My father pulled into the driveway of our home, and we began to make our way inside.
"Just wait until I tell mom about this, she's gonna freak!" my father displayed a mischievous face. "What if we tell her you didn't awaken and act all depressed?"
"Oh, come on dad, lets just go inside..." I shook my head at his idea.
"Awe, come on it would be funny..." my fathers shoulders slumped.
He walked to the door and punched in the code to unlock it.
"Well you must eager to see what power you got after awakening," my father said while opening the door.
"Well... yes, I guess I am a little excited," I displayed a small smile on my face.
We then walked out of the main entrance and into the living room. My mother was sat watching the T.V on the couch. Her delicate features being lit up by the bright screen, and giving her dark eyes a glint. Her head turned towards us once we entered and she gave us a warm smile.
"Hello boys, how did the awakening go?" she sounded hopeful.
"Bad... he didn-" my father's depressed act was cut off due to me elbowing him in the stomach.
"I awakened, mom," I said, shooting my father a quick glare.
"Oh! That's wonderful new honey!" my mother suddenly shot out of her chair and began to bounce up and down while clapping. She sounds ecstatic.
"And, you won't believe what rank his potential got!" my father puffed his chest proudly.
I face palmed and shook my head. 'Here we go...'
"Oh, what did you rank?" my mother slightly tilted her head inquisitively.
"Unreadable..." I replied in an even tone.
"Oh that's gr-," my mother suddenly froze. "Wait, did you say unreadable?!?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Yes, unreadable," I replied.
In all honesty, it still didn't even fell real to me. I was an unreadable, one of only three in history. Millions upon millions of people each year take the awakening test, and only an average of little under one a year have ever been unreadable.
"I need to sit down..." my mother suddenly plopped onto the couch, and placed her head in her hands. As if she was processing what she had just been told.
"It's true," my father said with a serious look. His previous goofiness completely gone.
I could understand why they were acting like this. The implications of my being unreadable meant I was pretty much set to go off to the battle field eventually. Although until then, I would be given everything a fallen child needs to grow into a powerhouse. After all, humanity could use all the powerful fallen children they could get.
"So then, when will he start at the academy?" my mother asked.
"I'm sure the United Government will send some one to contact us soon. I wouldn't be surprised if Ragnvaldr himself came to meet you..." my father scratched his cheek with a wry smile. "Until then, lets just go see what your power is," he continued.
"Okay," I relied, unable to hide the slight shake in my voice from the adrenaline of anticipation.
My father gave my a sideways glance, and led me down the stairs to the basement. We then entered the large training room.
"Alright, son, let me explain how the first 'tier' of your power works," my father said, now extremely serious. As if he was a completely different person.
'Is this how he is on the battlefield?' I thought, a little caught off guard by his sudden change in demeanor.
"Alright, I'm listening dad."
"Good, so first, I'll help you a little by injecting a small amount of ichor into your body. Since you awakened you have some already, but it probably doesn't feel much different from before," my father continued, "Close your eyes and focus on the feeling..."
My father then gently placed his hand on my chest, and I could see a slight golden glow. I closed my eyes slowly and began to... feel inside of me? I wasn't entirely sure what he was getting at, but I'll try my best.
After a few seconds of my eyes being closed, I felt a slight warmth at my core. Right where my fathers hand was placed. I latched onto the feeling, burning it into my mind.
"Do you feel it?" my father asked.
"Yes I do."
"Now, try moving the warmth around in your body."
"Okay."
I tried to give the warmth a little 'nudge'. Although I wasn't sure how I would give a feeling a nudge. After a few tries, I finally moved it a little downwards. As soon as I moved what I assumed was the ichor inside my body, my eyes shot open wide. I quickly closed them again, and I could now feel the ichor that was all throughout my body. It moved with fluidity as if it was a liquid, and my body was filled with it. Although I could sense the difference in purity between my 'natural' ichor and the ichor my father injected.
"I can feel all of it now..." I said slowly, still savoring the new feeling.
"Good, you're fast my little genius," my father replied, slowly removing his hand from my chest.
After he did so, the feeling of his ichor slowly faded as it left my body. It was as if my body was slowly pushing it out, returning itself to it's new 'natural' balance. Well, if having some weird superpower can be called natural in any way.
"Now son, hold out your hand, and move some of you ichor towards it. Do it slowly, or it will overload like when I first awakened and burst into flames," my father instructed.
"Alright..."
I closed my eyes an held out my hand and began to slowly move the ichor in my body towards my outstretched hand. Once come ichor was concentrated there, I felt a sort of flow. I followed the flow instinctually, as I remembered my father saying it should feel natural. I then slowly opened my eyes.
