The Sun DisappearsThe Sun DisappearsThe Sun Disappears

Chapter Two: Global PanicUntitled Part 2

The news of the sun's sudden disappearance and reappearance spread like wildfire around the world, causing widespread panic. Governments scrambled to issue statements, scientists were bombarded with questions, and social media was ablaze with rumors and theories.

In many cities, people rushed to supermarkets, hoarding food and supplies, fearing that the sun might disappear again, but this time for good. The event, though brief, had shaken the world's confidence. In New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo, streets were filled with both curious onlookers and frightened citizens. Emergency services were overwhelmed by calls from people concerned about potential power outages and worse.

On TV and online, officials repeatedly emphasized that the ten-minute disappearance of the sun was a "natural astronomical anomaly" and not a sign of impending doom. However, their reassurances did little to calm the masses. Skeptics, doomsday preachers, and conspiracy theorists gained new followers overnight.

Everywhere, discussions centered around one question: What if it happens again?

In China, Chu Yunsheng observed the unfolding chaos with a cold detachment. The panic was exactly what he had expected. For months, he had been preparing for this. Unlike others, Chu Yunsheng had long believed that the world was on the brink of a great transformation—one he had seen foretold in the strange and cryptic words of his family's ancient book.

Though his preparations were mostly complete, the events of the morning had left him with a sense of urgency. His phone had been ringing non-stop since the sun disappeared. Friends, acquaintances, even distant relatives—people who had once dismissed him as paranoid—were now calling to ask for advice, desperate to know what would come next.

But Chu Yunsheng didn't have answers. The truth was, beyond the cryptic warnings in the ancient book, he didn't know what to expect. He couldn't read the more complex sections of the book, and he had no way of knowing what the future held. All he knew was that "when the celestial paths align, all laws will return to order, the universe will be restored, and chaos will reign among men."

That prophecy had haunted him for years, and now it seemed to be coming true.

The sun's brief disappearance, according to the book, was just the beginning. The real changes—cataclysmic and world-altering—were yet to come.

The news outlets, meanwhile, continued their coverage. Across the globe, the headlines echoed a growing sense of dread:

"Solar Anomaly: The World on Edge"
"Doomsday Prophecies Revived as Sun Vanishes"
"What's Next for Humanity?"

Governments worldwide issued statements urging calm, but in some places, riots had already begun. In the United States, violent clashes between police and civilians were reported in several major cities as fear turned to anger. In Europe, protestors gathered in front of government buildings, demanding answers.

Economists warned of severe disruptions if the panic buying continued, predicting that the hoarding of supplies could lead to shortages within days. But few listened to such warnings, too consumed by fear of the unknown.

The situation was dire. While the sun had returned, the psychological damage caused by its disappearance lingered. No one knew what would happen next, and that uncertainty was feeding the growing sense of helplessness and fear.

Meanwhile, back in Chu Yunsheng's apartment, he reviewed his preparations one more time. The ten tons of rice, the purified water, the sealed windows, and the makeshift barricades—all of it had been done with this moment in mind.

He wasn't crazy, despite what others thought. He had been right to prepare. The book had warned him, and now it was all happening. As the hours ticked by, Chu Yunsheng felt a cold resolve settle over him.

He couldn't predict what was coming, but he knew one thing: when the world as everyone knew it fell apart, he would be ready.