My name is Alex. I'm 8 years old. I am also a blonde boy with green eyes. I live in Xodias City and I go to the school of Xorie. We are in February 2018. Right now, I'm in the yard because it's the morning break. I'm watching Eloi and Bobby climb into the playground when, suddenly, I look at Nana, who stands a little further.
Nana, she's a rebel. Because of her sharp tongue, she is often scolded by the teachers. She also often looks for a fight. She is 9 years old and her family comes from another country. While most of the people in Xodias have white skin, her skin is... how can I say it without racist undertones?... Yellow-ish? No, that's TOTALLY racist! I know. Her skin is the same color as the sun because the sun is yellow. Well, I think it's yellow. Anyway, Nana's eyes are black and slanted. As for her hair, also black, she always ties it in two braids.
I look at Nana and I see her eyes widen in terror. She screams something, then the pain pierces my body. My vision blurred. I collapse on the ground. I cannot move, but I hear screams. I see silhouettes of children running and falling down. I also see other things. Odd creatures with lots of paws. My chest is all wet. What the…? Blood… on me…? I close my eyes to wake up in a hospital bed. What the…? I try to look around, but my head doesn't move. Then I see the face of my older brother, James. A blonde guy like me, but in a darker tone.
James: Alex…
He sighs with relief.
James: You are finally awakened. I thought…
Alex: You thought what?
I manage to talk to him, although my voice is weak.
James: I thought that you wouldn't make it. Cursed monsters! If Nana had not been there, you...
Alex: Wait a sec... monsters? Nana?
James: You must rest. I'll explain everything to you later.
Alex: N... No! Explain now!
My throat hurts, but I don't care. I need to know what happened in the schoolyard. My brother sighs again, but with anger this time.
James: Alex. Do you remember the stories I told you when you were 5-6 years old? Regarding the RB?
Alex: The RB?
James: The Rift Breakers.
Alex: Yes, I remember them. Were they not superheroes who fought invisible monsters?
James: Yes and no. I blurred the reality, but I wanted to prepare you, just in case. The Rift Breakers - RB for short - are, in reality, children chosen for generations. Their only duty is to fight the monsters coming out of the Rifts, strange cracks of light, and destroy them afterward. Alex, a Rift has appeared at Xorie's yard. Many children were killed but Nana... She's an RB... she beat them. All the monsters. She saved you.
My head starts to spin. Monsters coming out of Rifts? Children destined to fight them?
James: A child knows that he or she is a Rift Breaker if the Brand appears somewhere on his/her body. He or she can immediately see the monsters. You have the Brand on your right arm.
I want to check that out, but my head still refuses to move. My brother keeps talking to me. He tells me that during his childhood he was an RB and, even though he is no longer Active, he can still feel the Rifts.
James: I knew you were in danger, but I could not... I could not help!
The next few minutes pass in silence, then he tells me that he is going to look for dad and mom.
James: I'll leave you with my cellphone. When you get better, you can visit "www.rb.annony." It is a secret website, well hidden in the deep web, for the Rift Breakers. Our parents will be so glad to see you! But, and this is vital, don't tell them anything.
Alex: Anything?
James: About the RB and the monsters. Nothing! You understand?
James leaves me alone then dad and mom come to see me. We don't talk much. They are so glad to see me alive.
During the night, I wake up and manage to move my head and the rest of my body. I manage to take my brother's cellphone - it was on a small table near my hospital bed - and then I turn it on. Thanks to the light of the phone, I could see the Brand on my right arm. Like a scar, a strange symbol is engraved in my flesh. It doesn't hurt to the touch. Without wasting time, I'm looking to find this famous secret website, "www.rb.annony". As soon as I find it, I come across a page that asks me for a password. Crop! James didn’t tell me about that! What am I supposed to do now? Suddenly, the page is replaced by a chat room.
CHARLIE is Online.
GUEST is Online.
Charlie says: Hi James! You ok?
Wow! Ok... should I pretend to be my brother?
… … … HECK YEAH!!!
Guest says: Yes I am ok. I forgot my password.
Charlie says: Wow... are you serious? It's alex346.
Guest says: Thank you.
Charlie says: Wait, I'll give you access...
The page for the password returns. The chat room is now in a tab. I can open it and close it at will. I enter James's password.
GUEST becomes JAMES.
Charlie says: Are you connected? Good. How's your little brother?
James says: He's fine.
Charlie says: Did you tell him about the RB? He must be aware as soon as possible.
James says: I told him.
Charlie says: And how does he take it?
James says: I don't know.
Charlie says: How can you not know? Hmm. Are you REALLY James?
Oh-oh!
James says: Of course, I'm James!
Charlie says: Prove it. My full name and my ID. Now!
Crop!
Charlie says: I'm waiting.
James says: Ok I'm not James.
Charlie says: If you are a hacker, I warn you, I CAN cause you trouble so back off!
James says: No, no, I'm Alex!
Charlie says: Alex? THE Alex? Why didn't you say it sooner? I will create your own access with your own password. "paws501", that's ok for you? James told me that you like dogs.
James says: That's ok for me.
Charlie says: It's done. Now connect with your own access.
I enter my password.
JAMES is Offline.
ALEX is Online.
Charlie says: It's better that way, don't you think?
Alex says: Yes. Who are you?
Charlie says: Charlie Always.
Alex says: LOL!
Charlie says: I am serious. My family name is Always.
Alex says: XD!
Charlie says: *sighs* Kids these days…
Alex says: I'm sorry.
Charlie says: "35 years. Professional freelance photographer. Born in 1983. Became an RB in 1993. Inactive since 1998. ID CH-555." Information that you can find on the website, in the Rift Breakers' database.
