Godly Grey Sky

Six years ago, in the Marsh District, a district where the poor and Aether lived. The houses were small, barely bigger than a shed, no utilities or cooling, with a slight angle on the roof so water didn't leak, it was a horrible sight indeed.

But ten year old Aether liked to look at things positivity, at least, he had a home. Some unfortunate souls, with useless Positions, like being able to evaporate water, didn't have homes. I mean, water was scarce enough, we didn't need people wasting it anyhow. 

Aether was in his "house" when he realized it was time to go to school. Well, the free school that the government provided, to be honest it wasn't much of a school. It was a slightly larger building, about four times the size of a normal house, it had some chairs with a single table in the middle, the windows were cracked and broken, making it unbelievably cold in the winter. With only a single government employee teaching us the bare minimum of survival.

All in all it wasn't great, but Aether didn't mind. They gave out food, which was really just some grey sloppy liquid called synthetic fondant. Besides that, he was just happy to learn.

Actually, now that Aether thought about it, he didn't know much about the world. Other than its name and that the grey sky was caused by people in the older era. Sadly though, people never talk about that era. It seems like people would rather forget, for some reason, either way, it didn't matter.

Aether made his way from his house to the school. Which was about a ten minute walk, as he did though a lot of adults and parents looked at him, concerningly. Maybe even a little frightened, as many knew the situation the boy was in.

Aether was a rare case, he was almost eleven without finding his Task. Which was mostly unheard of, he had been trying though, trying oh so hard.

Trying to find his Task, he tried everything from throwing rocks, to falling off a cliff, to jumping thousands of times. But nothing ever worked, still though, he was sure he'd find it.

At first the adults and other people around him were supportive, even helping him a little. Giving him ideas of what to try next, or giving him some money. But around eight years old they started to think.

"What if his Task was a crime"

Like murder, sexual assault, or stealing. Well Aether had tried stealing, but he gave it back after, apologizing profusely. Still people grew wary of him, convinced that his Task was an evil one.

Aether had made it to the school where he saw a shorter girl, with short, blonde hair, pale skin, and a small oxygen synthesizer on her nose and cheek. She was around Aether's age, maybe a little older.

She was also the only person who didn't hate him. Her name was Suze, sadly she didn't have a last name.

Aether walked up to her, greeting her with a handshake

"Hey Suze," He said, holding out his hand.

"Oh!, hey Aeth" She said in a cheerful manner, shaking his hand softly.

"I told you, I don't like that nickname" Aether said, pouting a little.

In truth Aether didn't mind the nickname, he just didn't want people to know they were close.

"Come on Aeth, let's go inside, we're learning about Positions today". She said, cheerfully pulling on him to go inside.

Aether's smile dropped a little after hearing that.

"Oh we are, huh". He said, a little disheartened.

"It'll be fine, you'll find your Task soon, I just know it". She said, with a hint of sadness for her friend.

"Your right, I have to eventually" He said, cheering up a little, from Suze's kind words.

They both walk into the school, taking in the surroundings. Upon seeing the government employee, they both greeted him respectfully and sat down next to each other.

Looking around, Aether saw the usual kids sitting down, sitting as far from him as they could.

"You could try and make it a little less obvious" He thought, with a little anger and sadness.

"Attention class" The official said, with a little annoyance in his voice.

"Today y'all will be learning about Positions, now, can anyone tell me what that is?" The official said, with his usual annoyance.

A kid raised their hand.

"Yes," The official said.

"It's a job" The kid said, with a little hesitation.

"Close, but not quite, a Position is a kind of title, it describes who you are, at the first rank of your Position, Rank X, your Position name will only describe a single part of you, and once you complete your Rank X Task, your new name will begin to describe you more, and so on" The official answered, his annoyance leaving him a bit.

Suze raised her hand.

"So how are jobs assigned?" Suze asked eagerly

"They are assigned by how suitable you are for a job. They do this by evaluating your abilities, if you're suitable for multiple, then you get to choose" The official answered, nodding to Suze, liking the question she asked.

A different kid raised his hand.

"What are the different types of jobs?" The kid said, a little unamused.

"Well there are tons, like rare people with water abilities who supply us with the water we drink and use. Or hunters, who are more combat oriented, who keep us safe from Grey Creatures. Or transports, that help us move material from place to place. Once you find your Task, I'm sure you'll get a good job". The official answered, his annoyance gone.

Aether then raised his hand.

"What happens if your Task is something bad?" Aether asked, a little nervous.

The official waited a second before answering.

"Well those people are criminals, and they will be killed. Because a Position and Task are a reflection of you". The official said coldly, as if he knew why he was asking.

Aether looked down at his lap.

"I understand," He said, his voice shaking a little.

After that, the class time was over, and it was time for the kids to start going home. Aether got up from his chair and grabbed his synthetic fondant. Before eating he looked at the discussing black, ball of slop in his hand, almost puking from the sight of it. 

Of course, as any other day, he scarfed it down, as if it was his last meal. Gagging from the awful taste of it.

"God I wish I had money for some real food" He thought, his mouth watering at the thought of a nicely grilled steak. Even though he never had one before, he had seen a picture of one, and by god it looked good.

After day dreaming, he went to meet up with Suze to go home.

As Aether and Suze were talking outside, about the lesson, and how the official liked Suze the most.

"Hey devil" A voice behind Aether said.

As Aether turned around, he got punched straight in his gut, falling to the ground, almost barfing up his syn fondant.

Suze screamed, "What the hell is wrong with you" at the attacker.

He was a short boy with short, dark, red hair, his name was Thomas Hellene, he had a mean look on his face as he said.

"What do you mean? This man is a criminal, didn't you hear?" He said, smirking.

"He's not a criminal, he just hasn't found his Task that's all" Suze yelled, pissed off at the boy.

"Aww that's adorable, you're defending his criminal" Thomas said with a sneer as he stepped on Aether, groaning from the pain.

He couldn't defend himself from Thomas, even though he was a kid, that kid was still a Rank X who had found his Task. While he was only a Rank 0, not even finding his Task, so he could do nothing but take it.

"How can you say that, get off of him". She saids as she pushes Thomas off of Aether.

Getting Aether off the ground, she yells at Thomas.

"Don't you ever touch him again, you hear me, or I'll make sure you're on the ground". She sneers, glaring at him.

Luckily, one of Suze's abilities was a mental attack.

Thomas screams, scared of what Suze's ability put into his head. He gets up and runs away, hoping to get out of the range, still screaming.

Suze giggles a little then asks.

"Aether, you ok?". She asks, concerned.

"Yeah I'm good," Aether saids, spitting up some blood.

"Well that's good, that guys a jerk, don't you think." She saids, cheerfully as she helped him walk.

"Yeah I know, thanks Suze, for helping me, I really appreciate it," He saids, grateful.

"Of course, anytime" She saids, walking with him home.

As they walk home they talk about the lesson, and how they learned a lot that day. Until they make it to his house.

"Thanks again Suze," He saids smiling.

"Sure Aeth, I'll see you tomorrow" She says cheerfully.

"Yeah of course, bye then" He said as he walked into his house, ready to go to bed.

"Bye," She said.

As soon as Aether's door closed, Suze's smile dropped, tears going down her face, she then walked off, into the opposite direction of her house.

Suze was never seen again.