Anticipation

Some time after the death of Daiki Tennojima

December 5th, 2050

Various locations

“Did you hear the news? Daiki Tennojima is dead.”

The monitors lighting up the dark room was buzzing with feeds from various news outlets across Japan, reporting the same thing. Even foreign television already caught wind of this information.

‘Pioneer of Ascension Research Dies of Old Age.’

Pictures of the man shaking hands with various world leaders were shown on screen, even one taken in the Oceanic Circle on the Tasman Sea. That photo in particular was old, back when only a portion of land had risen above water.

“Hey, are you listening, Miura? You know what this means, right? It’s almost time for the will… we are so gonna be rich!”

*

“This is why we suffered to live in this heinous city for two years, my friends. All for this very moment!”

Murakawa Hall was packed with similarly dressed men and women in white coats, standing in attention like soldiers. Commander Kisaragi stood above all of them, his black hair combed over, face clean, and ivory suit dressed perfectly. Yet his expression and mannerisms were crude—rabid, like a hungry dog waiting for its time to gnaw. “Long have we tolerated these exalts desecrating our land,” he yelled to the stiff acknowledgment of his peers. “We all know the incident that ruined Japan and so many other nations have long been solved, yet our own government hide the truth from us, held at gun point by monsters masquerading as people.”

Anger and resentment simmered amongst the crowd.

“As you all know, the one who got closest to this truth has died.”

“No!”

“We must seize this truth!”

“Seize power for ourselves!”

The commander raised his hands as if to pacify the crowd. “There is a chance, my dear comrades. Tennojima, who’s sacrifice will not be in vain, allowed us an opportunity. But only an opportunity!”

*

Lucia walked across Narita Airport’s arrivals platform with her small carry-on luggage rolling behind her. Lining up the walls were numerous tv screens, prominently displaying the renowned scientist in some kind of memorial.

“Hello?” Lucia said. She tucked her bob of blonde hair behind one ear and put her phone close to it. “Alex? That you?”

“Finally got through,” Alex said, his voice stuffy from a recent cold. “How was the flight?”

“Atrocious,” Lucia replied. “I hate long flights, especially if it happens overnight. It’s terrifying to fly so close to the bronze clouds. I know it’s still a ways higher, but it’s right there.”

“Sorry about that, but we’re pressed for time. We just got word the will reading is happening by the end of the week.”

“So, Thomas was right.”

“Afraid so.”

“Well, good thing I’m here then.” Lucia stood still to watch one of the tv screens. Not many people in the airport seemed to care as much, but Japan just lost one of its most important people. Far more than they might think he was. “Tell you what, Alex. I’m skipping my stay here in Chiba and heading straight for Tokyo Sky. I have friends I can meet.”

“You sure? Want me to make a reservation there?”

“That would be great. Find me something at Shibuya Peak. I hear the hotels there are lovely.”

“And here I thought you hate being so close to the clouds.”

“Tokyo Sky is not that high, my friend. Though if Professor Tennojima’s theory is correct, then it is something we have to worry about sooner than later…”

Lucia turned around and walked in the direction of the highspeed express line. She stretched her stiff shoulders, then adjusted her leather jacket in place, the bright, ivory wings embroidered in them looking like they were about to take flight.