the beginning
The dim light of dusk filtered through the neglected curtains, casting elongated shadows that danced across the faded walls of the room.
Dust floated in the rays of light, creating a silent dance in the air.
David had fallen asleep once again at his desk, surrounded by three books and a game controller.
The accumulated fatigue from his work on the production line had begun to affect even his moments of rest.
The endless work shifts, the constant stress of impossible targets, and a minimum wage that barely covered basic necessities combined to drain his energy day after day, like an incessant drip that slowly emptied his vitality.
The weekends, those small oases of free time he so longed for, had become a losing battle against exhaustion. Even when he tried to dedicate himself to his passions—manga, video games, those small pleasures that used to give him life—his eyes would close involuntarily until the shrill sound of the alarm brought him back to reality.
And so he was now, with his face pressed against his desk, while the light from the monitor cast its dim glow in the darkness. The company had "requested"—though everyone knew it was more an order than a request—that he work this Saturday. In his desperate attempt to make the most of the few free hours he had left to read or play video games, he had succumbed to exhaustion.
Despite his iron determination and the two cups of extra-strong coffee, his body finally gave in to the demands of sleep.
And so he fell asleep with the computer fan spinning with a soft hum, mixing with the distant murmur of traffic.
The silence would have continued had something not disturbed it.
At first it was barely perceptible: a subtle vibration that made the coffee glass on his nightstand clink. His consciousness, still trapped in that limbo between sleep and wakefulness, was slow to register that something wasn't right.
The vibrations began to intensify gradually, like a wave that grows on the horizon before crashing against the shore.
It was then that he felt it clearly: the floor beneath his feet began to move. The books on his small shelf started to wobble, and the poorly stuck calendar came loose from one corner.
His collection of video game and anime figures and objects, neatly arranged on the shelf, began a dangerous dance.
And then he heard it.
Piercing through the growing chaos of moving objects and the creaking of the walls, a sharp and persistent sound began to fill the air.
His brain, now fully awake, instantly recognized that tone: it was the government emergency alert, the same one he had heard so many times in school and work drills.
Amidst the confusion, he tried to sit up.
His cell phone, precariously placed on the edge of the bed, slid dangerously.
The movement was intensifying by the moment, and the sound of the alarm seemed to merge with the general chaos.
This time it wasn't a drill, and that realization hit him with the same force as the tremor shaking his apartment.
An earthquake. In Bogotá.
The last time he had felt anything similar was when he was in high school, and honestly, that "earthquake" had been more like when your upstairs neighbor moves furniture. A simple little tremor that had barely made the windows rattle.
But this was different: the entire apartment was shaking violently, and the walls were vibrating with alarming intensity.
Disoriented by the movement, he tried to reach for his cell phone that was sliding dangerously close to the edge of his bed.
With his cell phone secured, he set about looking for his keys, which always seemed to have a special talent for hiding at the most inopportune moments. In his hurried search he stumbled over his anime figure collection. From his shelf, his prized Sailor Moon figure was wobbling, as if looking at him with disapproval for his clumsiness.
Quickly getting up, he continued searching for his keys.
Just when he had finally located the elusive keys (under a pile of manga, of course), the earthquake stopped as abruptly as it had begun.
However, the emergency alarm continued to sound, now with an intensity that made it seem as if the device was possessed by the spirit of a very enthusiastic DJ.
Confused and slightly dizzy, he collapsed into his swivel chair while trying to access the news on his cell phone.
—Please, don't let it be the apocalypse—
he muttered.
—I haven't finished the last season of my favorite anime yet.
"Emergency alert..."
A government notification made his phone vibrate, sent through the UNGRD National Alert System two hours ago while he slept on his desk.
Regarding the anomalous events and the appearance of hostile entities currently occurring in the national territory, an official statement has been issued by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) at 15:30 today.
