“the following message has been transmitted at the request of the pacworld safety association. at 10:35 p.m. central time, a massive swarm of unidentified entities has been sighted emerging from maze #256, close to maze high school. the cause for this abnormality is unknown, but it is recommended that everyone in the immediate vicinity of maze high school evacuate immediately, until further notice. follow the instructions.”
about twenty minutes later, the station is once again interrupted with an emergency alert.
“the following message has been transmitted at the request of the pacworld safety association. the disembodied spirits of the dead have invaded pacworld and are spreading rapidly over the area. every spirit is considered to be highly dangerous, and citizens are advised to avoid any encounters at all cost. do not panic. remain calm, and stay vigilant. it is heavily advised that everyone in uptown pacopolis evacuate immediately. if one is unable to evacuate, turn off all lights and all electronics in the home and find an enclosed space with no outside doors or windows. be prepared to stay there for the next few days. do not answer the door for anyone, even if it looks like someone you know. failure to follow these instructions may result in—”
a piercing whine emits from the station. a new message then plays, a complete 180º from the previous.
“the alert has been lifted. everything is alright. there is no emergency. there is no need to evacuate. it is safe to stay in the area, and it is heavily advised that everyone go outside right now. follow the instructions. go outside right now. follow the instructions. go outside right now. go outside. go outside. go outside, go outside, go outside, go outside, go—”
a low buzzing sound is heard before almost every television in pacopolis cuts to static. the power then shuts off completely, plunging the majority of pacopolis into darkness.
---
meanwhile, in the round house, president spheros white-knuckle grips the armrests of his chair, his lit face a picture of helpless fury. it took him almost twenty years to rebuild pacopolis into the shining city it was only a few short hours ago, and it’s only taken twenty minutes for everything to fall apart around him.
twenty goddamn minutes.
the screen before him transmits one last message—a message that instantly morphs his rage into bone-chilling horror—before it, too, cuts to black.
“come down to the netherworld, stratos. your brother is waiting for you.”