!!!!! Pr Credits To Kerambit, Magnus, Teryl. for pring this and doing a very good job. i hope you guys can rep them for there hard work as they deserve it.
Here it is the ch was done sooner then expected and i forgot to submit it. im trying a new approach to the way im doing things. also later on i intend to use Tables since there is a new table editor its perfect timing and especially useful for this story.
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Enjoy this story.
*thinks* i should probably have a cover made later on but im in no rush.
there is no schedule for when the next release will be since this isnt a priority story and something to relax my mind and get ideas out there it will be updated when i have the will to write more ^^
Warning Swearing/Drama alert in this ch.
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Nian had experienced such heartache that his body had somehow made him cough up blood. The pain in his chest subsided as he cried silently. No longer did he care about anything. He was incredibly angry at both Lucas and Alexis, though he knew he had no right to be.
This made him even angrier, he didn't even know whom to be angry at in such a position.
“Fuck...fucking shit!!!”
He began to punch his bed crazily causing the sheets and pillow to jump slightly and jumble.
“Not fair...NOT FAIR!” he roared.
The only thing that he was thankful for at the moment, was that the room would not allow sound to be heard outside to keep privacy. However, that was a fleeting feeling, as he continued to vent his bitter rage.
“DAMNIT!!!....WHY ME...WHY WHY WHY!!”
As minutes turned to hours, he had fallen asleep from exhausting himself. He awoke to the sound of a knock at his door.
“Hmnn…” he quietly grumbled, before leaning up and gazing at the clock. It was only 5:00PM.
“Nn...go away.…” he grumbled to himself, no longer caring about anything as he lay listlessly.
Nian’s depression was soon forcefully held back as the day soon ended, allowing the next day to arrive.
He woke up and dressed himself by habit, for he had begun to see Alexis as a reason to continue to become something great. But her love for Lucas made him curse the world and no longer take Lucas’s words to heart.
With his hair somewhat messy, and his face pale and a little sickly, he made his way towards the central area. As he walked past the school holo-board, he stopped for a moment to gaze at it.
A large announcement was on display, one that he had seen days ago, announcing that wardens were coming to visit in hopes of finding recruits. The reputation of the wardens, the defenders of humanity, was bad. They were looked down upon, especially in sectors that focused on mainly shift battles. That being said, they still needed to try and recruit any single mancer pilot, or even those who wanted to be wardens were not discriminated against.
From 10 years of age to graduation, if they wanted to be a warden, they would be taken in. This was due to a law that allowed freedom for one wanting to fight for humanity. It also allowed those people to skip all theory and focus instead on learning how to assist wardens. Eventually they may even get their own mancers by saving up enough credits, or trading something for one.
As he made his way past the schools holo-board, he headed towards class, hoping that he wouldn't see anyone he knew. But as soon as he finished the thought, two voices called out. What horrified him was that he knew both of them: Lucas and Alexis.
“Nian, you're awake! I was looking for you yesterday. I got worried when Alexis said you were sick, so when we were done at the library, I came to check up on you.”
Gazing at Lucas’s worried smile, Nian couldn't help but focus on him quietly for a moment; he felt a sudden surge of rage. For every second he looked at Lucas, he felt his hatred for him increase.
“Nian, are you ok?” Alexis suddenly spoke as she looked at him.
Lucas laughed quietly.
“Don't worry, he’s resilient. In one day he’s able to get back up on his feet.”
As the two laughed, Nian gave a faint smile before Lucas heard his name being called out.
“Lucas! There you are.”
Both Alexis and Lucas turned to see Mita and Karu calling him out. Alexis gave a strong smile with a resilient look as she thought of something silly.
“-R..Rivals…-”
Lucas waved over at them both.
“Hey! I'll be there in a sec. Hey, Nian, I'm gonna head off..”
Turning around, he saw that Nian had already left.
Nian decided that he didn't have the will to go to class, and had instead gone off to wander the central area a bit until he found himself at the top section. He casually sat on a bench, gazing blankly at a pond with a duck in it.
Forget it...forget them all...why do I bother when I’m let down….I can't go on like this...they’re hurting me without knowing…
As Nian was lost in his thoughts, an hour had already gone by and class had begun with him skipping it.
In Star Mancer Academy, it was considered very rare for a student to not attend a single class unless sick, as the Headmaster’s soft threat of the future and their failure would always knock sense into them.
What's more rare, was for a 3rd year to skip class in such a manner.
As Nian kept silent, a towering figure appeared before him.
“Boy, aren't you relaxing a bit too much?” The man said.
Gazing blankly at the looming figure, Nian saw a man wearing a warden military uniform.
He knew what they looked like; he had often seen them on the broadcasts to do with Devourer attacks, whether it be good or bad news.
“Relaxing?... Sorry, that's not it. Right now I would love nothing more than to get as far away from this shit hole as I can to vent a bit of frustration.” Nian replied.
Nian spoke with a somewhat menacing grin, even the thought somewhat cheered him up. The man who had a rough unkempt beard and sharp hair laughed before he sat beside Nian and lit a cigarette.
“You and me both kid. What's your name?.” The man asked.
Nian replied to the Warden that sat beside him.
“Nian… What about yourself, sir?”
The man looked towards the pond Nian had been gazing at.
“Sir is what my soldiers call me. You can call me Akin.”
