The world wasn't always like this or at least that's what the textbooks say.
Not that I blindly believe everything I'm told. History is written by people, and people lie, forget, or twist the truth when it suits them. Proof matters more than words. Still, in a world like this, you don't really need proof when the evidence is everywhere you look.
The history itself is unclear, full of gaps and contradictions at best.
What is recorded says that Shadows and Clarions first appeared over a thousand years ago. Eight hundred years ago, Shadows supposedly began unleashing havoc across the world.
No clear reason was ever given for why things turned out that way.
From that point on, Shadows became a constant source of unrest.
They created shadow monsters; creatures born when shadow energy is forcibly injected into the body of a human or an animal. The energy twists them into mindless grotesque abominations, stripping away reason until all that remains is hunger. They attack anything in sight, even other Shadows.
It's believed that all Shadows possess the ability to create these monsters.
That belief alone is why they're considered such a dangerous threat.
And that's where Clarions come in.
Clarions are superhumans who wield light energy, granting them the power to fight back against Shadows. Like them, Shadows are also superhumans; only their power comes from shadow energy instead.
On the surface, the two don't seem that different.
In fact, Shadows and Clarions can easily pass as ordinary humans. Most of the time, you wouldn't know which is which unless you looked closely enough.
All Clarions are born with a sky-blue birthmark somewhere on their body. The shape varies, but the mark itself is always there.
Takimo's mark is on his back shaped like a Phoenix.
Shadows have marks too, but theirs look more like tattoos, etched across their skin in unique patterns and designs. No two are ever the same. They also possess ears slightly pointed, similar to those described in old elf stories. Some speculate that their shadow energy is so powerful it alters their biology.
Even with those traits, Shadows are still incredibly difficult to identify in a crowd. Only a handful of highly skilled Hunters can spot one at a glance.
Hunters are Clarions who work under the Hunter Force Association—the HFA. They function as both soldiers and law enforcement, tasked with protecting civilians and non-combat Clarions from the threat of Shadows. Just like the man Takimo and I saw earlier on our way to school.
This is the world we were born into.
And it'll probably stay this way long after we're gone.
Still… despite everything, I just want to live the life I choose.
Because—
*********
Takimo: Hey Kato. What do you want to study when you get to college?
Takimo's words brought Kato back to reality and he realized that it was lunch time in school already. The final year students were all outside moving around the football field as they eagerly awaited the news of their final exams which were going to be posted later that afternoon.
Kato: I dunno. Haven't given much thought to it yet.
Takimo: Really? Why?
Kato: Well, I'm seventeen and the college I want to attend only accepts eighteen-year-olds. You're older, so you can apply now. I want to stay with my mom until then. It's my way of supporting her.
Takimo: You really love your mom don't you?
Kato: Huh? What kind of question is that?
Takimo: My bad.
Kato: (sighs) She doesn't say it alot but I can tell she's still hurt that my dad left the way he did and it's my job to make sure she doesn't go through anything that will make her sad or make her stress too much.
Takimo: So that's why you always ace your exams the way you do. It's your way of keeping her happy.
Kato: Yeah that's it. I don't work that hard for my sake. I do it for her so she doesn't have to worry about me.
Takimo: You're amazing Kato
Kato: Really?
At that moment, a group of girls walked by and when they saw Kato and Takimo , they all waved at Kato who waved back.
Takimo: (Sighs) I wish the girls noticed me like that.
Kato: Oh come on, girls would love you.
Takimo: I hardly doubt they would. I tried making it work with Samantha from Class D but she said I was too complicated.
Kato: You're only telling me this now?
Takimo: Didn't feel the need to bring it up before. My bad.
Kato: So uh, when did that happen?
Takimo: Last year, just before prom. Man I wished hanging out with you made get whatever it is you did that makes all the girls swarm around you.
Kato: I don't know what you talking about. I don't have anything neither am I anyone special.
Takimo: Huh?! You're the top student in our class and you have blonde hair which automatically makes you look good-looking. Of course, you're special in everyone's eyes. If I were a girl, I'd fall for you too.
Kato: Expecting me to blush?
Takimo: Don't make this weird dude.
Kato: You made it weird first.
Takimo: That's because I was trying to make a point.
Kato: You could've done it any other way man...
Takimo: Shut up!
There was a very small silence before the two of them burst out laughing and afterwards Takimo spoke again.
Takimo: You got a lot of girls flocking all over you. Why not date one of them?
Kato's face suddenly turned red and he looked away.
Kato: You know why.
Takimo: Huh? Oh, right. Do you still have feelings for Mira?
Kato: Keep your voice down will you?
But then Takimo burst out laughing which made Kato feel even more embarrassed.
Takimo: Oh man it's hilarious seeing you like this. I bet you fantasize about her.
Kato: Huh?! No, I don't! That would be weird!
Takimo: (Grins) Ooh, here she comes.
Kato: What?!
Kato's eyes followed where Takimo was looking and then he saw HER.
Mira Smith.
An eighteen year old girl in Kato's class. She was adored by everyone in her class because of her dark red hair. She and Kato have been in the same class since high school began and have been friends since then.
Mira: Hey guys. What's up?
Takimo: Oh hey Mira.
Kato: Hey Mira. (Takimo pokes him) Cut it out!
Mira: What's up with you guys?
Takimo: Oh nothing. Just that Kato has something to tell you.
Kato at that moment felt that the world should swallow him whole.
Kato: I do?
Mira: He does?
Takimo: Of course he does. Now go on. I'll leave you two alone.
Takimo then walked away from them but he was just around the corner so he could eavesdrop on their conversation.
After Takimo left, Kato and Mira stared at each other and they both let out a nervous laughter before they spoke.
Kato: End of highschool huh? It's really crazy.
Mira: Yeah... It seems like it was yesterday that we all met in middle school.
Kato: It's hard to believe that it's been six years. So do you have any plans for college?
Mira: Yeah... I'm planning to probably go to Benville Northern Ways College. What about you?
Kato: I really haven't decided it, plus I'm still seventeen and colleges won't accept me yet. So I still have time.
Mira: Oh, I see.
There was a bit of silence before Mira spoke again.
Mira: So....what did you want to tell me?
Kato felt his heart jump to his throat.
Kato: (to himself) Damn you Takimo! Pairing me up with Mira like that?! Gosh this is so embarrassing.
Mira: Uhh...Kato?
Kato: YESS?
Mira: What did you want to tell me? Are you okay though?
Kato: Uh.... Yeah I'm fine. I'm fine.
Mira: So what did you want to tell me?
Kato: (to himself) Her goes nothing. (to Mira) I.... I was wondering if you'd go on a date with me?
Mira was left speechless and Takimo, who was eavesdropping around the corner, almost blew his cover in shock.
Takimo: (to himself) He really did it.
For a minute, Mira didn't say anything and Kato assumed that the silence was the answer.
Kato: Of course if you don't want to go, it's fine. I can just....
Mira: Sure. I'd love to go on a date with you.
Kato felt that he had misheard what she said.
Kato: Really?
Mira: Sure. I'll text you my address so you can pick me up tonight at eight. Don't be late.
Kato: (smiling) I won't.