Alex says: Wow. That's actually a lot of information.
Charlie says: It's necessary. Otherwise, the Rift Breakers would never be preserved in History. Your brother also has a file and you will have one. Why don't you poke around, on the website? It is full of information about the RB and believe me, you'll need them. Well, I'm going to bed, see you later!
Alex says: CYA!
CHARLIE is Offline.
I close the chat room's tab and start browsing the website. It's a real gold mine for the Rift Breakers. Information about the Rifts, the Monsters, the Brand, the origin of the RB, their "powers," the RB's database... I do not even know where to start.
The RB's origin
The origin of the Rift Breakers is rather vague because no official document exists. However, old writings from the Middle Ages speak of a young prince who claimed to be able to fight invisible monsters. His son would have inherited his mysterious powers. This prince is therefore considered to be the first Rift Breaker. His name has been lost in History, but since his son's name was Alan VI, this name is used to identify him.
The RB's powers
Any Rift Breaker has powers granted by the Brand. The common power of any RB is Materialization, the ability to summon a weapon that can hurt monsters and destroy Rifts. The weapon varies according to the personality of its user. Sword, knife, staff, rifle, spear, chakram, naginata, tessen... everything is possible. Although many RB only have this power, others have additional supernatural powers, such as an enormous strength, a high movement speed, or the control of a natural element. There is also a special type of Rift Breaker, a Voice Carrier. These very rare RB carry the Voices, the souls of former RB fallen in battle, and they have access to their powers. A Voice Carrier usually carries two to three Voices, although a great exception has emerged recently. (See ID AI-678 in the database.)
The Brand
The Brand is a strange scar that appears on all new Rift Breakers. As the RB lose their powers when it disappears, it seems directly connected to them.
The Rifts
The Rifts are mysterious cracks of light. Nobody knows their origins. They only appear at Xodias and they seem connected to other dimensions. According to a theory coming from a former Rift Breaker, Alan himself would have been the responsible for the first Rift and the first monster. He would have become the first RB to fix his mistake. The Rifts can be destroyed while being attacked by the RB's weapons.
The monsters
Monsters. Creatures of all kinds. Zombies, giant earthworms, mutant rats, mutant birds, jellyfishes... They spawn from Rifts and they attack everything that moves. Only Rift Breakers can see and fight them. Since they exist since the Middle Ages, they will not disappear anytime soon.
Database
The RB’s database. You can see the ID, the name, the age (at present), the status (Active, Inactive or Deceased), the job (if applicable), the powers and the dates of each registered RB.
For example:
ID – CH-555
Full Name – Charlie Always
Age – 35 years old
Dates – Born in 1983. Became an RB in 1993. Inactive since 1998.
Status – Inactive
Job – Professional freelance photographer
Power(s) – Materialization (Camera as weapon)
After I have seen a lot of things, I leave the website and I go to sleep.
I am in the hospital's elevator and I can't help but to be nervous. This is the first time I am going to meet Alex, this new Rift Breaker, and I don't know what he's going to think about me. My parents always told me that "poor people" were vulgar and uneducated. I don't believe them. Yes, I am a girl born in luxury, so what? The amount of money owned doesn't dictate someone's personality. After all, if "the poor" are vulgar and "the rich" are model beings, why would so many of my classmates at Precious-Calista be real pests? Precious-Calista is the private school for rich girls that I frequent. Besides, Nana is "poor" and I like her company.
I am called Lily and I am 7 years old. My coiffure is brown, long, and wavy. My gaze is brown. Unlike most people in Xodias, I have black skin. Strangely, I never had any inappropriate comment on this subject. Maybe this is one of the benefits of being rich?
The elevator arrives on the third floor and the door opens to a blonde teenager. I recognize him.
Lily: Hello James.
James: Hi… Sorry I forgot your name.
Lily: Lily.
James: Oh yes, Lily. "LI-623. Born in 2011. 7 years old. Active since December 2017." That's correct?
Lily: That's right.
James: Are you coming to visit my brother? It's very nice of you.
Lily: We are both Rift Breakers. It is imperative that we meet.
James: Ha ha! Always so serious.
Lily: You have to be serious. Being a RB is a big responsibility. Nana seems to take this very lightly...
James: Not at all. She is as determined as you to defeat all these monsters.
Lily: If you say so, then I believe you. If you'll excuse me...
I leave him and I go to Alex's room. Speaking with James made my nervousness vanish.
As soon as Alex sees me, he greets me, while asking me if I am "LI-623." I confirm to him.
Alex: I knew it!
Lily: So... doesn't it trouble you?
Alex: What?
Lily: Uh... I am from a rich family.
Alex: It wasn’t written in your file.
Lily: Yes, but it’s written that I study at Precious-Calista.
Alex: "Precious-Calista"? I don't know this. Is it a school for rich folks?
Lily: For rich GIRLS.
Alex: Oh... well, that doesn't bother me. We are all RB, no? I cannot wait to get out of here! James - he's my brother - he told me that he would show me the hideout of the Rift Breakers.
Lily: Ah... the old, abandoned factory.
Alex: An abandoned factory? SO COOL!
Lily: We could all go together. Your brother, Nana...
Alex: Nana? You know Nana? Oh, of course you know Nana, she's an RB!
Lily: Ha ha ha!
Alex: Ha ha! Yes, as soon as I have my authorization from the hospital, we will all go together!
