A near-deafening crack of thunder booms overhead, mere milliseconds after lightning struck the protective metal rod fixed atop a nearby skyscraper. So powerful that the resulting shockwave sets off a few nearby car alarms. The noise being enough to convince any citizens unfortunate enough to be caught out in the weather to sprint for nearby cover.
It is late June, which here in the city of Tokyo, Japan marks the height of the country's monsoon season. On this early evening, the full might and fury of mother nature is on display; bringing life in the city to a near standstill. Not simply due to the near constant flashes of lighting which illuminated the darkening sky, but also the lashing rain which falls loud and heavily, battering the city streets below. Rain so intense anyone caught out in the storm would struggle to see a few meters in front of them. This is an event severe enough to temporarily shut down public transportation and force citizens to hunker down at the nearest possible safe location, many taking refuge at nearby stores or restaurants until it becomes safe to travel again.
These fierce events, albeit extremely dangerous, are nothing new to the citizens of Japan, especially this time of year. While some years were more forgiving than others, most adults could recall their fair share of brutal monsoons. However, to those paying close attention there seems to be something unplaceable yet unusual occurring in the city tonight. First, the storm appeared suddenly and with little warning; there had been no report of such a storm by any local meteorologists. Stranger still, a supernatural feeling energy fills the air around the Shibuya special ward, one of the busiest shopping and financial sectors in the entire metropolis. A static like energy radiates these city blocks, making hairs stand on end while electronic devices glitch and flicker. Nearby citizens notice something else too, the peculiar fact that numerous bolts seem to be discharging upon the same cluster of buildings, perhaps dozens of times.
It is at this moment, that young mother Murakami Chika, in a panic to protect her child, picks up five year old Murakami Mari, before racing off to a coffee shop that she spots nearby. Though they have only been out in the rain for a couple of minutes, the weather has soaked through their clothing. Chika nearly trips before finally making it to the protection of a large metal awning that protrudes over the entranceway. Once safe she sets her daughter down by the entranceway. Several people are there already who take notice of this and encourage the young parent to make her way inside the small shop.
"Mama look." Mari says loudly, but is barely audible under the crack of more lightning.
"Mari we have to get inside before you get sick." Her mother commands in a firm tone, taking her by the wrist.
"But Mama!" Mari shouts, pointing up towards the sky with her free arm.
Chika follows the young girl's gaze, as does the small crowd of people standing nearby. She stands there in shock, unable to believe what they are seeing.
An older man from the crowd shouts that they are witnessing an omen, that they need to get inside now. Mari takes one last look at the city skyline before her mother practically drags her inside.
High up above the streets, atop that very same building that young Mari was enraptured by, something strange occurs on the currently abandoned observation deck. Lighting strikes the platform again and again, seeming to gain speed upon each occurrence. The bolts of lightning produce an eerie green glow. They appear like splashing waves spreading and flowing across the visible horizon, almost resembling the northern lights. But this is Tokyo, over 1200 kilometers away from the already rare sightings of the aurora over Hokkaido. Unlike the aurora these lights begin to swirl and shift, ejecting an electrical discharge which jumps its way across nearby rooftops. Over the next thirty seconds, the light becomes more and more erratic until finally, the ear-splitting sound of a large explosion can be heard across the city, even as far away as the man-made Island of Odaiba.
It is in this explosion of light and sound that something appears at the very edge of the observation deck. A human being is hurled forward, seemingly from the void, and slams down hard on the plexiglass walkway. Hitting the deck with such might that small cracks spread across the panel of protective glass. He is bloodied, winded, and soaked to the bone, but the deluge of water and roaring thunder encourages him to fight through the pain and get to his feet. A sudden gale of wind nearly takes him over the railing, requiring all of his strength to stay upright. His mind is shaken but realizing that he cannot stay here, he follows the railing until he reaches a plexiglass door. Upon reaching for the handle he realizes it is locked. The situation, clearly being one of life or death, he does not hesitate to produce a small tool from his bag, which he presses firmly against the glass, clicks a button, and watches as the door shatters, spraying shards in every direction.
Rushing beyond the doorway into the safety of the central viewing deck, the young man barely gets the opportunity to look around and adjust to his surroundings, before he feels the intense compulsion to lurch forward and wretch; eventually expelling the meager contents of his stomach. Wiping his mouth, and taking several labored breaths he struggles to calm his nerves.
"Where am I?" He questions in a whisper lost to the storm.