Dawn hasn't justified its existence quite yet, thin light spilled across the hills, raindrops clinging to the grass like letting go was a sin. Each breath I took was a reassurance of my own body burning. The kind of heat that assured my life was doing something that really mattered.
My feet stamped in mud as the glittering steel of our swords grazed against each other. Dignified white hair and emerald green eyes flash past me. THUD. My body drags itself across the floor in a hurdle. Kai's blade skimmed across my shoulder as I grunt and swing my fist towards his gut, white sparks engulfing my hand. Vibrations rippled through my arms and then, CLANG! Our bodies crashed, sparks vanishing as we hit the ground.
Kai never held back during training, not once. It was as if he was fighting like it was real, like what we meant to do couldn't change, that our paths were decided here onwards. It was honestly discomforting, but, it was right, what we were doing is right, being wrong is simply not good enough. Then, a faint smile stretched across his face. It was like a completely different person appeared in front of me.
That was a good one, wasn't it?' He whispered, as a pale palm reached across at my own.
'Yeah, another stalemate. This isn't good, I have to win at some point.'
'And not me?' Kai laughed as the pavement blurred beneath me, my vision steadying as we lock eyes.
'We've both gotten better at controlling our energy, haven't we? Those white sparks just then were far better than I imagined them to be.'
'Yeah, although I had a feeling my sword got a bit weaker, considering the fact you didn't lose yet.'
'Very funny. We only have a week left until the yearly cadets exam, let's continue later.'
The cadets. Warriors of Aurelia that fight against the Verthasis Rebels and demons. They're the primary fighting force of our kingdom, under direct rule of the King and Chairman. If nothing had to turn into something, then this was our best bet.
'Alright, but I'm gonna take a break and get some food. Oh, and remember. Just being something won't change anything. If we want this world to change, then the ones that need to change first are none other than who we are as humans. Changing the world just won't work, but, if I can change something as puny as a human life, then that'd be plenty for now.'
A sly smile appeared on his face as he walked away. Change others, and change the world. It sounds great, yet somehow I feel as if the only one that needs to change is me.
***
Days and nights flew by before I could even grasp the time. Kai and I were ready. The enrollment grounds were packed, rows of stone carved into the earth, banners snapping overhead as people from the furthest corners of Aethia gathered. Hundreds of people, women and men, children and adults were present for the sole purpose of becoming cadets. For putting their lives on the line, abandoning all that used to matter, determined to live a new path of pain, disguising it as a 'respectable' duty. Although, I couldn't talk, I was the same. Even then, I want to help. People are more than weapons, they walk to feel every step they take, keep doing just that. Humanity needs to keep moving forward, and only forward. Kai stood beside me, silent. A peculiar sense of tension emitted from his body, as if preparing for a new journey. A smile seeped across my face. I couldn't quite understand why.
'Well, I guess the time to test our last 2 years of persistence is here, right?' I ask.
'I guess.' Kai subtly replied.
'...'
'What? I'm focused, the chairman will arrive soon.'
'Okay okay, I'm just amused by your nervousness.'
'Shut up.'
That was a lie. The truth is, I was looking at that glow in his eyes, a determination I couldn't help but admire. It was reassuring, it made me feel right, satisfied.
Just then, a shadowy figure engulfed in a red robe and a sense of nobility made his way across the platform up high. The king, everyone could tell, honestly, the outfit he wore screamed 'I am the King! Obey me.'
'Everyone!'
The crowds gaze directed upon the platform, all eyes on the royal ruler of Aurelia. Just recognising that fact sparked a sense of respect within me.
'Today, you stand before the path to service!' He announced. 'Not pride, not glory, service. Know that to be a cadet, you must be fully aware of the fact that you are laying your life down in service to our kingdom, to me as King, and to the citizens of Aurelia! Those that qualify will swear to both the kingdom and themselves that you will fight against demons, criminals, and the beasts of Verthasis, should the need arise. That is all.'
Murmurs rippled across the crowd.
I frowned.
This wasn't quite how I pictured it. It was as if the world around us was being carved into enemies despite not having done anything yet. It felt forced. I'm sure Kai feels the same. My vision steers across at Kai, with what looked like a sense of irritation. He looked angry, disagreeing of the King's speech, well, I can't say I don't feel the same. But along with that expression of his, was something beneath. I couldn't tell just what.
'The first trial!' A supervisor intervened, grabbing the attention of the hall. 'Will be a physical prowess test! Your strength, endurance, and compatibility with energy will be put to the test in order to determine your initial power. Those that fail will be immediately dismissed!'
Well that was blunt. It seems like power is all that matters in the realm of cadets, it's infuriating that people are valued for strength, but in our case it's reasonable. People were called up one by one. Some candidates impressed, others collapsed, and few walked away with their heads down. Then, a shift in the air.
The crowd fell silent as his presence pressed down on us, not hostile, but overwhelmingly heavy. As if the ground itself had stood up. A figure descended the central steps.
'Is that-?' My mouth moves before being cut off.
'Yes. There's no mistake, that's him'
The chairman of the cadets.
Strongest man in Aurelia, perhaps even the world. His gaze swept across us, sharp, unreadable, yet with a sense of purity behind it.
I gulped.
Something told me that once he spoke, nothing would ever be simple again.
And somehow, without knowing why, I felt like the world just took its first step in breaking me.