An asteroid, 10–15 km wide, fell on Earth at the speed of 56000 mph, eradicating 60% of life on the planet, but with the asteroid came something unusual.
Something, unnatural yet rooted to the core of life, that meant to change the fate of the universe forever.
Roughly 66 million years later, Year 2026, January 2.
It was another night in the city of Eisenberg, a place shining with Baroque architectures of old times.
It was a quiet night, heavier than usual.
As if something unusual yet unseen was brewing in the air.
Noir lay on his bed, tired and anxiously staring at the dim ceiling above him.
"It's a quiet night."
He said as he reached for his phone lying on the left side of his pillow.
"Its 3 am already..."
He muttered while closing his eyes, knowing if he didn't sleep soon enough he would get late again.
The night passed, carrying a feeling of unease, as if something was lurking onto him.
"6:30 am..."
He got up from his bed.
"Guess I will be late again."
He put on his shoes, bag over the shoulder, as he rushed down the morning streets.
But something felt off.
"This feeling..."
He placed his left hand on his heart while rushing towards the gymnasium streets.
"Since last night... and the air..."
He slowed down for a moment.
The streets looked normal to him to suspect anything weird.
"Maybe I am just overthinking."
Shaking his head, he shrugged it off.
As he approached the gymnasium, he spotted two very familiar faces near the entrance.
His lips curved up into a smile.
"These guys are never late, are they?"
He approached his friends, subtly and promptly.
"Early as always," he said with a small grin, "aren't you two?"
Adrien gave him a side-eye.
"And you are late as always," he said with a poking tone, "when do you intend to learn?"
"I guess never," Liesel added, giving a noticeable smirk and walking towards the hall, "he's stupid afterall."
"As always," Noir chuckled softly, "poking me."
Though the three of them decided to join the same faculty this year and somehow pulled it off, they didn't make a single friend.
Noir's face dropped as he thought to himself.
"These idiots do suit me, though."
He started smiling back again.
"Guess I will be stuck with them for a while now."
Time flew by.
Half attended lectures turned into chitt-chatting sessions, with the three of them gossiping with each other at the playground of the gymnasium.
"So how's your relationship now, Noir?"
Adrien asked curiously while placing one hand on his shoulder.
"Mhm."
Noir's face dropped as he removed Adrien's hand from his shoulder.
"We barely talk now, distance got the best of us."
"Well, I wouldn't have to worry about one."
Liesel said while looking at the sky, as if she almost wanted to taunt Noir.
"Yeah, you right," Adrien added with a grin, "because you will never get into one, dumbass."
Noir almost let a chuckle out, trying to suppress his smile.
Liesel immediately snapped back at Noir.
"What's so funny, Noir?!!"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
Noir added with a small grin.
"By the way," Adrien said, standing up from the ground, "have you guys noticed something weird since yesterday?"
"Not really," Liesel added with a concerned tone, "but the air feels heavier than usual for some reason since yesterday night."
"So I wasn't the only one."
Noir thought to himself, staring at the sky.
"Must be the wind guys," Noir added, smiling a little too wide, "lets not worry about too much."
Liesel let out a big sigh.
"Can't you make better jokes?"
"C'mon," Adrien added with a grin, "a joke cant make jokes why bother him?"
They both started laughing at Noir, pointing towards him, making him a little too annoyed—until Noir received a text from a certain someone.
"Wait guys," Noir said, his face suddenly lighting up with joy, "i received a text from elara."
"What's with that stupid smile?"
Adrien asked sarcastically, still poking him.
"Well," Liesel said softly, "even her hello can make him the happiest, i am not startled at all."
"No, no, guys," Noir said quickly as the bell rang, "she's—"
In the mean time, far from europe towards the subcontinent of India, in the city of Mumbai, inside a small house near the streets,something unknown had marked the start of a new world.
"The NEET paper has been leaked!"
The news channel echoed through the room.
"It has come to light that papers had been bought by children of high profile people to then further circulate the paper throughout. Unusual marks from the same faculty had raised suspicion, after interrogatio—"
The TV was switched off midway.
"I will have to repeat another year..."
Ashrin said, covering his face with one hand, leaving just enough space for a tear to slip through.
"What is this... Why is my hand so ho- ARGHHHH"
Ashnir lets out a big scream right as something very unnatural happens to his hand, burning half of his face, scarring him for eternity.
End of chapter 1.