1 The first stage
When you think of colors, in your mind pop up different images of objects or substances of a specific shade but, to me, colors have a different meaning...Colors aren't just some aspect on the surface of an object, material or substance under a source of light, not even the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes, as science states; they're much more than you could imagine. The color palette turns into a whole, new and one of a kind world, in a state called Crayolla, a place where colors are personified and develop their own identity. They are now individuals, not just a simple perception, they are now called chromati. In this kind of world, every chromati enrolls in a certain division: the Chromas, the Hues and last but not least, the Chromatic Aberrations.
The Chromas are just regular chromati; their division exists due to the fact that they haven't been able to develop any special ability during the emerging stage. The emerging stage commences at birth and it ceases before reaching adulthood. Moreover, even though most chromati get to develop abilities before the stage is complete, it's a rare occurrence that some might actually be late bloomers and develop abilities much later in life. This occurrence hasn't been studied enough by scientists, so no one really knows the factors causing such tardiness regarding ability development. The only thing that's certain is what causes chromati to cultivate such abilities. On top of being the reason for their colorful appearance, it has been discovered that their pigmented energy core allows them to modify the structure of their DNA, giving birth to various abilities. This phenomenon is greatly influenced by the quantity of energy the core has in stock for its user.
Chromas spend most of their lives trying to make a living in a capitalist society but their peace is threatened by certain individuals who fail to cherish the gift of uniqueness and believe in forced general hierarchy. Individuals such as those are mostly part of the Chromatic Aberrations, outlaws who refuse to abide by the Sacred Codes. The Chromatic Aberrations represent the ruthless criminals that label violence, murder and chaos as salvation. Most say that they are posing as martyrs of forgiveness and acceptance just to lure in the innocent and abused, while they brutally convert the world you once knew into a living hell. The martyrs of chaos claim that the Sacred Codes bring nothing but suffering, discrimination and hate between the people of Crayolla, thus we shouldn't follow such ill principles. Chromatic Aberrations are dangerous individuals and according to the present law system, they deserve to be punished.
On the opposite end, we have the Hue Division who swore to protect the weak and fight against such problematic figures. The Hue Division was founded by Sapphire Blue in order to wipe out the Chromatic Aberrations and bring the world back into the state of innate "peace" it once embodied. This happened decades ago and according to the Sacred Codes, only the Hues are allowed to join The Hue Division, hence chromati who haven't been able to develop any ability are exposed to highly dangerous factors and are unable to defend themselves.
The Hues are chromati who awakened their abilities and are willing to use them for the betterment of society. It is said that most Hues choose to join the Hue Division and maintain a power balance between chaos and peace.
The Sacred Codes have been implemented by the founder of the Hue Division as a manifest, a reminder for everyone that peace shall be restored one day. It has been such a long time since they were first introduced into the law system that it ended up replacing the former laws.
The Sacred Codes exhaustively cover the complete system of law, such as civil law or criminal law; they are a set of strict rules meant not to be broken. A code entirely replaces the common law in a particular area, leaving the common law inoperative unless and until the code is repealed. In a third case of slightly different usage, in the State of Crayolla and other common law countries that have adopted similar legislative practices, a code of law is a standing body of statute law on a particular area, which is added to, subtracted from, or otherwise modified by individual legislative enactments. A civil code typically forms the core of civil law systems. The legal code covers roughly the entire system of private law. Such civil codes are often collections of common law rules and a variety of ad hoc statutes; hence, they do not aspire to complete logical coherence.
Disrespecting the Sacred Codes is a sign of betrayal and it leads to major consequences such as: being stripped from any title and banned from being active politically, military and socially (through online media), automatically being enlisted as a Chromatic Aberration in the Hue Division database for the rest of your life, no matter what code you broke. There are only a few cases where breaking a Sacred Code is legally approved; the Hues that work under the Hue Division have the right to be pardoned from doing so only twice in their lifetime and it only regards certain Codes.
You might be wondering how things go nowadays; well you'll find out soon enough. To be more specific, you'll find out more when an unusual or rather said, sketchy young man, called Lime Green decides to join the Secondary Hue Division in order to fight against Chromatic Aberrations.
-What do you mean by that?!? Yelled Lime in confusion.
-Sir, you can't join the Secondary Hue Division. I'm sorry to inform you but your Chromati chart states that you're not fit to become a secondary agent due to the state of your energy core; the secretary apologizes towards the enraged one.
-Because I'm not emanating enough energy? That's outrageous! You guys are rejecting most of the candidates for an absurd criterion; for something that can be changed with just proper guiding! I don't need to have a high energy flow in order to fight well or be gifted with remarkable abilities and you know it. You're just being unreasonable. If I'm truly unfit for this division, the results of the combat evaluation shall be the proof; he declared while pressing his palms against the desk.
-Listen up, kid, I can't break one of the Sacred Codes just for you to prove my point. It's not safe for you to go through such an intense experience; he refused then proceeded to sip his tea.
-What's all this commotion about? Someone intervened as the silence embraced the crowded place.
-Sir, what brings you here? The secretary stuttered in fear after spilling his drink all over his once tidy desk.
-Well, I came to see how many applicants we have this year but I found myself attending a circus show. This is not how we manage the Hue Division; the man stated coldly as he turned his gaze towards Lime.
