Before You Remember

Season 2 Chapter 15 The Outcasted Possessors

back to the town 

Cassie wakes up after finally breaking his high fever. The nurse informs him that he is much better now with the vaccine. Then, he finds out from Helena and Joseph about the details of the spiritual contract. Cassie sighs at how the scenario is unveiled.

He had told Kiaria to seek refuge at the temple. In the end, he could not stop her from leaving with Jax. He uses his ability to locate her and finds her back in Serg. (Would she be alright?) he wonders to himself. He hates Jax and blames Ayla's death on him. The only silver lining was when he realised that Kiaria was Sans' re-started version. For whatever magical reason, Sans had aged back to a baby. Genetically wise, Kiaria was Sans and Ayla. Her death brought great sorrow to Cassie, who had loved for his whole life.

Cassie just wanted to ensure that Kiaria would grow up healthy and happy and he would do anything to support her dreams and endeavours. It was his goal all these while and now he wasn't sure what he should do. He knows a spiritual contract cannot be easily broken too, so it wasn't ideal to go see her. 

back in Serg 

Kiaria is introduced to the researchers in the team and they respectfully greet each other. Despite the respectful front, Kiaria senses that they don't like her, perhaps due to the perception of her parachuting into the team. (It's not like what I want to be here on my own accord, dumbasses).

Then, they briefly introduce to her the objective of the research. They were to map out the total number of Possessors and their health levels to research the possessors. Kiaria came to learn that the minister was the prime minister during the possessor war and he ordered all possessors to get tagged. This meant that they knew the location of these possessors. Many possessors were peaceful folks who didn't want trouble; hence they sacrificed their freedom in return for being able to fully integrate into society.

However, a handful of possessors are still resentful of the minister's methods. There have been a couple of attempted assassinations by the remaining lone wolves of Crescent, an organisation of extremist possessors who were the main contributors during the war before they got taken down. Other possessors might have chosen to live a life of illegality by blending themselves into the slums or regularly moving around to avoid being persecuted. Even though the war had ended after a good 17 years, the fear continued to linger in these possessors' minds as they witnessed too many deaths of loved ones.

Currently, the team is mapping out the health conditions estimated 95% of the Possessors who are tagged. Hence, there remains the estimated 5%, who are said to live in the slums within the inner city. Kiaria offers to look for this 5%, and the leader violently objects to this, stating that it is dangerous and she would be liable if Kiaria gets injured or goes missing.

That evening, she waits for the minister to return home and she waits for him at the doorstep. He looks slightly surprised at the start and also a little pleased that she was waiting for him, but resumes back to normal, guessing that she has waited for him regarding work.

"So, I feel we should map out the remaining 5% as well."

"Hmmm. Has the health conditions of the remaining 95% been mapped yet?"

"Not yet. But the team is working on it."

"What is the percentage of mapping so far?"

"It is at 85%."

"Then you still have 10% to work on."

Kiaria frowns.

"Of course, I can help map out the remaining tagged 95% possessors. However, the issue is more towards the 5% untagged ones. If we don't start now, we will have to take a while to look for them."

"Kiaria, they're known terrorists. You're no match for them. What happens if they kidnap you and experiment on your brain? I would have been penalised due to the spiritual contract because part of the rules you stated mentions not getting hurt under me."

"Why can't we revise the contract then? If I get hurt on my volition, then it's on me."

"That's not the point," the minister frowns," the point is that you shouldn't even get hurt at all. How would I be able to explain this to your guardians? They were so vehemently against me bringing you over."

He is right. 

How sad would her guardians be if something happened?

"I understand," she softly replies.

"I just feel that we should try to integrate this untagged 5% back into society. Hatred breeds in isolation and we wouldn't want them to spark another war again. Hungry and homeless individuals are the more susceptible and vulnerable to extremist ideologies."

"You're right, we have been neglecting these people as our priority was to rebuild the country. Well, how about this? You see if you're able to locate them first. At the same time, let's see if you can awaken. You're not to interact with them until you have at least developed an A-tier ability."

"That's impossible! I haven't even awakened yet." Kiaria protests.

"Then you're not ready for the slums." Jax laughs. "You are still free to continue working for the Serg federation 1 year after our contract ends"

Kiaria pouts and stares at him angrily. He doesn't take it to heart. After all, he just sees her as a little young kitten who knows nothing about the world.

"This is for your good. Those savages don't have normal principles like you and I do. Remember that they're not educated and they have been excluded from society for a few decades since the war began. You don't want to be drugged and used for entertainment for old pig-belly men, do you? They have good uses for girls like you until you break. Then they keep you alive as a blood bank, and after your health starts failing, they take your organs out to sell in the black market. You are considered lucky if they only date raped and killed you. Sparing you of the incoming misery that other girls were caught into."

Kiaria doesn't like what she's hearing. She wants to rebuttal that not all outcasted possessors are terrorists, but even meeting one evil outcast is enough to end her life.

"Fine." She sulks and returns to her room.

"Rest well Kiaria. You are always free to bump ideas with me." The minister smiles. 

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