The Author's POV

Has the illusion started?

It was the only conclusion I could make as I gazed into the distance.

Carnage.

If I had to describe what I was seeing in one word, it would be 'carnage.'

Large cracks scattered throughout the scarlet-dyed sky. Coming out of them was a sea of creatures, all pushing each other, hungrily goggling at what was beneath them with an insatiable and malicious look.

Buildings started to crumble, as screams echoed everywhere.

The blaring and irritating sound of the sirens became drowned out by the frightening explosions that were happening around the city.

"This..."

What's going on?

Staring at the scene from the top of the building, I was left at a loss for words. An acrid smell permeated the area around me.

In the end, I managed to murmur.

"This place looks familiar..."

I had definitely seen this place before.

But because of its current state, I found it hard to tell where exactly it was.

Taking my eyes away from the city, I waved my hand in the air and realized that the temperature around me was scorchingly hot. Sweat trickled down the side of my face, and breathing started to become more difficult for me.

'What I powerful illusion.'

I thought.

Clenching and unclenching my fists, I was left shocked by how realistic everything around me felt. The thing that shocked me the most about the illusion was the fact that I could feel all my senses.

From my sense of touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste.

Everything around me felt exactly as it did in the real world.

"Huuu..."

Fixing my gaze on the city below, I took a deep breath to clear my mind.

"Alright."

Once my mind was cleared, I took a step forward and my clothes and hair fluttered upwards. Reaching my ears was a loud rush of wind; similar to the static from blowing into a microphone which was also accompanied by a paper-like sound coming from my fluttering clothes.

Bang—!

Crashing against the groups, miniature fine miniature crevices formed on the area beneath my feet.

Brushing my clothes off, I took a look at my surroundings.

"How odd..."

People continued running around the city, desperately trying to cling to survival. Yet, no one seemed to have managed to notice my appearance.

It was then that I noticed a male with a short build running my way.

"Watch out!"

I warned.

Despite my words, the man continued to run. I became alarmed.

Can't he see me?

"Huh?"

The answer to my question was soon answered.

A split second after my words faded, the male passed through my body. As he passed my body, I turned my head to look at his disappearing back before I looked at my hands.

Lowering my body, I touched the ground. Feeling the rough and granulated road, my brows slowly knit together.

Slowly, I came to a conclusion.

"I can only touch things that are non-living."

To test this theory, I walked up to another pedestrian running, and just like the first time, he directly ran through my body.

This confirmed my theory.

I couldn't touch living beings.

"Where am I?"

Though odd, I decided to concern myself with other things. Looking around me, I tried to get a better idea of where I was.

For a second I almost forgot that I was inside of an illusion.

"Hm?"

It was then that I noticed something.

Carefully moving through the debris that littered the streets, I arrived at a small intersection.

"This place..."

[Avenue Street, 17N]

It was the name of a street that wasn't too far from my house. The one I used to live in before Amanda moved my parents.

to have a

I was still unclear about what the goal of the illusion was about, but I could tell that time here was slower than

my old house was to figure out if there were any

clue regarding how to get

I couldn't really

But.

that told me to go

this part of the

*

while since I've been

old house, and when I gazed at it from beneath the footsteps, I felt a small part of me

have not spent a lot of time in this house, but it still felt

that was different about this house than the one inside of my memories, it was the fact

the damage wasn't to an extensive

"What am I doing?"

shaking my hand, I moved up the stairs and grabbed onto the metal handle of the door. Feeling the cool sensation of the knob, I twisted it and opened the

Clank—!

scent

was littered with pictures of me

a doubt, this place was

Creak. Creak.

floor started to creak beneath my feet. This was typical of an old house. Especially one that seemed to have gone

"It's the same."

the pictures on the walls, I realize that everything was the same as the last time I had seen them. The house was a bit worn

was nothing out

"Strange..."

able to create such detailed

"Khhh..khhh.."

sound coming from the distance. My

"Who?"

I instantly became alarmed.

this part of

tiptoed my way toward where the

was

the living room, I carefully tilted my

"What..."

My body stiffened.

behind the door

"Mom...Dad...Nola..."

frail and weak voice rang throughout

bodies and wept uncontrollably. His body continuously trembled, and though hidden, his complexion looked especially pale and

was clear that the figure had been morning for more

looked truly

is all an

course, managed to recognize the sobbing individual. Who could

my lips, I turned my

an illusion, the images of my family lying down on the ground, dead, kept replaying inside of my

through my

"Fuck..."

I eventually swore.

my teeth and fists,

hold of yourself! You're doing exactly what

if I'd let

Slap—!

my face, I dispelled all distracting thoughts from my mind. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and proceeded to walk over my hunched-up

bit, I

an illusion that is probably targeting my weak points, I should get rid

a sword materialized on my palm. Firmly gripping the sword, I slowly

sword, I stared at its sharp

the sword, I raised my

"Huuu..."

I took another breath.

my muscles

"Hold on..."

felt a hand

WIIIING—!

of pure reflex, I rapidly twisted my waist and slashed in the direction of where the

my sword was met with no resistance as it

"Wow."

surprised voice

a figure I was all too familiar with. Unexpectantly, despite having just slashed at me, the figure's attention

"What do you feel?"

was the same

My brows furrowed.

are you

dumb. I

his finger in

think about what you're seeing. Do you feel anything

"I don't."

"...Oh?"

The other entity smiled.

"I don't believe you."

I had a chance to speak, he took a step forward

about you try feeling it for

"Wha—"

even had the chance to reply, the world around me warped, and

*

Pain.

immeasurable pain that I couldn't describe consumed my entire

pain. One that was drastically different from the times I almost had my soul incinerated and my body burned to

but it was a pain that I never wished anyone would

"Haa... haaa..."

found it hard to

it breathing, thinking,

I placed my hand over my