I woke up to darkness, my head pounding like a drum being beaten from within—no sign remained outside window where sun should've been casting its morning glow across cityscape below; instead only inky black void stared back at me. Panic surged through veins as I fumbled for bedside lamp switch but nothing happened when flicked it on—not even faint click echoed around empty room.

"Power's out," a voice rasped from shadows beside bed—Alex, her silhouette barely discernible against gloom; she sat huddled beneath blankets clutching something tightly to chest. "Has been since... last night."

"What time is?" My mouth felt dry as desert sandpaper scraping together each word but needed know how long we'd lost before reality shifted under our feet.

"Don't have watch," Alex replied softly, voice barely above whisper; she held up object clutched tightly—her phone screen displayed nothing save blank blackness where digital clock should've been ticking away seconds. "Battery dead too."

Fear gripped me then like icy tendrils coiling around spine threatening freeze heart solid block of ice within chest cavity—but I fought back against it, forced myself stand despite trembling limbs and make way towards bathroom hoping find some clue explain this sudden descent into chaos.

Light switch here also refused cooperate leaving only faint sliver illumination filtering through doorway behind me; still enough see reflection staring back from mirror above sink—gaunt face pale as moonlit snow with eyes wide pools terror. Behind it, something else moved: dark shape writhing within depths glass like shadow cast by unseen sun.

"Alex?" I called out tentatively reaching hand towards cold surface wanting confirm wasn't just imagination playing tricks mind; fingers brushed against smoothness mere inches from where distortion rippled away contact—then screamed as agony exploded through every nerve ending simultaneously, electric shock coursed up arm setting each hair standing on end before leaving me crumple floor convulsing uncontrollably.

"Thomas!" Alex cried rushing in grabbing hold shoulders trying pull back but I shrugged her off snarling like wild animal cornered; couldn't let go mirror now even if wanted—something held fast refusing release until had seen what lay hidden beneath its surface...

And then, it showed itself: face emerged from darkness grinning wickedly at me through reflection—a grotesque parody human features twisted into nightmarish caricature complete with rows jagged teeth dripping viscous fluid onto chin; eyes burned like twin embers staring straight soul while voice echoed inside head whispering promises of pain and suffering if didn't obey its commands.

"Who... what are you?" I managed stammer once able speak again though every syllable felt forced past constricting throat muscles clenched tight against onslaught revulsion sweeping through me at sight this abomination—cosmic horror incarnate leering back from beyond mirror's edge demanding tribute blood and flesh...

"You know," it hissed, voice slithering around words like serpent tongue tasting air before striking. "You've seen them... painted their forms upon canvas."

I shook head vehemently denying any connection yet even as did so memory flashed through mind: images captured camera lens during descent into madness—strange shapes looming large against backdrop cityscape, twisted parodies architecture defying logic and reason...

"Yes," creature hissed triumphantly sensing victory close at hand. "You've seen us... now it's time pay price for intrusion."

Before could respond Alex lunged forward grabbing hold arm attempting drag me away from mirror but too late—darkness surged forth engulfing everything within reach; pain exploded anew as tendrils lashed out striking flesh leaving deep welts weeping crimson onto tile floor beneath us.

"Stop!" I screamed struggling against unseen forces holding fast refusing let go until had fulfilled their purpose whatever that may be—but then suddenly they released grip allowing fall backwards into Alex's waiting arms where she held tight sobbing softly while world around shattered apart...

When finally dared open eyes again found ourselves standing amidst ruins once proud city now reduced mere shell its former self—buildings lay crumbled heaps rubble strewn across streets like discarded toys abandoned by careless child; smoke hung heavy air obscuring view heavens above where sun should've been shining down upon devastation wrought below.

"Where...?" Alex began before breaking off into fresh bout tears seeing extent destruction surrounding us—their home, our sanctuary reduced to smoldering wreckage overnight leaving nothing behind save memories and shattered dreams...

