"The world we knew headed towards a technological revolution. We expected flying cars, robots, and what not. However, on the fateful day of 08th March 2028 everything changed. For some it seemed that the very fabric of reality had shattered and to some it seemed like a dawn of a new era…
A boy named Jamieson was the first victim (at least that we know of). Some extra-terrestrial phenomenon led to the human cells breaking down and recombining in unexpected ways that the science couldn't explain and so we had our first human being who could control the flames. Not surprisingly the first thing he did was burn down his house and everyone present in it. Several casualties were reported across the globe. The law and order completely broke down. This eventually led to the formation of two factions majorly known as the "Shiro Association" and the "Aka Association". "Shiro Association" consisted of the first generation of superhumans who were curious about their newly discovered powers and wanted to know more about it. "Aka Association" trained the power users and it basically became the law makers. They taught to control one's power and defined what was right or wrong.
The world was getting accustomed to the new circumstances. It took a whooping 500 years for the world to get it together and start functioning normally. The new normal was beings living with inexplicable powers and co-existing with each other.
That brings us to the present day, the 4th of July of 3016. We love to believe that we have mastered our powers but I still believe there's a lot that we don't know of. The thought of the unknown sure does intrigue me but at the same time scares me a lot."
"Don't be scared, Grandpa. I am strong, I'll protect you!".
"Oh! Of course, Ellie you're the strongest 10-year-old I know. Now go to bed, it's really late."
"Grandpa!", Ellie looked at her grandpa with curiosity, "What are your powers?"
"I'll tell you all about my powers when you get yours."
"And when will that happen?"
"It's due any day now, sweetheart"
"Wow! That's so awfummmmm"
"Yes, it's awfum…It's late, Goodnight Ellie"
"Goodnight Grandpa"
Few years later… At a school named "Merlin Middle School"
"Hey, Cal! Cal! Cal!", a kid crying through the corridor and yelling.
"What's wrong? Jerome, you look like mashed potatoes."
"It's not funny, Cal! Alejandro, Yuri and their whole gang beat me up so much"
"But why?"
"I don't know!! Come with me please, beat them up, just do something."
"Alright! Alright! Let's go"
At the canteen…
"Hey guys, Jerome brought his dad. Hello Mr. Callister Oakwood"
"Cut the bullshit Alejandro and tell me why did you beat Jerome up? At least have the balls to fight someone one on one you coward!"
Alejandro looked pissed of and darted towards Callister with a clenched fist.
An ice shard came flying at a highspeed and pierced into the floor between Callister and Alejandro breaking them up.
"Stop this nonsense right now", a sweet yet loud and strict voice flew in from the crowd.
Jerome came running to Callister and whispered in his ear, "It's Ellie, run."
"Why?" Callister was perplexed, "According to you you're the victim here. Why do want to run now?"
"Cal I'll explain everything later just come with me, RUN"
Callister grabbed Jerome's hand and stopped him.
Ellie emerged from the crowd like a maiden sent from the heavens. Her bright silver hair and sapphire eyes was enough to enchant boys and girls alike. Her skinny long legs and arms with an angelic face made her the dream of boys.
"Boys and Girls, we are in the final year of our middle school and I really don't want anyone of us to be held back because of their stupidity", Ellie yelled at the troublemakers" faces.
Ellie was not just pretty like a goddess. Some even believed that she was a goddess herself. She developed her powers in the first year of middle school and has command over them. She can control up to three shards flawlessly. Obviously, everyone acknowledged her talent and the teachers made her the class representative. She is also the top of the class. Only a handful had developed their powers and could command them at will.
"Ellie, Jerome started it", Yuri said with conviction.
"Come on Yuri, look at Jerome's face. You guys beat him up so badly."
"Callister, he is the one who came running at me from behind and jumped on me all of a sudden. Now, you tell me what would you have done and how would you have treated this pervert?"
"I was using my powers", Jerome tried to justify
"You don't have powers you fool." Callister's disgust and anger were clear as day.
"I am so sorry everyone. I shouldn't have listened to Jerome and shouldn't have drawn conclusions just by hearing one side of the story", Callister apologized to everyone.
"Callister, you're a nice guy and we all know it and we really think you should stop mixing with that perv." Alejandro told Callister.
"Thank you for your concern Alejandro but I choose my friends myself."
"Jerome, just apologize to everyone and let's go", Callister looked and Jerome.
Jerome looked furious and was trying to hold back his tears and then all of a sudden, he whooshed through everyone and crashed on to the wall of the canteen. He was bleeding and everyone heard a crack of bones.
"I WAS NOT LYING", Jerome wailed in pain and fell unconscious.
