Lost in the darkest dream

And it happened. I knew it was going to happen, but it was different for different countries. Like in India, where we are, the population is huge. In other countries with smaller populations, they were told to unalive just one person. But here, because of the massive population, they want to reduce it to the minimum level. That's why they asked for five. I really don't want to do this.

The panda-looking thing spoke again, "So, actually, everyone is supposed to be teleported to the capital of their countries, but as you fuckers multiply like rabbits in this country, we've got to take measures to control the chaos and make this challenge easier. For this challenge, it's province-wise. Every one of you will be in your provincial capital. No more people will show up here than there already are, so make a fucking good show of it!" Saying this, the damn thing disappeared.

"What will we do now? I really don't wanna do this," Alia said, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," I replied, trying to keep my own voice steady. "Let's find a hiding spot for now.

"

We walked around and then I decided to climb to the top of a building nearby. As we climbed, we encountered a crocodile-like beast. With great difficulty, and with Alia using her power while I dragged it by the head, we somehow managed to survive the encounter and made our way to the top.

"So, what's your plan?" she asked.

I replied, "Look, first, we'll try to find the bad guys, okay? I know that when we kill anyone, we become the bad guys ourselves, but... we don't have a choice. We have to survive. There's no... purity or innocence left in this world anymore. If we want to live, we have to do it. But, to lessen our guilt a little, I think... I will—or we will—try to find people who are hurting others, or people who are genuinely bad. Do you get what I'm saying?

"She said, "And how are we gonna do that? Do you know how to find bad guys?"

I replied, "Yeah, I know. I have an eye for bad guys."

I said it to her because I had experience with a lot of bad people, people who aren't good to others. I'm talking about the truly awful ones, the kind that commit unspeakable acts against others.

Those guys, those filths of society, who use others as playthings to fulfill their dirty lust.

Ali said, "So, uh, where do we find them?"

I replied, "I know a place where those guys usually roam around."

She said, "So, let's go."

I nodded, though my mood had soured. Thinking about those guys made me feel extremely angry.

We walked around and found the alleyways where the filth of society gathered.

"So, what's our plan?" she asked.

I replied, "We'll take them one by one and... throw a bomb. Where you find one."

She said, "I don't have a bomb."

I remembered, "Oh, right."

She teased me, "You have such a bad memory."

I sighed, "Yeah, I think I should work on it."

"Then what will we do?" she asked.

"We should use a gun," I said.

We got into position, using the time we spent training in the domain. We had practiced, and now it was time to put that training to use. Quietly, we snuck into the alleyway, moving with purpose. After a moment, we spotted our target-a man heading toward a woman.

Alia, with focused determination, used her power. A soldier materialized in front of her, and it quickly grabbed hold of the man. I aimed the gun at him, keeping my focus sharp.

I knew everyone had faced a big challenge by now, so, as a precaution, I held Alia's hand. With the man still in our grip, we teleported into my domain. There was a chance the woman might try to kill us, and I didn't want to take any risks with Alia. She was my responsibility, and I couldn't afford to lose her. I had to protect her, no matter what.

"So tell me, everything you've ever done until now, every nasty thing, every dirty act. Tell me, and I might show you a little mercy. If not, you're responsible for your own death—whether it's painful or not. And know this, I won't show even a hint of mercy," I said.

The man's face trembled in fear. He was beginning to realize the gravity of the situation

.Before I asked another question, I told Alia to cover her ears and move a little farther away, so I could question him more efficiently.

I turned to the man, still holding his head, and asked, "Have you ever been involved in an S.A.?" His hands were now dripping with sweat, tangled in ropes that Alia had made. He couldn't use his power in my domain—one of the abilities my power granted me

.

Before I made my five kills, I decided to have Alia do it first because I wanted her to survive. I didn't care if I died. In fact, I had honestly wanted to die at the start, and the only reason I was still alive was to care for Alia.

So, I called Alia over and asked her if she was willing to do it. I told her she had to,

and if she couldn't bring herself to do it, I would help her pull the trigger. I told her to just close her eyes if she couldn't bear to watch.