As Kael was transported further and further away from his home, the bumpy ride in the wagon added to the whirlwind of emotions raging within him. His mind was a tumultuous sea of conflicting feelings, ranging from anger and confusion to pain and abandonment. The uncomfortable journey only heightened his distress, as the constant jarring movements left him unable to find any semblance of comfort or stability.

As Kael looked around, he saw that he was not alone. There were several other children crammed into the cage alongside him, all sobbing or sleeping amidst the uncomfortable space. Their tiny bodies were packed in close together, creating a tableau of despair and anguish.

Kael surveyed the other children in the cage with him, wondering who they were. Though his family lived in a small village, their home was located on the outskirts, and his father had forbidden him from venturing into town, deeming him too young for such a trip. He had never seen these children before, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of isolation, trapped in the confines of the wagon with strangers, and more people than he had ever seen.

As the journey wore on, Kael felt the days passing in a continuous blur. The children were jostled endlessly in the cramped wagon, their only companions the constant bumps and jolts of the road. There was hardly any conversation, and most of the captive children remained eerily silent, their minds and hearts consumed by the trauma of their separation from their homes and families.

Eventually, the dense forest gave way to sprawling fields, and the jolting and jolting of the wagon was replaced by a smoother, more even ride. The sight of the open plains stretched out before him, dotted with patches of farmland and livestock, it was a stark contrast to the dark and claustrophobic confines of the wagon.

Kael found himself feeling an unusual sense of curiosity as he gazed out at the open fields and expansive landscape before him. He wasn't used to such wide-open spaces, having grown up in the familiar surroundings of the nearby forest. As he looked around, he noticed that the other children in the wagon were also casting curious glances at the unfamiliar surroundings, their eyes wide with awe and curiosity.

With the towering walls now in view, Kael and the other children noticed a change in the surroundings. The roads became busier, with many strangers passing by, some stopping and casting sympathetic or worried looks in the direction of the wagon. Kael couldn't quite decipher the emotions in their gazes, it seemed to be a mix of sadness and pity.

The guards barked orders to the bystanders, their harsh words cutting through the air like a sword. "Keep moving!" they snapped. "There's nothing to see here." The strangers reluctantly complied, continuing on with their day, but not without casting one last lingering glance at the wagon and its young captives.

As the large gates swung open and the wagon rumbled forward, Kael felt a growing sense of unease. He wasn't sure he wanted to be invited into whatever lay ahead, but there was no going back now. The guards were pushing the children onward, and the wagon entered the unknown territory beyond the gates.

Kael was forcibly removed from the wagon and herded into a large square, encircled by imposing guards. Other children from the other wagons were also pushed into the space, creating a chaotic and cramped conglomeration of frightened young captives. The sheer number of guards surrounding them made any attempt at escape or resistance seem futile.

As a man emerged onto the platform at the front of the square. A hush fell over the crowd of children. Their soft whispers and sobs came to a sudden halt as they all turned their attention towards the figure standing before them. Despite his seemingly unremarkable physical presence, there was an undeniable aura of authority and importance about him that immediately commanded respect. Even Kael, despite his inner turmoil, felt compelled to watch and listen.

The silence was palpable as the man stood on the platform, taking in the sight of the children before him. No one spoke a word, the only sound coming from the soft shuffling of tiny feet and the occasional quiet sniffle. His cold, calculating eyes roamed over the sea of young faces, as if he was sizing them up, measuring their worth.

The man's voice, soft and quiet yet somehow carrying across the entire square, pierced the silence like a dagger. Despite its gentle volume, Kael could distinctly hear his words, as if he was whispering directly into his ears.

"Children," he began, his voice smooth and measured, "Welcome." The man's words echoed through the square, his tone carrying a mix of reverence and authority. "You are among the lucky few, You have been graciously chosen by His Holiness the Emperor, a true honour and privilege. Rejoice and consider yourselves blessed, for you are being offered the opportunity to serve the Empire."

The man paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing, his voice maintaining an eerily calm composure. "One by one, you will come onto this stage," he stated, gesturing to the platform where he stood. "You will be assessed, but do not fear. I assure you that each and every one of you holds equal importance in the eyes of the Empire."

"Now come," the man asserted, his voice taking on a commanding tone. From their positions along the walls, the guards leapt into action, swiftly moving forward and seizing the first child. With firm grips, they pushed and pulled him onto the stage, bringing him before the man's imposing presence.

The man extended his hand, and as the guards held the child firmly in place, a strange and ethereal light seemed to envelop the boy. Then, without warning, the light sank beneath his skin, as if absorbed into his very being.

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Kael watched in horror as the child's body began to convulse and shake uncontrollably. The scene unfolding before him was both terrifying and confusing, and he could see the fear and confusion etched on the faces of the other children around him. It was becoming increasingly apparent that whatever was happening on the stage was not good.

Amidst the growing sobs and cries of the children, the man's voice echoed out once more, commanding their attention to silence. "QUITE!" he barked, "This is a gracious gift from our revered emperor. Do not weep or cry, for you are witnessing the power of his empire." As he spoke, the boy who had been on stage fell still, his eyes suddenly opening wide. Shortly after, guards pulled him off the platform.

