Three months later, as Haru slept in the middle of the night, he was suddenly awoken by a man dressed entirely in black. The man’s presence was almost ghostly, his voice a whisper as he leaned close to Haru’s ear.
“Quiet,” the man instructed, his tone urgent yet calm. “Your sensei told me to come wake you. Follow me.”
Still groggy from sleep and slightly disoriented, Haru hesitated for a moment. His instincts told him to be cautious, but the mention of his sensei reassured him. Nodding, he carefully slid out of bed, trying not to make any noise that might disturb his sleeping roommates. The man in black led him through the dorms, moving silently like a shadow. As they passed by the other rooms, Haru caught glimpses of his peers, still fast asleep, unaware of his departure.
Once they exited the building, Haru was guided towards a carriage parked discreetly in the shadows. As they approached, Haru noticed Jiro standing beside it, waiting for him. Jiro gave him a small wave, his expression serious but welcoming. He helped Haru into the carriage, where he was surprised to see some of his peers already seated.
Inside the carriage, Angel, Blaze, Luis, and Lawrence were all present, their faces reflecting the same mix of curiosity and unease that Haru felt. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each of them silently pondering the reason for their unexpected summons. The man in black took his place beside the raptors, signaling for them to start moving as the carriage set off into the night, destination unknown.
Angel leaned back in his seat, his usual carefree attitude subdued by the situation. Blaze, always a bundle of energy, tapped his fingers restlessly against his scimitar, his fiery spirit barely contained. Luis sat beside Haru, his sharp eyes focused on the window, as if trying to discern where they were headed. Lawrence, ever the picture of calm and composure, sat with his hands resting on his lap, his eyes closed in thought.
But even Jiro, typically full of chatter, remained quiet, his serious demeanor adding to the weight of the moment. Haru’s mind buzzed with questions—where were they going? Why had they been chosen? And what could possibly require such secrecy?
The rhythmic sound of the raptors’ footsteps against the ground was the only noise breaking the silence, as the carriage steadily made its way through the night. Haru couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever awaited them was significant—something that would test them in ways they had not yet imagined.
After several minutes of tense silence, Haru finally spoke up, his voice low but firm. "Does anyone know what this is about?"
Angel shrugged, offering a faint smirk. “Beats me. But whatever it is, it must be important if they’re dragging us out of bed in the middle of the night.”
Blaze leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and curiosity. “Whatever it is, I’m ready for it. I’ve been itching for something big.”
Luis glanced at Haru, his expression thoughtful. “We’ll find out soon enough. But if we were all called, it’s definitely not a coincidence.”
Lawrence remained silent, his gaze steady as he continued to focus on the floor. Whatever was going through his mind, he kept it to himself.
Haru nodded, leaning back in his seat, trying to prepare himself for whatever was coming. The carriage continued its journey through the dark, the unknown destination looming closer with each passing moment.
As they waited, the carriage moved forward, Jiro and the man up front guiding them through the city of Bulistan once more. Haru and the boys, who had never been allowed to venture into the city at night, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as they took in the marvelous sights around them.
Bulistan, the capital of the Kalkan Federation, was a city that never truly slept, but at night, it transformed into something almost magical. The narrow alleys and broad avenues alike were bathed in the soft glow of lanterns hanging from wrought-iron posts, casting flickering shadows on the cobblestone streets. The carriage clattered along these ancient stones, passing by the grand temples that stood as towering monuments to the Federation's deep spiritual heritage.
The boys, seated inside the carriage, craned their necks to get a better view of the city. The buildings, adorned with intricate carvings and gilded domes, reflected the moonlight, their beauty enhanced by the quiet of the night. Minarets rose high into the sky, their sharp spires piercing the darkness as the call to prayer echoed faintly in the distance, a haunting melody that seemed to blend with the gentle breeze.
As they passed through the alleys, the rich scents of the city wafted through the air—lingering spices from the markets, the sweet smell of baklava from a late-night bakery, and the faintest hint of incense from the temples. The canals that criss crossed through the city mirrored the stars above, the water shimmering with the reflections of the lanterns and minarets.
Luis, who had always been fascinated by the grandeur of Bulistan, couldn’t take his eyes off the sight of a massive temple that dominated the skyline. Its golden dome gleamed even under the cover of night, and the sight left him momentarily speechless. Blaze and Angel, too, were caught up in the beauty of the city with a respectful silence as they passed through.
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The carriage passed by the bustling marketplaces that were now eerily quiet, their stalls covered for the night. Even in this stillness, Haru could imagine the vibrant energy that would fill these streets come morning, with merchants shouting their wares and the rich aromas of food and spices filling the air.
As they moved deeper into the city, crossing a narrow bridge over one of the many canals, Haru caught sight of a group of worshippers entering a small, secluded temple. The scene was serene, with the soft light of the temple lanterns casting long shadows across the cobblestones, and for a moment, Haru felt a deep connection to the spiritual heart of Bulistan.
Jiro, sitting up front, glanced back at the boys, a faint smile on his lips. He knew that this journey through Bulistan at night was something special, a rare glimpse into the soul of the Kalkan Federation's capital that few outsiders ever experienced.
As the carriage wound its way through the quieter, more residential parts of the city, the boys settled into a contemplative silence. The grandeur and history of Bulistan had left an indelible mark on them, and as they ventured further into the unknown, they couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at their destination.
After another hour of traveling through the city, the boys began to talk among themselves, the earlier awe of Bulistan's beauty giving way to a creeping sense of unease. The winding alleys and majestic temples had long since disappeared, replaced by the rugged terrain of the mountainous suburbs. The city lights were now a distant memory, and the dark, looming shapes of the mountains surrounded them.
