Inversion

History 101

 “First, the basics. Every one of you here is what we call “Chosen”. Throughout history in different cultures we have been called many different things, from gods to demons, and more recently super heroes. We are none of those, and yet all of them."

"Your abilities come from a shard of the World Tree and is more akin to an infection, albeit a beneficial one, than a divine blessing or any such nonsense like that. The World Tree is located in the center of the earth,” he paused and looked around the room after this last statement to see if anyone would disagree, and when satisfied started up again, “It has been inactive for several centuries, no new Chosen have been made in that time. You are all 2nd or 3rd generation chosen, as such your powers will be somewhat diluted. On top of your unique abilities you also have greatly increased life spans and regenerative capabilities, though again, they are diluted and not as effective. I'm sure you've noticed this at some point in your life.”

I thought about what he was saying and it did seem to ring true, I had never been really sick before and when I broke my arm a few years ago it had healed perfectly in a matter of weeks. I had always just chalked it up to good genetics, which I suppose wasn't entirely wrong.

“I am like you, however I am a first generation, one of the last since the World Tree became inactive. Yes, you heard that right. If you've been paying attention thus far you know that makes me very old. 472 years old to be exact, but I don't feel a day over 450,” at this several students laughed, but he silenced them with a cold look. "Another thing you should know is that as you age you become more attuned to your Shard and your strength grows, and you unlock different facets of your power."

“The inactivity of the World Tree is of great concern to us, and now to you as well. That is one of the signs that Ragnarok is coming, and that is why you are all here, at the Aesir Academy. We need warriors if we are going to stop the end times, and you have been Chosen,” at this several students raised their hands, but he ignored them and carried on,

“Now, you might be thinking to yourself, 'what does it mean to be Chosen? Why don't they just make more? I'm not a warrior!' Well, long story short is that we can't. Chosen isn't just a random term we came up with to make you feel like a special snowflake. You are a .0001% chance. A genetic anomaly. If you aren't Chosen, an infection from the World Tree is fatal, or even worse. You could become an undead monster, roaming the Earth with no will or thoughts of your own other than to destroy, a Forsaken. That is another reason we know Ragnarok is nearly upon us, the sudden spike in new Forsaken is no coincidence, but that is a matter you will learn more about over time. I'm sorry to start the term with so much doom and gloom, so the rest of the class will be spent more lightly, by studying the Elder Futhark alphabet!”

My mind was racing at a million miles an hour. If even half of the things Dr. Balder had said were true, then my whole reality had just gotten flipped upside down. The other students must have had more of an inkling of what was going on, because they were all focused on learning the runes and chatting as if our whole world wasn't an elaborate facade that had just come tumbling down. I tried to just partition these ideas off on one side of my brain to think about later, but it wasn't easy. Before I had even managed to memorize two runes, the class was over. I gathered my things and walked out into the hallway, Sparrow and the others close behind.

“So, what you thinking Jacko? A lot to take in your first day,” Sparrow said reassuringly, “You'll get used to it. I mean, you don't really have any other choice, right?”

“You guys got Biology next too?” Jared asked from behind us.

“Yeah, actually we do. Hang on a sec,” Sparrow said snatching our other housemates schedules from their hands and quickly looking them over, “Thought so! We all have the same exact schedule. I wonder why?”

“I dunno, what do you think this TBE class is?” I asked to no one in particular, in a futile attempt to keep my mind from going back over and over all this new information. Before I got an answer I felt a large hand on my shoulder and turned around to see the Professor behind me.

“A word, Jack?” he said in a way that I could tell it wasn't a question, so much as a polite demand. I waved Sparrow and the others on and let the Professor lead me back into the classroom.

“I'm sorry I was late-” I started to say, assuming that was what he wanted to discuss, but he stopped me mid sentence with a quick gesture.

“No, no, that's alright. I'm honestly surprised you came at all knowing Sparrow's drinking habits,” he said this with a laugh and took a sip from his coffee mug, “No, what I wanted to talk about was your abilities. It's been a while since we've had a student like you, a long while.”

“Well actually, I don't know what they are. Or, even if I have any. My parents always seemed so normal,” I said, finally having a chance to tell someone what had been bothering me since the revelation of my housemates powers last night.

“Hold out your hand,” Dr. Balder said and I obliged, “Hmm, yes, as expected," he said adjusting his glasses and inspecting my outstretched hand, "Now watch.” He held out his hand and it began glowing brighter and brighter, then spreading down his arm and over the rest of his body. In seconds he had become enveloped in a burning coat of fire and I had to cover my eyes or I felt as if they would melt out of my skull,

“Jack, take my hand.” I heard him say and tried to grab it, but it was so bright it was hurting my eyes even through my eyelids and the room was starting to get hotter, like I was laying out in the sun on a sheet of metal, “Take my hand Jack!” he said again, more insistent this time, and I finally managed to grab it. It wasn't hot as I expected, it was freezing cold and the light that had been blinding me suddenly disappeared. The room was pitch black now and getting cold. I let go of his hand in shock from the sudden temperature change and everything rapidly returned to normal.

“You have a very unique power Jack, even among the Chosen. You have the power of Inversion and Negation. You see? You just Inverted my power, instead of fire and light you changed it to ice and dark,” Dr. Balder said this while looking at me very seriously, “This is an incredibly powerful ability, the fact that you survived being that close to my heat aura without being burnt to a crisp should attest to that.”

“Wait.....What if you were wrong? You would've just killed me!” I said, flabbergasted. He just smiled and shrugged,

“Well, it worked didn't it? Now hurry on, I have a feeling Biology is going to be very interesting.” I stood up and looked at my hands, they looked the same as ever, but now I knew they held an ability that was beyond anything I had ever imagined. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, and when I was about to step out into the hallway the Professor called after me, “ And try not to be late next time Jack. I find it very... irritating,” his tone sending a shiver down my spine, and I knew being late again was the last thing I wanted to do.