"Today's history lesson will be on the decimation and recreation of Earth back in 2040. Can anyone tell me what major event occurred that nearly wiped out life as we know it?" Mrs. Hellen asked, adjusting the brownish grey hair away from her glasses and flipping to a page in the book in front of her.
"Allow me," called out a young man with a prideful air, blue eyes sparkling in a cold light.
"Go ahead, James," Mrs. Hellen gave her consent for an answer.
"It was an event known as the Starfall. A meteor shower from unknown origins struck Earth, wiping out a quarter of the population and making all tech useless. The material in the meteors acted as an electromagnetic disruptor, nullifying electricity, magnetism and even caused the Earth to fluctuate on its axis, making it spin almost sideways. Along with this material, Fallen stars also arrived, granting different abilities to thousands of survivors. I'm proud to say I've inherited an ice power from my ancestors!" James responded cockily, emphasizing his superiority toward the rest of the class. Of the seventeen soon to be high school graduates, James was one of only three whose power had awakened, and was well ahead of the other two.
"That's right, James. In August of 2040, a massive shower of what was unknown debris pummelled earth, and in fact cost us around three and a half billion lives. The shower continued for almost an entire day, effectively hitting all corners of the Earth. The first debris James mentioned is what we call ionic rock, also more familiarly known as death rock. It can be identified by the black obsidian color it reflects along with a higher density than lead, and more amazingly the small hum it makes. We have tried to study these rocks as best we could in hopes of bringing the world back to its former self, however, with limited advancements in technology, we have gotten almost nowhere in the three hundred years since the incident.
"Along with the death stone, another material which we have named fallen stars, or star stones appeared in the shower. Coming into contact with this stone had the potential to become a blessing or a curse. The star stone could grant a person a biological makeover, providing special abilities the world had never seen. Some gained enhanced strength or vision, making them stronger than even the largest mamals, or faster than cheetahs or possibly falcons, or enhanced taste, creating culinary experts in a devastated world. Other powers over elements were also brought out, fire and water being most prevelent, but on some occasions more exact controls could be obtained, like James's ice. I assume by now you all are aware of the various abilities that can be gained.
At the same time however, coming into contact with a star stone can also be fatal. The odds are around 50/50. In case of fatality, the person is completely unwound on an atomic level, turning to dust and disappearing in the wind."
Devon listened halfheartedly to the lecture, consciousness fading in and out. While most of his classmates came from families with ability users whose abilities could be inherited in time, he was one of the few whose family over the last three hundred years never came into contact successfully with a star stone. His uncle had come across one that had been missed in a clearing operation that took place half a century ago. Upon his discovery, he carefully wrapped it and took it home with him.
At that time, possessing a star stone had become illegal, and all stones or shards were to be turned in to the local governments, in this case the government of New Texas, which included some of the surrounding territories that made up the previous United States.
Upon returning home, Uncle Drew had shown the stone to Devon's father, Mark, and excitedly proceeded to take hold of the stone. In an instant, Uncle Drew disappeared, leaving the family to grieve his loss, and prompting Mark to turn the stone over to the local sheriff.
Knowing he would never amount to anything in this super powered world, Devon hadn't even bothered to apply to higher learning, or any military position, opting to train in one of the few mundane jobs available to someone with no special talents, maybe a script writer at the library. Without electricity, all information was passed down through handwritten or typewritten books. If he was lucky, he might find an old typewriter at an antique shop in good shape. After all, there was no real way of repairing a broken one in this day and age. He would still have to work several years to afford one, but it would be worth it to save his hands.
"Well class, there is a reason I bring up this topic," Mrs. Helen continued. "We will be taking a trip to one of the largest Starfall craters, the Crater of the Fall, on the northern side of the territory, near Dallas 2. We will head out this weekend, and begin our exploration of the crater on Monday. While there, we will look for death stones, and perform our own studies. Also I want you all to know, and it is your choice, after the exploration, you will have a chance to come in contact with a star stone. I personally recommend not doing so if no one in your family has an ability. It is best to only touch the stone if you have a potential inheritance that hasn't awakened, even then it could still be risky. I strongly recommend no one else attempt it, but as I stated, it will be your choice. I will now hand out the consent forms. Anyone under 18 will need their parent or guardian to fill it out for them. Please bring them back tomorrow."
Devon started from his daze at that announcement, then promptly put it to the back of his mind. He was 18, shorter than most of his classmates, with almost black hair and green eyes. He was stocky for his height, but not overly so. Knowing his family's fortune, he knew he should steer clear of any star stone to avoid the same outcome of his uncle.
Devon took one of the forms as they were passed around. He stuffed it into his goatskin bag, and got ready to leave the classroom.
"Are you about to head home?" A woman's voice called out from behind him.