The man nodded his head as the guards led the boy off the stage. "The boy is untainted," he said, his tone now directed more towards the guards than the children. "Send him to the garrison." The guards immediately moved to comply, escorting the child away.

The second child was dragged up onto the stage, and once more the luminous glow enveloped his body. This time, however, there was no sign of spasms or convulsions. Instead, the child stood still, his body bathed in the radiant light. The man on the stage smiled broadly, spreading his arms wide, announcing "Untainted, but blessed with the essence of the warrior!"

The guards, having received the man's nod of approval, moved forward and hauled the child away from the platform. Despite witnessing the display, Kael still had no idea what the assessment entailed or how exactly it worked. The mystery only deepened as the next child was brought forward.

As the hours went on and countless children were ushered onto the stage to be assessed, Kael began to notice a distinct pattern. One by one, each child was found to be untainted, and some were said to possess an 'essence' but they varied, such as warrior, healer, mage, or priest. Every child so far had been deemed untainted, which only served to fuel his growing confusion.

Kael's heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest as the guards firmly grabbed him and led him onto the stage. As he stood before the imposing figure, the man's cold gaze seemed to pierce through his very being. Anxiety and fear consumed him, and his mind raced with worry about what was to come.

The man's large hand extended towards Kael, his presence towering over him like a mountain. Ripples of air moved outwards, visible but intangible, before sinking into Kael. The effect was subtle, like a warm, gentle caress against his skin. Despite the fear that coursed through his veins, Kael couldn't help but feel a strange, almost soothing sensation as the man's power touched him.

The sensation within Kael rapidly shifted however from a warm, comforting caress to unbearable pain. As the man's power delved deeper within him, it felt as if he was being torn apart from the inside. Panic and fear took hold of him, causing Kael to thrash and struggle, desperately trying to escape the torment.

The man continued his assessment, ignoring the visible signs of pain on Kael's body. Blisters began to form on his arms, weeping blood as the agony intensified. Yet the man's intense gaze and stoic demeanour remained unchanged, as if his focus was solely on delving into the depths of Kael's very being, heedless of the suffering it caused.

The man's power finally reached a hidden part of Kael, and it felt as if it tried to seize control. Yet, an unseen force within him seemed to rebel, refusing to submit. The man's expression darkened, his features contorting in a harsh and angry scowl. Frustration and anger flashed in his eyes as he abruptly pulled away, his hand withdrawing from Kael as if burned.

The pain that coursed through Kael's body was overwhelming, an unbearable, mind-numbing torment that threatened to consume him. Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision, and he felt himself slip closer unconsciousness. Just as he was about to surrender to oblivion, he heard a single word that he hadn’t heard all day. "Tainted."

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Kael slowly came to his senses, finding himself once more confined within the cold, cramped cage. Utter darkness surrounded him, leaving him disoriented and frightened. The isolation and unfamiliarity of his surroundings left him feeling vulnerable and helpless. He felt a wave of panic and despair wash over him as he realized he was alone in the dark.

The pain from his previous experience still lingered, causing his body to ache and throb. The blisters on his arms still wept, the skin red and raw. The overwhelming fear and pain finally bubbled over, and Kael couldn't hold back the tears any longer. He began to sob quietly in the dark, his small body shaking as he wept bitterly.

Kael's mind began to wander back to the one person he truly missed - his father. As he recalled the horrible, traumatic event, the thoughts of his father's lifeless body flooded his mind, overwhelming and unbearable. The pain and grief that he had tried to forcefully repress now surged forward, consuming him with its weight.

He was startled as a deep and chilling voice suddenly echoed through the confines of his cage, breaking the thick silence that had enveloped him. "Why do you cry?" the voice asked, its tone carrying a subtle hint of menace. Kael froze, his tears still streaming down his face as he tried to locate the source of the voice.

Kael's body tensed as he found himself face-to-face with a mysterious man who had seemingly materialized out of thin air. The man's appearance was that of someone who had lived a long life. He had grey hair that fell down his face and mixed into his long grey beard, yet it was the man's eyes that were most striking – they seemed to glow, bright and luminescent in the darkness.

Before Kael had the chance to dry his tears, the man suddenly moved forward, grabbing hold of his chin with a firm and forceful grip. "Men don't cry," the man said in a stern yet almost commanding tone. There was a hardness in his eyes as he looked intently into Kael's young face.

The man's intense gaze never wavered as his eyes bored into Kael's, searching for something. "That's what you are now," he said matter-of-factly. "You are a small man. Boys are weak. Are you weak, Kael?" The man's voice carried an air of certainty, as if his words were an irrefutable truth. He held onto Kael's chin tightly, forcing him to maintain eye contact.

Kael attempted to speak, desperately trying to assert his strength, to declare that he was not weak. Before he could utter a word, however, the old man abruptly interrupted him. "You are weak," the man asserted once more, his gaze unwavering. "So very, very weak." His grip on Kael's chin tightened, his words carrying a weight of determination. "But you won't be. I'll make sure of that," he spoke with a firm finality.

The old man slowly withdrew his hand, releasing Kael's chin and retreated back into the shadows, blending seamlessly into the darkness. For a brief moment, Kael's vision was obscured as the man vanished before his eyes. However, a soft, chilling whisper drifted through the air, reaching Kael's ears, sending a shiver down his spine. "You will get strong... or you will die."