The pale morning sky stretched endlessly above the Zenith Guard training grounds. Eleanor stood at the edge of the field, her wings catching the cool wind. The air vibrated with excitement. Fifty young angels, all wanting the same dream.
Today would decide everything.
The night before, Eleanor had shared a quiet moment with Meredith. The older woman had taken her to the edge of the cliffs that overlooked the city, the sea wind whipping through their hair.
"Now, listen carefully," Meredith said, her voice firm. "Zenith Guards are god-slayers, but not everyone can be the best of the best. There are six ranks in the Guard:
Ascendant – The elite god-slayers. Highest Rank.
Guardian – Trusted field operatives.
Sentinel – Experienced mid-tier combatants.
Striker – Active combat agents.
Initiate – Recruits who passed the trials.
Novice – Trainees with no field clearance."
Meredith gave her a long, hard look. "If I were you, I'd aim for Striker or higher. The Trial supervisors will determine your rank based on how you perform and how much potential you show. Understood?"
Eleanor had listened intently, then gave a determined nod. "Yes. I'm ready."
Three weeks of Meredith's tough training had stripped Eleanor down to nothing, then built her back up. Her body no longer stumbled; it moved with deadly precision. Her Sunfire burned steadier now, though fear still made it flicker.
Meredith approached, her white robes snapping in the breeze. For once, the harsh lines of her face had softened, just barely.
"I've taught you everything I can," Meredith said as they neared the registration building. "Remember your training. Keep your power steady. And try not to embarrass yourself."
Eleanor couldn't help but smirk. "I'll do my best not to fall flat on my face in front of everyone."
The hint of a smile touched Meredith's lips. "There's the attitude I trained."
The training grounds were crowded with new recruits. Some wore armor that looked expensive enough to buy Eleanor's entire village. Others clutched ancient weapons like they were their only hope. A few trembled nervously. Others bounced with barely controlled energy, ready to fight.
Eleanor was looking around at the chaos when a voice cut through the noise. It was bright, playful, and completely unafraid.
"Trials, huh? Ten gold says they make us fight a giant hamster or something equally silly. What do you think, Zak?"
The speaker had wild silver hair that seemed to defy gravity and mischievous blue eyes that sparkled with trouble. His wings twitched constantly. His name tag read: Theo Vex.
Beside him stood a taller boy with midnight-black hair and serious brown eyes. He studied the recruits like a military planner thinking about how to defeat them. Zakiel Derin, his posture screamed discipline.
"You talk too much," Zak said quietly. "Save your energy for the actual test."
"Come on, you know my jokes help you relax." Theo's grin was contagious.
A voice dropped from above like a stone. "You're both putting me to sleep."
A blonde girl landed between them with enough force to crack the ground. Small but strong, built like a coiled spring. Her ice-blue eyes burned with impatience, her short blonde hair whipping as she turned her head.
Katya Lynne. She looked ready to punch the world.
"Can we just start already?" she growled. "All this waiting is driving me insane."
Theo hopped away from her wing. "Easy there, firecracker. You'll burn the place down before we even get inside."
Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle. The sound drew Zak's attention.
His brown eyes locked onto hers: calm, careful, intelligent. "Oh. Hello there. You're a new recruit as well?"
"Yes," Eleanor replied, fighting to keep her voice steady and calm.
Theo waved enthusiastically. "Hey, you've got that whole 'secretly dangerous' vibe going on. I love it."
Katya gave Eleanor a sharp, judging look. "I bet you're secretly slow. I bet you fail first."
Eleanor's eyes flashed. "I'm not slow."
Zak nodded once, showing approval. "Good. There's no time to be if you're serious about the Zenith Guard."
"RECRUITS! LINE UP! SINGLE FILE!"
The voice boomed across the field like thunder. Every conversation died. Every angel straightened up.
A senior officer walked onto the field, his silver wings catching sunlight like mirrors. His black eyes swept over the recruits, as if counting future failures. He raised one hand, and a blue crystal floated above his head like a small sun.
Dozens of glowing trails shot out from the crystal, each pointing in a different direction.
"Follow your assigned trail," the officer announced, his voice carrying complete authority. "Each of you will face challenges designed to test your specific abilities. You have until sunset to complete your trial and return to this spot. Succeed, and you join the Guard. Fail..."
His smile was sharp as a blade. "And you go home to explain your shame to your families."
Eleanor's stomach clenched as a golden trail appeared before her, leading northwest toward a forest that climbed the mountainside like a dark staircase.
"Ohohooo, you got the golden trail..." Katya's voice held a dangerous edge. "I heard some things about that route. Good luck, newbie."
Before Eleanor could respond, Katya launched herself skyward, following her own crimson trail.
Eleanor spread her wings and took flight, the golden light pulling her toward destiny.
The forest was ancient and felt threatening. Massive trees blocked out the sun, creating a twilight world of shadows and whispers. Eleanor landed in a small clearing, drawing her axe. The oppressive silence felt wrong, like the entire forest was holding its breath.
She didn't wait long to discover why.
The ground trembled. Trees swayed without any wind.
Something massive crashed through the forest behind her.
Eleanor spun around, and her heart sank.
