Conception

When we embrace what lies within us, we realise that our boundaries are limitless. The future is filled with countless possibilities; the present brims with expectations. What is the meaning of life? Is there any logic in this never ending struggle to discover our true purpose on Earth? Life moves from cradle to grave; that is the inevitable path of all living beings. Our attempts to leave a mark on history are even more inconceivable, for we are born too late to explore the world but born too early to explore the stars. How then do we add significance to our existence? That is the question confronting all of mankind since the dawn of time. The even more burning question is - when confronted with the question, how do we answer?

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What do I have to do to be special?

It was just another day at medical school. From young, Hans always loved reading up about the human body. The complexities of human physiology and the anatomy that puts all the pieces of the puzzle together was just one great masterpiece. Obviously, sometimes this goes wrong and diseases occur, but it generally works like clockwork. Going to university however, just seems to take the joy out of learning anything related to medicine. So too do the people around who seem more interested in the competition rather than the journey. Medical school can make a pessimist out of even the most optimistic of individuals

What do I have to do to be special?

"Satellite cells...", "...mitochondria...", the professor continued narrating on, and while Hans should be paying attention to the lecture, he could not help but wonder what he needed to do to be special in a place full of bright and talented individuals.


"Excuse me, what was it that gives rise to muscle cells again?"

"What?" replied Hans as he turned to a fellow student whispering the question to him, "Oh I'm really sorry I wasn't paying attention."

"Never mind!" said the student as she turned to others instead, but not before giving Hans a judgemental look.

Hey girl why are you judging me if you didn't catch it yourself?!

Hans never understood why some people behaved the way they did. Perhaps it was just him. Hans had always wondered if the world had something against him. 

Story of your life Hans, always daydreaming instead of paying attention to the task at hand. Maybe you're the sole reason for your mediocrity.

Hans drifted further into his thoughts of negativity. He never remembered himself being like that before. Hans always deemed himself as a positive thinker. He felt that perhaps he should be paying attention to the lecture, but then again he knew life was too short to solely focus on academics. Hans had a short attention span too, and he just could not bring himself to sit through any lecture with more than 10 slides. Hans whipped out his mobile phone to pass the time. Smartphones never fail to amaze Hans, and 10 years ago he would not have bet on those gadgets being in the hands of the common man. Hans started scrolling through the news on his Twitter feed.



Hans pressed the link on his mobile phone's touchscreen on the news article that caught his eye. The headline read "Nanoparticles - Tomorrow's answers today?".

Now this is more informative

Hans was always keen, more so than most others give him credit for, or so he felt at least. Scrolling through the link gave him some insights into nanoparticles, and how they are going to be widely released to the general public in less than a year.

Now that's really amazing. Imagine the potential of these stuff to benefit humanity!

Hans read on further. The move to make nanoparticles available to the worldwide population was helmed by a multinational technology company known as Montague Group. The company's founder and CEO was Clement Montague, a self-made billionaire and a household name in every part of the globe.

Billionaire, CEO, celebrity. Now that's something that even Tony Stark will be jealous of!

As Hans continued reading, he felt a bit guilty for not paying attention to the lecture. Medical school was expensive and every lecture missed is effectively money thrown away. However, Hans felt that he had already drifted off for most of the lecture that it was pointless to continue from where the professor had stopped. He was more interested in graduating, becoming a doctor and then earning some money. Of course, Hans knew that a doctor's salary will never make him anywhere as rich and famous as a celebrity CEO like Clement Montague, but at least it will allow him to pay off some of his debts thanks to his insanely expensive university fees.


Just 2 more years of this, Hans. 2 more years and you can finally graduate.

These 2 years felt like an eternity. For today, it's just another day at school for Hans. Another one of those times where he felt he could have been doing something better with his life. Everyone goes through days like these, and sometimes when you get lost in your daily routine, the mind starts to work out of sync with the rest of the body and play tricks on you, leaving you wandering around in the vast sea of imagination...

Hans entered a room. Whispers could be heard from all over. He took a broad view of his surroundings; it was nothing but darkness illuminated by some patches light in different areas. The walls looked rather rocky. It was as though he were in a subterranean cave.

Wow, like a typical secret underground base of sorts found in the movies. 

A distinct emblem could be seen on the wall. A gold hand gripping a red sphere. There was a halo hanging above the hand, which was gold too, but with alternating bands of black.

Further down the corridor, muffled voices could be heard. A discussion. The voices came from a door at the opposite end. To look or not to look was always the question. Hans was very well aware of the saying "curiosity killed the cat."

Well luckily the cat has 9 lives, or so they say... Humans on the other hand though...

Hans considered for a while before going in.

