From the Ashes

The Culling of Section 17

On the ship, around four hundred people had gathered outside of the meeting hall, where the council stood.
Around an hour ago, a women named Abby Griffin, a Doctor on the ship had released a video of herself - and her floated husband - explaining the epidemic that had become of the Ark.

In a room, down in Beta section, stood a young man holding a four year old baby girl named Eliza Harvey Smith. The granddaughter of Eliza Harvey and Caden Harvey.
Also known as Ember Smiths daughter, Bears sister.
The man was Jonathan Ash, he was Elizas guardian when her mother swept off to work to educate the children of the ark.

Bobbing the little girl on his legs, he watched as her necklace with her deceased fathers ring shimmered on her chocolaty' skin. His face was smothered with tears, as he knew that this was going to be the last thing left that he had of his best friend, Ember.

Walking into the hall, one by one, people volunteered themselves for section 17, as to give everyone else extra air.

Kane stood by Abby Griffin, the woman who inspired four hundred volunteers to give up their life in order to give those they love extra air, before the ark dies.

"Kane?" A soft voice almost whispered.

There stood an elegant girl, with beautiful hair that trickled down her back as if it were a waterfall. On her ring finger was two straps of metal, that coiled together to represent a wedding ring.
It was all her husband could afford, but to her, she would've married him even without it.

The monotone, bored looking council member that most feared, turned, only to have his facial expression fall into that of sadness.
No one knew that the man had the ability to cry, but in that moment, he was close to doing it.

Walking over to the man, the young woman handed him a tablet that had a video of herself on it, the title only being,'For Bear.'

Reaching up, she placed her hand gently on the mans cheek, using her thumb to wipe away the tears that managed to escape the mans strong exterior.

"Ember," Kane sighed, grabbing the girl wrist,"please don't do this."

"I have to," Ember smiled,"Quill would've done the same... so would've Bear, I'm doing this for them, as well as my daughter."

Taking a deep breathe, she took little steps towards the doorway, turning to look at her uncle, she pointed at the tablet,"on there is a video for Bear, if she is still alive... May we meet again."

Taking steps towards section seventeen, Kane watched as Ember Smith shook Councillor Jaha hand, before looking back and flashing everyone the brightest smile.
One that only the Ember of a beautiful, burning fire could show. The warmth behind that smile never fading, as her silhouette disappeared into section seventeen.

~

Inside section seventeen, the room grew quiet, as the sounds of machines slowing down were heard. Creaking. The people inside looked to each other, and smiled, knowing that through this act - they had redeemed their humanity.

In the corner sat Ember, Bears sister, she was a respected teacher of the ark. Her smile well known to everyone as nothing more but welcoming.

"Once upon a time, there was a lady named Gaia," Embers voice echoed throughout the metal box, everyone's ears tuning into her voice and her voice alone - as it was soothing, it helped them replace the slight fear that overtook their bodies.

"Gaia was lonely, oh so lonely, until one day she put her palm on the ground and kissed the dirt. Blessing the floor with her beautiful kiss, trees began to sprout from the ground and shoot for the stars. Then, from the trees were released leaves... that helped the ground grow strong. The dirt was soon replaced with vivid grass, to which became home to beautiful flowers... From those flowers grew children, who grew to be as strong as the trees that stood before them. Who welcomed help from Gaia like the dirt did from the leaves. Their personalities were as vivid as the grass, different, yet soft, unique, and beautiful in subtle ways... These children had dreams that were as beautiful as the flowers that helped them grow. From then on... Gaia was not lonely anymore..."

The oxygen in the room dissipated, and like that of Gaia's children. The volunteers of section seventeen swept themselves away into beautiful dreams, but these ones were more beautiful than any mundane flower to ever bloom.

~

The door to section seventeen opened, as people were allowed in to help release the bodies out into the universe.
Kane stumbled behind them, stepping softly over everyone else, he reached down and pulled up the last of his family.

Ember Smith laid in Kane's arms, her arms swaying by his side, as her raven coloured hair worked like a curtain to hide away her beauty.
Kane moved the ring off of her finger, and pocketed it, thinking of the necklace that laid on baby Elizas neck - and how beautiful it would look with both her fathers, and her mothers wedding ring.