I was greeted by a small bright blob sitting in my hand. It gave off a bright radiance, lighting the large room even further and casting shadows across my face.
"Uh..." I slowly scratched my cheek with my free hand. "What exactly is it?"
"Hmmm...." my father placed his hand on his chin. "Try throwing it at the wall?"
I looked down at the radiant blob, and tried tossing up in the air and catching it again. But surprisingly when I threw it up, it stayed frozen in the air above my hand. I raised my brow slightly.
"Huh, that's interesting..." my father placed his hand on his chin as he observed the blob curiously. "Try to, I don't know... will it to go hit the wall or some thing..."
"Okay..." I replied.
I then pointed at the part of the wall I wanted the blob to hit. 'Go... uh... hit that wall over there little bright blob thing...'
Nothing happened...
"Use your ichor, son," my father shook his head with a face palm.
"Oh, right."
I channeled a bit of my ichor towards my outstretched finger. Suddenly in a flash, the blob appeared at the wall, slamming into it. A slight pop and sizzle rang out through the room. My fathers brows were slightly raised.
"That was fast," he mumbled.
"Yeah..." I stared at the spot the blob hit the wall, there was a slight scorch mark that had a small out of smoke coming off it. "What is it made out of do you think?"
"I'm not sure, try summoning it again," my father said.
I closed my eyes and began to move ichor towards my hand once more. I had an odd feeling though.
'What if I try to picture some thing in my head while forming... whatever that was...' I curiously thought. 'Something that can pierce the wall maybe...'
I brought the image of a broad-headed arrow to the forefront of my mind as I channeled my ichor. As I slowly opened my eyes, I was met with... what sloppily resembled an arrow... maybe? It was crooked, and although the tip was sharp and thick, it looked quite ridiculous. Kind of like a line that a elementary schooler would draw as their 'art' project. It was squiggly, and had uneven thickness throughout. Far from the elegant and sleek broad-headed arrow I imagined.
"Why does it look different from before?" my father curiously observed the new shape of the bright blob.
"Well, I tried to shape it into an arrow form..." I shook my head after glancing at the 'arrow' one more time.
"Pfft..."
Silence filled the room at I stared at my father with a blank look. He turned his head and carried on as if nothing was wrong.
"I heard that by the way," I said in a flat tone.
"Heard what?"
"That little suppressed laugh..."
"Don't know what you're talking about," he replied, turning his head and attempting to whistle to little success.
"Anyways, I'm going to shoot it at the wall again..." I pointed my finger at a different area of the metal panel, and willed the 'arrow' to hit it.
The radiant object once again appeared in front of the wall before slamming into it. This time a small scratch could be seen where the tip made contact. Another scorch mark now adorned the wall.
"Hmmm, it is fast... but it lacks power," my father observed. "It also doesn't really tell us what your power is, you might have to wait for testing from the academy."
"Yeah, I guess that test didn't tell us much about what my power does," I replied.
I stared down at my hand, now seemingly normal. But I could feel the ichor flowing inside my body. I was changed... stronger for sure, but not nearly strong enough yet. I had just begun my journey as one of the fallen children.
"Well, son, I'm very proud of you. I can't wait to see how my little genius will grow!" my father once again put on his goofy smile. "You should get some rest, the United Government will most likely come tomorrow in order to offer you some sort of scholarship to Sophos Academy."
I closed my hand, and replied, "after I'm done training, I haven't finished my daily routine."
"Oh right, it's been such an eventful day I nearly forgot," my father said while making his way towards the door. "Have fun, my little genius."
My father shot me a wink as he went back to his usual goofy personality, and then exited the basement. I could hear the stairs thump as he climbed up to the living room.
I grabbed the old weight that I use to struggle with, and lifted it slowly.
'I'm definitely quite a bit stronger, even after just awakening... I'll probably have to go up in weight a bit.'
I put down the first weight and began to look for one that would be suitable. My eyes hardened with determination.
'I will become strong...' I said while gazing at the new weight that I grabbed.
I then began my first training day as a fallen child.
* * *
I slowly sat up in my bed. School was off for a week, like always, due to the awakening day. They shut down all the school so they can get people sorted into either Sophos Academy, one of the other lesser known academies, or an academy for the non awakened.
The schooling system had changed since the invasion, and fallen children were discovered. Now you stayed in middle school until awakening day. Then depending on if you awakened, and your potential reading, you would be sent to one of the academies for fallen children. If you did not awaken, they set up academies to teach basic military training and what to do in case of lacerta attacks and so on.
