The cityscape stretched out before me, a labyrinthine jungle of steel and glass that hummed with an energy both exhilarating and unnerving—like standing on the precipice between creation's beauty and its chaos. I was Thomas Raines, architectural photographer extraordinaire or so my business cards claimed; in truth, just another soul lost amidst this urban sprawl.

My camera clicked away at the towering monolith that dominated our skyline: The Apex Tower. Sixty-eight stories of human ambition reaching out to tickle heaven's toes—until today when it would be brought down by a mere metal bird and an even more sinister force behind closed doors, unknown to us all.

"Thomas," my assistant Alex called from the van we'd parked haphazardly on this side street. "We've got company."

I turned around as two men in dark suits approached with purposeful strides—government types if ever I saw them; their faces etched into stern lines of authority, eyes hidden behind reflective sunglasses.

"Mr... Raines?" the taller one asked after a glance at my ID card dangling from his fingers. He didn't wait for confirmation before continuing: "You're to come with us."

Alex stepped forward protectively but I laid an arm across her chest—this wasn’t our fight, not yet anyway; better play along until we knew what game they were playing.

"Where are you taking him?" Alex demanded nonetheless as the men flanked me on either side like prison guards escorting a condemned man to his cell. The taller one merely smiled thinly while his partner remained stoic silence personified—both equally unnerving in their own ways, I thought grimly.

We drove through eerily empty streets; no traffic jams today as if the city itself held its breath waiting for something... momentous? We pulled up outside an nondescript building nestled between two towering skyscrapers. No signage adorned it save a small plaque beside heavy metal doors: 'Department of Urban Development'.

Inside, fluorescent lights buzzed overhead like angry bees while we were ushered down stark white corridors devoid even of motivational posters—just endless stretches punctuated by closed wooden door after another.

Finally stopping before one such portal—the taller man knocked twice then opened it without waiting for a response. "Mr Raines," he gestured me inside with an ironic bow, leaving Alex standing alone in the hallway looking worried but resolute; I gave her what passed these days as reassuring smile and stepped into whatever awaited.

A conference room greeted my eyes: long table surrounded by leather chairs occupied mostly empty save for two figures seated at one end—one familiar face amidst strangers. Mayor Harris, his jowls quivering with barely contained emotion looked up from where he'd been studying something intently laid out before him on the polished surface; beside him sat a woman I didn't recognize though her sharp features suggested she wasn’t someone to be trifled lightly.

"Mr Raines," Mayors voice boomed as if we were old friends reuniting after years apart rather than adversaries mere hours ago. "Please, sit."

I took my seat opposite them while the two men who'd escorted me stood sentinel behind like silent shadows cast by some unseen moon—an apt metaphor given what was about to unfold.

"Now," Mayor Harris began once I’d settled myself uncomfortably into place under their collective gaze; he pushed a photograph across table towards where it slid halt inches from my fingertips. "Tell us, Mr Raines: What do you make of this?"

It took effort not react visibly as stared down at image—a close-up shot taken through window glass showing Apex Tower's upper floors ablaze with inferno raging unchecked; smoke billowed skywards forming grotesque caricature cloud against backdrop blue heavens.

"An accident?" I ventured cautiously, though knew better already. No way such devastation could occur naturally within structure designed withstand anything short of direct nuclear strike—something else was at play here and they wanted me involved somehow...

Mayor Harris chuckled mirthlessly shaking head; beside him woman watched impassively through narrowed eyes like predator assessing prey's weaknesses before pouncing.

"No accident, Mr Raines," she spoke finally voice cold as winter wind cutting across frozen lake. "This was deliberate act."

Her words hung heavy air between us while I struggled process implications—deliberate? Who would... why?

"An airplane?" My mind raced back images news reports showing smoldering wreckage scattered debris field around tower's base; authorities had attributed crash mechanical failure but now...

"No," she answered flatly. "That was merely cover story."

