The Truth

Humanity's prosperity was now all but ensured thanks to the discovery of the new element, ether. Excavators were now a thing of the past, as mankind no longer needed anyone like them. However, there were still some who were curious about anything left behind by the vestiges of a lost era. As mankind quickly approached the 22nd century, the general public now merely only studied the years past as a way to learn from their own mistakes, a way for them to appreciate the miracle and new chance given to them by the Primogenitor. Up until now, seemingly so, people seemed to treat this lesson seriously. Conflict and crime rates had fallen to unprecedented lows. Life was great. The only adventures were now being carried out by a new generation of excavators. Instead of these excavators attempting to find clues for mankind's survival, they wanted to find and document the history of a lost age. They wanted to see if they could find clues for anything interesting that happened during the early times of the Age of Evolution. Lastly, a certain group of new excavators descended from the line of Harriet Li's legendary team wanted to find more hints to the Edicts which their predecessors had kept for themselves.

Harriet's only child, a strong woman by the name of Heather, had enhanced eyesight and hearing, which was incredibly useful for excavation, despite her physical prowess being only limited to her physical workouts and combat training. Unlike her peers, who generally possessed abilities that could benefit them in a battle, Heather was the most important member of her team precisely due to her enhanced eyesight and hearing. She could detect danger coming from a mile away while her eyes could spot treasures that could even be hidden in the smallest of precipices. Their exploration took them to the place which started them all - Nevada, in the United States. Heather had a strong feeling that there was something here which would help them all comprehend their tablets a bit better. Unfortunately, by the time they reached the site, they discovered something which was the opposite of exciting.

The alien vessel belonging the Primogenitor was no longer there, of course. However, there was a strange structure in its place which bore the flag of the United States, untainted and in its full glory - the Star Spangled Banner, as it were. Heather and her team, consisting of the children of the original team to discover the Primogenitor's vessel, learned that the United States was doing something in secret. Whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, they did not know. However, Ken Yanase, the son of Yukiko Yanase, had the ability to cloak himself and become undetected by anything - even stronger than the ability of a chameleon, it was akin to perfect invisibility. He offered himself up to investigate the structure, since nobody else could do it efficiently. However, Heather was in love with Ken, an emotion that was fortunately reciprocated. Ken swore he would return safely.

Ken quickly went to investigate the new structure. Fortunately, nothing bad happened to him for the most part - until he was going to leave. He didn't know when it happened, but somebody, for the very first time in his thirty or so years of life, was able to discover him in his invisible form. Ken had to escape, he had to survive, he wanted to live, damnit! He still had a life to live out, for Heather. As he was escaping, he suffered many injuries and because he left a trail of blood on the ground as he ran, it made it much easier for people to know where he was, as his blood was not invisible... This was a crucial weakness of his that Ken actually knew. However, he didn't anticipate that somebody would be able to find him. Inwardly he wondered why. And it was then he heard the voice of the man who attacked him.

"Mr. Yanase... This is the power of the Edict of Washington! The Ether Resonance! An eldritch power drawn from the faith and legends of folkloric heroes and villains! Your predecessors were sure smart, granting the tablet to us all those years ago. I shall let you and your friends live the rest of your lives in peace... We will spare you when the time for Revolution comes!"

Ken, scared out of his wits, quickly made his escape and returned to Heather and the others, hurriedly explaining what he was told. The news also scared the hell out of them. The new generation of excavators had given up as soon as they had started. The Revolution? What was that? However, after they had stopped their operations, with everyone going their separate ways (except for Ken and Heather, who decided to get married and spend the rest of their lives together), it was as if the man who held the power of the Edict of Washington never existed. Nothing ever came of it. The so-called Revolution never came.

Life carried on as usual.

Heather and Ken enjoyed their lives together and had two children - a daughter who they named Yuri, and a son they named Ashley. Yuri was a strong and intrepid character, she possessed the ability to control plant-life. Not a common ability, but definitely not a unique one either. However... Ashley was a different beast.

He did not possess any latent ability. Not even during his infant years. All he had were dashing nymph-like looks that made people believe he was Yuri's sister.

Parents Heather and Ken were at a loss.