"Not here," I replied grimly surveying scene unfolding around; something told me this wasn't end but merely beginning far greater horrors yet come. "We need leave... now."

She nodded silently wiping away tears with sleeve before following close heels as led way through twisted maze streets once familiar—now alien landscape filled dread anticipation each step taken might bring face-to-face another cosmic entity waiting hungrily devour unwary souls crossing its path.

"Thomas," Alex whispered after several minutes walking cautiously side-by-side avoiding debris scattered haphazardly across pavement; her voice barely audible above distant rumble collapsing structures echoing through empty avenues. "What happened?"

I hesitated briefly before answering truth—no point hiding facts any longer, not when faced with reality staring us straight face.

"Cosmic beings," I said finally choosing words carefully lest trigger another episode madness like one experienced bathroom earlier; still felt echoes pain lingering within flesh despite passing time since encounter mirror-dweller. "They're real... and they've come for our city."

Her breath hitched sharply hearing confirmation fears voiced aloud but didn't argue instead simply nodded acceptance fate awaiting us both should fail escape clutches these otherworldly entities.

"How do we fight them?" she asked eventually, voice steadier now resolve hardened against whatever lay ahead. "They're... not human Thomas; how can ordinary people hope stand up something so..."

"Ancient," I finished for her knowing exactly what meant—had seen glimpses myself during descent into madness when captured images defied logic reason itself.

"Yes." Alex sighed heavily rubbing temples as if headache threatened behind eyes. "How do we fight ancient gods?"

"We don't."

My response echoed harshly around us punctuated by distant rumble another building collapsing under its own weight; she looked up sharply meeting gaze searching for answers hidden depths my soul—found only despair reflected back at her.

"Then what?" Her voice barely above whisper yet cut through gloom like knife slicing flesh. "We just... give in?"

"No," I replied firmly shaking head determined not let fear control actions any longer; instead channel it into something productive, proactive even if ultimately futile against forces aligned arrayed before us—had to try though or else risk losing last shreds humanity left within grasp.

"We find others like ourselves." Ideas formed rapidly mind racing ahead possibilities presented by mere suggestion. "People who've seen them... painted their forms upon canvas."

Alex frowned uncertainly but didn't argue further instead merely followed close behind as led way towards nearest subway entrance—only means transportation remaining intact amidst chaos gripping city above ground.

"Where are we going?" she asked once descended into darkness beneath streets; echoes our footsteps reverberated around concrete walls closing in tight either side like prison cell bars confining inmates within its grasp...

"Not sure," admitted truthfully. "But know someone who might help."

She nodded silently accepting explanation without further question—trust implicit between us forged fires adversity faced together thus far.

"Who?" she asked eventually breaking silence once more; her voice echoed around chamber created by enclosed space surrounding our descent into underworld below city streets now reduced mere shadow its former self...

"You'll see," I replied cryptically offering no elaboration lest jinx whatever slim chance success lay ahead—better keep expectations low rather than risk disappointment later on.

We emerged eventually onto platform lined with silent trains waiting patiently for passengers never coming; boarded one randomly choosing direction based nothing more instinctual urge guiding steps forward into unknown. As doors slid shut sealing us off from world outside felt brief pang regret leaving Alex behind amidst ruins once home—now she too faced uncertain future alongside me.

"Where are we going?" Her voice broke silence again after several minutes journeying through darkness punctuated only occasional flickering lights overhead casting eerie shadows dancing across faces reflected window panes opposite seats where sat huddled together seeking comfort each other's presence amidst chaos surrounding us both...

"Not sure," I admitted truthfully once more; no point lying now, not when faced with reality staring straight face. "But know someone who might help."

She nodded silently accepting explanation without further question—trust implicit between us forged fires adversity already overcome together thus far.

"Who?" she asked eventually breaking silence again as if unable resist curiosity any longer despite knowing better than expect answers forthcoming...

"You'll see," I replied cryptically offering no elaboration lest jinx whatever slim chance success lay ahead; best keep expectations low rather risk disappointment later on.