The TV flickered twice before stabilizing.
For a brief moment, a thin line of distorted color cut across the screen, then vanished. The apartment fell quiet again—only the steady hum of the ceiling fan and the distant noise of traffic drifting in from below.
"—repeating, the Calling has officially begun."
The anchor's voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it. The kind everyone recognized.
Kairo stood in the middle of the room, a half-empty glass of water in his hand. He had been walking past the television when the signal cut. Now he had stopped without realizing it, his eyes fixed on the screen.
*The Calling has begun.*
He exhaled slowly. "Right on time…"
Setting the glass down on the table, he glanced around his apartment. It was small, plain, and quiet—just like always.
The broadcast continued.
"As per the Ascension Authority, individuals selected by the Calling may begin to experience symptoms within the next twenty-four hours. Citizens are advised to remain calm and report any irregularities immediately."
Footage replaced the anchor—someone collapsing on a sidewalk, a faint light flickering around their body. People nearby stepped back instinctively, forming distance.
No one tried to help.
Kairo leaned against the wall, folding his arms.
Every year, the same thing.
Random people chosen. No warning. No way out.
"Approximately eighty percent of selected individuals fall within the age range of fifteen to forty," the anchor continued. "However, selection remains unpredictable."
Kairo let out a quiet, dry laugh. "Figures."
He walked to the window and pushed it open. The evening air drifted in as the sun dipped below the horizon. Down on the street, people moved faster than usual, their voices lower, their steps just a little more hurried.
Fear didn't need to be announced.
It spread on its own.
He watched for a moment.
Somewhere out there, someone had already been chosen.
Maybe more than one.
Turning back, he glanced at the television again.
"Those selected must report to the nearest Authority facility upon confirmation," the anchor said. "Failure to comply will be treated as a violation of global emergency law."
Kairo nodded faintly. That part never changed.
Once chosen, you weren't just a person anymore. You became something else—something the world monitored.
He moved into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and took a sip.
Strangely, he didn't feel worried.
Maybe because there wasn't much he could do anyway.
No family waiting.
No one to call.
He leaned against the counter, staring at nothing in particular.
"Well… the chances are low," he muttered. "No point worrying."
The broadcast shifted again—Authority units preparing, vehicles lining up, personnel already in motion.
Kairo lowered the volume and dropped onto the couch.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
The fan. The traffic. The quiet room.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Just another year…"
A faint smile crossed his face, barely there.
"Honestly… it might not even be that bad," he murmured. "Life's been boring anyway."
Then the TV flickered again.
Once.
Twice.
The anchor's voice cut mid-sentence.
"—report any irre—"
The screen went black. Kairo frowned. "Seriously?"
The lights were still on. The fan still spun.
Only the television had died.
" Fuck ! . what am I supposed to do now I can't afford a new TV. Maybe just maybe I can fix it ."
He stood and walked closer.The dark screen reflected his face. Still. Ordinary like always.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
Something felt… off like The reflection lagged. Just slightly.
Kairo blinked.
"…What?"
Before he could think further, a sudden pressure hit him. Not violent—but heavy enough to force him down.
"—ugh—"
He dropped to one knee, catching himself with one hand.
His heartbeat quickened.
A strange sensation spread through his body—like something pulling from deep within him.
Then a voice. Not heard.but Felt.
You have been chosen.
Kairo's grip tightened against the floor.
"So it's me…" he muttered under his breath.
The Trial awaits.
The pressure increased, pressing against his chest—not enough to crush, but enough to make breathing harder.
He steadied himself.
This was real.
No warning. No escape.
"…Great timing," he said quietly.
Then— Everything stopped and it felt like The pressure vanished.
For a split second, the room returned to normal.
Then the floor beneath him faded.
Not breaking or cracking.
Just… disappearing.
Kairo dropped felling Weightless like Falling into darkness.
The apartment above him blurred, dissolving like mist.
No wind. No sound. No direction.
Just an endless fall.
His thoughts slowed.
His body felt weak.
He tried to move—
Nothing responded.
Then even that faded.
Darkness closed in.
And then— Nothing.
---
Back in the apartment, the television flickered back to life.
"—individuals experiencing symptoms should report immediately—"
The broadcast continued as if nothing had happened.
The room was empty.
Silent.
Unchanged.
---
Somewhere far beyond—
The Trial had begun.
And Kairo had entered it