Cham of The Ark

“The ascension of the OO — The Ordained One, has to be stopped at all cost. The OO devolves this beautiful planet, scratching its surface with their unholy vendetta, endangering our loved ones. The SCF’s mission is to stop the ascension of this ‘being’ and bring another peaceful age to all of the nations, and to our glorious world, so that no individual may shape this world according to their selfish will —”

The broadcast of such propaganda has always disturbed my ear. It always brought shivers down to my spine — of how the people view us in their daily life. The jolly lady who record her beautiful voice must be paid good, for her to say it without any doubt. Or again, maybe it is just the way of the world now.

I keep my pace, walking into the minimalistic gate of ‘The Museum of the Foundation’.

“For an unknown period of time — individuals with power has been lurking amongst us. They had their fangs deep to our society, crippling it with their reality-changing powers. The human with no power, as they lived obliviously, certainly has no hope against these individuals. These ‘secret societies’ they’ve created, the invisible shackles they had on the unpowered. It was a utopia for certain individuals, until they too, consumed by human greed—”

There are numerous amount of showcases around the exhibition. Recovered documents, replica of heavy artillery, and cultural artefact. Ancient rugs, vases, porcelains, and handcrafted figures — probably taken during the first OO ascension.

“The first OO ascension in the Middle East has shown the world of they can do. ‘The Tiger’, has demonstrated the destructive nature of such individuals. They have crippled 5 nations, effectively rendered 2 of those unable to resume their diplomatic position, and bring terrors until the end of the world. If not for the brave and the courageous, the world we love and know for would have ended, and the rise of a dangerous ideology would dawn in the world. The SCF acknowledges and respects the heroes and their families for their sacrifices. For where their blood had been spilled — it laid the foundation of the ‘SDP Containment Foundation’. The SCF, where we continue to serve and protect the peace they have entrusted to us. The first ascension —“

“What a bunch of bullshit,” The curses came out naturally from me, it gave me a little bit of a shocker as well. I glances around the room, surveying the areas. There is a couple with formal dresses flirting right in front of a portrait of an old man, weird dude with a yellowish hair having a little bit too much excitement at the rusted mortar, and a group of nerdy looking school kids analysing the art portraying the execution of the first OO. 

No one seems to have interject my sharp comments. I sigh a relief, as I massages my not-so-stiff neck, “I better find this ‘sponsor’ quick. My face is already so itchy.” I waltz across another exhibition, hoping to find the individual fits the description on my note.

“Oh…” I didn’t even realise it. The not in my palm has been crumpled to form a medium-sized ball. “Well, got it memorised anyway” I throw the ball back to the bin next to the portrait of an old man. Without looking back, I’m certain the ball reached its intended destination without any problem.

It doesn’t take long to find the individual. A green hair streaking the back of her neck, as her glowing eyes adore the exhibit in front of her. With a quick glances to the corners of the room, I approached the petite girl. A normal girl, with the most generic outfits trying not to stands out from the crowd, though her hair doesn’t do her justice. The anticipation in my heart has quelled the rage in my mind, and that sly broadcaster voice can no longer taunted this ears of mine. I positioned myself next to her — not too close to raise suspicion, yet not too far so we have to yell to talk to each other.

“Are you Lime?” I asked, while staring at the exhibit with her. It was… a doll. A tattered doll of some kind of…animal? It’s woven with cane, meticulously so — though I can’t still figure out what in the world is it.

“Ah!” The girl screamed, crossing her arm across her face. In a sharp second, she realised the volume she has released, and cleared her throat.

“You shouldn’t startle too many people…”

I mean, I was startled as well.

“S-Sorry!” The girl shoves her palm to her mouth again, “Sorry. You came out of nowhere so…” she whispered underneath her breath.

Cute.

Upon closer inspection of her face, I can see youth glowing up on her face. I mean, I’m not even that old, but I feel much older after seeing that face. Too youthful, too moisturised. I envy her moisturised face. I absolutely adore that moisturised face. Maybe I should ask Dad to buy me a better skincare.

“So… are you Lime?” Without exerting any emotion from my short inner monologue, I ask her flatly, again.

“Yes… and you must be…um…”

“…Saiko”

“Y-yeah, Saiko…huh? I don’t think that …um, with due respect, um…I think you got the wrong person. Um… I’m not Lime, as well.”

