Doomsday Pillars

Ever since the dawn of civilization, humanity had been wondering if they were alone in the universe. Was Earth the only planet hosting life in the vast galaxy? Countless scientists and technologies had been invented in the world but still couldn’t prove it. Today, however, the answer had presented itself before the eyes of all humans on earth.

On the 100th day of the deadly plague that brought the end-time chaos; finally, the question that had always eluded humanity was answered. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

From behind the terrifying storm, 1008 extraterrestrial objects simultaneously entered the Earth’s atmosphere. Instantly, the sky ripped open and the giant pillars descended, forging a fierce wind that swept almost everything in its path.

1008 giant pillars rooted themselves in the seven continents; Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. In the middle of a city, deep in the forest, on a hill and others. Every human who had survived fixed their eyes on this unknown object. Fear, anxiety, uncertainty, haunted all humanity.

There were a few who were filled with hope.

Hong Kong Island

Six days after the extraterrestrial object landed on Mount Cameron, all routes to and from the hill had been locked down and posted with guards. Although the Hongkong survivors are curious by the object, the months of disasters made them afraid to go near it.

That afternoon, however, Christina who was having a meeting with her Firebird leaders were shocked by the noise from outside the room.

"LET GO! LET GO!"

Shouted the four children who were being carried by a couple of uniformed soldiers.

"Reporting, Ma’am! We have caught a number of children trying to infiltrate restricted areas!"

Seeing the four children’s identities, Christina sighed and shook her head. Meanwhile, Maxine frowned. Christina said to the soldier, "Thank you, just leave them here."

"Yes, Ma’am!"

The four teenagers were Ma Sing and his three friends.

The moment the soldier had left, Maxine slammed the table. "NAUGHTY CHILDREN SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED!"

Ma Sing and his three friends trembled.

But before Maxine could do anything, Christina said, "Stop it, Maxine."

"But sister Christina, these children must be taught a lesson!"

Christina kept quiet and walked toward the four teenagers before kneeling to face the scared kid. "Ma Sing,"

"Y-Yes, a-auntie?" Ma Sing stuttered, afraid of being punished, but when he met eyes with the smiling beautiful woman, he stopped trembling.

"Ma Sing, are you curious to see that thing up close?"

"Yes, auntie..." said Ma Sing in a small voice.

"You should have told auntie. You shouldn’t go alone."

"I’m sorry, auntie."

Christina stroked Ma Sing’s hair and said, "Auntie knows you’re a good boy. Behave yourself next time, okay?"

"Yes, auntie."

"How about this, we’ll pass by the large object before we head back to the base. Would you like that?"

The faces of Ma Sing and his three friends immediately glowed with joy.

Christina, Maxine and Corrie, along with the four children, took a van and parked on a hill about 3 kilometers away from the location of the extraterrestrial object. From this hill, they could still clearly see the colossal pillar.

A solid black structure as tall as a 100-story building. Although it was shaped like a skyscraper, it’s surface was ragged and abstract. The whole structure was also emitting trails of lights along its body. Although the building looked mysterious and ominous, strangely enough, Christina didn’t feel any threat coming from the unknown structure.

"Auntie, is it true that someone has tried to enter it?"

From behind the children, Christina nodded. Three days ago, one elite Hong Kong police force led by the police chief had entered the foreign building. But until now, there was still no news about their return.

"Are they going to be okay, auntie?" Ma Sing asked.

Christina smiled again. "Yes, I’m sure they’ll be fine."

Christina remembered her friend who had predicted the presence of this extraterrestrial pillar and how it would be the solution to face future threats against humanity.

"Doomsday Pillars..." Christina muttered.

"Eh! What’s that, auntie?" Ma Sing asked, astonished.

"It’s the name of the giant pillar in front of us."

After that Christina, escorted the four children back to the shelter. And as usual, Mei Ling was waiting at the gate, ready to punish her naughty big brother.

Dusk had already arrived, but Christina and her Firebirds still didn’t have time to rest and made her rounds visiting the various guard’s posts. Six days ago, the underwater tunnel connecting Hong Kong Island to Hong Kong City had collapsed due to the powerful earthquake. And since that day, the threat from zombies had subsided. Still, the troops remained on guard at several posts alongside the sea watching hundreds of thousands of zombies from afar.

The last place Christina visited was a new guard post made six days ago. The powerful earthquake had caused countless cracks and shifted terrain. And specifically, on the east side of Hong Kong Island, a temple had sunk beneath the ground because of a giant sinkhole.

Due to the collapsed underwater tunnel and the descent of the Pillar, the government didn’t find the collapse temple and sinkhole as something unusual, but Christina still requested a guard post to be placed at the temple’s location.

"Okay, last post. And after that... we can rest," said Maxine, who was driving the van.

The others agreed in silence.

"There should be a guard at this gate," Maxine said. She pressed the van’s honk.

TETT!! TETT!!

"Wow! Don’t tell me they’re sleeping!"

TETT!! TETT!!

"Maxine, wait!" Corrie said as she leaned into the window. "Something’s off!"

Christina suddenly had a bad feeling. The three of them got out of the van with their weapons ready.

"Zombies?" Maxine whispered.

"It’s too quiet... very strange," Corrie said.

Slowly, they approached the temple’s ruins, but they didn’t find anyone.

"Is it possible that Colonel Chan moved them?" Corrie asked.

"That’s impossible. I’ve placed two of our members here. They would have told us if they were given other duties," Christina said.

"Corrie, how many troops are stationed at this post?" Maxine asked.

"There should be almost 30 soldiers," Corrie replied.

"It’s impossible for 30 people to disappear suddenly without reporting to anyone. Maxine, report it immediately to headquarters," Christina said.

"Sister Christina!" Corŕie exclaimed, pointing to the small puddle of blood on the ground.

"..."

Christina withdrew her saber and lifted an object in the middle of the pool to take a closer look. "It’s a human eyeball!"

"!!!"

On the sixth night, 30 soldiers had vanished without a trace. There were no signs of fighting and nothing was left. Hundreds of soldiers had been sent to investigate the surrounding area only to find nothing except for scattered pools of blood. Just like that, 30 people suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth. Of course, they suspected the sinkhole, but it was like a bottomless pit. Not to mention, they didn’t have the proper equipment to go down and back up the hole.

But that wasn’t the end of the increasing anxiety and threats to the residents of the city of Hong Kong. The next day, bad news arrived at the meeting inside the main headquarters. At dawn, Colonel Chan and Li Song Ki the wealthy businessman and his entourage had left HongKong island with the only ship that still functioned. Christina ship from Singapore.