The Requiem of Ash

The boy ducked, feeling the blade cut through the air just above him. Keeping calm, he stepped in close, twisting his hips in a violent motion as he dug his fist into his opponent's gut. He was rewarded with a heavy grunt as his opponent had his breath knocked out of him.

The boy smiled, it was a decidedly evil expression as he prepared to follow through. Before he could, he felt a heavy knee buried into his stomach, knocking him off his feet. He felt his mind go blank in pain and panic leaving him open to another kick that sent him stumbling backwards.

Tenet fought to maintain composure. He tried to calm his breathing as he felt his stomach throbbing from the kick. He carefully watched the old man he was fighting through a veil of tears.

He groaned inwardly. Shit that hurts. Still he was determined to keep fighting, but he found it increasingly impossible to stand a chance against the old geezer. Well Tenet doubted if the word could actually apply to his opponent. If you'd ignore his short white hair and white goatee, his body was covered with rippling muscles, one meaty hand hefting a sword that seemed too large to be used with apparent ease.

His opponent regarded him coldly, his dark eyes like icicles. Then something in the atmosphere shifted. Tenet didn't know how he knew. But there was a change in the atmosphere, as if something that couldn't be seen was watching him. He tensed, prepared for something new. Then he heard a sound like rushing steam and muffled whispering and immediately he backed away. The old man hadn't moved at all, but his skin had begun to dark, going from lightly tanned to bronze, and then inky black as smoke began pouring out of his body. It was a thick black smoke that soon entirely covered his body.

Shit Tenet thought. A smoker, I'm being pitted against a smoker. Wasn't this meant to be a physical test?

A smoker was a first generation mutant that emerged after the first cataclysm. Information on them was strictly monitored, but Tenet had heard the stories. They emitted a black smoke that irritated the eyes and lungs and completely hid their form meaning it was impossible to win in close quarters. He wasn't aware if they had any other abilities, but they probably did. Soon the man had turned into a swirling black Tornado of death.

Tenet knew he couldn't win, the chances were slim before, and he was fine with slim. But this was pointless. It had turned from David v Goliath to David v Hades or something. So he did the next best thing. He ran. Even though Tenet knew it was a simulation, the pain of dying would still be felt. He was more than alright not going through that particular trauma.

As he ran, a flashing alert could be heard as if it was coming from everywhere. Student Sparrows return to designated area, Student Sparrows return to designated area. Tenet ignored the alert, he'd rather fail than die and fail.

Soon everything went black and Tenet opened his eyes. This time he wasn't in a random forest, but inside a mechanical pod. It beeped before the lid clicked and swung open. Disconnecting himself from the various wires and apparatus used to monitor him, he slowly climbed out.

Opposite him was the headmaster. A man with light olive complexion, slicked black hair, a curved nose and sharp black eyes giving him an eagle like appearance.

As Tenet climbed out he heard the headmaster tut in disappointment. "Not good at all Mr Sparrows, running away. Not good at all."

Tenet stared at him, his large dark eyes boring holes into the headmaster, "you said it was going to be a physical test, not a one to one duel with some smoke wielding superhuman." The headmaster coughed in embarrassment, "ah yes we usually tell the applicants that to ensure compliance." Tenet titled his head in mock confusion "Applicant?"

The headmaster sighed heavily, the lines of his face becoming more apparent. "Ahh, it seems no one has told you." He shifted uncomfortably, his confident demeanor fading away to a wary nervousness. Tenet inwardly smiled, of course he knew exactly what the Headmaster was talking about but he wasn't going to make it easy for him. Especially after his comments on the simulation.

"Well, Mr Sparrows. Your parents have made the decision to sign you up to the Y.S.C full year course. The initial course will be six months, so you might not have to do the full year. I believe the term is being docked."

The Y.S.C was the Youth program made by the G.S.C. The Global Space Corporation was a partnership between the three remaining superpowers of the world following the first cataclysm. Russia,  The European Confederation and South Africa. As well as major global private corporations. Following the first cataclysm which was a result of the toxic levels of pollution that humanity had released. At the price of technology, the first cataclysm came, bringing freak storms and cataclysmic tidal waves and earthquakes that destroyed a large portion of the world, making it uninhabitable.

The first cataclysm brought along the second cataclysm, as many nuclear stations failed and went into overload resulting in a global effort of humanity's remaining powers to minimize the damage. Its aftermath had made one thing clear, the Earth was dying. From this realization the G.S.C formed as a type of world government coalition to fix the problem. The only good thing coming from the cataclysm is that the pollution and radiation somehow brought upon a mutation on some of the surviving humans. The first mutants were called the first generation, however only a few facts were publicly known about them.

The Y.S.C was a youth program to scout people to join the Y.S.C as its grunt force. There were many terrible rumors about the things that happened to people who signed up, so much so that everyone refused to sign their children up to it. So the G.S.C offered a cash incentive for the parents of the students that joined. This had brought about the term docking, where parents would sign children up without their knowledge to the camp for money. It was the main way the Y.S.C got their volunteers so they did nothing to stop it. Tenet remembered Lanky Kevin who went last year. The poor boy still hadn't said a word since he came back and he only lasted the first six months.

Still, Tenet wasn't like them. He was a volunteer, forcing his parents to sign him up.

Tenet widened his eyes in mock shock and betrayal, "what do you mean I've been docked" he stammered, inwardly relishing the headmaster's pained expression as he realized that he'd have to break the news.

The headmaster stammered uncontrollably, obviously lacking any skills to comfort, "It's not all bad Tenet. Uhh, think of it like a holiday."

Tenet broke into rampant laughter, no longer able to keep up with the facade. "Don't worry sir" he chuckled, "I knew already."

The headmaster froze, his assurances dying on his lips as he expression turned frosty. "I see. You may return to class then Mr Sparrows. The Y.S.C coordinator will be picking you up shortly, if he isn't late as usual" he finished with a mutter. Tenet smiled, leaving the headmaster's office and making his way back to class.

As he returned to class, taking out his epad and pen, he found it impossible to focus on the lesson. It was a health and safety lesson on resuscitation. His mind refused to focus on anything as his heart beat in anticipation for the coordinator to arrive. As the AI droned on, projecting an image of using a defibrillator he felt a strange sense of superiority. Usually he would have written notes on his epad which would be scanned by the AI at the end of class. If it wasn't adequate he'd receive some sort of punishment. But now that he was leaving he no longer cared for the consequences.

Making his mind up on the spot, he raised his hand, "Permission to go to the toilet."

"Granted" came the female robotic voice.

Tenet stood up and made his way outside. He walked down the corridor, and not in the direction to the toilet.