(16 years later – July 14th)
It was Owen's birthday—the day he had been left at the orphanage. But instead of a day of celebration, it would become the most horrifying moment of his life.
(July 15th – The Day Before)
In the orphanage hall, Owen sat with the other children and their caretaker, Annie. Laughter filled the room as they talked.
"Tomorrow is my birthday," Owen said with a small smile.
Annie nodded warmly. "Alright, I'll make your favorite barbecue."
One of the kids ran up to him, holding out a handmade bracelet. "Owen, we all made this for you!"
"Yeah, I helped too!" another child chimed in.
"Me too!" said another.
Owen took the bracelet and held it carefully. "Thank you so much. I'll always keep it with me." He tucked it into his pocket before they all went to sleep.
Outside, heavy rain poured down, lightning flashing across the sky. Owen lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, whispering a quiet prayer.
"Mom… Dad… tomorrow is my birthday."
He sighed and closed his eyes.
(3:00 AM – The Nightmare Begins)
A loud clap of thunder jolted Owen awake. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. Something felt off.
"Annie?" he called out.
Silence rang through the orphanage.
She always answered. But tonight, there was only an eerie stillness.
He got out of bed and walked toward the stair then froze. "Blood!!!" he said to himself.
A trail of dark red stains led down the steps, disappearing into the dining room.
His heartbeat pounded in his chest as he stepped forward. Slowly, cautiously, he followed the trail.
When he reached the dining room, he froze in horror.
Bodies were Torn apart.
The children he had laughed with just hours ago were now in pieces—their livers, eyes, and bits of brain splattered across the dining table. The walls were drenched in blood.
And at the center of it all…
A man sat in a chair, holding a sharp-edged sword—and in his other hand, Annie's severed head.
Owen's legs began to tremble. His breath quickened.
"No… No… This can't be real…" he said to himself
Then, his body moved on its own—he ran.
Dashing toward the front door, he reached out, fumbling with the handle. Just as he was about to pull it open.
SWOOSH! THUD!
A sword whizzed past his face, cutting his cheek. Blood trickled down his skin.
Shaking, Owen turned around.
The man was walking toward him.
Owen yanked the door open and rushed into the street, the rain pounding against his skin.
Behind him, the man pulled his sword from the door and chased after him. Leaping onto the roof, he moved impossibly fast, his footsteps silent against the storm.
"HELP!" Owen screamed, hoping someone anyonewould hear him but then, he saw something strange happening.
As he ran past a fence, he noticed a cat frozen mid-step. It wasn't moving.
He realised that time itself has been stop;
The rain, the wind, the world itself completely still.
Before Owen could process what was happening, a shadow loomed over him.
The man had jumped from the roof, sword raised, ready to strike.
Owen squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for death.
CLANG! ;A clash of metal rang out.
Slowly, Owen opened his eyes. Two knights had appeared out of nowhere.
One knight engaged the attacker, their swords clashing in the storm. The other walked toward Owen, kneeling before him.
"Take this," the knight said, handing Owen a glowing stone.
"W-what?" Owen stammered.
"This stone will take you to 'Melidyia Kingdom'. Once there, find 'Edwin Freeman' at Merlin Academy and state your name."
Before Owen could process what was happening, the knight suddenly stumbled forward.
A sword had pierced his back.
The strange man had killed him.
As the knight collapsed, the stone in Owen's hand glowed brightly then shattered.
In the blink of an eye he was gone.
The man stood still, staring at the empty space where Owen had disappeared.
A moment later, a black portal opened beside him.
A figure stepped out, wearing a clown costume.
"Aww, man… you almost had him," the clown said, pouting.
The man simply sighed and turned toward the portal.
"You're no fun," the clown muttered. "Fine, I'll come with you."
And with that, the two figures vanished into the darkness