Echoes and a crisp breeze drifted from under the slightly cracked window. The shallow breathing and sounds of a flickering damp candlelight were soft and nearly silent. Those flickers weren't the only sounds heard as another click of a pen and a set of letters were written down into a notepad. As all was quiet, the child paused, scrolling down the already written list.
"So there really isn't a trend when it comes to achieving your first Core Implementation other than the percentage and stats already gathered over the past decade…."
"But what about the years before that? Would my brother have one… Nah, that sounds like something Professor Koto would have. She always has some interesting records stored up in her mansion's library. "
Swallowing the dense fear in his thoughts from just thinking about the idea, the kid dropped his pen and looked up at his clock.
'Borrowing something like that from Miss Koto is scary.'
"So, is there really nothing I can do to prepare for tomorrow's Core Awakening? I shouldn't give up so easily. A Journalist won't either.
Time passed as the child's mind finally recognized the hour hand hit seven. His eyes widened as his heart suddenly jumped out his chest; he could feel his senses running rampant as his blood flowed rapidly throughout his body and as his face began to lose all color. With fear driving his every action, the kid jumped up from his chair, dashing towards his closed blinds and light-blocking window.
The kid's body started to shake. The sun continued to rise, although already one-sixth of its way to its peak.
"IT'S SEVEN IN THE MORNING!"
Suddenly disturbed, birds lifted up into the sky.
The sun illuminated the child; his scrawny, 5'1, and mimicking moonlight, glowing eyes were revealed to the world. Although the streets were empty, a sense of embarrassment washed over him. Dashing back to his desk and then to his walk-in closet, he quickly started to sift through his clothes, throwing everything barely suitable for the occasion.
"NO, NO, NO! I'm not ready!"
Suddenly a scream came from downstairs.
"JARED, IS EVERYTHING OK!"
'Mom?! Oh, snap! They're already HOME!'
"Everything's fine!"
A masculine voice soon called after him moments after.
"Jared, come here now!"
'Crap! I don't have time for this!'
Jared rushed out of his room. The halls were filled with sunlight. The morning shift maids were preparing these supplies while some of the others were wiping down the window and opening it to the refreshing morning air.
Jared rushed to the indoor balcony overlooking the cardboard and plastic littered around the house. New furniture, paintings, and decorations were placed in corners waiting to be set up.
"Where're you guys?"
"The kitchen. Hurry up!"
"Ughh."
When dodging the maids and servants, Jared greeted them all earnestly. Running down the stairs into the open, newly colored white and blue kitchen. Setting up a giant square box on the dining room table was Jared's dad, intently listening as his wife read the instructions.
"Is the VGA cable put into port 2?"
"Yes, but the signal is still not coming through."
Jared's father looked up from his T.V. toward Jared.
"Hey, help us out here. You should know how these things work."
'Another new piece of technology?'
Jared looked at his father and the box with disappointment.
"What's the point? We already have relics that do the same thing but better, easier, and with no extra cost to us. Hell, those guys make a new one every month. So why do you go out of your way to buy an expensive thing designed for commoners?"
"Part of growing up is being able to relate to them. At the end of the day, we're all human."
Jared's mom looked up from the manual.
"A part of striving for world peace is being able to understand and relate to one another despite our differences."
"For the sake of this so-called world peace, do we need to degrade ourselves by lowering our quality of living? I'm sorry, I'm not buying whatever those guilds are feeding you."
Angered and shocked by his words, Jared's mom dashed her book onto the counter. "Jared!"
Jared reached and picked up the remote that came with the TV.
"World peace is a lie. It always has been. To achieve it, someone's values must be destroyed, forced to fit whatever mold the government decides. Like pawns in the hands of the strong."
"JARED STOP!"
"And that's why I'll never join a Guild. I'll become a Journalist and take control of my own life."
With that, Jared turned on the T.V., defaulting to the world news network. Fire, smoke, and all other signs of destruction were shown. People dressed in black suits and pants wearing red shirts underneath. Lining the cuffs and edges of their suit was yellow cloth that looked like gold. Leading them was one fellow wearing a black cape lined with red on the inside, covering one arm and his back. Noticing the head of a dead raven over the left shoulder, Jared knew what guild they belonged to.
(Concept) and ability exploded from the center of the town as hundreds of injured soldiers and citizens alike lay on the floor. Suddenly they cut from the chaos and to the reporter explaining the event.
"King Laurance, the ruler of the self-governing town/nation of Nuxvar, has reported the capture of the Journalist, Yidhra . Several substantial events have been reported early yesterday afternoon. Hiding amongst other ever-damning documents to the Union was an infamous book known for inspiring up-and-coming journalists worldwide. Upon this evidence, King Laurance has engaged in battle with the Union, refusing to disclose the location of the journalist, Yidhra. Sources say the Union will expand their search to the Nation of Caster. Please keep looking out for a girl-"
With that, Jared calmly started to walk away from his parents. His mother snapped her head toward him.
"IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO BE?! A Murderer for the fun of it! COME BACK HERE!"
Jared continued to walk, only addressing his father, who was holding his mother back.
"I'll be going to the Core awakening ceremony by myself. There would be no need for you two to attend and miss out on your daily duties."
Jared's mom breaks free and stomps her way back to the kitchen into the outside garden. Jared's dad looked at his wife and back at Jared.
"I'll take care of her, so don't worry, but your brother will be attending as your guardian."
"WHAT! No, just get one of the-"
"I already called him and let the higher-ups know."
"How did you-!"
"I'm your father. I already knew how things were going to turn out the moment you started to speak. I know my sons well enough by now, and you two need to become actual brothers."
Jared's father placed his hand on his head's temple. "Yep, just got the notification. He'll be on his way."
Jared sucked it up and relaxed his shoulders.
"Fine. I'll get ready."
Jared's father smiled.
"I know you don't like how things are done, but today is your big day, so try to behave. Remember what I told you."
"Only the strong can decide their own path."
"So become strong so no one, not me, your mom, or your brother can force you to do what you think is right."
Jared smiled and cheered up.
"Thanks, dad."
Jared's father smiled. He turned off the T.V. and walked in the direction of his wife, rubbing his face as if mentally trying to prepare himself.
It was unusually quiet. Not a maid present, just abandoned cleaning supplies and half-polished floors. Jared carefully walked, passing the wet and half-wiped floors, toward his room.
'No maids? Guess father dismissed them to limit the gossip.'
A heavy breeze filled the hall, seemingly emitting from Jared's room, smoking out the dense scent of decay and waste. Jared's gut turned, body froze as if an invisible barrier was forcing him to leave.
With every step forward to his room, a tidal wave of fear overcame him. Although fragile, something kept this child going, as if knowing this encounter would change the course of his life.
Starstruck, completely bewildered at the creature laid in the center of his room. Blood flowed from the beast's cloaked body, seeping into the clothes around it. Completely covering its almost human figure was a black cloak, shredded and patched wherever you looked.
Still drawn to this figure, Jared slowly crept his way toward it, closing his door out of habit.
Getting inches away from it, its sudden twitch froze him. The monster struggled to move, dropping to the ground within seconds of trying to use its limbs. Incomprehensible voices were groaned, speaking an internally different language to what is known. The figure slowly lifted its head from the floor to the foot of the child, uttering the words once more.
"◺➡◨◨◅Ω⠲"
' …. Is that… Western Kedah?'
"◺➡◨◨◅Ω⠲.◺➡◨◨◅Ω⠲."
'You want food?'