The whole town is lit constantly to scare the evil away. Zalu's lighting system is slowly progressing. Right now, it's still in the medieval age. The curse does have benefits to the village; their technology is more advanced than any normal city upon Earth. Our immune systems can take out any virus or super-bug instantly while victims outside suffer in agony.

Concurrently, I am gazing at the treeline upon the porch of my new home. It's cozy and modern. My life outside was mainly in campgrounds because I love to travel.

Tonight is the Gloomy Lottery, a ceremony where every Zulalians travel to Selphine's mansion to drink, dance, chat, and a lucky drawing. Everyone is given a number. A number will be drawn within two hours of the ceremony. Whoever gets picked, they are the chosen one. It's an adventure for them; a journey to freedom. After the celebration is done, they venture off beyond the light and into the trees. Legends say that past the treeline is the portal to the normal world. The chosen one's task is to leave this place and bring back more humans.

Sadly, none of them have returned. High priests told us that they envisioned them only leaving the portal . They are labeled as rotten flesh: traitors to Zalu.

My eyes focused on the woods. I am trying to estimate how many miles of trees until the portal. I think more than twenty miles. It's hard to assume with an eternal night sky. I am still wondering how high priests can see beyond our sight. Maybe they are superhuman? A creature? Past chosen ones? I am eager to know.

The wind suddenly gusts. Eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk! The banshees shriek in a chorus. Initially, it annoyed me, but now, I endure it. Their cries originate from the woods. That's the only demonic sounds I've heard thus far. If there were other demons, why can't I hear their cry? Darkness and other buildings prevent me from seeing their forms as well. As an adventurer, I am always curious. If my wonder takes over me, it's irresistible.

After a few moments, the wails subsided. A new sound arise in the echo: a proud wolf howl. That's the sign to come to Selphine's mansion. I went back inside and remove my cloak. Contrast to others', mine is dark grey with white edges. I let the light expose my black tuxedo. I may not be a male with a formal desire, but I've grown used to it.

"Once again, the yearly ceremony." I heavily sigh before leaving my home. I am with a crowd of civilians. We slowly walk towards the mansion with ecstasy. Despite living in darkness, we've learned to cope with conflicts and bond within our society.

My eyes widen with familiar thrill once I see Selphine's mansion. It's glowing with multicolored lights, a fluorescent fog that emits an angelic glow, and heavy music that makes my heart shake. The aura inside the mansion is radiating excitement. I fight myself from overwhelmingly fainting. Mostly, everyone is heading towards the dance room. Literally, everyone, including myself. Beforehand, the guards at the gate hand me my lottery ticket number.

237 is my lucky number this year.

A major pat on my shoulder brings me into a complete standstill. It was from Cain, the same guy who visited me on my first night here. Well, hostility. He turned out to be an awesome guy. His golden eyes flare up as he smiles at me brightly.

"Hello, Sy!" He chimes as we high five each other.

"Long time, no see." I've replied sarcastically. The last time we hung out was yesterday. There's no difference in time; time doesn't exist. We also don't have Sun, seasons, and temperature swings. Temperature remains constant throughout the whole year.

"Hoping to be picked in the Gloomy Lottery?" He asked.

"Yes," I admit without hesitation, "I want to do an adventure."

"Sheesh, Sy, you always want to shine above two hundred Zulians," he humorously comments.

I notice his eyes become black, his normal eye-color. I thought he was an undercover demonic creature, but he wasn't. He told me that he was just like me four centuries ago. He also told me his human name: Cameron. As a Zulian, your name will change. My human name is Tyler. Once I've became a Zulian, I am Sy. Unique name, huh? All of us have unique names; we have conformity.

"I am not trying to chase fame. I just wanna explore," I said.

Cain and I begin walking again. We've headed inside the ballroom. The sounds of chatter and music blow into my eardrums. This is the heart of the ceremony. If you can't endure the noise, you better stay away as far as possible; this music can be heard miles away. I live about two-thirds away from Selphine's mansion and the music is still alive.

"I've still remembered when you were a new flesh," he says with a smile, eyes turning to green. New flesh is a term for a newcomer in Zula.

"How many years ago? I've lost track of years and days..." I asked him hesitantly.

He bursts into fits of laughter. "You still gotta learn more things. Time elapses slower than the outside world; however, why are you so worried about time since we never age? Immortality, Sy! No Earthling possesses that!"

"I guess three to five years," I estimate.

"Whatever, figure it out on your own. I am gonna see my girl. Catch ya soon!" He informs before disappearing into the partying crowd. I trail away from the crowd to find the buffet full of mouth-watering food and tasty beverages. I grab a class of blackberry punch.

I took a small sip. Immediately, a splash of berry flavors makes my taste buds dance. So refreshing after drinking water all year round. Why can't Selphine let us have sugary drinks more often? It's much better than the outside.

"I wouldn't drink that if I were you," a soft, warm voice emerges from behind me. I spun around to see a mystical woman. Her skin is soft and clear. The woman's hair is platinum blond and flows past her mid-back. Some parts of her flesh were covered with green-bluish mermaid scales.

"Wh-Why not?" I ask while not taking her seriously.

"Just don't," Her voice turns stern as her face goes flat.

"Miss, don't be vague; you have to give a reason why!" I order.

She just stares at me. Her eyes turn glossy orange. "In a few hours, when you crawl closer to oblivion, you shall know why." She reassures.