I've heard those whose potential is graded as greater or higher have a chance to get into Sophos Academy. Although you aren't forced to go to any specific one, you could choose one of the lesser known ones. But for each fallen child, it is mandatory to go to one of these academies.
I swung my feet off the edge of my bed and took a big stretch. I then went to the washroom and splashed my face with cold water. I stared into the mirror, where my dark eyes gazed back at me. I shook my head, and began to head downstairs and to the basement. As I passed the kitchen I smelt my mother cooking breakfast. I heard her humming a tune as the bacon sizzled and crackled on the pan.
"Good morning honey, you going to train?" my mother said, not even turning away from her cooking.
'How'd she know it was me... scary...'
"Yeah, I'm going to try out my power again," I said while making my way towards the basement door.
"Sounds good, I'll call you when breakfast is done," my mother turned to me with a smile, then turned back to her task and once again began humming a tune.
I made my way into the basement. After sleeping on it, there was something I wanted to try. Once in the large room I held my hand out in front of me and pictured a weapon that had once again become more common. Well at least among fallen children it had. After the fallen children began to engage in combat with the lacerta, they realized the enemy was too fast to aim and shoot at with guns. By the time they were to get a shot off unless the distance was far, the lacerta would be on top of them.
This shifted the fallen children to begin to utilize more primitive weapons. Swords, spears, maces, clubs, pretty much any melee weapon you could think of. Of course, these weapons have evolved with warfare, just like any other weapon would. The mass produced weapons for the fallen children were referred to as the 'New Age Series'. Above the mass produced weapons, there are more powerful weapons, referred to as 'Daedalus Series'. These more powerful weapons are crafted by powerful fallen children with artifact creation based powers. They were awarded to only the most powerful humans, as supply was very limited.
The form of an elegant longsword came to the front of my mind. I closed my eyes to focus my ichor towards my hand. I could feel the object forming in my hand, virtually weightless. Despite the scorch marks that the blob and 'arrow' left on the wall, I felt no discomfort when I held the object directly in my hand. I slowly opened my eyes, to be greeted by a wonky looking blade. I shook my head in disappointment as I looked at the warped form of what was supposed to be a sword.
I tried giving it a swing. It felt a little awkward, probably due to the shape. I then walked up to one of the panels on the wall and prepared to take a swing at it. The blade came rushing at the wall in a swoosh, and once it made contact it shattered. I took a look at what was left of the sword in my hand and titled my head curiously.
'Looks like my constructs aren't very sturdy...' I thought as I observed the destroyed blade.
I then released my control over the ichor giving it shape, and it dissipated into the air.
'Maybe I should focus on shaping the object properly...'
I then went to the middle of the room and sat down in a cross-legged position. My eyes closed shut, and I began once channeling my ichor. This time, I chose the arrow again, as it was much simpler and smaller. I held my hand out and began to attempt to form the arrow.
* * *
Liam Cliff walked through the first floor of his house, noticing a plate with breakfast on it wrapped in clear plastic. Waiting for some one to come eat it. He turned to his wife.
"Amanda, did Jin come up to eat yet?" Liam asked the woman, Amanda, on the couch.
Amanda turned her beautiful face towards his direction, and shook her head, "I was going to call him a while ago when it was done... but he seemed very focused."
"Oh, I see, I'll go check on him then," Liam nodded his head and began to make his way down into the basement.
He went down the stairs and turned the corner, entering the large room. There he observed a youth with pitch black hair, his eyes were firmly closed. He had his hand out in front of him, were an object hovered slightly above it. The object was wriggling and twisting, as if being reshaped over and over again. The youth, Jin, continued this for a couple more minutes. Suddenly his eyes shot open, and he looked at the object that hovered slightly above his hand. He then ruffled his hair in what seemed to be frustration, before he noticed Liam standing there observing him.
"Oh, dad, what's up?" Jin asked, tilting his head slightly as the object he was forming began to dissipate.
"I was just coming to check on you because you hadn't had breakfast yet," Liam raised his brows. "You seemed pretty focused, whatcha up to?"
"I was practicing shaping my power into a more practical form," Jin replied in an even voice. "I was trying to form an arrow again, but it's a lot harder than I thought. How long has it been since breakfast?"
"A couple hours," Liam responded.
"Huh?!? That long?" Jins' eyes widened in slight shock.
"Well, come up and eat, I've been informed that some one is coming to see you soon," Liam smiled and turned to leave.
