MEAL

The time at Celina’s penthouse was some of the most comfortable weeks ever. Soft beds, homemade food, and a luxury room were like heaven compared to the dirty streets of the slums. In the meantime waiting for the selection, Celina had Kain and Rika help out with her clinic. It was tiring work, dealing with injured civilians. Most were actual unfortunate people, thankful for the free service that would usually take nearly all of the credits of a common person saved up. Now and then they would get a native of the Garden, someone who was exponentially wealthier than the people who showed up to the clinic. They would demand to go first cutting in front of all the more injured people. Usually they would not have much of an injury, maybe a cut finger or a sprained wrist. Celina still put up with them, though, and treated them much like everyone else. Rika believed Celina was a saint. Celina just humbly shook off her praise. It was here at this clinic where Rika saw firsthand a demonstration of Celina’s abilities. Much like Kain she was shocked at such a marvelous spectacle. Celina also showed them how she dealt with her power’s drawbacks. She had a multitude of wooden dolls that she would direct damage into. The clinic service would go on as long as she could have enough wooden dolls. Rika herself was frightened by the destructive capability of this power that Celina wielded. Celina assured her that the damage stored could only be put into inanimate objects, not living things. When the day was done, Celina would send Kain on an errand to pick up more dolls, and Rika to clean the clinic from that day. This cycle lasted throughout the time until the Holy Selection was to take place. The day before the Holy Selection, Celina called Rika and Kain to the living room after the last day at the clinic. “Thank you for helping me, truly.” Rika waved her hand dismissively. “Hey, don’t mention it, man. I’d do a lot more to stay in this place as long as I have.” “Well, I still appreciate you helping out.” Rika propped her feet up on the table and asked, “So what do we do tomorrow? I’m pretty sure neither of us are Virtue Born. How’re we gonna get in?” Celina thought for a moment. “Well…I can just personally recommend you. I’ll say the two of you have latent talent. If you're only looking for information, you just have to be in the academy long enough to do something notable. That will give me some leeway to appoint both of you as representatives of my House.” Kain nodded at Celina’s plan. “Sounds good. Are you sure this will work, though?” Celina looked at Kain, then Rika. “I am not certain, but it should work. I do know, however, that Kain will be recognized the second I select him. Let’s hope they don’t act too rashly and kill him.” Rika looked up at Celina. “I know ya said Kain wasn’t safe, but who exactly would be trying to kill him?” Celina clasped her hands and looked up with an uncomfortable expression. “I can’t say much, but Kain’s existence is basically the opposite of what I am. It’s not his fault, he was made that way. That’s all I can say now.” Rika placed her hand on her temples. “So, everybody would try to kill him?” Celina nodded. “Yes, to us Virtue Born someone like Kain is the natural enemy of our people. If anyone even had the slightest inkling of what Kain is, they would with no doubt try to kill him.” Kain leaned back into the chair and crossed his arms. This was all the more reason why he needed answers. Rika suddenly tensed up. “How do we know you’re different from them? How do we know this isn’t some sort of trap to kill Kain?” Celina looked taken aback. “I would never do anything to hurt Kain. He was the person who taught me the meaning of ‘Kindness’. Besides, House Kindness does not believe in what the other Virtue Born and Houses believe in. Even if my Mother and Father were here, they would support you like I am doing nonetheless.” Rika leaned back, but did not completely lower her guard. Kain stood up from his chair. “Well, I trust Celina. I mean, we have to trust Celina. Without her, it will be impossible to get through the Holy Selection.” Rika sighed and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” Kain walked over to the window. It was late in the afternoon, but the walls of the capital still illuminated the Garden as though it was day. Only in the night would the city fall dark, and even then lights in the city would illuminate the streets. For Kain, who had stayed here for nearly two weeks, this city was truly amazing. He could also say the same for Rika, who still marveled at the sights and sounds of the Garden. It would almost be a shame to leave the city which had shown them so much. Celina called from over by the living room. “You know, It’s a lot more amazing in the capital. I can’t wait to show you and Rika around.” Kain did not respond, he just kept looking out the window. “I really do hope we can become friends again, just like we were long ago. “I wouldn’t know, I don’t remember.” Kain turned to face Celina. “I really hope you aren’t lying about knowing me. This would be all for nothing.” Celina looked somber. “I promise, as soon as I can, I will tell you everything I know.” Kain nodded. Celina walked up to the window beside him. “Tomorrow is going to be tough, but I promise it will all work out somehow.” Kain didn’t respond.