This girl is giving off mysterious and unpleasant vibes, yet I am somewhat attracted to her. I muster up saying, "Who are you and what do you mean?"

"I am Selphine's assistant, Chimes. I know who she is and what she is up to," She admits.

I then ask her, "How come we never see you?"

Chimes turn sour. "I am always busy all the time."

I kind of felt that she is lying straight to my face; however, it feels she's trying to warn me of something. I slowly nod and pretend that I believe her. If she's hiding something, I need to get close to her.

She places her fingertips against her temples and her eyes clamp shut. "What is it?" She says in a serious voice. "Fine, I guess. I am heading over, I will see you soon."

I stare at her in confusion. She opens her eyes and her arms return back to her sides. Once she saw me, her face flares red with embarrassment.

"Oh!" She says baffled. "Sorry, I have telepathy. I have to go, nice meeting ya- Uhhh.'' She becomes mentally stuck.

"I am Sy," I assist.

"Thank you, Sy, I shall see ya soon." She bows to me before disappearing into the crowd.

She's odd. Compared to other people, I reckon she's the most aberrant one in the group. Pretty sure, she isn't human.

I tried to brush Chimes off my mind by hardcore dancing with the blaring music. In Zula, you can drink as much as you want because you can't become drunk. For the next two hours, I've danced in the crowd until the lottery starts.

"Zulians, can I have your attention?" Selphine's bold voice booms. Her tone sends shock waves; everything fell dead silent while we wince towards her.

"The lottery is about to commence," she states. "For any new flesh here, the lottery is held once per year. Upon this night, we party our pants off until we do the drawing." She walks towards the glittery silver raffle box upon a small stand. The small stand is always placed in the middle of the ballroom. Everyone's eyes follow her movements as she places her hands inside the box. "Each one of you has a ticket, which contains a number. If your number gets drawn, you are the chosen one. The chosen one ventures off to Beljang, the demonic forest. If you reach the edge of Beljang, there is the portal to the outside world. The chosen one tries to gather more humans to join the town. All the past chosen ones never return. Maybe this year, we will have a loyal one."

My eyes study everyone's expressions: there's excitement, thrill, confusion, fear, and urgency. I can tell if someone is a new flesh by the worry on their faces. They are new folks that recently learned about the dreadful Beljang woods. Honestly, I am not scared anymore. I have only heard the banshees screaming and no demonic roars. Maybe the forest is not as bad as they thought? Maybe it's all just mass hysteria? Maybe Selphine is just making it up?

Selphine's hand swims around in the box until she finally pulls out one. "237!" She reads out loud.

My eyes widen in pure shock. My number has been called. I don't know if I should scream in jubilation or cry. I am the chosen one.

"Whomever possesses 237, please come up!" She humbly orders.

As I took my first step, my legs turn into jello. To avoid causing a long wait, I jog up towards Selphine and show her my ticket. She smiles and says, "Congratulations, Sy Tomia."

She shouts the crowd: "Sy Tomia is our new chosen one! Bid him farewell!" The audience erupts into loud applause. I can't believe that I finally have a chance to explore the woods all by myself! Selphine then whispers to me to go to her office in a few minutes before she walks away.

The first one to say goodbye is Cain. "I can't believe it, buddy, you are the chosen one!" He declares in true shock.

"Agreed," I admit.

"Goodluck to you, Sy! Bring back more new flesh." He pats my shoulders. He then happily sighs. "Few years after you came here, you are ready to explore again. Ready for one hell of an adventure?"

"You betch ya!" I shout.

Then Cain's girl arrives at her boyfriend's side. She wraps her arms around his shoulders. We barely even know each other, but she's friendly and quiet. Cain told me her name that expresses the mourn of winter: Frost Zazeen. Frost has short wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. Her skin is very pale; hence, her light blue veins are clearly visible. She has been in Zula longer than Cain. A year ago, Frost told us that she is five hundred years old! She warned us that her icy-cold flesh is enough to cause a severe frostbite until you find her warmth. Her aura makes Zulalians feel that a cold breeze has brushed past them. She's an interesting creature.

"Congratulations, Sy," She says in a soft voice. I thank her.

"Anyway, Sy, we saw an unfamiliar creature-lady chatting with you. Who is she?" He ask.

"Chimes, she's Selphine's assistant," I explain.

"Never even heard of her," I can hear Cain's voice alarmed.

"She told me she has been busy all the time," Said I, "I am also suspicious of her; however, she doesn't seem that bad."

"She could be undercover?" Frost assumes. "I've seen her before."

We all wince at her. "Where?" We asked simultaneously.

"I saw her at the edge of the woods while I was putting up my clothes two days ago. My brother and I live near the woods. Her light skin and hair helped me notice her. She was walking deeper into it. I think she may be a demon spying on Selphine."

I nod. "I will check her out once I am in Beljang."

All two of them nodded before telling me to be careful. A guard leads me to Selphine's office. She lends me a bunch of supplies and weapons. "Goodluck to you, Sy, you are about face dangers in those woods. In the lightless, that's where they feed."

"I am aware, your excellency, I shall do my best," I assure while a bow. For some reason, I never have made promises before. When I try to recollect any promises in the past, I only felt a void.

"Let's see about that." She says with doubt. I couldn't blame her; many people in the past turned into rotten flesh.