Screw this, everything amazing started off with someone's curiosity anyway

Going ahead was always the answer. Hans opened the door quietly and started eavesdropping on the conversation. The discussion sounded interesting, though almost every word was some form of scientific jargon, not unlike his university professors. However, one thing which he could comprehend was "nanobots".

Right...

Footsteps could be heard. Hans wondered if there were guards approaching down the hallway. Nonetheless, he could feel the adrenaline rush. His heart was beating fast and hard like a stampede of hooves of a panicked herd of gazelle. Hans frantically searched for a hiding spot, but couldn't seem to locate any.

Oh crap

This was one of the rare moments that Hans wished he was wrong. Indeed, a section of guards were marching towards him. Within those burly arms, AK-47s were being held. Death staring at you straight in the face. Closer and closer they approached...Hans felt his heart pounding faster with every step. He knew very well how the heart works. The cardiac cycle. Adrenaline stimulating the SA node to release impulses at a faster rate to speed up the heart rate. All too well. He knows this.

Dammit! Not the right time to daydream!

Hans was in a dilemma. If he was going to go down, he would do it fighting. Still, he didn't want to die. Not when he hasn't even completed medical school. He was only 24, and always felt that his life's ambitions were nowhere near fulfilled. He wanted to graduate, become a doctor, earn money to pay off his debts, start a family.

Not that this is gonna matter anymore. I don't wanna fucking die now.

Hans was petrified in fear. With death potentially staring him in the face, he was robbed of the capacity to think rationally.


Hans closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.

Miraculously, as soon as it happened, it was gone. The guards just walked past him.

What the heck, am I invisible?

Hans wondered what on earth could've stopped the guards from spotting him. They were just right in front of him earlier but seemed to just walk pass him as though he didn't exist. Hans stood there in bewilderment, but not for long. Hans' inquisitive personality took over. He had many questions - where he was, why were there guards, and what were they guarding?

Nonetheless, with the danger past, Hans knew that could only mean one thing - more time to eavesdrop!

Hans walked towards the door he initially heard the discussions from. He peered in and listened intently. Hans saw a well lit room. It appeared very modern, with computers and projectors. It basically looked very much like a business conference, only that something made Hans feel that this was rather odd. The setting seemed very military-like, with one person speaking and everyone else just listening at attention, only that those listening all had the same posture - seated up straight with their chests puffed out and abdomen sucked inwards. Notwithstanding, Hans had never been to a workplace with a business setting, so he didn't feel like he was in a position to judge.

Well then again, that just reminds me of the typical gunners/keen-beans in uni 

Again, Hans heard "nanobots" amidst the sea of jargon used by the speaker.

Okay, let's try to think simple and make sense of whats going on

Hans knew everything had a mechanism of action, if he could just make it out then perhaps he'd understand the whole nanobots discussion. Hans tried to listen for any possible giveaways or clues.

Try as he might, Hans couldn't comprehend a single word.

Hmmm, to think that I actually found it interesting... I could probably get more from my university lecture...time to go!

Hans turned around, ready to leave...

Only this time, Hans had encountered something akin to what one will experience in their deepest nightmare.

Like a scene straight from a horror movie, Hans came face to face with a hooded figure resembling the grim reaper. Hans stared at the opening of the hood, only to have a pair of snake-like eyes returning his gaze.  An aura of fear seemed to be emitting from the hooded figure.

"So... LITTLE BOY... what might you be up to here?"

Hans froze in fear. He couldn't move. He was always afraid of black hooded figures, let alone black hooded figures catching him in places where he wandered off to far.

"Oh don't worry... by the time they decide where to look, you will already be dead"

"Wh...wh...who are you?", said a stuttering Hans.

"Ah, but there's no need to share my story with someone who's going to die"


 The hooded figure raised his arm in the air and opened his fist, and as soon as he clenched it again, Hans felt a vice-like grip on his neck, although there was nothing physically grabbing it.

and I thought I didn't believe in ghosts...

The hooded figure did another hand gesture, akin to pulling an object, only now that Hans seemed to be dragged toward the hooded figure as it made the gesture. Hans couldn't move. He could barely breathe. Barely. He felt the hooded figure could end his life anytime he wanted, and was just taking sadistic delight in torturing him. 

"I know who you are. Hans Haven", said the hooded figure, "and I know you've always wanted to be special"


What the shit did I just hear?

Hans was terrified, but was levelheaded enough to think of all the possibilities. Hans had heard stories of demonic possession, and old wives' tales of how evil spirits can read minds. Hans did not want to die now, not least to some old wives' tale. He had to resist.
 

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!", screamed Hans as he somehow managed to find enough strength to scream despite what seemed like a telekinetic force gripping his neck.

