Broken Homes Orphanage Part 2

Once the transport lands and docks all the passengers make their way to the lobby where everyone checks in using a retina scan and Iris+1. Upon check in we are given small wrist band and a device to be placed on the temple of the head. The wrist band has a digital interface that displays like a watch and can be customized, here in this world it’s called Radial. 

 Radial can monitor vital, alert you of results from all tests you participate in the Rite. Radial also connects the user to devices that it can link with keeping log of machines operated and the user’s duration. The device that attaches to the temple is called Linkx, and it monitors the user’s brainwave activities and enhances the use of Iris+1. All three devices are only utilized during the Rite, and many have made their own variations of the devices to utilize for their own purposes throughout the world. Atlas owns all the rights and data collected from all three devices. Together it is called the IRL, an acronym of the device’s names.

Once we obtained our IRL, we make our way outside the Arck to explore Juniper to find equipment or gear we may need to participate in the Rite. As we walk around there are multiple buildings that sell everything a candidate may need, from special clothes, armor, weapons, devices, and enhancers. The weapons sold have safety measures allowing users to utilize it without physically killing anyone. If someone utilizes a gun it was fitted with light rounds that inflict damage that simulates the pain but not vitally wound someone. If a participant used a sword, before impact the blade of the sword emits a protective barrier making it like a blunt object while also ensuring no critical wounds are inflicted.

As we walk around, we find a café to have some food and discuss our next step for the day. While we wait for our order, I decide to ask Irin and Mirai about this world. From what they tell me this planet is called Tellus, and in every way very similar to Earth. The organization Atlas has orbital stations in the atmosphere so they can properly deploy at will throughout the world.

After I grasp and feel comfortable about the new world I’m now living in, I decide to shift the conversation back to the orphanage run by Miss Aiko.

“Irin, are we the last that live under Miss Aiko at the orphanage?”

Surprised by the sift in conversation Irin answers, “Yes, we are. When we got closer to participating in the Rite, Miss Aiko investigated if Mirai would be able to come with us. She didn’t like the idea of Mirai being the last one by herself at the orphanage when she’s been attached to us.”

Curious I probe, “Do you have any parents, Irin?”

Irin looks down and in a soft voice, “No, unfortunately not that I can remember. Like I mentioned before, all I can remember is waking up one day in the orphanage and you were also there. I can’t remember anything before that.”

“How old were we back then?”

Irin pauses to remember, “We were the same age as Mirai, about eight. As we got older Miss Aiko began to train us with basic techniques of the sword. She thought it might become useful for us one day, especially in the Rite.”

Mirai stops eating, looks at me and Irin, “I can’t remember anything before waking up in the orphanage either. Do we all have memory sickness?”

Mirai brings up a good point. Neither one of us can remember anything before waking up at Broken Homes Orphanage and we were all eight years old. Maybe it’s all a coincidence. Until we can find out anything more, “No Mirai, I don’t think we all have memory sickness. It could be that we suffered a traumatic experience or hit our heads hard and will take time for us to remember”.

Irin nods in agreement, “Now let’s discuss how we can utilize our funds that Miss Aiko gave us.”

We take out the sling bag that Miss Aiko gave us to calculate what we have for our funds. In it we find paper currencies and bars that resemble metals or another type of mineral. One of the stacks of bars looks exactly like gold, but there are two that look transparent; one is a deep green and the other is a deep purple. Irin explains that the minerals should be highly valuable and that we should exchange everything for credits as it is the currency accepted globally.

At the currency exchange office, we were told that the minerals are called Fallen Tears. Some believe that the Fallen Tears are meteorites that came to Tellus during its formation eons ago and possess the ability to enhance the elemental make up of equipment or weapons by a skilled blacksmith. Others speculate that the name itself sees the minerals like a ‘fool’s gold’ and are just minerals without any elemental properties, hence it does not have value as a currency. We were able to acquire a thousand credits and began to discuss what kind of gear we would purchase.

According to Irin our initial plan for the Rite was to participate in as many tests as we could, including a couple of tournaments to increase our chances. Mirai would concentrate primarily on knowledge based, and some skill-based tests. According to Irin, Mirai always scored high on these tests when Miss Aiko practiced with her. Mirai could easily be recruited, but due to her age requires a guardian even if she were to accept her guardian would be with her until she turns seventeen years of age.

Irin and I decided to acquire elemental gear; a couple of gloves and boots that we had the blacksmith do a customization on. For weapons we decided on two short swords, and two light firearms for range attacks. With the rest of the credits, we decided to spend it on Mirai and got her some support devices that she felt comfortable using just incase of an emergency. With our errand complete we decided to take Mirai for some ice cream, from what we understand she has never had it.

We arrived at an ice cream vendor set up near the transport dock where benches and tables are set up. I decide to take our bags of newly acquired gear and get to a table while Irin take Mirai to select her ice cream. Shortly after Mirai is walking with a big smile ear to ear as she eats her ice cream.

Mirai comes up to me and offers a bite, “Hey Crimzon, did you want a taste? It’s cinnamon and it’s good!”

Irin shortly follows behind handing me an ice cream of my own, “Here you go Crimzon, Mirai picked it out for you. Believe it has some crushed cookies in it, and she added some toppings. I also bought some for us to eat later with Miss Aiko.”

“Thank you, Irin, and thank you Mirai for picking my ice cream.”

As we are eating two girls looks about the same age as Irin and I begin to sit at the table next to us with their ice cream in hand and one of them asks, “Excuse me, mind if join you on this table?”

“No, not at all. Please go ahead. My name is Irin, this is Crimzon and Mirai.”

“Nice to meet all of you. My name is Lori, and this is my friend Kana. Are you here to participate in the tournament, the Rite?”

I look to greet Lori and Kana, “Yes, how about the two of you?”

Kana hesitates, unsure of what to say, “Yes, Lori wanted to test herself to see if all of her training paid off with her new skill and participate in a few team battles this year.”

“Team battles? How does that work?” inquires Irin.

Kana finishes a scoop of ice cream, “I’ll take this one Lori. Team battles have a variety of formats to participate in like elimination, capture the checkpoint, escort, and other variations. At times there can also be duels which also benefit candidates. Most team battles are team based in its format and almost anyone can participate, even your little one here could participate.”

The five of us discuss in further detail the different exams, and past tournaments of the rite. Kana shares her past experiences participating in many tournaments and how it can help build a candidate’s reputation, especially those who plan to go into professions like armed forces. Lori tells us that recently tournaments have been called The Trials, due to its nature for candidates returning to improve their skills in these settings. Returning candidates to the Rite after their initial participation are called Seekers and often come back to the Rite to build their reputation. With reputation comes opportunity.