Was invited (voluntold) to a breakfast briefing with Senior Management. Room was windowless and smelt faintly cheap bleach and fake room freshener. I sat at the “Initiate’s End” of the table. Not sure what that means. First to arrive was Director Loom, who communicates exclusively through slow blinking and a red laser pen held by an assistant. Then came Ms. Faxwell, who might be human, though she periodically freezes mid-sentence makes a Windows 98 startup sound through his n

Thirteen-year-old Callum always found comfort in the night sky. Walking home from his youth club, lemonade in hand, he admired the crisp autumn air and the stars appearing one by one. The heavens felt infinite, unshakable—a quiet refuge from the noise of the world. But tonight was different. As Callum sipped his lemonade, he saw the brightest star in the sky wink out—swallowed by a dark, grey cloud that seemed to emerge from nowhere. The cloud wasn’t like others. It didn’t mo

And a force commanded the abyss to retreat. The waters recoiled, writhing as they were forced aside. From their reluctant withdrawal, land was dredged forth—scarred, trembling, and unwelcome.