"You are a strong one, I give you that," said the figure, "Perhaps you might be better use to me alive than dead"

Now this is starting to sound ridiculous
 
"Give yourself up to me," said the hooded figure, "You want something special in your life don't you? This is what you've been looking for... a meaning to this insignificant life you currently have..."

Actually this might sound a little tempting...

Hans considered for a while. He had just witnessed a feat out of the ordinary, something superhuman, maybe even supernatural. This hooded figure was possibly the most unique and powerful being on the planet. It frightened Hans but at the same time aroused his curiosity. Medical school had always taught Hans to be keen and hungry for more. Hans felt that if he had said yes, perhaps he might finally be in a position of significance.

I might even learn how that dick used his abilities...and perhaps maybe I might be able to learn how to use them too

At the same time, the offer sounded too good to be true. Hans was smart enough to know that everything had a catch. He watched enough movies to know that the bad guys have many ways of manipulation. Hans knew that when it comes to making deals with such villains, they always take away everything from you. The hooded figure was without doubt a villain in Hans' eyes.

No good guy would have such horrible fashion sense anyway...

"Time after time, even my own so-called friends ignore me and use me for their benefit", exclaimed Hans, "Why will you, some bitch who tried to kill me, be any different, let alone make me feel special? I'll NEVER join you!"

Oh this is where the shit begins...

"Very well, you have just went down the wrong road", said the hooded figure as a sadistic grin slowly became visible through the opening of the hood, "I hope you savor the nothingness of death".


With another hand gesture, the hooded figure clenched its fist. Hans tensed in pain as the pressure around his neck tightened. He couldn't scream. He couldn't even breathe. He was gasping for air. His trachea felt like it was going to crumble upon itself any moment.

The dark entity inched closer and closer. Hans closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.

"WAKE UP DUDE!"

Huh?

"Gosh, you stink! Did you just go swimming or what? You look drenched"

What the hell is this

"Holy shit, am I alive?" exclaimed Hans


It was Adam, one of his coursemates. Hans felt relieved. This meant that the frightening encounter was merely a bad dream. Adam was one of Hans' trusted friends in school, and perhaps one of the only people he could count on in times of need. For a start, Adam was one of the few people who would reply Hans' text messages almost as soon as he sent them.

"No shit Sherlock," said Adam, "what the fuck just happened, you were moving about in your sleep so violently that we thought you were having some strange form of epilepsy"

"Just a dream. That's all", Hans replied.

"You sure you're okay?" said Adam

"Positive" said Hans, knowing that everything should be alright for now.

Great to be with someone familiar after a terrifying ordeal. Terrifying? Gosh it was just a dream, grow up you baby!

Lessons have finally ended. Hans walked towards the nearest bus stop, with the mental scars of the nightmare still fresh in his mind. It somehow felt so real to Hans. Nonetheless, there was nothing else to do but to move on.


As Hans made his way to the bus stop, he could not help but notice a suspicious looking person wearing sunglasses staring at him, watching his every movement.

Not again...

Hans waited for the bus, praying that it would come any second now; praying that the person with the shades isn't going to suddenly run towards him. Time seemed to stand still. Fear kept knocking on the door as the person continued his staring.

Faster please, Is Jose Mourinho driving the damn bus?

After what felt like a lifetime, the bus finally came. A sigh of relief came over Hans' face.

Suddenly, Hans felt nauseous. His vision was blurring. The world seemed to be spinning in circles. His hearing faded slowly and all he heard was static.

Hans fell to the ground, unconscious...

Hours pass.

Hans opened his eyes. He was on a bed. Not his own bed. Everything was very unfamiliar.  He was in some stranger's house.


Shit, am I gonna be chopped up and sold to slavery now?

Then the stranger came into the room. It was the same suspicious person wearing the sunglasses. The same person staring at Hans earlier at the bus stop.


Out of the frying pan, and into the fire...

"Hans Haven."

Oh god...another stranger who knows my name. Great


This was the last thing Hans wanted.

A seemingly menacing smile came over the stranger's face.

"You have much to answer, Hans Haven," said the stranger, "one who has received the MARK OF KANE!"

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Once upon a time, one could be considered a pioneer for discovering the secret to fire, or even fashioning a tool like a wheel. The ultimate cosmic joke is that we don't have to be extremely talented to achieve our goals.

Two paths are chosen in the quest for life's mysteries. Some choose selflessness, the need to devote themselves to something of altruistic worth, while others know only self interest, isolating themselves in a world of their own making. Destiny, ever marching in our course, can be chosen by the unique choices we make. Nobody in this world is given the best of everything, thus we have to make the best of everything we have. Making the choice to be content with our uniqueness is all we need, as we begin to realise that what makes us special already resides deep within us. That realisation leads to a sense of enlightenment, culminating in a conception of an extraordinary life.