A Promise Across Time [Completed]

The Genetic Rite

DISCLAIMER: No Copyright Infringement Intended.

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Notes: This story was inspired by the writer's fascination with Anni-Frid Lyngstad, one of the founding members of the legendary Swedish band, ABBA, as well as the concept of time travel. One of the central characters is a young girl, a member of the fictional Meyers Clan, featured in the writer's previous work, In Her Arms.

The Genetic Rite: A closely guarded Meyers family secret, this experimental procedure involves the genetic engineering of family members to unlock and enhance their abilities, elevating them to a supernatural level. Through a meticulous and dangerous process, participants undergo profound biological transformations, amplifying both physical and mental capabilities far beyond normal human limits.

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2024
The Meyers Trial

Raven Ciaran Meyers had lived a life of luxury since birth, growing up as a member of the infamous Meyers family of Valencia, Spain. While her every need and desire was provided for, there were strict expectations placed upon her. Among them was the requirement to attend survival skills lessons, which covered everything from self-defense to wilderness training. But the most daunting challenge any Meyers child faced was the "experiment"—a unique and secretive family practice.

The experiment was a process of genetic engineering performed on Meyers children before they reached the age of ten. It had first been tested on Cielo Arya Meyers when she was only seven years old. After the experiment's resounding success, transforming Cielo into a clairvoyant with seemingly supernatural abilities, it became a rite of passage for every Meyers child. The goal was to unlock extraordinary skills or talents, though the process itself was known to cause injuries and psychological strain. Fatalities were unheard of, but the procedure was painful, terrifying, and deeply traumatic—especially for children so young. Many family members had mistaken Ciel's clairvoyance for madness, an unfortunate side effect of misunderstanding the true power she gained.

Now, with Raven's tenth birthday just days away, her time had come. Today, she would face the experiment. Whether she would emerge with newfound abilities, or something else entirely, remained to be seen.

—-

"So, what talent did you get?" one of Raven's cousins asked as they shared snacks in the lush garden of Ravenscave Manor.

"I don't know yet," Raven replied honestly. She had tried flying, hoping the day after the experiment she would wake up like superwoman, but was disappointed. She'd attempted other things as well, with no success. She had wanted to showcase whatever talent she might have acquired at her upcoming tenth birthday, but perhaps the timing wasn't right. 

What delighted her is her singing voice, everyone said she has a wonderful voice but after the experiment, that's only when she believed it.

"Maybe it's something that hasn't revealed itself yet," her cousin suggested. "Remember Aunt Ciel? They said her clairvoyance didn't activate until she was over twenty."

"Yes, but she demonstrated extraordinary hearing and heightened senses at the age of seven—just days after she survived that terrible ordeal," Raven reminded her.

"Well, Aunt Ciel was the most successful result of the experiment. No one can really compare to her because of the risks she took. They say the dangers she faced were what triggered such powerful abilities. But you know, that experiment has been banned now. I heard she nearly died from the injuries."