Then we discuss. He tells me about a typical day at his school, Xorie, and I can compare with the lessons of Precious-Calista. I tell him about many of my battles as a Rift Breaker, like this one time at the beach when I slaughtered jellyfishes with my arrows. He tells me about his family, especially James, whom he admires. I don't dare talking about mine too much. Their prejudices against "the poor" could hurt him. Then, seeing that my visit time is up, I leave Alex to go back home.
Three days later, I get a call from Nana on my cellphone. Alex left the hospital.
Nana: He wants to know if you're free tonight in order to visit the factory.
Lily: Let's see... I have a family meal, but I'll find a way to leave home.
Nana: And how do you plan to do that? Don't you have... a bodyguard... or servants who will notice your absence?
Lily: Nana. You know very well that I have no bodyguard ever since I became a Rift Breaker. As for the servants, they won't say a thing. Grandpa will give me a helping hand, as always!
Nana: It's awesome. Your grandfather to the rescue! Wasn't he an RB before?
I remain silent. Grandpa never told me about his childhood. Yet I saw his name in the RB's database. But if he does not want to talk to me about it, it's his right.
Lily: I think so, but he keeps that to himself. Anyway, I'll meet you tonight. See you later!
Nana: Bye!
At the family meal, I pretend to have a stomachache to slip away, but my parents don't believe me. My grandfather, who noticed my sleight of hand, says that he doesn't feel very well, and that I should take him to a room so he can rest. My parents fall for it. After escorting my grandfather to his room, he asks me where I intend to go this time. I tell him that I will go to the RB's hideout.
Grandpa: Oh, at the old factory. That's good but be careful. You never know.
After thanking him for his help, I go as close as possible to the factory by taxi and I walk the rest of the way. While arriving at the entrance of the factory, I see Alex, James and Nana. They are happy to see me and Alex cannot wait to visit the place. James, Nana and I show him around the factory. There is a space with tables and computers for monitoring and managing the secret website. Charlie was working hard when we arrived.
Charlie: Hi everybody!
His gaze doesn’t leave the screens.
Charlie: Sorry, I don't have much time to talk.
James: I can see that quite well.
Then we come across an improvised canteen, where we can eat dry or canned food.
Nana: When we have to chase monsters, at night, it's handy to have food on you.
Finally, there is a large area, covered with gym mats, used as a training ground.
Alex: There is no one here.
Lily: Pity. I expected to see Aimé.
Alex: Who?
Lily: Another RB, like us, but he is a lone wolf.
Nana: He always fights in solo. It's too much risk, if you want my opinion.
James: It's a choice he made. It must be respected, but that does not prevent you from forming a group.
Alex: A group? I have just discovered that I am a RB and you are already talking about creating a team?
James: Sorry. I think about your safety. It is also much easier to learn how to fight monsters by teaming up.
Lily: He is right, but you may think about it.
Alex makes a last tour of the factory before returning home with his brother. Nana does the same thing and I end up alone with Charlie, always busy with his screens.
Lily: Charlie?
Charlie: I'm busy, Lily!
Lily: I know, but... what do you think about Alex?
Charlie: Oh! Uh... he's a nice guy.
Lily: And?
Charlie: And what?
Lily: Do you think he will become a great RB?
Charlie: It is too early to tell. He has not fought yet.
Lily: …
I say goodbye to Charlie and I go back home. I feel that tomorrow will be a huge day.
Three days have passed since the visit of the factory with Alex. He completed his first fight as a Rift Breaker and all by himself! I also won my first fight by myself, but hey. It happened two days ago. His brother had felt a Rift near a home for the elderly, so Alex went there to fight alone. He didn't only manage to materialize his weapon, but he also gave a beating to the mutant bats that came out of the Rift, while also destroying it. James was proud of him. I was proud too, but I didn't want to show him that I'm "too nice." I must keep my rebellious girl image, after all. I simply told him that "it was not bad, but he could do better."
Why am I a rebel, always causing trouble to the teachers and looking for a fight? Because I don't like when people get in my way and I want to leave this "ideal, perfect girl" nonsense.
This ideal girl, according to my parents, would be a wise, always polite child. She must learn how to cook, how to sew, how to take care of the garden, how to dance... She must marry while she's still young, with a rich man, and she must have a lot of children. A "perfect" dumb, bimbo girl, that's what I think! That's not what I want to become. I want to choose my own path. Learn what I like. Fight for my convictions. I am Nana. I am 9 years old. I am a Rift Breaker. I have to fight and protect the city of Xodias. It's my duty. My parents don’t wish to understand me...
Right now, I am in class and I'm bored. Despite the tragedy and the death of several children, the school of Xorie has opened again. The teacher tells us about our galaxy, Tellerise, our planetary system, Udei, and our planet, Ionas. She asks us to write a composition on the following subject: "Is there life elsewhere in the universe?" What a stupid question! Yes, of course there is! The monsters must come from somewhere... And maybe there is another planet capable of sustaining life elsewhere in the cosmos? Then, she tells us that the next class will be mathematics. I hear Alex yawn. He hates maths.
After the maths class, I find Alex in the canteen. He is eating spaghetti. He gives me a small discreet look, but he does not speak to me. Suddenly I see a strange white dot in the corner of my eye. The dot grows, stretches and splits, forming a luminous crack. A Rift.
Nana: Alex? Alex, look.
I point the Rift that is about to open.
Alex: It must be destroyed before the monsters come out.
Nana: I cannot Materialize my spear here, with all these people!
The canteen is crowded with students. If they see me with a weapon in my hands, panic would ensue.
Alex: I will take care of it, then.
I watch Alex approach the Rift. A knife appears in his hand. He is about to destroy the Rift by slicing it when it suddenly opens and rats come out of it. They are not ordinary rats because they are much bigger and terrifying. Alex, under the shock of surprise, drops his weapon. The knife makes the ground vibrate before disappearing.