"Callister and Alejandro help Jerome immediately. Take him to the nurse's office, I'll inform the authorities."
"Alright, Ellie", everyone in unison.
The students took Jerome to the nurse's office and they checked him up.
The nurse said, "Don't worry guys, he'll be alright. His injuries are a bit severe but he has accelerated healing factor so it won't take more than a couple of hours before he is up and running again. Also, according to the calculations he is a speedster."
"May I go and talk to him?", Callister enquired.
"Yeah, sure."
Callister entered the room and saw Jerome was sipping through an energy drink.
"CONGRATULATIONS you idiot. You are a bloody speedster", Callister ran in overjoyed and got on Jerome's bed.
"Actually, Cal I wanted to confess something", Jerome looked really guilty.
"You jumped on Yuri intentionally because from behind you thought it was Yumi. Is that it?"
"Yeah, but how did you know?"
"Who do you think I am, Romy? I figured that much. However, I must say you're one lucky sick fuck."
"I can't even deny that"
They both started guffawing and teasing each other.
"Cal, I still can't believe it…I am a speedster, I am a speedster and as long as I can remember that's all I have wanted,"
A pink haired cute girl came rushing in, sweating profusely and looking worried beyond explanation.
"Rom Rom, are you alright? I heard from Yuri what had happened. I am so sorry. Are you really alright?"
"Yes Yumi, I am perfectly fine. I am a speedster Yumi. Can you believe it? Your boyfriend is a speedster."
Yumi leaned in and kissed Jerome. "Thank God you're alright."
"Wow, are you and Yuri really sisters Yumi? Only you two look similar but your characters are just Heaven and Hell", Cal made a remark.
"I am sorry about Yuri, Cal. Thank you for being there for Rom Rom"
"Ah! Don't stress it Yumi. I'll take my leave. You guys have fun!"
Callister left the room and stepped outside. He saw Ellie rushing towards Jerome's room.
"Miss Rep", Callister stopped Ellie on her tracks.
"What is it, Callister? I need to check on Jerome."
"Miss Rep, that's not a good idea. He is fine and is currently receiving his much-needed treatment from Yumi."
"What do you mean? Treatment from Yumi?"
"Then see for yourself but be quiet."
Ellie peeped through the slightly opened door. She came out bright red with an expression that no one ever saw on her face.
"Is this the first time you saw someone kissing?"
"Yes", Ellie nodded still flustered.
Callister chuckled, "Aww, that's really cute"
Ellie shook her head vigorously and regained her composure.
"I am so sorry for that. I don't have time for these. I have to train hard and become strongest in the class. I can't waste my time on something as superficial as romance. It's my dream to become like my grandpa."
"Well, it was nice while it lasted. I at least got to see the girl in you Miss Rep."
"What does that even mean?"
"Oh nothing, don't let my comments bother you."
"Callister, you know my name very well but why do you still call me by my title?"
"Oh, I am sorry. I actually don't do it intentionally. It's more instinctive. You're always so formal and distant and so I naturally address you formally."
"Umm", a sadness seemed to creep into Ellie
"I will keep this in mind an try my best Miss Rep… Ah sorry, I meant Ellie"
Callister left with a smile. However, Ellie seemed lost in her thoughts contemplating what Callister had said and actually meant.
Callister went to Alejandro and his friends to clear air.
"Hello, Al", Callister patted Alejandro's back.
Suddenly, Alejandro became smaller in size.
Everyone was taken aback and everyone glared at Cal.
"Guys, I didn't do anything. Al just tell them."
Alejandro kept on shrinking and was the size of a needle.
The recognition teams and the school officials rushed in and scanned Alejandro on spot.
"Don't worry guys it's not Callister's fault. It's Alejandro's power. He can become small."
Alejandro looked pissed despite discovering his new powers. He kicked a chair in fury and I flew off like an eraser, out of the window shattering the glass.
"Oh! We forgot to mention, you will still have the strength that you have in your normal body but due to the reduced point of impact and high release it'll seem like your strength has been enhanced."
Alejandro's face lit up, "That's fuckin cool."
"You need to pay for the damages and an official warning has been registered under your name for cursing inside school premises."
"Nooooo … But still I finally got my powers!"
Callister walked up to Alejandro, "Congrats man and I am so sorry for what happened earlier."
Callister turned to Yuri, "I am sorry guys. Jerome didn't mean any harm."
"Ah! Don't worry about it, Cal. You worry too much."
Ellie was watching the whole from a bit far. Yumi and Jerome also entered the class.
Ellie walked up on the ramp after the authorities had left.