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Kain and Rika were back in the luxury car with Celina. For the ceremony, they had ditched the worker uniforms they had got off the workers at the warehouse for more fancier clothing Celina had provided. Even still, Rika refused to take off the cap that she always wore much to the botherment of Celina. Rika was looking out the window, arms crossed and foot tapping. She had not spoken up the entire morning. Kain thought it was just on account of nervousness, but he could not be sure. They had gone over the plan again that morning, as Celina wanted to be sure she knew that the others understood the plan. “So Celina,” Kain turned his head to look at her. “We will be dropped off by the gate. We show the letters you wrote for us, and they escort us to the room where you’ll be staying. After a while, you’ll come back to get us and announce your recommendation, which should get us in. Does that sound right?” Celina nodded her head. “Yes, that is what you’ll do. If any problem might arise, show them the same letters that you showed the guards at the front. After seeing my name, they shouldn’t bother you again. Now, look alive you two! We’re here!” The car came to a stop on the curb. Kain and Rika stepped out of the vehicle and turned back to look at Celina. She waved at them and wished them good luck, causing Rika to wave back with a forced smile. The pair watched the car roll off and turn into a special gate. “Alright, let’s get on with it.” Rika walked ahead of Kain, pulling out her letter from the carpet. Kain did the same, his fingers brushing on the cool metal of the enforcer’s gun as well as the letter. He knew that bringing it along might cause trouble, but the power it carried reassured him. It might prove useful in a situation during the near future, so he found it necessary to bring the weapon along. Rika was already stopped at the entrance due to the long line of children trying to get in. Kain sidled up right next to her. “You have your letter ready?” “Yup.” Rika was cradling the letter to her chest and tapping her foot in nervousness. Kain wasn’t completely without his nerves as well. From what he was told by Celina, each one of these kids would jump at a chance to end his life. This fact put him on edge and made him paranoid. Rika muttered something, but Kain couldn’t hear her to the chatter of the kids around him. Most were excited, buzzing about the potential opportunity they would be Virtue Born. Others were joking around, likely to ease nerves. Some kept to themselves and shut themselves off. If Kain looked around hard enough, he could even see tears in some of the children’s eyes. Rika pulled on his shirt, grabbing his attention. It was their turn in line. The enforcer shoved a small box-like device with a slot for one's index finger. “Provide a blood sample, then move forward for screening.” Rika waved him off. “We have special permission from Celina, there's no need.” She stuck out the letter that she had in her hand, and Kain showed the same letter to the enforcer. After scoffing and taking the two in his hand, the enforcer’s eyes widened as he read on. Handing them back the written letters, he gestured past him. “Welcome, trusted candidates of House Kindness. Please, proceed forward to your progenitor’s conference room.” The enforcer pointed toward an enforcer standing guard against the edge of the gate. “You, escort them to their location. Conference room twenty two sector B. Hurry, do not keep the trusted candidates waiting.” Before the guard walked over to be with them, another enforcer stopped him and turned to the directing enforcer. “Let me take them, I know the way more effectively.” After a moment, the enforcer waved his hand. “Whatever, just get them back quickly.” The enforcer taking Kain and Rika saluted and motioned for them to follow him. They were led into a huge stadium-like structure, its white and gold walls making it stand out like a statue in the midst of everything around. The inside of the area was pristine, not a spot of dirt or grime anywhere in sight. Various people walked around in white robes with silver hemming, a symbol shewn on their chest. They stared at the two passing by, muttering under their breath things that neither Kain nor Rika could pick up on. Rika nudged Kain and smiled. “I think they're jealous of us~” Kain shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s the reason.” Kain looked around, seeing people around them staring in his direction. He just wanted to be with Celina as soon as possible. The enforcer opened a door, leading into a