The rats immediately attack other students. A blonde girl, seeing her friend covered with blood, starts screaming. Fear and panic settle in the canteen. All students flee to leave the school. Only Alex and I remain.
Nana: MATERIALIZE!!!
In a flash of light, my spear appears in the air, above my head, and I grab it. I start killing rats right away. Alex, meanwhile, rematerializes his knife and kills other rats. After several minutes, he tells me that the rats don't stop coming.
Alex: We could never destroy them all!
Nana: I know! We must destroy this damn Rift! COVER ME!
Alex kills rats, while creating a magic protection around me, and I electrify my spear before throwing it, like a javelin, towards the Rift. The impact with my weapon destroys it. As soon as the Rift disappears, the rats become weaker, slower, and easier to destroy. I retrieve my weapon by rematerializing it, Alex disables his protection and I help him killing the remaining rats. Then we lie on a table. We are exhausted.
Alex: That... That was something... right?
Nana: Y…Yeah… Oh no! I... I am bleeding!
Alex: W...where?
Nana: On... on my leg. The rats must have bitten me during... the fight.
Alex: I... I inherited... my brother's powers. Protection... and Healing. I can... I can... heal that.
Nana: Cool! The... The only power I have... apart from Materialization is... to electrify my spear. It's... it's not fair!
Alex: W…Why do you say that?
Nana: Lily… Lily has...
I catch my breath.
Nana: Lily has a bow and arrows that can do a lot of cool things. Pierce the enemies' defenses, paralyze them, trap them in a magic circle... Aimé has the control of the elements. You have powers of protection and healing. Me... I only got an electric spear.
Alex also takes the time to breathe.
Alex: So what? An electric spear, I think it's great!
Nana: You really think so? Even Charlie's camera was cooler!
I try to get up, but my leg hurts too much.
Nana: OUCH!
Alex: Don't move! I will…
He puts his hand on my wound. There is a light then everything vanishes. The wound and the blood that flowed from it. I can't believe it. It actually is a very powerful power. With it, Alex can as well fight alone and without putting his life at risk.
Nana: Alex, I'm jealous. With such power...
Alex: Do you think I can fight solo, like that Aimé I have not met yet? *whisper* Besides, I did not even look at his file in the database...
Nana: Yes! No! Well...
Alex: Nana. These rats were my second fight. I still have a lot to learn. The idea of my brother, to form a group... The more it goes, the more I think about it.
Nana: Oh? You, Lily and me?
Alex: No. Lily, Aimé, you and me. We could call ourselves A.L.A.N.
Nana: A.L.A.N.?
Alex: Alex. Lily. Aimé. Nana. = A.L.A.N. In Alan's honor and I would be the leader!
Nana: You, the leader?
Alex: Why not?
I have nothing against the idea of being in a group of RB, even with Alex as the leader, but Aimé with us?
Nana: Alex, I don't want to tell you it's a bad idea, but Aimé will never want to be a part of the team. Lily and I, we have only been RB for a few months. Aimé has been fighting alone for two years. TWO YEARS! Also, he is a Voice Carrier. It is... difficult to work with a Voice Carrier.
Alex becomes pensive. He gets up from the table and I imitate him.
Alex: I'm still going to talk to him. Do you know where I can find him?
Nana: He is a student at Tech-Quirin. You know, the school for genius kids. He must be in class right now. Maybe you can catch him after school?
Without saying more, Alex leaves the canteen, leaving me alone and in deep brainstorming. It's crazy, but if someone can "reach" Aimé, it's Alex. He's so nice to everyone.
I get another punch in the face. I can feel the blood flowing from my nose.
Iola: YOU BASTARDS!
I cannot see the face of my attacker, or rather of my attackers, and I can hardly hear the insults they throw at me. "Stupid gay," "autistic," and "unintelligent," I think.
Rowan: Aimé, leave them to me!
Nilam: No! You can't do that!
Rowan: I…
The boys make me stumble and I find myself on the ground. I hear them laughing out loud. This isn’t the first time they give me a beating, in the boys' toilets of Tech-Quirin. Talk about little geniuses, those are NOT very smart. I expected young people with greater intelligence to be more tolerant about others, but I was wrong. Still, I only have an average IQ. It was only thanks to the additional knowledge of my Voices that I was able to access Tech-Quirin. Right before one of the boys is about to kick me in the stomach, I felt my body trembling and, without any self-control, I start moaning.
Dewitt: No… ROWAN, NO!
A groan of pain and pleasure. Blood starts to stain my underwear. The boys, seeing this strange spectacle, run away from the toilets. I am alone and I cannot stop moaning.
Midori: We must stop him! Cut off his memories from Aimé!
Nilam: I... I am trying!
Flavien: Rowan! Come back to us! ROWAN!
Suddenly, everything stops and tears come to my eyes.
Rowan: I... SHIT!
I start crying. I have lived it once again. Rowan's rape in the boys' toilets of the old Tech-Quirin.
Iola: Why does it always happen? IT'S NOT FAIR!
Rowan: Not fair? NOT FAIR? You don't know what it is, to have a guy touching you every...
Iola: Oh, I know exactly what it is!
Midori: No, don't start this conversation again!
Iola: My father, my own father...
Nilam: Stop it!!!
Iola: I was his bitc...
Dewitt: ENOUGH, IOLA!
Flavien: Aimé will…
I start screaming.
Aimé: WHY? Why won't you all SHUT UP?
The Voices stop talking and I try to stop crying, without much success.
