Elaris was a quiet city most evenings.
Not silent, just calm in a way people had gotten used to over the years. Shopkeepers closed their stalls, children were called inside, and the smell of cooked food slowly filled the streets.
It was the kind of normal that didn't feel special anymore.
For most people, that was enough.
For Kairo, it wasn't.
He stood on top of an old watchtower near the edge of the city, looking at the Horizon Wall like he always did. From here, the wall looked even bigger—an endless stretch of metal rising so high it blocked out half the sky.
He had seen it his whole life.
Still, it never made sense to him.
"You're here again."
Kairo didn't turn. "Yeah."
Lena climbed up and sat beside him, slightly out of breath. "One day you're going to fall from here, and I'm not climbing up to save you."
"You will," he said.
She gave him a small look. "Don't be so sure."
For a few seconds, they just sat there.
The city moved below them—people talking, carts rolling, a dog barking somewhere far away.
Normal life.
Kairo kept staring at the wall.
"Do you ever think about what's outside?" he asked.
Lena didn't even look. "No."
"You didn't even think before answering."
"I don't need to," she said. "Nothing good is out there."
"That's what everyone says."
"That's because it's true."
Kairo finally looked at her. "You don't know that."
She sighed. "And you do?"
"No. But I want to."
Lena shook her head. "You always want things that are better left alone."
"Or maybe things were hidden for a reason," Kairo said quietly.
She didn't reply this time.
The sun was going down slowly, casting a soft orange light over the buildings. It was peaceful in a simple way.
Too peaceful, maybe.
Kairo frowned slightly.
Something felt… off.
The air had gone still.
Even the usual noise from the streets seemed quieter.
"Do you feel that?" he asked.
Lena looked around. "Feel what?"
"I don't know. Just—something."
Before she could answer—
A loud siren cut through the city.
Both of them froze.
The sound echoed everywhere, long and heavy.
Lena's face changed instantly. "No… that's not—"
The second siren started.
Shorter. Sharper.
More urgent.
Kairo felt his chest tighten.
He had only heard it once before, years ago.
Outer Wall Alert.
Down below, everything changed.
People started running. Guards shouted orders. Metal shutters slammed down over shops. The calm from a few seconds ago was completely gone.
Lena grabbed his arm. "We need to go. Now."
But Kairo didn't move.
His eyes were fixed on the wall.
"I'm going there," he said.
"What? No!" Lena pulled him harder. "Are you crazy?"
"I need to see it."
"See what? This isn't a game, Kairo!"
"I know."
Then why aren't you scared? she almost asked.
But she already knew the answer.
He was.
Just not in the same way.
They ran through the streets with everyone else, but in the opposite direction.
Toward the wall.
Soldiers pushed past them, heading out with weapons and gear. No one stopped Kairo and Lena—there was too much chaos to notice two more people running.
By the time they reached the inner platform near the wall, the sun had almost disappeared.
The sky was darker now.
Quiet again.
Too quiet.
Lena held onto the railing, breathing fast. "We shouldn't be here…"
Kairo didn't reply.
He was listening.
Then—
Thud.
The sound came from the other side of the wall.
Low.
Heavy.
Like something big stepping on the ground.
Lena slowly looked at him. "You heard that… right?"
Kairo nodded.
Another thud followed.
Closer this time.
The ground shook slightly.
Soldiers rushed onto the platform behind them, preparing large weapons aimed at the wall.
"Get ready!" someone shouted.
Kairo stepped closer to the edge.
His heart was beating fast now.
Not just fear.
Something else.
Something pulling him forward.
Then—
A shadow rose on the other side of the wall.
At first, it didn't look clear. Just a shape against the dim light.
But it kept getting bigger.
Higher.
Until it was taller than the wall itself.
Lena's grip tightened. "That's… not possible…"
Kairo couldn't speak.
The shape moved.
And suddenly—
A massive hand crashed through the wall.
The sound was deafening.
Metal broke apart like it was nothing. Pieces fell into the city below as people screamed.
Dust filled the air.
Lena stumbled back. "Kairo—!"
But he didn't move.
Because now—
He could see it.
A giant figure, almost human in shape, pulling itself through the broken wall.
Its face came into view.
And for a second—
Everything felt still again.
Because it wasn't just looking at the city.
It was looking at him.
Kairo's breath stopped.
There was something wrong about the way it stared.
Not wild.
Not angry.
Just… focused.
Like it knew him.
And then—
Very slightly—
The creature smiled.