A spark is the name I've given to an evolved part of the brain that allows those who possess it to do supernatural things. As described by a character in my book, it has both a physical representation and it doesn't at the same time. Unlike other parts of your human body, those in control of their spark are able to concentrate on their spark to use their abilities or store power prior to using an ability.
What makes a Spark believable?
The logical explanation I give for a spark existing is: after all the nations of the world dropped all their nuclear bombs, the resulting radiation wasn't as harmful to the world as expected, but the reaction to the elements where the bombs went off mixed and created an invisible haze around the world. This haze reacted to a small number of individual's brains in a way that gave them the ability to have a spark. The spark itself isn't actually active, it has to undergo an "unlocking" process.
So...
Think of the spark as a dormant organ you don't know you have in your body. No it is not like a soul or spiritual essence.
Spark Discovery and Detection
Those with sparks can detect other people with sparks. It is described as having feelings like you have a memory with someone that you can't quiet put your finger on. After time and focus, this ability becomes more prominent and it becomes easier to tell if someone has a spark or not. Almost in a way that you can tell if someone is a boy or girl. (Yes, I know, it can be confusing in real life so don't over think it.)
A person doesn't gain a spark as soon as their DNA arranges in a way that creates the spark. You must undergo an event that is either life or death. The body uses the spark as a last defense against whatever situation you may be in. After this happens, the spark has been unraveled and an individual can start enhancing and training their spark.
With the cruelty in the world you would think that sparks would be more common, but in fact it wasn't until after the Great War that sparks were able to come into existence.
You can be born with a spark from your parents or independently. No this doesn't mean to sit in a vat of radioactive goo... Does this mean that the spark is a mutation though? Yes, in a way it is.
What abilities can someone with a spark do?
Currently in the spark universe, and I'm speaking in terms of only my first book so I won't spoil things I have in store for later.
Telekinesis is the most common spark ability. This is the pretty much the release of energy. It is a very broad range of what I consider telekinesis. One individual in the story can swing punches from a distance using his spark. Some can implode objects, others expel the energy directly outward from their body.
Teleportation is described as pushing your spark to the memory of a location and your body follows. The visual of this is a sandy-like devolve inward to the spark location, or your brain.
Cold-Fire is an ability that started off being rare and was later discovered to be learned. What cold-fire does is give the body a burst of artificial adrenaline. This burst gives the user's hands a blue glow. The things that the artificial adrenaline does for the person using this ability is that it gives them raised reactions and agility/speed. This artificial adrenaline doesn't give the after effects that natural adrenaline would. The personal results a person gets are based off of the power of their spark itself.
There are many other unique abilities that those with sparks can do. The world of spark as what is known to those in my books is always changing. The only for sure limitation to spark is that you can not change your physical form in any way. Though, there is a certain character in the book that is able to change his image from someone's point of view through manipulation of thoughts. Another limitation is that no one can use the elements. These being: fire, water, earth, and air.
I might create a full list of spark abilities at one point.
Extras
- A person isn't limited by the spark ability that they use when unlocking their spark. Though a spark doesn't always take to an ability that someone is trying to learn.
- Life or death situations is the only way that has been discovered to unlock someone's spark.
- Spark isn't an endless supply of energy. Through training a person can gain more spark stamina. Think of it as running. Those who do it often or are active individuals can go longer and further than someone who gets winded running up a single flight of stairs.
- A huge one: Not everyone has a spark or is capable of having one. This is a key factor to the storyline in Spark: Evolution.