I am Aimé. I’m 10 years old. I have long red hair, always tied in a ponytail, blue eyes and I am a rather special Rift Breaker. A Voice Carrier. I carry the souls of children, former RB fallen in battle. 6 souls. It has never been seen before. I always have a special necklace on me. It has a big egg-shaped black stone that changes color depending on who has partial control over my body. Thanks to that, I can control my Voices and prevent them from harming other people. I have to wear it 24 hours a day.
Suddenly, I hear someone coming over here. I quickly get up and I get ready for the worst. If it's a teacher, I'll have to find a good excuse. Fortunately, it's Mark, the janitor. A nice old man. He was an RB too, from an old generation, according to his file in the database.
Mark: Aimé? Crap, they did it again!
Aimé: It's ok. I... We are ok.
Mark: It cannot continue like this. You must talk to someone.
Aimé: NO! Nobody can help me. Rowan...
Mark: Rowan is wrong. By the time he was alive, sexual assault was ignored, but today, students who are victims of violence must report their abusers.
Aimé: …
Mark: I can come with you up to the director's office. You'll be able to…
Everything happens so fast. The stone of my necklace turns red and I – or should I say Rowan – threatens the janitor.
Aimé (Rowan): You're lucky, old man. If this accursed necklace wasn't there, I…
N…NO!
The stone is now black again.
Aimé: Sir, I... I didn't mean to...
Mark: I know, but you should still talk about it. A friendly advice. Do you think you can go back to class now?
I go back to my classes. Nobody comments on my bruised face and I have to endure my bloody underwear.
After class, outside the school, I notice a boy with blonde hair. He seems to be looking for someone. I would like to help him, but I don't want to scare him with my bruised face, so I go back home. I barely crossed the front door that Mom asks me what happened. I remain silent and I go take a shower. As the water flows on me, my Voices start talking.
Flavien: You think that…?
Iola: …really…
Dewitt: This boy…
Rowan: ...Rift Breaker...
Midori : Oh!
Nilam: …friend…?
I wash myself quickly and I get out of the shower. While I am dressing in clean clothes, Dewitt speaks to me.
Dewitt: Aimé. This boy, earlier, was he a new RB?
Aimé: I don't know... maybe?
Dewitt: If so, he probably wanted to talk to you.
Aimé: …
Dewitt: Aren't you tired of being a lone wolf? Wouldn't you like to join forces with...?
Aimé: No.
Dewitt: You say that because of us. I know it. Rowan and Iola... They are violent, dangerous.
Rowan: What are you saying about me, huh?
Dewitt: But us... Flavien, Nilam, Midori and me. We aren’t dangerous. We don't want to kill anyone.
Rowan: You're such a big liar, Dewitt!
Dewitt: What I'm trying to say is... You don't have to carry that burden by yourself. You can talk about it. You can get help. Lily, Nana and that boy, if he's a RB... They can become your friends.
Nilam: You could make a group, a team! It would be great!
Rowan: Nilam, shut up!
Aimé: No, Rowan, YOU shut up!
Nilam: Thank you.
Aimé: I... I'll think about it, Dewitt.
My Voices become silent and I sigh while I finish dressing. It's been two years since I started sharing my body with them. At first, they didn't have names so I called them by the color of the stone of my necklace when they had partial control over me. Red, Blue, Green, Purple, White and Yellow. Over time, I found that pretty stupid. I had to find names for them, so I searched the internet for names associated with colors. That's how Red became Rowan. Blue, Nilam. Green, Midori. Purple, Iola. White, Dewitt. Yellow, Flavien.
As Dewitt told me, Rowan and Iola are dangerous. Rowan has control upon the fire and the flames. He always had a fascination for this element, but after his rape, he completely lost it. He didn't only burn his rapist alive, he also set the old Tech-Quirin building on fire. Many people died that day and Rowan became an arsonist. Monsters, peoples, buildings, everything went up in flames, until the day a fire monster killed him. The irony. Meanwhile, Iola was the victim of repeated sexual assaults by her own father. When her power awoke and as soon as she has been able to control darkness, she immediately used it to punish "that filthy dog". Since then, she has become a vigilante, killing criminals with her powers and also the monsters, until her fatal death. She drowned while fighting a tentacular monster.
Dewitt has control over the light. He was a model boy. Good grades at school, friends with everyone, always ready to fight monsters. He always refused to tell me how he lost his life. According to Rowan, earth monsters, golems maybe?, would have torn him to pieces.
Flavien has control over the earth. During his lifetime, he was a clown. Always telling jokes and taking life on the easy side. When he became a Rift Breaker, he didn't take his duty seriously. That's what killed him when he was trapped in a room filled with giant earthworms. He made the earth shake to escape and the ceiling collapsed on him. Now that he’s a Voice, he is much more mature and he jokes less often.
Nilam has control over the water. It appears less now that she's a Voice, but when she was alive, she was a shy girl. She always did her RB duties with pride until a swarm of hornets killed her. Their darts were poisoned.
Midori has control over the wind. She already told me that she was a snob girl in her lifetime. The idea of being an RB never pleased her and she had always fought reluctantly. She lost her life trying to protect her family from a horde of zombies.
Suddenly, the phone rings and I hear Mom answers. She seems to be chatting with Dad. I don't pay attention to their conversations. I was thinking about Dewitt's proposal. Be part of a group, a team of RB. Could I really do that? I have been fighting alone for so long.
Midori: Training.
Aimé: Training? Good idea.
Training always helps me think and make good decisions. While Mom is busy on the phone, I leave the house to go to the factory.
