The world was at peace. No wars, no viruses, no climate change — not in the earth, the sea, or the sky. Humanity lived each passing day in harmony, unaware of the reason behind this serenity, despite being the most intelligent species on the planet.
Every year, people celebrated the full revolution of their planet. It was now the year 2025, and the streets of Manila were buzzing with excitement as crowds rushed to the capital. As the countdown began, voices echoed through the city:
10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Random Person 1: Damn, this year's gonna be interesting! The long wait for the NTA game is finally over!
Random Person 2: Yes, yes! I've been waiting for that too!
Random Person 1: Hahaha! Come on, let's enjoy this night to the fullest!
While humanity celebrated the arrival of 2026, a deep rumbling echoed across the planet — a sound beyond human perception. Animals, however, sensed it. Birds scattered in panic, dogs barked wildly across cities, cats grew cautious, their eyes shifting with unease. From the deepest trenches to the ocean's surface, marine life surged upward, fleeing something from below. Even unknown species — never before seen by humans — emerged from the depths.
Jest: Yo, WTF is that? Is it a monster or something? Ed, take a look at this!
Ed: Hmm... it looks AI-generated. You know how many AI sites popped up last year.
Jest: Makes sense... but this feels real. Wanna go out and see for ourselves?
Ed: Can you not see what I'm doing? I'm doing your laundry, Your Majesty.
Jest: Hahaha! I'm not royalty, but I'll pay you. Come on, don't overthink it. It's the first day of 2026 — let's have fun while we can.
Ed: Sure, sure... sighs, his face shadowed with sadness.
Jest and Ed prepared to head out, determined to find out if the live video they saw online was real or just another AI hoax. Jest opened the door.
Jest: What the heck? Why is it so loud? My ears are ringing! SHUT UP, DOG! CAN'T YOU JUST STAY QUIET?
He shouted at the neighbor's dog, though they couldn't hear him through the thick walls.
Ed: It's kinda weird, Jest. All the dogs in the neighborhood are barking and trying to break free. It's like they're sensing a predator.
Jest: Come on, they're just scared of fireworks.
Ed didn't respond. It was true that dogs bark every New Year, but this time felt different — they weren't just barking, they were desperate to escape.
They ignored the chaos and continued toward their destination. As they got closer, they saw nearly twenty helicopters overhead and military units rushing in the same direction. Ed felt something strange in the air.
Jest: Why are there no stars? Not even clouds?
Ed: Yeah... that's weird.
As they stared at the sky, feathers began falling from above.
Ed: Jest, where did these come from?
Jest didn't answer. He kept staring upward.
Jest: Ed... I know why there are no clouds.
His voice trembled with fear. Ed looked up again — and froze. The black sky wasn't empty. It was filled with birds — prey and predator alike — flying in a single direction.
They were terrified. Ed whispered to himself, wondering why all species were moving together, just like the dogs earlier. All of them were heading east.
Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted in the direction they were heading. They stopped looking at the sky and ran toward the blast. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Jest: Ed... is this even real?
Tears welled in his eyes.
Ed: Yes, Jest... is this the end of Earth?
They saw the creature from the live video — it was real. The military and helicopters were there because of it. It had a long tail, stood as tall as a building, with blackish-green skin and glowing red eyes. Its claws and fangs were massive, and its face looked like a fusion of a dog and a shark. Spikes lined its back as it marched east, just like the birds and dogs.
The helicopters formed a perimeter above the creature and dropped a large box with a strange glowing core marked with a "W." When it hit the ground, it activated a laser-like barrier that encircled the creature.
The monster stood upright, doubling in height, now visible from miles away. It raised one arm and struck the barrier — no effect. It raised both arms and struck again — still nothing. It repeated the attack, as if conserving energy.
After many attempts, the barrier finally shattered.