The piercing yet elegant glance belonged to no other than Emerald Green, one of the top agents of the S.H.D [Secondary Hue Division]. Every chromati froze on spot; it felt like they drowned in complete silence as soon as they noticed his presence. His interest was piqued in seconds by a certain someone.
- And who are you supposed to be? Questioned Emerald intrigued by Lime's appearance.
-He's just a candidate, sir. He's unfit to become… the secretary blabbed as he got interrupted by his superior.
-I wasn't talking to you, you imbecile. I'll have you demoted from your post; snapped Emerald.
-My name is Lime Green, sir; the poor one muttered.
-You have such a peculiar visual representation; he smiled.
-Thank you, sir; said the boy then proceeded to straighten his back while averting Emerald's curious gaze.
-Show me his Chromati chart at once; he demanded as he pulled his hand out of his pocket.
The secretary clumsily handed him the papers and backed away slowly.
-For which division did you apply? Asked Emerald while looking through the document.
-The Secondary Hue Division, sir; voiced Lime confidently.
-For the S.H.D.? Do you think you have what it takes to work for us? He replied while arching one of his eyebrows.
-Yes, sir; confirmed the young man.
-Are you truly willing to sacrifice everything in order to work for us? Do you know what it takes to be part of this division? Emerald questioned while analyzing his chart once again.
-Yes, sir; repeats Lime with the same tone.
-I'll see if you're actually a man of your words. I hope you are, for your own sake. I don't usually make exceptions when it comes to following the Sacred Codes out of honor but, this once I shall allow it. I'll schedule a special evaluation over the course of a few days. I'll have someone contact you regarding the time and place. I'll give you some time to think things over; if you're still up for it, then it's settled. If you fail to show up, then our deal is off. I have high expectations from you, mister Lime Green, don't disappoint me; says Emerald while turning around and walking away.
Lime stares at Emerald confidently distancing himself from the situation, submerging into the crowd and starts thinking to himself that he has to do everything in his will power to meet Emerald's expectations. All that was left were the murmuring chromati among the crowd wondering what happened and why did the head of S.H.D. break the rules for a random candidate, he's just a nobody.
There was too much to unpack at once and a good training session would've helped him concentrate better, so going home seemed like a good plan. When he stepped out of the building, it was getting dark already; the streets were barely illuminated, the sky was accentuated by cotton-candy-like clouds and the city was slowly being engulfed by a mesmerizing darkness. Lime was incredibly fervent and motivated by what Emerald stated earlier, he looked as if he was unstoppable; little did he know what future had in store for him.
As he was eagerly heading home, he suddenly stopped and made a 180 degree turn. He sensed that something was off; there was this unusual cold breeze with a hint of fresh blood. He started following the faint yet dreadful scent that led him towards an abandoned building; he got a bit closer to scout the restricted area and the discovery shocked him.
Even though it was pretty dark, it seemed like a battle between two chromati was taking place; the sight was truly intense, both of them were fully immersed into one of the purest desires, the desire to survive at all costs. He wasn't sure of it, but judging by the anatomy of the shadowy figures, movements and other futile details, Lime concluded that the two aggressive chromati were, in fact, a man and a teenage girl. He had his eyes focused on the two, waiting for a moment of stillness, an opening. He wanted to put an end to this whole commotion before any of them would get to kill the other.
As he began his microanalysis; from counting every step they take, every breath, noticing every detail, to calculating the distance and considering even the smallest variable, within a few minutes he gave up and decided to improvise his way in, relying completely on his intuition; even if it meant risking everything for one lucky shot.
-Greetings, strangers; interrupted Lime playfully as he barely immobilized them before they slashed each other's throats.
-What the actual f**k? Who do you think you are? One of them cussed in disbelief.
-Me? I'm the delivery guy; smiled Lime while trying to push them farther from each other.
- Excuse me? The other one said with a bamboozled look on his face.
- Which one of you ordered a powerful chromati with flawless skin? Lime intervened again playfully.
-Don't act smart with me, you weakling. You can barely handle me while I still hold back my powers. What makes you think you have the upper hand; asked the girl trying to mock Lime.
She was right; he foolishly rushed into the fight with no plan, no battle experience and not even the certitude that he alone can fight not one but two skilled chromati at once. Regardless, Lime was intending to give his everything in order to bring this whole thing to an end. Annoyed by what she just said, he simply slammed her mouth shut with his hand and proceeded to keep the other one immobilized on the ground as well by pressing his foot against his torso.
-Let's not go into useless details, I have a fragile ego. Speaking of details, I need to ask you something; he reasoned while struggling to maintain his grip.
-You little mongrel... I'll freeze; she continued to mumble as Lime was still trying to silence her.
- I wasn't talking to you; you're the mean and uncooperative one. I'm talking to this pack of muscles over here; he pointed as he tightened his grip around the feisty Chihuahua.
-What do you want? He muttered in a weak tone as he barely gasped for air.
-Well it's pretty simple. I need to know which one of you is on my side; he reasoned, still trying to keep the situation under control.
-Quit playing mind games, I know you're with those cult bastards. Your energy levels are as irregular and as unstable as theirs, let alone your appearance; claimed the stranger revolted by what Lime asked.
Lime took a closer look at the guy's clothing and noticed the sigil on his vest. He quickly realized who he was talking to and fear struck him harder than ever.
- Wait, you mean she's one of the- concluded Lime as he turned his head towards the girl but got interrupted by a strong blast of ice. The impact was so strong that it pushed him to the other side of the chamber, slamming him against the brittle wall.
