[9:56 PM, Bus Stand]
Cin stood at the bus stop, his body heavy with exhaustion. Another long shift. Another day that felt like it drained the life out of him. His shoulders slumped, his hollow eyes staring at nothing in particular. He felt weak and fragile, like a page ready to be torn from a book.
The bus finally approached, its headlights shining through the dim night. He exhaled and took a step forward.Then suddenly the air around him changed,a deep, guttural growl rumbled through the silence, followed by heavy, wet footsteps.
Cin froze, his gaze shifted sideways looking exhausted and then he saw a monstrous figure loomed in the darkness, moving toward him with unnatural speed. Its flesh was torn and rotting, pulsating as if it were alive in ways it shouldn't be. Jagged teeth jutted from its gaping maw, and its glowing red eyes locked onto him with a hunger that sent chills through his weary body.
It looked like something ripped straight from a horror movie and yet, Cin didn't move. He didn't even panic.
"Ah… is this it? Is this how I die? Am I finally going to be free?"
He let out a soft, bitter chuckle.
"I never even said goodbye to my family… not that they'd care."
The creature lunged before he could even process it, a force yanked him backward. A blur of motion someone pulling him away just as the monster collided with the bus.
The impact was instant.
Metal twisted and groaned, windows shattered, and then an explosion. Heat roared through the air, a fiery shockwave knocking him off his feet.
When Cin's mind caught up, he was on the ground, staring up at the night sky. His ears rang, his body ached, but he was alive.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Beside him lay a woman. Her face was smeared with blood, her breath unsteady. She wore strange, tattered clothes robes? Armor? He couldn't tell. But before he could even think to ask, before he could fully grasp what had just happened, the words tumbled from his lips...
"…Thank you."
The woman barely spared him a glance. With a shaky breath, she pushed herself up, staggering to her feet. As Cin's vision wavered, he caught a final glimpse, glowing particles swirling around her hand, solidifying into the shape of a sword. Then, without hesitation, she lunged forward, her blade flashing as the creature roared and rushed to meet her.
And then darkness....