All citizens are requested to remain calm and consult detailed information through the following link. The national government is implementing the corresponding emergency protocol. Until further notice, it is IMPERATIVE to remain in your homes. [Ministry of Interior - UNGRD]
"Official statement..."
Without thinking twice, he clicked on the link in the message. His phone screen immediately filled with an extensive official document.
[OFFICIAL STATEMENT - UNGRD]
Issued: 15:30 / Ministry of the Interior - Republic of Colombia
Subject: Declaration of Public Calamity and Immediate Security Directives
The Presidency of the Republic, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, the National Police, and UNGRD, issues the following statement regarding the events currently occurring throughout the national territory.
1. Dimensional Alteration Phenomena
Since approximately 04:00 hours today, IDEAM and the Colombian Air Force have reported multiple anomalies throughout the national territory, including:
Dimensional portals of unknown origin, Space-time alterations. Phenomena that defy known physics.
2. Presence of Unidentified Entities
The National Police and Military Forces confirm the presence of creatures of unknown origin with the following characteristics:
Appearance similar to mythological beings, Highly aggressive behavior toward the civilian population. Capabilities superior to any known species. High resistance to conventional weaponry.
3. MANDATORY Security Measures
Citizens must comply with the following instructions:
REMAIN in safe places. DO NOT approach the anomalies. IGNORE any noise or call from outside. SECURE doors and windows. KEEP noise to a minimum. AVOID unnecessary use of electronic devices.
The Presidency maintains control over official communication channels. The dissemination of unauthorized information will be prosecuted according to the Penal Code.
Emergency hotline: 123
Presidency of the Republic
Republic of Colombia
Upon finishing reading the statement, he couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. Dimensional portals? Mythological creatures? This had to be an elaborate joke or perhaps a massive hack of government systems.
—This is ridiculous—
he muttered while opening his cell phone browser.
—I'm sure Caracol is already reporting on the hack.
With trembling fingers he navigated to the Caracol Noticias website and searched for the live stream button. He didn't have a TV in his apartment—another reminder of his precarious economic situation—but at least he could watch the online broadcast.
His finger paused for a moment over the red button that read "LIVE." For some reason he felt a strange apprehension, as if by pressing it he was about to confirm something he'd rather not know.
Finally, he pressed play.
The broadcast began with an unstable image. A reporter, covered in dust and with disheveled hair, was standing in what appeared to be Carrera Séptima. Behind her, partially destroyed buildings and debris scattered everywhere created an apocalyptic scene.
—We are in downtown Bogotá—
her professional voice trembled slightly as she held the microphone.
—The situation is critical. We confirm the official reports about the appearance of... of hostile entities emerging from interdimensional portals.
The camera moved erratically, evidencing the cameraman's nervousness.
The reporter continued:
—Law enforcement is being... is being overwhelmed. The National Police and the Army have suffered significant casualties. The population is reiterated to remain in their homes and...
Suddenly, the reporter's eyes went wide. The cameraman abruptly swung the camera, capturing for an instant the image of a monstrous creature resembling an orc over two meters tall emerging from the rubble of a nearby building.
—OH MY GOD!
The reporter's scream was the last thing heard before the transmission cut off abruptly.
The screen changed to a blue background with the Caracol Noticias logo and a message:
"We are experiencing technical difficulties. We will return shortly."
For a few moments he remained completely motionless in front of his cell phone screen, his mind refusing to process what he had just witnessed. A cold shiver ran down his spine, and he felt fear begin to expand from his stomach to every corner of his body.
—What the hell is going on?
He couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. It simply made no sense.
David was someone who fit the otaku label, according to the popular definition of the term.
Video games, comics, manga, manhwa, and other stories were his only escape from monotony.
Now, as he stared at his cell phone screen with a mixture of disbelief and terror, he couldn't help but think about the irony of the situation.
After years of fantasizing about stories of portals and mystical creatures, reality had decided to turn his life into one of those narratives he so enjoyed reading. Except this time there was no magic system that would turn him into the hero of the story.
