1 Reap and Sow

He came to us all in a dream. That is what the history books say when they mention The Benefactor, the mysterious savior of humanity. He had come 100 years ago to warn us of A impending calamity that would see beast once thought to be myth come back and attack Earth. To save the world, he gave some humans the power to mechanize, and become a Reaper...

Alyx awoke to his alarm going off for the third time that morning. He ran his hand his through his course hair, eyes still closed and then clicked snooze again. He had this morning ritual memorized. Alyx knew could press snooze 5 times before waking up and still not be late. With that knowledge he slowly fell back asleep before suddenly snapping to alert. Today was not a normal day. Today was the day he was to be Analyzed. Every person was Analyzed when the finished high school and if they were determined to be compatible with a Reaper they were sent into the Machine. There a Reaper could choose them as it's next champion, and they'd be sent to Evernest. He sighed, hoping he wasn't chosen, or even better compatible. Reapers would become instant soldiers of the Federation. Not to fight the Calamity, that problem was averted thanks to the First Generation. No, after the world came together to save themselves, humans once again had no common enemy, and with the new Reaper technology in place territorial disputes became even deadlier. Alliances were made, borders shifted and finally A uneasy peace was attained. Still, a new arms race had begun, this time with Reapers.

Alyx arrived at the location he was assigned a bit late. He had hit the snooze one more time. He looked around to see who else had been assigned today and counted about 20 kids among them was his old class leader, Amara, a few rows back. She was the hardest worker he knew. He expected her to get a Named Reaper. He recognized others from his school as well. No one he knew by name.

"Yo, Alyx."

He turned to see who had called his name. Approaching him was the closest thing he has to a best friend. He and Jason weren't close, but they had a tendency to share classes all high school, so they had developed a friendship. Jason was the star kid of the school: Soccer Captain, near the top of the class in grades, got the girls, he had lived the dream high school life. Compared to Alyx, who had purposely stayed in the background.

"You ready? I'm hoping I get a named one, they get the best perks." Jason said with a grin.

He wasn't wrong, having a named Reaper meant instant promotion to at least Lieutenant.

"Nah, you know me. I'm ok with just getting a Saytr-class." Alyx replied.

"Saytr? Aiming for bare minimum again I see, classic Alyx."

The Reapers were split into 4 categories: Saytr, the supports and medics of the mechs, Giants, the front line common soldier, Named Reapers, those with A actual name and history, and the fourth was Legendary. These were the Reapers that had led the fight during the calamity and every nation was scrambling to have them. There were 12 in total, each named after anOlympian, which also determined the powers granted.

"Jason Fuller, please enter." The P.A system blared.

" Guess that's me. Hopefully we catch up at Evernest. Good luck!"

Alyx watched as Jason strutted into the room. He envied that confidence. He waited patiently, his silent prayer became a mantra he repeated on loop: 'Let me be Incompatible.''

"Alyx Sorozin, please enter."

He looked around as he walked up. He hadn't seen Jason exit. 'Guess he was compatible'.

He stepped into the room and noticed immediately that it was a lot colder than it was outside. In the room was a doctor, a group of who he assumed were Federation Soldiers based on their uniforms and what looked like a tank. He shivered as he got closer. It seemed that the chill was coming from that. One of the soldiers nodded as he got closer. It was a male that looked to be in his 30s, with grey hair and a clean-shaven face.

"Hello Alyx, I am Commander Morris. Are you cold" Alyx nodded. "Then you have been determined to be compatible." Alyx's face must have revealed his confusion as Morris then explained. "When one approachs a Machine they feel one of two things. A chill, which is your body feeling the emptiness of its Reaper, or heat, which is your body rejecting it. You are the first today to be compatible, I was beginning to think this town was hopeless."

Alyx was stunned. He had watched Amara and Jason, both harder workers and more qualified then him come in, and both had been denied? To make matters worst he was the first to be deemed compatible, his one wish had not only failed but had made him seem special. 'It's ok...maybe i'm just a Satyr.' He nodded his head to himself. Morris however took as a sign that he was ready and opened the tank.

"Well, go and meet your Reaper."

He took a deep breathe then walked into the tank.

It was even colder inside the tank. Alyx has first thought that it would sensor-deprivation tank. He soon realized that was not the case as it got colder and colder. Suddenly the temperature rose back to a normal room's and he was able to see a light in front of him.

'Please be a Satyr, please be a Satyr' he repeated until a voice responded. 'I am no Satyr child.'

Out of the light walked what seemed to be a man. He had a hood and mask on, leaving only his piercing red eyes to be seen. He dressed in what seemed to be hooded jacket and black cargo pants. The voice spoke again in Alyx's mind.

'So, you are the next champion...I was getting lonely being the only one. If this Reaper is once again going into the world then it must be in danger once again. What is it, another Calamity? Or did the nations finally lose their minds and go to war?'

Alyx was still stunned and was slow to respond

'No...the world is at peace currently...who are you and what reaper had chosen me?'

'My name is unimportant, and when you leave here you are to not mention that we talked. As for you Reaper? It's one the world won't be happy to see again, so good luck with that. I hope you had a good life before now, cause it's not gonna be great from here on out...well it's time to go back, Alyx Sorozin, champion of Hades!