"Everyone, may I have your attention?"
Everyone in the class fell silent and looked at Ellie in anticipation and wondered what she had to say.
"Firstly, I would like to congratulate Jerome and Alejandro for getting their powers. Congratulations guys and I would also like to ask you all something. Cal brought it to my attention that I come off as too cold and distant. Is that how everyone feel?"
Alejandro interrupted with amusement, "Wait, Miss Rep before we answer your question… CAL? You always address us with our full names or at least full name but CAL? Where is this new-found camaraderie coming from?"
Jerome couldn't help himself and continued, "Hey, Cal is something going on between you and Miss Rep?"
Ellie tried to explain but the whole class fell into a playful commotion. Ellie started turning red again but then Callister stepped up on the ramp.
"Hey, guys come on. Don't tease her"
"We sure got our powers today but the real hero for sure is Cal. Making a move at the Ice Princess", Jerome yelled.
"Ice Princess?", Ellie looked confused.
Everyone glared at Jerome.
Alejandro explained, "Well… It's not just Cal who feels that way. We all feel that you've always been distant and not quite amiable."
"Oh!", Ellie exclaimed with a sad expression.
Yuri added, "Hey, it doesn't mean that we hate you or anything we all respect you very much but there always seemed like an ice wall around you that no one could melt until Cal I guess."
"El, don't you worry. We all are your friends", Callister assured Ellie with a tap on her shoulder.
Ellie started blushing and the whole class smiled at her showing acceptance.
"Just get a room you two", Yumi shouted at Ellie and Callister.
Ellie just couldn't stop blushing and the class just wouldn't leave her alone.
Fortunately, the class bell saved her but it only lasted till the end of the school.
Alejandro, Yuri, Yumi and Jerome intercepted Ellie on her way home and started enquiring her.
Yumi began, "Ellie do you like Callister?"
Yuri went on, "How long has it been going on?"
Ellie was startled, perplexed and looked really embarrassed.
"There is nothing going on between us. I mean, I don't dislike him…", Ellie replied in a low mellifluous voice.
Alejandro said, "You have a crush my dear Class Rep."
Jerome added, "You can ask me anything about Cal. I have known him since we were just three. We are going to help you with your first crush."
All of a sudden Callister appeared out of nowhere.
"Who has a crush and on whom?"
Everyone remained silent with devious smiles and Ellie looked as if she was going to faint with embarrassment.
Yuri broke the silence, "Cal, we four have some work at my place can you just accompany Ellie to the market? She needed to buy some chocolates for her family."
"Chocolates? For family?", Cal looked confused.
Others took the hint and requested Cal.
Cal replied, "Yeah, it's on my way. I can help Miss Rep. I also know this really great chocolate store up ahead."
Yuri shoved Ellie ahead and signaled with her eyes, "Go on Ellie, Cal doesn't bite. Come on guys we got a lot of work to do."
Soon Ellie and Callister were left alone.
"El, do you have a preference?"
Ellie was flustered, "I mean… I don't know. I never thought too much about romance or boyfriends…"
Callister burst out laughing, "I meant preference in chocolates but glad to know."
"Please, just kill me…I have never been so embarrassed in my whole life."
"Cal, I'm really bad at lying and this is all new to me."
"Hold on El. I know. Let me guess, the four of them caught you off guard and started teasing you and you were compelled to play along with their shenanigans"
"Yes!", Ellie replied with a puppy face.
"You know you don't have to play along with everything they plot."
"Yeah, I know that. I kind of like them and also enjoyed their company. They are nice and fun."
She lowered her voice and was almost inaudible, "I also wanted to talk to you but didn't know how to approach you and so I am actually thankful to them."
Callister gave a warm and kind smile to Ellie, "I ca still show you the chocolate store if you want to."
"I'd love that."
Both of them head towards the store…
"I never thought that I'll Walk beside the Ice Princess"
"Just stop calling me that …", Ellie started to sulk.
"That's a good title to be honest."
"I know, but you guys don't mean it that way."
"So, El, you said that you idolize your grandpa and want to become like him; what does he do?"
"He was the Force Captain of Aka Association. He won many awards and helped many people. He is really strong. However, during one incident the enemy turned out to be too powerful and almost destroyed the whole Aka Association…"
"Wait? The whole Aka Association?"
"Yes, they killed tens of thousands and it was like a full-blown war that lasted for three months. It wiped away a whole city and the collateral was way too much."
"That's horrible! I did hear something like this from my parents. Wasn't it called the "Devil's Period", that time or event?"
