Anito Anarchy

According to folklore, obscure forces secretly live among us, shaping the natural world and influencing human affairs. Some call them spirits, others refer to them as guardians, and some even worship them as gods. But to the old and wise, those who understand what lies beyond this world, they are simply called "Anito."

If you were to tell this tale to Makisig "Maki" Kagiwa, a 15-year-old high school student, he would dismiss it as nothing more than a silly superstition. Living in a bustling modern city, Maki views old beliefs as outdated stories with no place in reality. But his skepticism will be put to the test when he encounters the paranormal firsthand.

What will he do when he realizes that the creatures and monsters from long-forgotten legends truly exist in the modern world?

Will he become a believer before it's too late? Or will his doubts cost him dearly when he and his older brother find themselves hunted by otherworldly beings---creatures whose motives remain a deadly mystery?

***

Out of nowhere, an ominous creature in a tailored suit lunged at me, claws swiping through the air. I stumbled backward to avoid the attack and lost my balance. The creature shrieked and dove toward me, but I managed to block its claws with my baseball bat.

Face-to-face with this monstrosity, panic and exhaustion took hold. Its grotesque features triggered a primal terror I had never experienced before.

I lay flat on the ground, clutching the bat like a lifeline. The other creatures seized the opportunity, racing toward me with murderous intent etched on their twisted faces. My blood ran cold as I saw them close in, clawing and slashing at me from all angles.

A scream tore from my throat as something sharp punctured my stomach. My life flashed before my eyes, just as people always said it would in the face of death. I couldn't believe this was how my life would end---devoured by creatures wrapped in inscrutable mystery.

***

Note: This story is written in English.