A girl sat on the rooftop , in her hand a book titled 'SPACE BOUND' . It talked about what hidden beyond the sky : plants ,stars ,black holes .
her blue eyes wandered each page, following names and moons scattered across the galaxy .
A gray piece of ash landed onto the page's rough surface . It made her raise her head and gaze at the so..called 'SKIES' . Unlike the book , the real sky is hidden , under layers of gray ash blankets with fallen snow .
She wished she could gaze upon what the moon looked like or the sun up close . Their lights were faint , trying to pierce the layers of ash and snow made by human creations .
A slight breath escaped her lips ,buffeting against the cold wind .
from her perch the city below looked like an old military base . streets lined with regimented barracks now converted into housing ,and holographic signs flickering in the gray light . People lived in those old ,military cabinets. What's more, there are still scars of battles on the surrounding old structure .
The city was famous for the landmark in the middle of it . It was an old industrial factory with steaming towers, pumping smoke and ash nonstop all year. It was their powerhouse .
" The world looked nicer years ago ". the girl murmured softly to herself .
Her attention was caught up in daydreams of the 'old world' until the band wrapped around her wrist shimmered, signaling she had received a message. the girl fingers pressed on the band's soft surface until it glowed, projecting a hologram . She saw two people wearing lab coats. their hair disheveled and eyes showing hints of fatigue , accented by the black bags beneath them .
" Everly!! , my dear child ,why did I hear from the school headmaster that you stopped coming to school ?" The woman said, eyebrows pinched tightly marking her tired features .
Everly rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, her black shoulder length hair falling like a curtain to shield her annoyed expression. then replied:
" Mother!! I...".
" *Even if you think it's pointless ... you still need to go . After graduation, you can do whatever you like !!".
Everly's eyes narrowed at her mother's words , she felt resented by her . How could her mother understand her struggle in school or their rigid system? Her mother, Anna, knew she wouldn't fit in but still forced her to attend . How unfair.
From the corner of her eyes, Everly peeked her father's smile awkwardly behind her mother . She could tell he wanted her to convey her mother's words and agree . but no... she had enough of being the obedient daughter , so she revealed a plan she had kept hidden from them .
" No mother , I will not go back . As a matter of fact , I have already joined the project 'Starlight' led by Doctor Gem . At least there *kinless* like me in there !. So don't try to force me into the world of Kin users while I am Kinless ! ".
Her mother opened and closed her mouth in disbelief , her finger pointing at Everly ready to shout her lungs out... but Everly was faster . Her finger pressed hard on the band ,ending the call early .
" I should go now, before they do something to ruin this, " Everly muttered to herself . She pushed herself to her feet and jumped off the rooftop . Behind her, the cloud of ash turned two shades brighter. Morning had come to the city of WINTER RAY .
Walking around the city , Everly boots almost sank into the thick snow . Her heavy coat on her made each step worse . If she were a 'Kin' user , life would be easier . Having superpowers was something everyone dreamed of . Even some had made movies about it in the old ages of humanity .
"Eve!" yelled a woman wearing a battle suit, her hand gripping a spear
.Everly's lips curved into a small smile . pausing her step, Eve stood straight, arms crossed to match the women's strong appearance .
" Good day, Amanda. "
the woman laughed before her hand rubbed Everly's head .
" Good day to you too , Eve . By the way, is it true ? You joined the 'Starlight' project ?"
its seemed news moved so fast, she thought, then lifted her chin proudly and replied
" Indeed!. Doctor Gem suggested it for me a week ago, and I thought, why not ? ..... after all, I don't have many options as 'Kinless'." .
Amanda stared in surprise, noticing how Eve's voice dropped at the end of her words .
" That is not true , I know many 'kinless' people .Some were famous for changing the world. ".
" Oh?. Name one who didn't follow the path of science then? " . Hearing Eve's words, Amanda gave a faint smile at her question .There was a brief silence between them as they walk ahead in the thick snow .
" Still, are you sure about joining Project Starlight ? Is there a chance to be on the frontlines? ." Amanda asked.
At the thought of the Frontline, Eve nervously bit her lips . Of course, deep down she wasn't sure... after all she was still seventeen .
A year ago, when she turned sixteen, she was happy. waiting for her awakening like every human after the Dark ages, where monsters invaded Earth leaving remnants of their destruction behind . That night, she felt nothing at all ...she didn't awaken . Everly remembered her parents' expressions slowly before they comforted her ,saying it was alright; she could become a scientist, and they could guide her along that path .
clearing her mind of past regrets , Eve put a smile on her face and said " certainly ! , but first i need to pass the test for piloting the machine" . she hurried forward, leaving Amanda stunned.
