Mike

Can't a guy catch a break? All I wanted was to play some stupid games, hang out with Joe, and relax. Now...

He peeked his eyes open.

Yup, still there.

Mike sighed, closing his eyes with his arms folded behind his head. An hour ago he'd asked to be alone for a little while and was lying on Joe's bed. Aunty Lauren was meant to pick him up in an hour, so he'd already packed, but he just didn't feel up to conversing much right now. It seemed that a small number of maybe a few thousand teens all over the world had similar things happen to them. All of them had mentioned intense pain, followed a few hours later by 'The Dot'.

The news was far too preoccupied to pick up on it, since just a few hours ago Earth had unanimously agreed to 'come under the protection of the Livari Commonwealth', and less than 24 hours ago discovered Earth was not alone in the universe.

Fantastic videos of pale green men zipping around Earth or flying became headline staples. It seemed the promise of healing the Earth had begun in earnest, with these 'magicians', as they were being referred to, raising kilotons of plastic and waste from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, not to mention other mass sources of pollution and waste. China and India were dubbing the magicians circling their nations the 'Cleaners', as they whisked away the copious amounts of air pollution and waste still being generated.

Well, at least the turtles will be happier I guess. Their spaceships are seriously cool too.

He swiped open his phone and looked at the pictures again. Bright silver darts blazed into the atmosphere all over Earth, all unloading massive parts that looked like they still required assembly.

I wonder if anyone knows what they're building. I guess it's also part of their promise to Earth.

Mike had gotten hold of the now-famous transcript of the 'Great Psychic Broadcast'. He couldn't believe he'd missed it. The Livari had promised to fix Earth up, heal people, end hunger, and a bunch of other stuff. Though for all the crazy things going on in the world, he was one of the few who couldn't get lost in these fantastical events.

An oddly well-timed website had popped up just an hour ago, clearly created by someone who knew their stuff, designed to somehow reach out to people who'd gone through similar experiences to Mike. The forums on there were just...well, talking about exactly what he was going through. Drawings and sketches of the 'System' were being posted, while others were discussing whether or not this 'Quest' was some sort of magical treasure hunt or a conscription.

The biggest discussions though, were the Timer and the T's and C's. The Timer had people buzzing about what would happen if it ran out, but the T's and C's, that was the thorniest topic. It was enormously detailed, and not one person had gone through the entire thing yet. It was being typed out and updated as the minutes went by, and some people were even contacting lawyers to go through what was currently available. No one dared accept the contract just yet though, not until it had been properly examined.

What had been covered thoroughly so far though, was the 'duties' section. It seemed as though duties, to the Livari, could be anything from housecleaning and decorating, to full-on wartime participation. That was a gaping grey area that begged the question of what exactly they would be doing. Another worthy point of interest was the talk of 'gifts'. It appeared several times, and it seemed that upon accepting the 'Agreement', one received a 'Gift' that would 'assist one in their duties'.

So are we gonna become flying magicians dredging up alien plastic from the bottom of the sea? Or maybe glorified megaphones that force ourselves into people's heads? Either way, they're trying awfully hard to make these 'Gifts' sound really positive.

Mike didn't exactly like everything that the 'summed up' version of duties entailed. 'In times of crisis or war, the Chosen may or may not be called upon to defend the interests of the Livari Commonwealth against any opposition deemed a threat to its stability.'

So basically, you could become a maid, or a soldier, at the drop of a hat.

He was reading some of the forums, echoing his very sentiment. "I'm not even out of high school yet, and now you're saying I might have to kill some people or die trying? Screw that, I'm still a vir..."

A knock on the door interrupted his reading. "Hey Mike, you want some cola?" Joe said in a worried voice. Mike got up and opened the door to see Joe in the doorway.

"You okay?" Joe asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Yeah, thanks. I'd love some." Mike smiled as he followed Joe to the kitchen. As he poured, Mike rested his hands on the counter a blew out a steadying breath of air before looking Joe in the eye.

"Joe, I'm...worried."

Joe finished pouring the drinks for them both, before taking a calculated look at Mike.

"What's happening, Mike? You're entering a whole new world without me, and I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on. Are you like...in danger?"

Mike huffed, "Yes!"

Joe raised his eyebrows. He knew when Mike was being dramatic.

"Well, not yet, but I might be soon. Basically..."

Mike recounted the past few hours and developments to Joe, who promptly pulled up the website and followed along. After Mike had finished, Joe looked thoughtful.

"Well, at the very least you're not alone in this, ya know? You aren't some side-show freak they're gonna lock up for being 'crazy', there's a whole lot of you out there. By the way, there's a new tab that's been added to the T's and C's forum. Gifts." Joe said plainly.

"I'll check it out later, but listen... Joe, what do you think about all this?" Mike asked carefully.

Joe squinted at Mike with an incredulous expression. "What do I think? I think that if I were in your shoes my biggest questions would be, 'Which powers will I get' and 'Should I say yes to the contract now so I can get them right away'. Honestly, I'm kinda surprised you aren't excited about this."