I arrive at the factory and head for the training area. I am surprised to see the blonde boy from earlier. He trains with Lily and Nana. James and Charlie are watching them.
Charlie: Aimé! It's good that you're here.
He speaks to the blonde boy.
Charlie: Alex? I want to introduce you to Aimé.
Alex: Hi Aimé! But... are you a girl? I thought you were a boy.
I sigh. This isn’t the first time someone confuses me with a girl. I have a pretty feminine face and a neutral voice. That's why these fools who gave me a beating at school called me gay. They think that my appearance has something to do with my sexuality. I'm only 10 years old. How could I know if I love girls or boys?
Aimé: No, I am a boy.
Alex: Are you sure? Because, well, I see a girl.
I sigh again.
Aimé: Have you looked at my file? It is clearly said that I am a boy.
Charlie: Actually no. I didn't put a "gender" category.
Aimé: Why?
Charlie: Because it would be necessary to put "gender" and "gender at birth," for the transgender RB.
Lily: There were transgender RB? I didn't know that.
Nana: Transgender? What is that?
Charlie sighs.
Charlie: James, will you...?
James: Explain to them? Charlie, are you ashamed of your choice?
Charlie: No, of course not! I am proud to be Charlie! At birth, my name was Charlotte.
Alex: Charlotte…
Nana: Charlotte?!?
Aimé: Yes. Charlie was Charlotte. Charlotte wanted to be a boy, but she was born a girl. Thus Charlotte became Charlie as an adult.
Alex: I don't understand…
James: It is possible to change gender at the adulthood.
Nana: I…
James: It may seem hard to conceive, but... think about it. We have gays and lesbians, so why not transgender?
Alex: Hmm. Charlie, I don't get it... why do you hide being a transgender?
Charlie: I don't hide it, but I don't think that a person's gender is important for the RB database. Boy, girl, transgender... that doesn't change our mission. Anyway, I am sure to have been the only transgender RB for several generations.
Nana: But…
Lily: The purpose of this database is to preserve the RB in History. Any transgender RB should be there too.
James: Charlie. You will have to update your file.
Charlie: *sighs* Anyway, Aimé.
Aimé: You try to divert the conversation, there.
Charlie: Did you come to train?
Aimé: Yes, but I need all the space.
Alex: Huh? All the space? But there is enough room for the four of us!
Aimé: Not with what my Voices can do.
Charlie: I'm sorry, but you have to leave your place to Aimé.
Alex isn’t happy. Nana either. They would like to train a little more.
James: Come on. You only have to watch him go.
Lily: It's going to be amazing!
At least Lily does not seem to be angry. While Alex, Lily and Nana go further away with James and Charlie, I put myself in position and I take a deep breath.
Aimé: Here I go!
I create several fireballs and make them dance in a light breeze before extinguishing them with water. Then I bring out darkness spheres that I surround with light rings, which makes them explode. Finally, I make the ground vibrate, while creating a stone tornado. That impresses everyone.
Rowan: Hey! Hey! Why don't we do it?
Aimé: Do what?
Rowan: You know! Our ultimate attack!
Aimé: Uh... Charlie, James? Can I do the Voices' ultimate attack?
Charlie: Right here? It's too risky.
James: Don't worry. Alex just has to create a protection.
Charlie: Do you think he'll hold up? This attack...
Alex: ?
Lily: It's mega-powerful.
Nana: Did you already see it?
Lily: Only once and I will never forget it. Alex, can you create a magic protection?
He creates one but, honestly, I don't think it will hold.
Iola: Don't be a coward.
Flavien: That's enough, Iola!
Aimé: Concentrate, all of you. It's... Ultimate Attack Time!
Everything is coordinated. The changes in the color of my stone. The order of the Voices that control my body. The movements to follow, like a dance, as well as the song.
Aimé (Rowan): ♫ Vicious Fire ♫
Aimé (Nilam): ♫ Precious Water ♫
Aimé (Flavien): ♫ Nourishing Earth ♫
Aimé (Midori): ♫ Punishing Wind ♫
Aimé (Dewitt): ♫ Peaceful Light ♫
Aimé (Iola): ♫ Sorrowful Darkness ♫
Aimé: ♫ LIBERATE!!! ♫
As soon as I shout "liberate," the elements are unleashed. A big explosion follows and I hear screams. Oh no! Alex's protection! It broke. James, Charlie, Alex, Lily and Nana are lying on the ground and they are all wounded.
Aimé: No, no, no!
Alex: A...Ah… He...Heal...Healing.
Surprisingly, his wounds have disappeared.
Alex: Don't worry. I can heal everyone. James is my big brother.
Aimé: I understand. You inherited his powers.
He starts working and healing everybody. As soon as everyone is up again, I apologize many times.
Alex: It's not your fault. I should have held on! I have to train and become stronger to create better protections.
Aimé: You really think so? That's... That's why I always wanted to fight alone. I... I don’t want to... to put you all in danger.
Lily: …
Nana: Alex. Do you remember when I told you it was difficult to work with a Voice Carrier?
Alex: Yeah. That's one of your reasons, I suppose. One minute! You never saw this attack before, so how can you say that...?
Aimé: She’s right. That... That's not going to be easy.
Lily: What are you saying?
Alex: Does that mean... you want to join us? To be part of our group?
Nana: ONE SEC! Our group doesn't even exist yet!
Alex: But...
Nana: A.L.A.N. doesn't exist yet!
Aimé: "A.L.A.N."?
Dewitt: Oh, I get it!
Iola: I must admit, that's a cool name.
Alex: Alex. Lily. Aimé. Nana. A.L.A.N. Well if you want to fight with us.
