Alex: Stats.

He noticed three new stats listed:

Magic: 1
Magic Power: 1
Magic Control: 1

Alex: Close. I’ve got Magic, Magic Power, and Magic control, all at 1. What about you, El?
Ellie: I’ve got them too. But I have Magic: 3, Magic Power: 2, and Control: 3. Ha! I beat you!
Alex: Really? Apparently almost everyone started with 1. That’s great!
Ellie: Maybe it’s because I’m a spiritual person.
Alex: I’ll check with the guys and my family. Oh… connection’s still super slow.
Ellie: Same here. I’ll leave my messages so they’ll send when it’s back.
Alex: Me too. Let’s try using the magic in the meantime. If this is like a game, the more we practice and hunt, the stronger we’ll get.
Ellie: I don’t wanna hunt. I’m not killing innocent animals just to get stronger.
Alex: Not innocent animals—I mean things like the spider from yesterday… and probably bigger things that would eat us or Morgan.
Ellie: Bigger? I guess if they’re monsters and pose a threat, I’ll fight, but I won’t harm anything that doesn’t endanger us.
Alex: Okay, sounds like a plan.

Alex thought she might regret that later, but he decided now wasn’t the time for an argument.

He started focusing on his hand. I can feel something new inside. He tried to push the energy out, but nothing happened. Ellie noticed and tried the same thing. She closed her eyes, focused, and opened her palm, but nothing happened either.

The TV shifted its focus to the new magic stats, but no one seemed to know how to use them yet.

Alex kept experimenting, pointing his index and middle fingers forward. Suddenly, a faint light appeared. He flicked his hand forward, and the light wisp flew toward the wall, leaving a small scorch mark. He walked over to check if it had done real damage. Rubbing the spot, he realized it wasn’t just a smudge—it was a proper burn.

He turned to Ellie to tell her, but before he could, a flash of light erupted from her hand with a loud pop.

Ellie: Wooooooah!
Alex: Hooooooly shiiiiit… That one was bigger. It even left a dent!
Ellie: Let me try again!
Alex: Wait, wait, wait! Let’s go downstairs and shoot at the grass or some trash.
Ellie: Sure.

Once in the courtyard, they began practicing their magic. Ellie’s blasts were much stronger, but Alex’s aim was better.

Neighbors trickled into the yard, curious about what they were doing. Some asked Alex and Ellie to teach them. Soon, a group formed, and everyone practiced together, turning it into a friendly competition.

Even those with the same level of Magic had different results. Higher  casting speed seemed to produce faster spells, while focusing more resulted in bigger or stronger blasts. There was clearly a technique factor involved, so they started sharing pointers, improving as they went.

Ellie, with her superior stats, earned the “Destructive Power” award (a playful consolation prize). Alex came in second place to Nikola in the precision contest. The group was organizing a rematch when a terrifying sound froze everyone in their tracks.

It was a mix of a screech and a howl, echoing from the distance.

Ellie: I don’t think that was a person.
Alex: No, it definitely wasn’t.
Javier: Look… it’s some kind of bird. A big-ass bird. Let’s get inside.

Everyone agreed, quickly retreating to the safety of their homes.

Back in their apartment, the internet connection was finally stable again.

Alex and Ellie checked the news, and the headlines were alarming:

Huge birds had started appearing all over the world.

Alex used his turn to go to the supermarket but decided to take his katana, just in case. It had been a gift from Ellie for their five-year anniversary. He’d wanted one for a long time, and she delivered—not a decorative piece, but a real, functional katana. Though it wasn’t crafted in the traditional Japanese style, it was a high-grade steel blade, 29 inches long.

On his way back, Alex felt as though he was being watched. There were only a couple of people in sight, but that wasn’t it. He quickened his pace, scanning his surroundings. The street was well-lit, but the darkness beyond the lights felt oppressive. He was halfway home—only one block left.

Then, he heard a noise to his left, behind a parked car. He stopped, gripping the handle of his katana as he slid it from the grocery cart. He peered into the shadows. No movement, no sound.

Just as he was about to start walking again, he saw it. A shadow darted behind the car. It was slightly larger than a dog.