I felt blood drain from face as realization dawned—this wasn't some tragic accident, no mere act terrorism either... this went far beyond anything I could comprehend.

"Then what?" My voice barely above whisper yet echoed hollow chamber created by my own racing thoughts; heart pounded against ribs like caged animal desperate escape. "What happened?"

Mayor Harris leaned forward placing hands flat on tabletop as if bracing himself for revelation about to deliver—his eyes met mine, held them captive with intensity of their gaze.

"We were approached," he began slowly choosing each word carefully—as though speaking aloud might somehow make reality more tangible or less horrifying. "By... entities claiming responsibility."

Entities? What kind...

"Aliens?" I blurted out before could stop myself; both men behind me shifted uncomfortably but neither woman reacted visibly—only stared harder at my reaction.

"No," Mayor Harris replied after moment's pause during which he seemed weigh pros cons revealing truth versus maintaining lie. "Not exactly."

"Not aliens then." My mind raced trying grasp onto something solid amidst swirling chaos threatening overwhelm senses; if not extraterrestrials, what could possibly...?

"Cosmic beings?" I hazarded guess based on nothing more than vague memories old horror stories read late nights as teenager—tales involving ancient gods awakening from slumber beneath earth's surface or descending upon unsuspecting townsfolk straight out heavens themselves.

Mayor Harris nodded grimly while woman beside him merely raised eyebrow slightly acknowledging accuracy my words; neither offered further explanation leaving me floundering desperate for more information yet terrified learn too much...

"These... beings," I managed eventually, "they want something?"

"Yes." Mayor Harris' voice dropped almost conspiratorial whisper despite presence only those present room. "'The Apex Tower,' they said—it stood in their way."

In the way of what? What could possibly require razing sixty-eight story building filled innocent lives?

"And you agreed?" My outrage boiled over momentarily forgetting fear; how dare these monsters demand such sacrifice without consequence!

"No," Mayor Harris sighed heavily rubbing temples as if headache threatened. "We refused initially—tried negotiate instead."

"Negotiate with... gods?"

"Yes." Woman answered this time tone flat devoid emotion save perhaps faint trace contempt directed towards our collective ignorance regarding true nature universe beyond human comprehension.

"And?" I prompted when neither offered more; they exchanged glances before Mayor Harris continued reluctantly:

"They demonstrated power," he admitted finally. "Showed us glimpses realities existing alongside ours—parallel worlds teeming lifeforms unimaginable, terrifying beauty... and horror."

His voice trailed off lost in memories of visions granted him by these cosmic entities but I pressed on needing know everything despite dread coiling icy tendrils around heart.

"What did they show you?" My words barely audible yet echoed chamber created silence following Mayor Harris' revelation; both men behind me shifted again uneasily while woman watched intently as if waiting judge my reaction—would it be fear, awe or something else entirely?

Mayor Harris looked up meeting gaze once more before speaking softly: "They showed us Carcosa."

I felt chill run down spine at mention name whispered through darkest corners folklore; tales spoke of city floating amidst cosmic void beyond reach human comprehension yet always lurking just out sight—waiting...

"What is it?" I asked despite knowing better than seek answers such questions.

"Carcossa," woman supplied coldly, "is place where gods dwell."

And now they wanted access our world via Apex Tower—a gateway into reality untainted by mortal hands; destruction tower merely first step towards invasion far greater scale...

"But why not just destroy it?" I challenged them defiantly. "'Them'—these beings—they could've simply demolished building without involving us, right?"

"No," Mayor Harris shook head slowly. "They needed our cooperation."

"Why? Why would they need... oh." Realization dawned sickeningly as understood implications; if these entities required human consent before proceeding with plans then meant...

"Yes," woman confirmed my thoughts aloud voice still devoid emotion yet somehow heavier now laden weight truth too terrible bear alone.

"War?" I whispered horror-struck realization dawning fully—government had agreed terms trade Apex Tower's destruction for chance invade neighboring countries under guise protecting citizens from terrorist threat posed by 'rogue nation' harboring responsible crash...