"Yes, those years were called the "Devil's Period". Finally, my grandpa and two others with the Shiro Association's help boosted their abilities and powers. They were somehow able to subdue the enemy but their leader, though mortally wounded, managed to escape."
"Wait, Ellie Stockholm. The three fighters who stopped the war were Indra Raman, Rudolph Muller, and Kaspier Stockholm. You're Kaspier Stockholm's granddaughter!!", Callister shouted in awe.
"Yes, I am"
"What were his powers, again?"
"He can teleport and has extraordinary endurance. With the drugs by Shiro Association he gained some other abilities too but that was never revealed. He promised me he'll tell me once I become a strong fighter like him."
"That's really great El"
"You know one thing; he is always a bit saddened and scared whenever he tells me the story. He believes there is another group of bad people who are biding their time and can strike at any time. That's why I want to become strong to protect myself and the ones I love and care about."
"That's a nice motivation you got there. I think I have also heard rumors about some 'Kuro Association' …"
"Hey, we are here Ellie."
"Wow, this is a really big place. Is it just for chocolates?"
"Yup, it's their specialty. Let's head in…After you"
"I love this place!! I have never taken this road. Damn, it was so close and I couldn't even see it or even I didn't even have any idea about it."
Callister took a white chocolate from the shelves and gave it to Ellie and said, "El, there are many things we miss that are in plain sight. We are so busy looking ahead we stumble upon what's right in front of us. These are the things that only sight cannot comprehend… You have to feel them."
"Cal…Thanks for the chocolate and thanks for hanging out with me today. I have never hung out with friends after class."
"So, how was your first-time experience?"
"The first half was normal fun but after a certain someone's entry I was and am on cloud nine."
"I am really glad Ellie that you chose to show me this side of yours."
"Let's do this again sometime. We all can go together somewhere."
"Yeah sure, why not? Now I think it's getting late and we should probably head out."
"Cal… Thank you", Ellie ran up to Callister and gave a quick hug and ran out of the store as fast as she could.
Callister was dumbfounded and stood there for a couple of minutes without moving. Then he gradually regained his senses and headed towards his home…
Ellie was overjoyed and couldn't wait to share her day with her grandpa.
As she got close to her house, she started feeling uneasy. The air seemed heavy and she spotted several ambulances and fire engines on the street. As she got closer to her house the heaviness on her chest increased and the air got smoky.
Ellie started to have and anxiety attack but somehow managed to keep walking. Feeling dizzy and having difficulty breathing she could see a crowd gathered in front of her house with dazed eyes. She was too afraid to look up…
"No, it can't be. I am imagining things. It's just a dream… I don't need to look up. I was just with Callister he just waved to me and we said our goodbyes. No…No…No…No…"
Ellie finally mustered the courage to look up at her house. What she saw through the cloud of smoke and the herd of people completely broke her and she fell on her knees on the verge of losing her consciousness.
Her house was engulfed in a sea of black flame. The smoke, the sight of her house burning, the sirens and crowd's noise, the ashes falling on her skin and the burning taste through her mouth overwhelmed her and she collapsed on the ground with a wail.
Some people rushed over to help her…
She was murmuring, "Nothing happened, it's alright, it's alright"
In a flash she sat up and still crying let a sudden cry, "GRANDPAAAA!!"
She wobbled and crawled her way through the smoke and shoving the crowd aside with the last bit of strength she had…
"GRANDPAAAA… He is strong right. He was the captain. He is going to be okay. Grandpa, please be okay, please, please, please, please. Mom, Dad please come back."
She emerged from the crowd in her state of hysteria and crashed onto the ground… In front of her she found her grandfather lying with no burns on his body, she was happy for a moment but the expressions of the crowd and the doctors indicated something else.
The members of the Shiro and Aka Association recognized her and tried to get her up on her feet but she slipped past them and stumbled onto her grandpa's body.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa, what happened to you? Please say something. Wake up, Grandpa…Please …Just wake up."
"What happened to him", Ellie yelled
The nurses tried to move Ellie away from the body but she wouldn't budge an inch.
"I'm not moving until someone tells me what's going on. He has no burns so why isn't he responding…what happened to him?"
Everyone felt silent…The doctors and researchers couldn't look at the kid and tell her the truth. The Aka Association members didn't even dare to raise their heads as they lost their former captain and could do nothing about it.
Finally, the Head Scientist of the Shiro Association, Dr. Reginald Fenscher, who also happened to be Kaspier's close associate, came forward.
"Ellie dear…"
"Grandpa Reggie, please tell me…", Ellie cried in a low voice.
Ellie could barely speak and she was crying her eyes out. Even her tears had dried out.