dark hallway. “Right this way.” The two looked at each other, but thought it best not to cause a scene. Letting the enforcer go ahead of them, Rika whispered in Kain’s ear. “He talks funny. Like he’s missing teeth or something”. They walked for another minute, and Rika spoke up. “Umm, ‘scuse me, but when are we gonna get to where we need to go?” The enforcer walked over to Rika. Suddenly, he flung out a hand, punching her in the stomach. Kain turned in surprise, and Rika doubled over. The enforcer then slammed his elbow into Rika’s face, causing blood to fly and her being knocked over. Kain tried to step forward, but the enforcer kicked him in the chest. Kain stumbled against a wall when the enforcer rushed forward and punched him in the face, causing the world to flash white. “You know, I never really forgave you for jacking me up in that alleyway. Nearly lost my job, so I thought it was pretty fair to get some revenge, you know?” The enforcer smiled. “I got offered a place up here for this special ceremony, and I found it good. Had a feeling y'all would come up here, and I was right!”. Kain tried to knee the enforcer, but it was met with another punch to the face. “You know, Imma tell you what I’m gonna do.” The enforcer threw Kain on the ground, and kicked him in the ribs. A loud snap reverberated as Kain groaned in pain. “I’m gonna beat you to a pulp. Then I’ll kill her,” The enforcer pointed at Rika who was now stirring. “And I’m gonna make it real slow. Make you watch, too.” Kain looked up at the enforcer. “This time, I’m going to kill you.” The enforcer laughed. “Ahhh, it's funny to hear you say that. Very funny!” Turning back around quickly, the enforcer kicked Kain again in the stomach. Kain let out a gasp and clutched his side. “Good luck with that!” The enforcer started to walk over to Rika, causing Kain to stand up and rush at him. The enforcer just sidestepped him, letting Kain fall to the ground, clutching his side. “I ain’t gonna fall for that again.” Kain could only think of one way out of this. The metal of the gun in Kain’s pocket brushed along his side, as if reminding him of its presence. Kain slid the gun out of his pocket, concealing it from view. “You know, you’re the one who messed up my teeth. That’s pretty cruel, you know.” The enforcer walked over to Kain. Kain stared up with hateful eyes. The enforcer stooped down to Kain. “Now, don’t you resent me for this. I’m just giving out what you put in.” The enforcer got on top of Kain and put his hands on Kain’s neck. It was if a belt was constricting air from going to Kain’s lungs. He started to see black on the edge of his vision. Kain knew that if he did not get this man off him, he would die. “Now, you’re looking pretty scared!” The enforcer squeezed his hands tighter, causing Kain to scratch at his arms and gag. He was fading. The world became blurry, everything was shaking. He had to do something. Kain had an idea, one that might save his life. He reached for the gun in his pocket and pushed it toward the enforcer. “Hah! Surprised you still have that thing. I’d have thought you’d throw that away by now. But thank you for bringing it back!” The gun’s little screen displayed a “X”, refusing to shoot whatever was inside. Kain’s shaking arm got under the helmet, the gun’s barrel shakily placed on the skin of the enforcer’s neck. “That won’t shoot you know. It has to touch me-” The enforcer was interrupted with a happy sounding “Ding!” as the “X” on the screen turned to a check. The enforcer’s expression dropped. He tried to jerk his head away, but it was too late. A loud bang reverberated throughout the hallway. The enforcer’s neck was blown apart, blood spraying everywhere. Kain, now free of the choke hold, turned over and started to cough and rub his neck. Slowly he regained his composure, taking deep rattling breaths. Blood was in his eyes, over his face, and on the floor. His ribs were broken, and his nose was bleeding. Turning over, he saw the enforcer still gurgling and twitching, blood coming out from his mouth and neck. Kain tried to get up, but fell back down. “Kain…?” Rika regained consciousness and was now standing on her feet, leaning against the wall. Before Kain could look at her, something dark stirred within him. Something hungry. It was the hunger that he felt in the dark corridor. The hunger that drove him to escape. Now, it seemed different. Like it was devouring something, the feeling not entirely focused on him. Then, it happened. Kain’s body convulsed. Kain could not register anything around him as his eyes filled with red. Finally, he lost consciousness.