After some time , Eve arrived at the northern defensive line of the city. Her eyes scanned the thick layers of smoke and debris; visibility was worse on this side .She couldn't see what lay a head anymore .her finger brushed the goggles as she pulled them down to shield her eyes .
Struggling against the biting wind, Eve pushed forward. Soon letting out a relieved breath , Eve relaxed. . When Eve reached the defense tower of their city , she paused to take it in .Its was a long tall tower that forced people to tilt their heads back just to see the top . Sparks flickered from it . It was used to monitor monster activity in the fragment lands far ahead .
Eve could now spot many unfamiliar faces . Some of them worked with 'Kin' users to craft weapons or battle suits , after the main city of IRON HOLD city had fallen under the monster onslaught .
Their city was left to manage the resource shortage, supplying those on the frontlines with equipment .As for kinless people like her, they could either learn a madman's job trade skills or try to enter the STARLIGHT project .
her footsteps halted In front of the tower's entrance. After she showed her ID to the guards , their lips curled into a sneer before one of them added :
" It must be nice to have connections ". Eve poked the inside of her cheek at their words , convinced they thought her parents were the reason she had the privilege to be here . typical behavior. She thought.
Her finger almost snatched it back . but steadied herself with slow breath . The guards handed it over with a mocking laugh , yet Eve didn't give the satisfaction of reacting ...she was already stepping inside the tower .
The first thing Everly felt was the warm heat on her skin, coming from machines that pour molten metal into the molds, and forged it into different kinds of battle suits . while other engineers welded joints onto towering Mecha frames , each one a metallic giant waiting to wake.
Then she saw a technician hanging from the side of the biggest one ,its back had wings pulsing with electromagnetic waves .
Her lips parted as she watched more and more of them lining on each side with different weapons on their body . Some had towering cannons on their shoulder , while others bore long swords strapped to their back .
" So this is project 'STARLIGHT' " Eve whispered to herself as she walked closer . Many of the people were holding tablets projecting holograms , each showing the details of the mechanical titans . Fascinated , she craned her neck for a closer look. the man in front of her frowned and closed the screen before walking away , clearly annoyed with her behavior .
Her band lit up with the name "DOCTOR Gem" . She looked around before asking a woman in the crowd where DOTCOR GEM's office was . Her steps hurried up the stairs leading to the second floor , until she reached a corner where a door stood with a golden plate affixed to its surface " CHIEF OF THE PROJECT : STARLIGHT." After adjusting her hair slightly and brushing the ash and snow from her coat , her finger lightly knocked on the door .
A man's voice called from inside, giving her permission before the door slid open . stepping inside, Eve eyes took in the dark gray wall, paired with a set of velvet curtains and a couch in the corner . That was enough to make her think the rumors were true : that his taste was peculiar.
"Everly Adrion , Correct?"
The man's voice caught Eve's attention . Gray hair crowned his head, and his green eyes seemed warm, almost dazing her . He wore a long black coat with fur lined collar , paired with matching pants in shades of black .
" Yes, DOCTOR Gem."
" Hmmm, I had a call moments ago from a certain pair of scientists who I am ...not exactly a fan of. "
That made Eve flinch slightly as she watched him lend back in his chair ,waiting for her words . It seemed her mother was planning to ruin her chances already .But that's okay, because the truth was .... she had lied about being chosen.
It was more like someone had told her about it, and she spread rumors about her worthiness to join. There was a well known fact that the scientific department and the project leaders had conflict over various matters .
" I am here as a volunteer for this project, and as you stated in the first conditions, participants need to be kinless."
" I also said they don't belong to any fractions in the city, Eve Adrion .".Gem added . Her chest tightened but she was already prepared.
" We kinless people don't belong to anyone ".
Gem was silent for a second before he opened the drawer, closed it, and placed a stack of papers on the desk . then said :
" Read the contract carefully, and remember as soon as you sign . your parents cannot interfere in any sort of way. clear?"
" I am aware,"
Eve stated while reading the contract. She watched Gem get up, walk to the window, and pull the curtain wider .His gaze was fixed on the mecha titans outside, then exclaimed ,"What do your parents think about this project?"
That was a surprising one ,she thought. He hates them enough to not care about their opinion ,but now that he mentioned it....
The idea of making kinless people control machines using their brains to assist kin users in battle wasn't a bad idea. It relies more on the human brain than physical abilities of a kin user, making it a fair trade. The only downside is .... resources .
That is why only five people are allowed in the trial of the project. If Doctor Gem failed to sync their mind into those mecha outside , the project will be shut down .so, should she tell him the truth ?... or lie?