Aimé: …
Dewitt: Say yes, say yes, say yes!
Midori: Come on! Come on!
Aimé: Rowan?
Rowan: What?
Aimé: Won't you do anything stupid if I join them?
Rowan: What are you trying to say?
Aimé: Iola and you. You aren’t going to try and kil...
Iola: Seriously? I was a vigilante before, not a criminal! Killing children... TSK!
Rowan: As long as they don’t try to hurt you... I'll keep my flames at bay.
Alex: Uh, Aimé?
Aimé: Alright, it's done! From now on, I'll join you!
This is how the A.L.A.N. group is born. Together, we’ll protect Xodias from the monsters!
We are in April 2018. Between school, family and the hunt for Rifts and monsters (even at night!), we are all overwhelmed. However, I'm happy for Aimé. When I learned that he was a victim of violence at his school, I insisted so that he would talk to someone about it. Always stumbling on his refusal, I had to let Lily and Nana know about it. Together, we managed to change his mind. He reported the boys' actions in the toilets to Tech-Quirin's director and they were expelled from the school. I thought it would make Aimé happy, but he still seems nervous. According to him, due to his name and his appearance, there will always be someone to give him trouble. Nevertheless, I know that I will always be there to help him.
Now, this Saturday, I'm chatting with Charlie.
Alex says: So, are you going to be away for a week?
Charlie says: Yes. I have a contract at Montage City, but you can always ask James for advice if you need help with anything.
Alex says: Yeah. Did you know that Stella is going to give a show here in Xodias?
Charlie says: "Stella"?
Alex says: A very popular pop singer for young girls. I had never heard of her until Nana keep pestering me about her show. She would love to go, but she doesn't have the money to buy a ticket.
Charlie says: Ha ha! And Lily?
Alex says: Lily?
Charlie says: She must have a ticket.
Alex says: Oh, yeah, her parents gave her one, but she told me she's not a fan of Stella.
LILY is Online.
Lily says: Hello.
Charlie says: Hi, Lily.
Alex says: Uh... about what I wrote...
Lily says: Yes?
Alex says: I didn't mean anything bad. I mean... if you're not a fan of Stella, you could give your ticket to Nana.
Lily says: My ticket? I have more than one!
Alex says: Huh?
Lily says: Yes, I have two.
Alex says: But... you told me your parents only gave you one.
Lily says: It was to avoid Nana's anger. If she knew that I have two tickets, she would want to come with me, but I... I want to invite you instead. Alex, would you like to come to Stella's show with me?
Charlie says: A date? At your age? Today's youth…
Lily says: CHARLIE! Do not talk nonsense!
Charlie says: LOL XD ROTFL
Alex says: ROTFL, Charlie chatting like the youth of today!
Lily says: *sighs* So, Alex.
Alex says: I don't know Stella at all, and I'd prefer you to go with Nana. She's a mega fan!
Lily says: But I don't want to go with Nana! I…
Lily says: Fine. I will invite Aimé.
Charlie says: Aimé? Is he a fan of Stella?
Lily says: No, but he said that Midori likes her songs.
Lily says: Well, I have to go. See you later.
LILY is Offline.
Charlie says: Well, that was something.
Alex says: …
Alex says: I'm thinking about something. What if a Rift appears during her show?
Charlie says: It's a possibility.
Alex says: Lily and Aimé... Will they be able to take care of it? With the crowd of fans and everything.
Charlie says: It will be up to them to improvise when the time comes.
Alex says: Hmm. Maybe I should find a way to go.
Charlie says: Alex. Don't do anything illegal. Understood?
A week passes. Charlie is at Montage City and Stella's show is tonight. Nana comes home to see me. She’s angry.
Nana: It's not fair!!!!
Alex: Stella's show?
Nana: No! I mean, yes, but I just slaughtered disgusting critters! They came out of a Rift near a park. I hate fighting gooey monsters!
Alex: You could have told me about it. We would have beaten them together!
Nana: And let those things attack peoples during my absence? No thanks! The police is pretty overwhelmed already, with the criminals and the "unexplained murders."
She sighs. "Unexplained murders." That's what the victims of monsters are in the eyes of the police and the rest of the world. By seeing them so often, this has become something banal, usual for the police. They don't even investigate anymore when they find a corpse with unusual wounds! Aimé already told me that Mark, the janitor at Tech-Quirin, was a Rift Breaker. While he was Active, he has worked with Airam, a police officer, to identify corpses, to find out if the victims were dead by the monsters or by a more natural cause. Airam has also been an RB during his childhood. Unfortunately, he lost his life while on duty and Mark never tried a partnership with another policeman. I do not think any other Rift Breakers have done business with the police.
Alex: You did well. We can't let those monsters kill more people! Speaking of Stella's show, we could try to go there.
So sorry, Charlie!
Nana: Go there? Without tickets? I may be a rebellious girl, but I'm not THAT rebellious!
Alex: But what if a Rift appears?
Nana: A Rift... Crap! We have to go!
In the evening, Stella's show begins but Nana and I have not managed to get in. My friend is enraged.
Alex: At least, the sound is so loud that you can hear her singing from here!
Nana: Yes, but I would have loved to see her!
We are merely listening to Stella from a distance when we hear screams of surprise. Oh no! Is it a Rift? Suddenly, Nana tells me to listen. Someone is singing in disharmony with Stella. Another song. A familiar voice. Crop! It’s Aimé!
Stella: ♫ Oh, honey! ♫
Aimé: ♫ Furious water. ♫
Stella: ♫ O, o, o! ♫
Aimé: ♫ Mysterious light. ♫
Stella: ♫ You're so funny! ♫
Aimé: ♫ Envious flames. ♫
Alex: He must beat the crop out of these monsters!