A living statue towered above the treeline. Twenty feet tall, made of black obsidian stone and carved bone. White fire blazed from its eye sockets as it raised a sword that looked like it could split mountains.
Meredith's voice echoed in her memory: "I had to fight a living statue during my trial."
"Perfect," Eleanor muttered. "They're using the same old challenges now."
The golem moved with unbelievable speed. Eleanor threw herself sideways as its blade cut through the air where she'd been. The sword hit the earth and split the ground like paper.
Eleanor's Sunfire sparked weakly. Her nerves were failing her.
Focus. You trained for this.
She darted forward, swinging her axe at the statue's leg. Sparks flew, but her blade barely scratched the stone.
The golem's backhand sent her flying across the clearing. Eleanor slammed into a tree trunk, seeing stars. Pain exploded through her ribs. Blood filled her mouth.
Her vision blurred. Her hands shook.
But deep in her chest, something else stirred: heat. Anger. The same fire that had saved her from the Black Angel.
The statue lumbered toward her, its sword raised for the kill.
Eleanor's grief and rage boiled over. Golden light erupted from her skin.
"NOT TODAY!"
Sunfire wrapped around Eleanor like divine armor. Her axe blazed with golden flames hot enough to melt steel.
She met the golem's charge head-on.
This time, when her axe bit into the statue's leg, it cut deep. Cracks spread through the obsidian like lightning.
The golem staggered, swinging wildly. Eleanor ducked under its guard and drove her flaming axe into its spine.
The statue collapsed with a thunderous crash, sending up clouds of dust and shattered stone.
Eleanor stood over the wreckage, her fire slowly fading. Battered, exhausted, but alive.
A crystal pillar rose from the ground before her. Eleanor pressed her trial stone against it, and the crystal flashed brilliant green.
A golden path appeared, leading home.
Eleanor returned to the training grounds as the sun touched the horizon. She looked like she'd just survived a war. Covered in dirt, blood, and stone dust.
Meredith waited for her. So did the stern-faced officer.
"You made it," Meredith said, her voice carefully neutral, but Eleanor caught the relief underneath.
"Barely," Eleanor gasped.
The officer stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"Eleanor Aurelis. You have completed your trial successfully, shown mastery of a rare elemental bloodline, and destroyed a level-four combat construct. By the authority of the Zenith Guard, you are hereby given the rank of Guardian."
Eleanor's knees nearly buckled. She'd actually done it.
Meredith's smile was small but real. "Well done. But don't get comfortable. Real Guardians never rest."
Theo jogged over, looking like he'd been hit by a hurricane. "Hey! Guess who didn't get eaten by a riddle-monster!"
Zak followed, quiet as always. "Congratulations, Eleanor."
Katya landed nearby with a ground-shaking thud. "Don't worry, I'm alive! Obviously!"
Eleanor looked around at their faces: Meredith's pride, Theo's excitement, Zak's calm approval, Katya's fierce grin.
For the first time since her parents died, she felt like she belonged somewhere. She wasn't just a survivor anymore.
"The four of you get in line with the other finishers."
The group of four lined up as the officer studied them with calculating eyes.
"First up... Eleanor Aurelis... Guardian Rank."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. People were shocked, impressed, and envious. Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise before she controlled herself and stepped forward to claim her badge and pristine new robes.
Guardian was the second-highest rank in the Zenith Guard. Only a select few achieved it directly from trials.
Zak and Katya received Sentinel Rank, which is the third highest. Theo earned Striker Rank, the fourth level.
"Awww, what? Striker rank? That's it?" Theo whined.
The officer rolled his eyes.
"Calm down, Theo," Zak said. "You'll catch up with us in no time. At least you weren't assigned Novice rank, or we'd have to listen to your complaining for ages."
"Shut it, Zak! I don't whine!" Theo pouted.
Eleanor watched their playful arguments with amusement as Katya approached.
"Congrats. Guess I was wrong about you." She scratched her head shyly.
"Thanks. No hard feelings."
"But just so you know, I'm still going to catch up to you. Just wait."
"I look forward to it."
Meredith walked up and patted Eleanor's shoulder. "Ready to go home and rest? We've got a big day tomorrow."
Eleanor nodded.
"Your legs look like jelly. Get on my back. I'll carry you home."
"I'm not a baby, Meredith!"
"Get on!"
"Fine." Eleanor turned to her new friends. "I'll see you guys around."
They waved goodbye, heading in opposite directions to their own homes.
Eleanor climbed onto Meredith's back and finally let herself relax. The walk was long but peaceful. Meredith carried her all the way home, gently placing her on her bed.
"Now rest. Don't move a muscle, and especially don't sneak off for midnight training. Tomorrow is your first official day. Can't have you on wobbly legs and stumbling around; it would make you look stupid."
Eleanor rolled her eyes, catching the half-joking tone. She couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."
"Good. I'll bring you some food. Eat before bed, then tomorrow we leave first thing in the morning."
Eleanor nodded. After eating and settling in, she closed her eyes, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.
She was no longer just Eleanor Aurelis, orphaned survivor.
She was Guardian Eleanor Aurelis of the Zenith Guard.
And it felt great