation: FAILED. Candidate cannot evolve."
"W-what?" I sat up, clarity returning to me in full force. "Wait, no."
I stared at the screen hovering in front of me. This cannot be happening. I can't fail again. This was supposed to be my last chance!
"Student 353, vacate the BIO chamber."
What is happening to me? What?! Why can't I... Awaken?!
"Hey, you had your turn! Now fuck off!"
I heard the voice and felt a wave of anger.
Fuck.
I began to sob.
Why?
WHY?!