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Marcus was born into a common family near Acres. He had a loving mother, a supportive father, and money in his pocket. At age nine, after seeing an enforcer stop a thief, he made a promise to become an enforcement officer. His parents like always supported him, and by the time he turned sixteen, he applied for the job. When he was notified he was accepted, they threw a party for him. The next day, he was off. Marcus was set to be stationed in one of the unnamed districts in the slums. He didn’t mind, as he had heard of all the injustice happening in those other parts of the slums and wanted to use his new power to fix it. When he arrived, Marcus not only saw debauchery on the streets, but also by the enforcers. They would use there power to have there way with people, rob citizens, and kill indiscriminately. “No,” Marcus thought. “I’ll never become like them.” Years later, constant exposure to crime and heinous actions wore his righteousness down. His colleagues, the ones who worked with him, called him a saint. “Just this once,” they said. “No one can stop you,” they said. Eventually, Marcus believed him. Though a part of him still held empathy. He would send credits, the money of Olympus Mons, to his parents to support them. One day, he met a girl in an alleyway. He tried to acquire her, but was stopped by her friend. He was a peculiar looking boy, with very light grey hair and gray eyes rimmed with red. He was beaten by the boy and the girl, his gun taken from him. Watching the boy, around sixteen, defend his friend like that reminded Marcus of the time when he wished for justice, something better. He hated the boy, therefore vowed to kill him. Marcus guessed he would be heading to the Garden for the Holy Selection. Why wouldn’t he? Any slum rat would want a better chance at life, wouldn’t they. After days at the Garden, he saw them. His plan worked perfectly. He guided them into a maintenance hallway. That was when he struck. He knocked out the girl and humiliated the boy. There was no way that he would lose. He would get his revenge. He would kill the boy slowly. Marcus felt something press against his neck. It was his old gun, the one the boy took from him a month ago. Well, it wouldn’t work, he thought. The guns had to be wielded by an enforcer to work. It was technology that Marcus didn’t understand, but he could care less. A ding resounded, and Marcus realized that he was sorely mistaken. A bang sounded off, and he felt as if someone punched his neck. He fell back. Marcus tried to breath, but his mouth filled with liquid. He looked down at his feet and saw a large red puddle spreading from his body. Ah. Marcus coughed and blood splattered. He was losing consciousness now. Would he die? He would probably die. Yes, death was inevitable. It wasn’t so bad, Marcus thought. Uncomfortable, but not unbearable. The pain was there, but it was if it were happening to someone else. A warm sensation filled his body. His limbs grew heavy. Marcus was so, so tired. It was almost as if he could sleep an eternity. Marcus saw the boy rolling over, the girl getting up. Why had he tried to hurt them again? It was so stupid. So stupid how he continually tried to hurt people over and over and over. Enough thinking about that. Marcus was tired, so he would rest. The man named Marcus then let go of the little life he had left, allowing his soul to rest. However, this would not come to pass. Something hungry activated within the boy and laid claim to Marcus’ soul. The fate of what Marcus was would not be rest, but consumption. The hunger within the boy rumbled in satisfaction. It would continue to devour the selves of people ended by the boy. It was the natural–or unnatural–way of things. Such was the nature of a Glutton.

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Kain woke up in a bright furnished room, people looking over him with worried expressions. Kain recalled something strange. He had lived another life, a life named Marcus. He had met his end at the hands of himself, in that dark maintenance hallway. Did he truly live that life? “Kain? Are you okay?” It was Rika, who he had befriended and trusted. It was the girl that he had vowed to kill after the incident in the alley. “Please, speak to me!” He wanted to answer her. He wanted to eliminate her. Was he Marcus? Was he Kain? The memories of an entire lifetime threatened to overtake the personality and self known as “Kain”. “Are you okay! Kain!” Looking up, Kain saw the worried expression on Rika’s face. Tears were beginning to form there, some falling down on his face. Kain did not want the person he trusted to be sad like this. No, he definitely did not want to see Rika like this. Due to the willpower shown by Kain, “Marcus” would not prevail. “Yes…I’m fine Rika.” Kain began to sit up. It was true, he was fine. His ribs hurt no longer, and the bruises and aches in his body were gone. Rika let out a sob and hugged Kain. “It seems like you’re better now, I’m glad.” Kain looked over and saw Celina sitting on a chair. “I was worried about you.” She looked at Kain with a tired expression. “Don’t worry, you weren’t out for long. Only about five minutes. I also took care of the enforcer in the hallway.” Kain rubbed his neck, remembering Marcus’ hands squeezing it. “I’m sorry you had to do that, Kain. No one should have to take a life.” “Thank you. But…how did you find us?” Rika pulled away from Kain and sat across from him. “I dragged you out of there, and I was lucky to have Celina find us. She healed you.” Celina stood up and walked toward them. “Yes, I found both of you while walking to my parent’s office. We are all lucky that I found you when I did.” Kain nodded, then suddenly widened his eyes. “The ceremony! Did we miss it?” Celina laughed slightly. “No, not at all. It starts in an hour. We have time.” Rika stood up and went to sit in a chair. “We barely got out of that one, huh?” Kain did not answer. He looked down at his hand and squeezed it. Something felt different. It was as if he had more strength than before. He had noticed it when he sat up. It felt unnatural, not his own, almost as if someone else was added onto the abilities of his body. It wasn’t just his strength, either. There was the feeling of something deep, something dark. It was the same feeling he felt in the dark corridor and in the hallway. But something was different. It felt like it wanted more. The hunger within him whispered “Eat, eat!”, and Kain could do is listen to its request.