“Yeah that was only a test,” I let out a relieved sigh

“Oh, wow. Is this the two step verification I heard so much about? Wow, this is so cool.” I can sense the glittering on her eyes getting shinier. She realised her own world consumes the reality with every second, as she clears her throat, again. “So you must Rinka-san”

“I’m very surprised to have the sponsor of The Ark this young. Well, at least. The representative.”

“My. Thank you for your compliment. You don’t look like your age group as well, Rinka-san”

That last comment. I suppose that is the power of youth — the power of ignorance.

“So, what would you like to discuss with me, Rinka-san?” Lime’s stiff smile starts to become more natural. I take some time to really collect my thought,

“Do you have any question first, Lime?”

“Hmm? Except my confusion here, I don’t —no,”

“I see…” I take a quick breath, before delivering my intention.

“How do you live around the society?”

“Hmm? I mean, I eat good food, and I guess work has been alright.”

“That is not what I meant,”

“Well, you’ve lost me, Rinka-san. I don’t catch what you’re trying to say.”

I gaze toward that innocent face of hers. She’s trying to hide it, but I can catch the emotions beneath that fragile mask of hers.

“I know you are no ordinary human, Lime. I know you have power.”

That expression of her changes too quick. Her awkward smile change as she gasp, the frown on her face darken what should be the brightest face in this room. Truly, a small truth can unravel what has been hidden for a long time.

“How do you know?” The despair in her voice makes that accursed broadcaster voice to fill my head again.

“The SCF has now neutralised against all OO candidates for 15 years. That is, 15 years of peace, prosperous and safer world by implementing the most effective and performative strategy against all ascension risks. To neutralise all Sera, Domini, and Princi-class of the powered with its appropriate risk treatment methodology. Though many have given their concern regarding the methodology — the SCF believes that results speak better. 15 years since his brave and selfless mission, Yamamoto Katsuo-sama has proven to the world that the SCF has protected the world from the ascension of the Ordained One in a humane way.”

“That brodcaster’s voice started to piss me off,” I glances at the speaker producing such blatant lies — especially the last statement. I revert back my focus on the girl in front of me, now trembling. Cold sweat drips from the top of her head, down to her chin.

“How do you know?” She whispered again, “I vowed to never use my power ever again. I’ve erased all traces of it, so how?”

“Well,” I scratched the back of my neck. This isn’t really the type of conversation I really fond of, “You could say I got…sharp intuition,”

“Are you going to sell me off, like the bastards who betrayed us again?”

“Are you doubting the Ark credibility?” My tone gets sharper. Undeliberately.

Lime gets quiet, she exhales an exasperated sigh, “You can trust no one today”

“I agree.” I nod, to her surprise, “But the reason you keep on supporting us on our endeavour. You DID put a trust in us. And I assure you, the Ark is but betraying the powered.”

I can see the changes in her expression. She becomes less fidgety, glancing left and right.

“The Ark extends the welcome to any powered that needs protection,” I extends my hand toward her, “Especially, those who willing to fight for the good cause.”

“F-Fight?” she gasped.

I just learn that not everybody have the will to fight

“Fight…with whatever they are capable of, of course,” I push my hands a little bit further, “Well, what do you say, Lime? Justice shall come to use — no longer you will be oppressed, hide, or have any question you will survive tomorrow or not. You will be safe, with us.”

“Can I…really be safe with you, Rinka-san?” A brighter tone starts to come up from her voice.

“You will be safe with The Ark, Lime. You’ve been shouldering this burden alone, and you did a good job. Now it’s time for you to come home,”

Lime body starts to twitch, she had her heads down with her hands rubbing her eyes.

“Can I…have my dream back again, Rinka-san?”

I couldn’t bear it again. Though it is not my strong poing, I approach her, embracing her, hoping it ease whatever pain she went through “Yes…yes you can.”

She nods her head. Her hand accepts the right palm I keep open, shaking it a few times with a relief on her breath. She lifts her head towards me — I can see determination growing behind that brown eyes.

“If you dont’t mind, I do have a question, Rinka-san,”

“Ask away,” a smile raises on my lips. Another soul saved from that accursed SCF.

She takes a moment, before raising another smile…a different kind of smile.

“Why do you fake your name, —“