Summer was in full force, the sun sharp on my shoulder as I peeked out the window. Everything looked as usual… almost.
One headline on the newspaper caught my eye—off, somehow.
"Atomic Plague. Nagasaki Wiped Out — Daily Express."
My brain stuttered. I searched for a match, a memory. Nothing.
And I don't say this lightly—humble as I try to be, poverty taught me a lot of things.
Coming out of my thoughts, I leaned in to read the article. There was… nothing.
Conflicted, I was about to ask someone if they saw the same thing.
Then—
"OI, get your damn shoes!"
Jason. Shouting my name like a fool, as always.
They'll say this is a story about Earth joining the multiverse. About a system, a war, a throne that shouldn't have been claimed.
Maybe it is. Maybe that's how it has to start.
But stories like this — real stories — never stay in one shape.
If something feels... wrong,
If a word echoes too loudly, or you feel like you've read this moment before —
Don't ignore it.
You're closer to the truth than they ever wanted you to be.
And if you reach the end,
You might remember who first wrote this down.
You might realize this was never fiction.
Not entirely.
— ?
Getting ready for the day of grand integration of planet Earth.