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 wondered each page, following names and moons scattered across the galaxy .
A gray piece of ash land onto the page rough surface . its made her raise her her head and gazed 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 gazed upon what the moon looked like or the sun up close . Their lights was faint , trying to pierce the layers of ash and snow made by humans creations .
A slight breath escaped her lips ,buffeting against the cold wind .
from her perch the city below looked like a 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 famous was famous for the landmark in the middle of it . Its was an old industrial factory with steaming towers, pumping smoke and ash nonstop all year. its 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 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 women said, eyebrows pinched tightly marking her tired features .
Everly rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, her black shoulder length hair falling like 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 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 corner of her eyes, Everly peeked her father smile awkwardly behind her mother . She could tell he wanted her to convey her mother 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 project 'Starlight' led by Doctor Gem . At least there *kinless* like me in there !. so don't try to force me into world of Kin user while 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's and jumped off the rooftop . behind her, the cloud of ash turned two shades brighter. Moring 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 women 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 women 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 not true , i know many 'kinless' people .some were famous to 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 silent 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.
A 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 had been 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 comfort her ,saying its was alright; she could become a scientist, and they could guide her long 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 foot steps 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 :
" 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 machine that pour molten metal into the molds, forged it into different kinds of battle suit . 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 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 there body . some had towering cannons on their shoulder , while others bore long swords strapped to there 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 women 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 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 eye's 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 attention . Gray hair crowned his head, and his green eyes seem 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 whom am ...not exactly a fan of. "
That made Eve flinch slightly as she watched him lend back in his chair ,waiting for her words . Its seemed her mother was planning to ruin her chances already .But that okay, because the truth was .... she had lied about been chosen. Its 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 volunteer for this project, and as you stated in the first conditions, participant 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, close it, and placed a stack of papers on this desk them . 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 window, and pull the curtain wider .His gaze was fixed on the mecha titans outside, then exclaimed ,"What do your parent think about this project?"
That was a surprising one ,she thought. He hate them enough to not care about there 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. its relies more on the human brain than physical abilities of a kin user, making it a fair trade. The only downside is .... resources .
That why only five people are allowed in the trial of the project. If Doctor Gem failed to sync there mind into those mecha outside , the project will be shut down .so, should she tell him the truth ?... or lie?