"Did you even hear the part about our 'duties'? Joe, I might need to work for some crazy alien scientist." Mike's eyes hardened, "Or worse."

"Worse?" Joe's nose crinkled as he smirked.

"Yeah, Joe. I might be a soldier too. I might have to kill someone."

Mike said it with such finality, that Joe was caught off guard. Mike was rarely angry or off-balance. Yet here he was, freaking out.

Wait...

"Mike, what's this really about?" Joe pressed.

Mike went quiet, staring into the infinite depths of his cola.

"I...I never chose this Joe. I didn't ask to be one in a billion. To be 'special'. To be asked so much of. What the hell makes me so damn special that I'm forced to...to..." Mike faltered and swallowed a lump in his throat. "Why does it feel like just when something good happens to me, it gets taken away."

Joe rolled his eyes and didn't miss a beat. "So, basically you're saying 'Why me, I don't wanna be special'.

Mike looked at him with an expression he hadn't seen in years.

Joe finally clicked.

"Wait, so, you're afraid this will make you...lose us?"

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"I don't see how it won't Joe. If I accept, which I'm pretty much obliged to at this point, no one knows what happens next. Do I get to live my normal life, occasionally being abducted for some alien community service halfway through a date? Am I gonna be taken away forever, never to see home again? Like, what comes next Joe? A lot of people, yes, would be happy in my position, but unlike others who hate their parents and wish they'd disappear so they could go on this adventure, I'd give anything for my parents to be yelling at me, telling me off for being an idiot. Just that. That would be enough for me. Instead, the people and life I've learned to love might disappear before my eyes, and once again, there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. And if I'm changing, where does that leave me with everyone else? A freak? An alien chew toy? Would anyone even want me around still?" Mike was bristling at this point, huffing a sigh as he came down from his rant.

Joe looked away, a thoughtful look on his face, before quietly replying, "Well, you gotta admit, being one in a billion is...pretty cool." he smirked across at Mike who glowered back. "Though dude, you were already that without all of this." Joe offered a rare smile. "I think I speak for every one of your friends and family who know you. No matter what happens, where you go, or what you do, you will always have us backing you up. That won't change just because aliens show up." Joe threw a lopsided smile towards Mike. "Or because you suddenly become a glorified magical trash disposer."

Mike snorted at that and cracked a smile, grateful once again that his best friend was Joe and not some other fair-weather type. "Thanks, Joe."

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm pissed it's not me though! Super jealous, like seriously! When you get your powers, we're gonna analyze the crap out of it, okay?" Joe said mock-severely.

"Hah! See, I am the luckiest guy ever after all!" Mike quipped back. They bantered on like that until a few minutes later Aunty Lauren arrived to fetch him. She'd had a mini-breakdown when she first saw him, grabbed him in a fierce hug, and didn't let go for a while, but apart from that she looked thoroughly relieved.

Before Mike bid farewell to the Frakes and the parentals had their post-visit chat, Joe pulled Mike to one side.

"Before you head out, just remember, I'm a call away." Joe smiled awkwardly, "Anything weird or unexplained happens...well, more unexplained than usual anyway, let me know. You ain't losing me that easy." Joe punched him in the shoulder before they moved back to the group.

"Thanks, bro." Mike couldn't help but smile. He was frightened still, but at least his anchors were all still there.

Yeah, I can do this. It's not so bad, what's the worst that could...wait, don't even think that. Nothing's gonna happen, and we'll all be okay. Besides, the universe wouldn't dare take more away from me. I've given enough.

* * * * *

Calum

The Society had performed...less than admirably. That's what was being said around the halls of the grounds. The Livari had finally come and had found them wanting. For hundreds of years, very few select families had been chosen to prepare the world for Earth's 'Coming of Age'. They'd had assistance of course, however, how they'd used their 'Gifts' was what mattered.

As Student Council Vice Chairman, Calum had a few particular responsibilities. They were annoying, dreary, and convoluted as far as he could tell. Sign this paper, make this resolution, would star or flower effects be better for the welcome sign... Boring, with a capital B. One of his responsibilities was interesting though, in fact, no one in history had this one before.

The Grand Induction.

A month from now, Earth's trajectory would forever be altered, and a new destiny pursued. Oh sure, the poor were being fed, and the climate cleaned up, but what was really gonna change...was humanity itself. It started here, with just a few thousand. And from there, everything would change.

Hopefully for good.

It seemed that the Families, over time, were under the impression that since they and no other people were chosen, they were superior to human beings. In fact, for the majority of the Elders, it was quietly accepted that the Livari weren't ever going to return and that the Society was actually designed to rule the world eventually.

I hate the Families.

The Erlesen, one of the 3 Greater Chosen families, was arguably the most influential. There were Lesser Chosen families as well, but they were more or less relegated to niche roles that needed filling and had little say in affairs. The Erlesen were always meant to be in charge of the 'people' aspect of the Society, amongst other things. There was also the 'strength' aspect, as well as the 'creative' aspect that governed the Society, but that was not his domain.