Luis glanced around the carriage, his brow furrowed in concern. "Are we sure this isn’t some elaborate kidnapping? We've been on the move for ages, and we’re far from the city now."
Blaze, ever the skeptic, crossed his arms and nodded. "I was thinking the same. What if this is some test or worse, a trap?"
Haru, though equally uncertain, tried to maintain his calm. "Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll know soon enough what’s going on."
Lawrence, sitting quietly, looked out at the moonlit landscape. His usual stoicism was intact, but even he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were heading into something unknown, something potentially dangerous.
The conversation died down as the carriage continued its ascent into the mountains, the air growing cooler as they climbed. The dense forests that lined the road occasionally opened up to reveal steep cliffs and deep valleys, the shadows cast by the moon making the scenery both beautiful and foreboding.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the carriage began to slow. The raptors snorted and shook their heads, their pace easing as they approached a small, secluded village nestled in a high mountain pass. The village was lit by only a few lanterns, their warm glow illuminating the traditional Kalkan-style houses with their pointed roofs and wooden carvings.
As the carriage came to a stop, Jiro turned to the boys with a reassuring smile. "Welcome to Ziryat," he declared, his voice cutting through the silence of the night. He then hopped down from his seat and gestured for them to follow as he unhitched the raptors.
The boys exchanged wary glances as they stepped out of the carriage, their boots crunching on the gravel road. The village of Ziryat was quiet, almost eerily so, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the distant hoot of an owl breaking the silence.
Jiro, noticing their hesitation, gave them an encouraging nod. "Don't worry, you're not in any danger. This is just another step in your journey."
The boys looked around at the small village, its quaint houses and the looming mountains surrounding them, the sense of mystery deepening. They had no idea what awaited them in Ziryat, but they knew one thing for sure—whatever was about to happen would be unlike anything they had experienced before.
As they looked around, their eyes adjusted to the dim light of the village, and to their surprise, they saw none other than Garo walking toward them, his presence commanding as always. He gestured for them to hurry and follow him, his tone as gruff as ever. Despite their exhaustion, the boys felt a wave of relief at seeing a familiar face, and they fell in line behind him, eager to understand what was happening.
Garo led them through the narrow streets of Ziryat, the quiet village offering no clues as to why they had been brought there. They soon arrived at what appeared to be a tavern, its wooden door creaking as Garo pushed it open. Warm light and the faint murmur of voices spilled out, a stark contrast to the cold, dark night outside.
As the boys stepped inside, they were greeted by a surprising sight. Sitting at a large table near the center of the room were some of their peers—the girls: Ashelyn, Emma, Saki, Aurora, and Luella. They looked just as tired as the boys, but they managed to smile and wave as they saw them enter.
"Looks like we weren’t the only ones dragged out of bed," Blaze muttered, a hint of relief in his voice as he saw the girls.
Emma, noticing the boys' arrival, waved them over with a tired smile. "We were woken up too," she explained. "Then Garo met us outside and guided us here in a carriage. It seems like we’re all in this together."
Aurora, who looked equally curious and fatigued, nodded in agreement. "We’ve been waiting here for a while, trying to figure out what’s going on."
As the boys took their seats at the table, exchanging nods and smiles with the girls, Angel was the first to voice the question on everyone’s mind. He turned to Garo, who was standing by the door with his arms crossed, and asked, "So, what’s going on? Why are we all here in the middle of the night?"
Garo’s expression remained unreadable as he regarded the group of young Arknights. The room fell silent, all eyes on him, waiting for the explanation they hoped would finally shed some light on the strange events of the night.
Garo took the middle seat at the table, his gaze sweeping over the group of young Arknights with a stern, calculating expression. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as they sensed the gravity of the situation.
"It’s time to test you on your first mission," Garo announced, his deep voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the tavern. The room fell silent as everyone leaned in, hanging on his every word. "You’ve all grown stronger during your time at the academy, but strength alone isn’t enough. Now, you’ll be put to the test in a real-world scenario."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over them. "Takurov and I have divided the class into two groups—Group A, which is you, and Group B, which Takurov is leading separately. Tonight, you’ll split off from the rest of the academy to begin your mission."
The tension in the room was palpable, a mix of fear and excitement simmering just beneath the surface. Garo’s eyes narrowed as he continued, "Your first mission is a hunt. There’s a Beta-class Breacher that’s been growing in power, and it’s dangerously close to reaching Alpha rank. If that happens, it could cause catastrophic damage. Your task is to find, track, and hunt down this Breacher before it reaches that stage. I’ll be overseeing from the shadows, but make no mistake—you are in charge of this mission. How you handle it will determine your success."
The reality of the mission set in, and the group exchanged looks of determination mixed with unease. This was no training exercise; this was real.
Garo reached into a small bag he had brought with him and placed it on the table with a heavy thud. "In here, you’ll find everything you need: a map, a description of the Breacher, your Arknight authentication—which will allow you to secure food and supplies as needed—and everything we know about the Breacher’s current location."
He stood up, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the table. "Your test begins now," he said, his voice leaving no room for doubt or hesitation. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the tavern.
Haru and the others quickly rose to follow him, but by the time they stepped outside, Garo had disappeared into the night, the carriage with Jiro in it nowhere to be seen. The cold night air was filled with an eerie silence, and they realized they had been left entirely on their own.
In the dim light, they noticed a large bag sitting near the tavern's entrance. Inside were all their combat gear, carefully packed and ready for use. The realization hit them like a wave—this was it, the next stage of their journey had begun.
They stood there for a moment, taking in the gravity of their situation. There was no turning back now. The hunt was on, and they were the ones who would have to rise to the challenge.
With a mix of steely determination and lingering uncertainty, the group began preparing for what lay ahead. It was time to prove themselves in the real world.