" They think it's a waste of money ." Eve said with a sharp grin tugged at her lips.. Gem only laughed, clenching his fist .
" The only waste of money here is what they're doing in that damn cave. Also, Everly Adrion...are done ?"
Eve nodded, pressing her signature into the final line before sliding the papers toward Gem. Her hand shook with this briefly.
" Welcome to project STARLIGHT , Everly ".
After that moment, Eve was sent with a group of four people into a room full of various machines in each corner .The people in lab coats told them they needed to run a few tests first. They were simple: measuring physical strength, reaction speed, and other basic abilities.
At the end of the day they were sent away .Eve dragged her aching body home .From what she had seen so far, she was definitely the weakest among them. In her defense, their ages ranged from seventeen like her ,until twenty.
"Zack, Elan, Kaya, Stanly... " Eve whispered the name of her new friends. Her hand pulled her puffed jacket tighter. The cold weather of WINTER RAY bit hardest at night, cutting through even the thickest coats. Her lips shivered slightly before she walked ahead toward the far distant lights of the city . Soon she found herself approaching her home, tired but relieved.
She saw a few people closing their shops or walking hand in hand. That made her face scrunch a little. reach the military housing she called home , plain and remarkable like the others in WINTER RAY .Eve pulled her ID and waited for the door to scan it .When it clicked, Eve walked in .
Her home was a big room with a neatly made, multi level bed. The walls were decorated with pictures of her parents and herself. There are several planet modules resting on her desk .
With a groan, Eve stripped off her jacket and layers of clothing. Her eyes felt into the needle marks left on her skin from the test. But what worried her the most was ... Her finger traced the small chip behind her left ear. tone of the several they had implanted on each of them , claiming to record their data during the experiments.
With a sigh, she walked to the bathroom for a shower. Someone knocked on her door, and she wondered who it could be....it was already so late. She hoped it wasn't one of the kin users from school, who had tried to mess with her.
Her hand took the bat from under her bed as she leaned against the door...only to find a small black cat sitting on the snow outside.
Opening the door wider, Eve raised an eyebrow as she watched the cat move past her and step inside. Closing the door, Eve crossed her arms and asked:
"Lilith, don't you think it's a little late for a visit ?"
She watched the cat lick her paw before it figure glowed in a shade of purple, blinding Eve eye's for a few seconds.
A bone cracking sound followed by a groan echoed through the room. Then, under the light . A girl's figure appeared with shoulder length hair and onyx eyes. The girl smiled awkwardly before heading to Eve's bed and pick up the puffed jacket.
"Sorry, I was too excited to wait for tomorrow. So how was Project STARLIGHT ?!"
The girl, Lilith asked after covering her bare skin .
That made Eve smug. She sat beside her friend on the soft bed. Eve told her everything that had happened so far, but she kept some things hidden due to the contract terms. Lilith waited until Eve was done, then she asked: "Aren't you afraid of your parents reaction? "
"I was, but... I want to prove that kinless people can stand alongside kin users in battle, do you realize how big this is?!. We don't have to hide while calamity strikes. I mean, did you hear what happened to the city of IRON MIST?"
Her friend looked down, lost in thought. It was news that brought grief to humanity. Another city had fallen under the monster swarms. Some said it was due to their 'Isle stone' losing its powers, or something had gone wrong, causing people to escape into the 'Fragment Land'. Unfortunately, in the face of the crisis, kin users saved themselves leaving others behind for the monster to feed on.
"Its was tragic. I heard our mayor, Eric, is coming back tomorrow from 'Star Reach' city. Apparently, they are discussing what to do with the survivors coming in each city's borders,".
The silence grew for a moment after Lilith's words, deep down they feared the same events would be repeated. 'IRON MIST' city was not the only city to fall; there were more and more cities in the same state. People are fleeing to safety, but with now only a few cities left. Things might start to get out of control soon. "Let's hope the 'Isla Stone' of our city can hold on" Lilith whispered, making Eve flinch as watched her friend . Lilith observed her closely before she got up, crossing her arms and asked: "what are you hiding, Everly ?".
Eve couldn't tell her this and make her worry, but she knew that sooner or later, the scientific department of 'WINTER RAY' would announce the result if they successfully completed their experiment. After taking information into account, she pressed her eyes shut in distress and changed the topic. "So, how is school going? I hope Dan and others don't bother too much."
Lilith narrowed her eyes for a second, then sat on the bed. "The usual, but there's a high chance I'll graduate next year as a kin user ....as for Dan .. Well, after you left he got more aggressive .He stole my money today....what a jerk!"
Both of them chatted until they grew tired . Lilith quietly left at midnight .