Nana: We have to go in! We must help him!
Stella: ♫ I love you so. ♫
Lily: ♫ Defenses Compromised. ♫
Stella: ♫ So... so... so... ♫
Lily: ♫ Monsters Paralyzed. ♫
Lily: ♫ You are all Despised. ♫
Lily: ♫ Please be Vaporized! ♫
Nana: Lily too!?!
I feel that Nana is going to explode with anger.
Nana: COME ON, ALEX, LET'S GET IN!
We enter and we attend a strange show. Monsters are everywhere on the stage. They look like big cockroaches. Stella continues singing as if nothing was happening. Lily, on the stage, standing by Stella's right side, sings and shoots arrows at the cockroaches. Her arrows either paralyses or kills them. Aimé, on the stage, standing by Stella's left, sings and unleashes random elementary attacks. Sometimes fire balls, sometimes swords of light, sometimes cutting wind disks, sometimes long water spikes, sometimes waves of darkness or big and heavy rocks. Some cockroaches are in the crowd of fans, attacking them. Nana materializes her spear and she goes piercing many monsters, despite the shouts and protests. Meanwhile, while materializing my knife, I try to locate the Rift. As soon as I find it, I start getting closer when a big cockroach lands on my head. I utter a cry of surprise and I bounce it further away from me by creating a magical protection. I continue approaching the Rift and other cockroaches get in my way. I cut them all and I reach the front of the Rift. I hear Nana's spear electrify as I break the Rift with my weapon. As soon as the Rift disappears, the cockroaches become wimpy. They keep running away from me. Nana and I have the same idea. We chase them outside to finish them in one blow and then we wait.
Aimé and Lily join us later.
Nana: I REAAAAALLY want to beat you up right now! You two, on the stage, with Stella... WITH *STELLA*!
Aimé: It was so weird. Nobody stopped us from going on stage.
Lily: Yes, and despite our presence, Stella continued her show, as if we were invisible. Her fans didn't panic much, either. Even those who have been attacked by monsters.
Alex: It's scary. It is better to stay here and wait.
Nana: Wait for whom?
Alex: Well... the journalists and the police. They will come to question us, that's for sure!
We wait, even hours after the show is over, but nobody came.
We are in July 2018. Although it's the summer holidays my group of Rift Breakers, A.L.A.N., is still busy with all the Rifts that never stop appearing. The strange phenomenon during Stella's show remained unanswered. James couldn't tell me anything about it. As for Charlie, he has a theory. "What belongs to Xodias remains in Xodias. The knowledge of the Rift Breakers remains between Rift Breakers." This means that the rest of the world, by a strange and obscure force, will probably never know about the monsters. The secret website of the RB is not affected because it was designed by Charlie, a former RB, and only the RB use it. Yet Charlie seems worried about potential hackers...
Today, we go around the city, while destroying all the Rifts we can find. Aimé is even able to do his ultimate attack without putting us into danger, because we are on a vacant lot, and I have improved my protections since last training.
We arrive at a children's park when a Rift appears and a monster comes out.
Alex: Let's go! MATERIALIZE!
We materialize our weapons, except Aimé, whose hands create fire thanks to Rowan and we fight the creature. As soon as we defeat it, we break the Rift, and suddenly the stone of Aimé's necklace becomes blue.
Aimé (Nilam): Alex, look.
I look in the direction she indicates and I see a group of strange people. All girls. An adult, two teenagers and a child. They are wearing pajamas and they seem confused. The stone of Aimé's necklace changes from blue to red.
Aimé (Rowan): They saw the monster. It isn’t normal. I must burn them!
Nana: N-No!
Lily: Alex will talk to them.
Alex: Huh?
Lily: You are our leader. It's up to you to...
Aimé (Dewitt): I can go if you want.
Dewitt had quickly taken partial control of Aimé. I didn’t see that coming.
Alex: No. I can talk to them.
I am going to meet these strange people without being able to hide my surprise. The woman has the same skin color as Nana. One of the teens is blonde, the other is a redhead. The little girl has dark skin.
Alex: You've all seen this thing, right? How is it possible? Only children can see them!
Little Girl: Children?
Alex: Yes. Are you a Rift Breaker too?
This is the only rational explanation.
Little Girl: A what?
Or maybe not.
Alex: A Rift… wait, if you don't know what I'm talking about... Where are you from, exactly?
The four girls remain silent, then the red-haired teenager speaks to me. What she says gives me a shock.
Alice: I am Alice Lorange. You know... like an orange. This is Alice D, Alice Brown and Alice Kurosawa. It seems hard to believe, but we come from another world, from another planet called the Earth. We... We share our bodies with mysterious sentient creatures, the Traces, and... and we would love to return home. You... Do you believe me?
I remain silent and paralyzed. What can I answer to that? The four Alice looks at each other, waiting for my answer. I hear Aimé, or is it one of his Voices? I cannot tell, screaming something. Then I take a deep breath and I say to Alice that, honestly, I don't know if I should believe them. If I was a kid like any other, I'd say that they're crazy and I would call the police. But I’m not a kid like any other. I am a Rift Breaker, I am the leader of A.L.A.N. and I will fight monsters until the day my Brand would be gone, leaving my place for the next generation.
Alex: So, what I meant was... Crop! I don't know if I should believe you, but I want to help you. Come, let me introduce you to my RB team!
This is how a great adventure begins for A.L.A.N.! But mostly for me. An adventure through different worlds via the Rifts!