"Oh, okay," Jin stood promptly and followed his father up stairs.
* * *
As I followed my father upstairs, I scratched the back of my head. I had completely lost track of time and ended up training for far longer than I had planned. And to boot, I had made little progress. We made our way into the living room where I observed the plate of food on the table, and my mother sitting on the couch.
"Sorry, mom, I lost track of time," I wore a nervous smile and scratched my cheek.
"That's okay, I went down to get you but you were very focused. It was adorable..." she mumbled the last part, and I barley caught it.
I blushed slightly in embarrassment, "come on mom, don't tease me like that... dad is already enough"
"Oh fine fine, I just wanted to feel included since you and your father are always going at it," my mother puffed her cheek with a *hmph*.
I shook my head and sat down to eat, quickly shoving the food into my mouth.
"When's the person coming to see me?" I asked my father in between bites of delicious food.
He checked his watch and stated, "in about 20 minutes now."
I nodded my head, and finished eating quickly. I then stood up and began to go upstairs.
"I'm going to take a quick shower before they come," I shouted while running up the stairs to the bathroom.
Got to be presentable after all...
* * *
I made my way downstairs after my shower. I had put my hair back up into my usual ponytail, and brushed my teeth. I wore my finest hoodie and sweats. Although they all look about the same...
I was greeted by my father laughing with what seemed to be an older man. But when he turned as I came down the stair, I could tell that although he looked old, he was full of vigor. He then stood with a smile. If I had to choose one word to describe the man, it was 'massive'. The guy was probably about 6' 9" tall. His shoulders were broad, and his government uniform could not hide his muscular build. His hands were massive, each maybe around the size of a large dinner plate. Despite his imposing build, his face portrayed a kind grandfatherly feel.
I could feel an oppressive force in the room, presumably coming from the old man.
'He must be a big shot,' my brows slightly furrowed under the pressure.
"Ah, so this must be the little one who gave me such a headache. All my staff were running around like headless chicken when they heard there was an unreadable at our very own Die Festungs' awakening day..." the old man's voice was a deep baritone, and he wore a playful smile on his face.
"Uh, I'm sorry sir," I replied, giving a slight bow.
"Oh it's quite alright little one, after all your potential isn't some thing you can control," the old man shot me a wink.
"Son, let me introduce you, this is Ragnvaldr... Head of Governance, and the very first fallen child to awaken," my father gave the old man an introduction.
I stood there, only a little shocked that Ragnvaldr himself had come to see me.
"Oh... uh, hello Ragnvaldr sir. Very nice to meet you," I once again gave a slight bow. "Why has the Head of Governance himself come to see me if I might ask?"
Ragnvaldr still wore a smile, "hmmm, so it is true that you talk 'all fancy' as Lewis put it."
"Oh, so you know uncle Lewis?" I curiously inquired.
"Why of course, he is one of my generals after all," Ragnvaldr gave a hearty laugh.
"I see," I replied, unfazed.
I had already figured that Lewis held a high position in the United Government. So this didn't come as much of a shock.
"You're a rather composed little one," Ranglvaldr said in a kind tone.
"I guess you could say that," I shrugged.
"Well then, let's get to the reason I'm here," Ragnvaldr continued; "I would like you to move into the dorms of Sophos Academy, of course all expenses of your stay will be covered by us. This includes tuition, any living expenses, and you will be given a budget to purchase items for yourself every month. Any part of the budget that isn't spent will be pooled and you will be able to use it the next moth if you do not see a need to use it."
I whistled, "wow, that's quite the offer..."
'Is this what it's like to be an unreadable?' I placed my chin in my hand, and began to think.
I can't really see any downsides, no expenses, and I get to go to the academy I wanted. After all it was the best academy humanity had for fallen children.
'If I want to become strong, I should use all the resources I can get, but...'
"What are the conditions?" I inquired.
"Ha ha ha, you're rather intelligent for a child," Ragnvaldr gestured to the seat across from him. "Let's discuss it."
I took a seat across from him and we began the discussion. To sum it up, in return for the all inclusive scholarship, he wanted me to join the Watchers for two years after graduation. All in all, it wasn't a bad deal. Although being one of the Watchers wasn't the safest job, I'm sure it would make for good training. I would get to fight against all sorts of different powers. As long as I could survive that is...
I looked down at the table in deep thought, 'I should take it, I must use anything I can get in order to get stronger.'
A silence filled the room for a few moments.
"I'll take it," I replied, steeling my resolve.
After all, in this world... only those who become strong can survive...
-Chapter Five End-