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.

decided to

still unclear about what the goal of the illusion was about, but I could tell that

goal of going to my old house was to

have any clue regarding how to get out of this illusion, this was all

couldn't really

But.

me that told me to go there. I grew more alert when

part of the

*

a while since I've been

my old house, and when I gazed at it

lot of time in this house, but it still felt nostalgic to

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

the damage wasn't to

"What am I doing?"

up the stairs and grabbed onto the metal handle of the door. Feeling the cool

Clank—!

scent of the

wall that was littered with pictures of me and

doubt, this place

Creak. Creak.

step forward, the wooden floor started to creak beneath my feet. This was typical of

"It's the same."

realize that everything was the same as the last time I had seen them. The house was a bit worn out, and the windows

was nothing out

"Strange..."

able to create such detailed

"Khhh..khhh.."

then that I heard a muffled sobbing sound coming from the

"Who?"

I instantly became alarmed.

this part of

my way toward where the sobbing sound was coming from.

if this was a good idea or

door frame that led to the living room, I carefully tilted my body to catch a glimpse of what was

"What..."

My body stiffened.

a glimpse of what was behind the door frame, my body

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

weak voice rang throughout

his knees, behind three familiar figures, a figure hunched over their bodies and wept uncontrollably. His body continuously trembled, and though hidden, his complexion looked especially pale

figure had been morning

scene looked

is all

sobbing

I turned

the fact that I knew that this was all an illusion, the images of my family

inexplicable pain coursed through my heart, forcing me to

"Fuck..."

I eventually swore.

my teeth and fists,

You're doing exactly what the

if I'd let

Slap—!

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

for a bit, I

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

palm. Firmly gripping the sword, I slowly started to

unsheathed the sword, I stared at its sharp and glistening body which I could

reflection on the

"Huuu..."

I took another breath.

I gradually flexed my muscles and prepared to

"Hold on..."

felt a hand grasp

WIIIING—!

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

slashed down, my sword was met with no resistance as it simply slashed the

"Wow."

voice rang

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

"What do you feel?"

His voice was the same as it always was. Emotionless

My brows furrowed.

are you talking

dumb.

in the direction of the illusionary version

what you're seeing. Do you

"I don't."

"...Oh?"

The other entity smiled.

"I don't believe you."

a chance to speak, he took a step

you try

"Wha—"

chance to reply, the world

*

Pain.

that I couldn't describe consumed my entire

was a different type of pain. One that was drastically different from the times I almost had my soul incinerated

it was a pain that I never wished anyone

"Haa... haaa..."

hard to even

breathing, thinking, or anything that required energy seemed

I placed my hand over my heart and