"Yes," Mayor Harris confirmed grimly. "They want war."

"But why?"

"They feed on chaos, Mr Raines." Woman answered this time tone almost pityingly as though explaining simple fact child unable grasp complexities adult world.

"Feed?" My stomach churned at thought such beings existing let alone prowling edges human consciousness seeking sustenance—what kind monsters could possibly...

"Yes," she confirmed again. "They consume energy generated conflict, destruction... death."

I felt bile rise throat choking back nausea as implications sank in fully; not only had government agreed razing Apex Tower but also orchestrating global war to satisfy appetites these cosmic entities—they'd sold out humanity wholesale without blinking eye...

"And you're telling me this because?" My voice barely above whisper yet echoed hollow chamber created by my own racing thoughts—heart pounded against ribs like caged animal desperate escape.

"Because," Mayor Harris replied heavily, "we need your help."

My what? How could I possibly assist them now?

"We want evidence." Woman spoke again coldly. "'Proof' of their existence—which only you can provide given access granted through artistry—"

Art... oh god no...

"—and unique perspective on events surrounding crash," she continued relentlessly ignoring my growing horror.

"You're asking me to paint this?" I managed eventually, voice hoarse with disbelief and revulsion; how dare they expect such thing after revealing truth behind tragedy befalling innocent lives!

"Yes." Mayor Harris nodded grimly. "We need documentation record these beings' presence—something tangible enough convince public accept necessity war while keeping true nature conflict hidden."

"And if I refuse?" My defiance faltered under weight their combined gazes but still managed ask question burning mind.

"Then we'll find someone else," woman answered flatly as though discussing trivial matter rather than fate entire world hung balance. "But know this, Mr Raines—refusal won't change anything."

Her words echoed hollow chamber created silence following revelation leaving me no choice accept task ahead despite revulsion churning gut; they'd already set wheels motion there was nothing stop them now...

"Fine," I agreed finally defeated resignation weighing heavy shoulders like millstone around neck. "I'll do it."

I woke up to darkness—no, not just dark; absolute blackness that pressed against my eyes like a physical force trying squeeze out any remnant light within reachable universe around me... or was it only inside skull? Panic surged through veins threatening overwhelm senses but I fought back pushing myself upright onto cold hard floor beneath. Where am...

"Ah, Mr Raines," voice echoed from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously; Mayor Harris' tone held none warmth familiarity earlier—now sounded distant echo of itself as if speaking across vast chasm time or space... perhaps both?

"What's going on?" My words barely above whisper yet seemed amplify tenfold within confines this oppressive void. "Where am I?"

"Somewhere safe," he replied cryptically; sudden flare brightness illuminated figure seated cross-legged before me—Mayor Harris, yes but altered somehow: eyes glowed faintly luminescent while skin appeared stretched taut over bones giving him appearance corpse risen from grave rather than living man.

"You've been... changed." Accusation hung heavy air between us though I couldn't pinpoint exact reason behind statement; something about his very presence felt wrong now, alien even...

"Yes," he admitted without shame or remorse. "As have you."

I looked down at myself—clothes torn ragged exposing flesh marred by strange symbols carved deep into skin like brands seared onto soul itself... they pulsed rhythmically with same eerie glow emanating from Mayor Harris' eyes.

"What are these?" Horror laced every syllable; realization dawned terrible truth: whatever had happened here, I too was now part of it whether willing or not...

"Marks," he answered simply. "Signifiers belonging to those who've seen beyond veil reality—who know what lurks within shadows cast by our world."

His words sent shiver down spine despite heat radiating off him like feverish delirium; suddenly desperate escape this place, whatever cost.

"No." I shook head vehemently backing away until stopped abruptly against unyielding wall behind me. "I don't want any part... of *this*!"

Mayor Harris chuckled mirthlessly—sound echoed hollow chamber created by our isolation here amidst cosmic horrors unknown yet undeniably present.