Reginald couldn't hide the truth from the innocent girl and went on, "These are not normal flames Ellie. These are what we call the 'Night Flames'. These can evaporate a town in an instant but the user can even control these to not to do so. We all suspect this the ability of the leader of 'Devil's Period'. He is back and stronger than ever. He can control these flames flawlessly."
"WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO MY GRANDFATHER!!", Ellie yelled at Reginald with all her might.
The temperature of the surrounding started to fall gradually despite the flames still burning.
"Ellie, fine I'll tell you everything. The Devil could have easily killed your grandfather but he did not. He made your grandfather suffer and tortured him to the point where his mind shattered completely. The flames melted his bones completely then slowly melted his organs one by one. He must have been looking for some information or the motive could've been as petty as vengeance."
After the doctor finished, the whole area fell to a pin-drop silence. Even the sirens seemed to weep at the unfortunate incident.
Ellie was looking at the ground without making a sound for a while…
"REVENNGEE??", Ellie burst out laughing in a hysterical manner. She clenched her teeth and looked up. Her beautiful sapphire eyes seemed to have lost their brightness and only two cold ice balls remained. Ellie lost it completely and yelled at the top of her voice, "I'LL CHOKE THAT MOTHERFUCKER TO DEATH WITH MY OWN HANDS!!" She unleashed hell on the face of the Earth. She launched ice shards in all directions and unleashed snow storm so cold that it started to freeze everyone to death. The Aka Association frontliners immediately got into formation and set up barriers surrounding Ellie but her shards cracked the barriers in an instant.
"How the fuck is a fourteen-year-old so strong?" The frontliners struggled to hold the barrier as their arms slowly started to go numb and freeze.
Dr. Reginald kept shouting in anticipation that his voice would reach Ellie, "ELLIE, PLEASE CALM DOWN."
The whole area's temperature fell to a negative of five degrees Celsius. Even the black flames started to disappear.
The scientists were surprised and scared at the same time at Ellie's powers. It was hard to tell if they were shivering in fear or because of the cold or both. "She is really is Kaspier's granddaughter."
"We really need to do something. We have to subdue her or everyone will freeze to death."
"The barriers won't last any longer. WE NEED HELP!", the frontliners cried.
The barriers were just about to shatter but at the very last moment someone went through all the barriers and revolving shards and knocked Ellie out…The barriers broke and the shards flew out at tremendous speed but a strong and even faster whirlwind enveloped all of it and dumped it at a barren place.
A man emerged from all the snow and frost carrying an unconscious Ellie and a woman landed from the skies.
The frontliners exclaimed in joy, "That's Sir Oliver, the Force Vice Captain and that's Miss 'Whirlwind' Zephyr, the current Force captain."
"How did he not get hurt by the ice?", few of the onlookers enquired.
Dr. Reggie cleared their doubts, "He can phase through anything."
"Oliver, why are you guys here?", Reginald asked.
"Doc, we are sorry. We got some information regarding night flames and came to check just in case. It seems we were too late." Zephyr replied with a face filled with guilt and despondence.
"Don't blame yourself Zephyr. If not for your whirlwind we would've lost many more good soldiers.", Reginald justified.
"Captain and Doc, you should look at that…The night flames", Oliver drew their attention to Ellie's house.
"Good Lord! This girl's ice extinguished the black flames", Reginald was speechless and looked at the little girl in awe.
"Now, we have an idea of what might have transpired here… Kaspier must've been trying to protect his granddaughter and the attack was not purely for revenge", Zephyr concluded.
"How did the devil even know about Ellie and her abilities?", asked Oliver.
"There's no way to know that and that's no our priority right now. Kaspier endured soul shattering torture to protect his granddaughter and we can assume he didn't reveal anything. He fought for her till his last breath", Reginald answered.
"We are assuming a lot of things and some I wish weren't even true. However, if our assumptions turn out to be true…", Zephyr paused.
"We need to bring her parents back in the country and we will take Ellie in the 'Aka Association' and train her", Oliver said while looking at the unconscious ice-cold body of the fourteen-year-old girl.
"I'll arrange all that. After her school year ends, she'll transfer to the Aka Association's top facility", Reginald assured Oliver and Zephyr.
"Until then take care of this girl with utmost care. This fourteen-year-old might be the only hope; the only light in the foreseeable dark future that lies ahead of us" Zephyr ordered everyone present at that moment.
Ellie still lay unconscious in the arms of Sir Oliver while her destiny was being shaped by forces known and unknown.
Kaspier's body froze and shattered into Ellie's snow dust. Everyone trampled on the past while marching forward but nobody had the faintest idea of how much influence the past was going to have on the future.