I hate it all.

The arrival of the Livari put somewhat of a spanner in the works, as it were, to the plans for world domination by the Society, since, in less than a month the whole world would know they existed. It brought a smile to Calum's face, knowing that all their best-laid plans were dashed unknowingly by the very authority with which several rather questionable acts had been committed.

Stick a bunch of powerful people away for hundreds of years, tell them they're special, and then encourage them to prepare for the world to change. What did they think would happen? Guess they've got a lot of faith in us.

What was ironic was the fact that Calum, due to all his readily apparent disdain for the social constructs of the Society, had become incredibly popular with the young Society members, and had, in fact, amassed quite a following. He had no intention of putting any effort into being the 'face of the youth' or some other silly notion, however, it seemed that every choice he made, and every step taken in his duties was somehow taken to be 'special', and apparently merited their attention and study.

Utterly ridiculous.

All this nonsense would hopefully fade once the brand-new Chosen arrived at the academy. Thousands of 'normal' people, or rather, teens, would choose to come to the Academy, and would not care one bit about 'Society politics' or any such drivel.

This outdated notion of the magical families being some sort of nobility or royalty won't sit well with the thousands of incredibly strong individuals who are used to being fiercely independent. Imposing anything more than they're used to will be a tall order make no mistake.

Not to mention that La'ar specifically came here to impress that very notion on the elders.

It was jarring for the Society's upper crust, but La'ar had actually toured the premises, listened in on the rumors floating around, and had somehow concluded that the Society had strayed rather far from the mark set out for them. His reprimand for them was...

So awesome. The Livari can't be that bad if they singlehandedly destroy the long-established social hierarchy in an hour.

Others might disagree with him, but Calum was raised to see things others missed, be at the right place at the right time, and if needs be, be the fly on the wall you hoped wouldn't tell others all your secrets. He felt this would be the best course of action.

I can't wait to meet them.

* * * * *

La'ar

(Guest Suite on the Society grounds)

What an incredible day!

La'ar flopped onto the bed in his provided room and stared up at the ceiling.

Yet, what a disappointment this 'Society' turned out to be. Truly it was prudent of us to create a control for humans to see what developments we could expect from them.

La'ar sighed and sat up, crossing his legs in a meditative pose.

I suppose that great potential can come with the caveat of great disappointment as well. They are young as a civilized species after all. I guess more •fingerholding• is required than I imagined. We have so much to learn, and so much to teach them as well.

La'ar wasn't taking any chances. He had decided that all classes were to be taught by Livari professors until such a time as the humans might catch up and learn what to teach, separated, as it were, from their self-imposed societal constraints.

If they're so •hell-bent• on ignoring what is best for the future of their species in the pursuit of their own personal nonsense, then they have no business teaching that nonsense to those who will likely become our vanguard. They need to be trained and trustworthy, not have their heads filled with •tapau-excrement•.

It fascinated and irritated La'ar no end to see the similarities between Humans and Livari. When positions of power opened up, the corrupt were drawn almost immediately like •winged insects• to a flame. The Livari themselves weren't completely free of this phenomenon, though they had achieved much in the way of vetting and curbing the spread.

What struck La'ar the most was the response to the changes occurring on Earth by the Livari's hands. Most humans, it seemed, were more curious than afraid at this point, though there was a healthy amount of fear and confusion lacing the globe at present. It was no wonder that the advent of the Link had gone unnoticed.

It was this Magical Construct that would usher in a new era for Humanity, and most of them would never get to see it for themselves. That was the price you paid when you were such a passionate and volatile species. Guardrails, as for children, were required to keep humanity's progress in check for a time. There was no species quite like this one, and La'ar would be a fool not to take every precaution.

The Chosen would soon be joining them here at the Academy. They were young and impressionable, and with all their tendencies, playing •open-decks• with them all would be wisest. That's why they received a month to decide and were cleverly figuring out their 'T's and C's' with one another.

I'll have the Link explain to them each what would be expected of them, and since they are so few, have it answer their questions as well... Hmmm.

He mentally flicked through the new Link, as of yet unseen by any human. It was quite straightforward, as any new Link would be, no frills, no embellishments.

Yet. Seems that She hasn't joined with it. I wonder if she's chosen a Champion yet.

It would be interesting, to say the least, to see who She chose. These were children after all, and She was famed for her discernment. For Her to finally join the Quest was momentous, the 'last and least' of the 'Golden' generation. Some said it was hubris to let her 'gestation' take so long, and it was only by the authority of the Luminary that the Humans weren't contacted earlier.

Now was the time though, and La'ar was confident the wait had been worth it. These 'humans' were truly unique among the races of the Galaxy, the closest ever found in likeness to the Livari themselves.

For longer than this species has been making war, we've battled and died against the Subversion. Perhaps now, finally, the last piece of the puzzle will be found here. In these 'humans'...

La'ar stood up from his bed and looked out his window to the invisible dome beyond which a frozen wasteland howled.

...and hopefully, for all our sakes, in their Champion.