Nian nodded as he and Akin remained silent for a bit. Nian began to speak.
“What's being a warden like?”
Akin replied as if he had heard the question millions of times.
“Shit.”
Nian couldn't help but laugh despite his frustration and anger at the man’s straight answer.
“Why?..” he asked curiously.
Akin puffed on the cigarette a few more times.
“When you watch enough friends die...you start to lose more than you feel…”
Nian felt his throat tighten at how heavy the man’s words were. Although he was 13, due to his intense study regime, he had gained quite a bit of intelligence. Yet despite this, he couldn't refrain from asking questions.
“How many is too many?…”
Akin gave a deep chuckle puffing once again on the cigarette.
“One too many..” he spoke.
Nian smiled.
“Why do you guys even bother recruiting in sectors that focus on shift battles?” He couldn't help but blurt out.
Akin remained silent. The cigarette that had been lit 20 seconds ago was already half way gone.
“You ask a lot of questions…”
Nian felt as if a mental hammer hit his head as he spoke
“Sorry.” Nian replied.
Softly laughing, Akin even gave a soft chuckle before speaking.
“Humanity isn't going to defend itself.. Shift Battles are for those who like to prance around and gain easy money, fame, and women. The criminals that join up to lower their sentence have more guts and honor than anyone who Shift Battles...”
Akin’s words made Nian somewhat irritated as his clan focused mainly on shift battles. Even his father was considered one of the top in the sector.
“If humanity remains afraid of the Devourers, wouldn't that be giving in to the fear and cowering?” Nian replied.
Akin nodded.
“I guess you could say that. Then again, when shift battles are promoted to the point where wardens are treated like dogs, even though we protect humanity, tell me, doesn’t humanity need to be reminded of our role?”
Nian remained silent for a few moments.
“Did anyone sign up?..”
Akin shook his head.
“Not one person. And tomorrow it will be the same at the next academy, until I go back to the front lines.”
As Akin finished his cigarette, he stood up and tossed the cigarette butt on the ground not bothering to step on it showing his dislike for this place.
“See ya kid. Good luck in life. No doubt you’ll do better than me.”
As he began to walk away, it was as though a spark had ignited within Nian’s mind. Many thoughts weighing the pros and cons.
No it's crazy..me, a warden...my clan would call me an outcast...but then again, if I stay here, I'll be broken till nothing is left… There's nothing left for me here but misery. That's right, misery. Nothing but misery, and wardens are all people who suffer. People like me who suffer. Meris clan, screw it. Father doesn't care about me, and I can't stand to be around Lucas anymore. It's better for them if I go. It's better for me.
Nian stood up quickly and shouted.
“Let me come with you!”
Akin laughed, not taking Nian seriously.
“Kid, don't throw your life away on impulse…” Akin replied.
Despite Akin’s hate for Shift Battle sectors, he would not allow a child to join and throw away their life.
Nian clenched his teeth.
“Please….I have nothing left for me here!!..”
Akin stopped for a moment as those words were something many wardens would utter before joining. Having nothing left, or wanting to help humanity was a warden’s role. As much as people disliked them, they where humanity's first and only defence.
“Nothing left, eh?...I won't stop you then… I'm leaving tonight. Meet me at the 5th dock at 9:00pm if you're serious”
Nian quickly nodded as his heart began to beat intensely, he began to feel many thoughts. As Akin left, a smile crept up on his face as a bit of life began to beat.
Warden...I can be a warden. This is freaking awesome. Someone, I need to tell someone. That's right, Yuto! He hasn’t betrayed me.This way, I can finalize everything, and even if he tries to stop me, there is the freedom I have.
Nian soon left as he made his way around asking around for Yuto. It was then that he found him within the senior library, studying. Yuto recognized him immediately as his name was called out.
“Ahh, Nian? What are you doing here? Is everything ok?” Yuto asked.
Nian had a wide smile on his face and was somewhat shaking as he sat opposite of Yuto at the metallic desk.
“Yuto, I finally understand everything. I was born with nothing and was only filled with envy and sadness, I finally know where I belong and what I want to be!”
Yuto was somewhat shocked as he listened to Nian, who was smiling, listing things that one would pity and felt something was wrong as the person was smiling in such a fair manner.
Yuto placed his writing material down as he looked at Nian seriously. Focusing on the task that Ailred gave him, which was to see Nian make his own decision.
“What did you find your destiny is, Nian?.” He asked.
Nian stood up and spoke proudly with his hand against his chest.
“I'm going to be a warden!”
Yuto’s face immediately froze without changing. For a member of the Meris clan to be a warden was unheard of. And being a warden itself would be throwing your life away.
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As far as Yuto knew, only those with nothing to lose or criminals would be wardens.
“I will not allow it…” Yuto spoke firmly as he stood up.
Although Ailred had given him orders to let Nian figure out his path, he felt that Ailred would agree with Yuto’s decision.
“Being a warden?.. That is an incredibly dumb idea...You are of the Meris clan, and shift battles run in our blood, why would you so casually throw your life away?”
Nian was stunned. He had believed that Yuto would truly understand.
“Dumb idea? How can you say that? It's my choice to be what I choose…” Nian said.
Yuto’s face changed as he frowned.
“No Nian. This idea is dangerous. In fact, I think it's best if you return to your dorm as I plan to contact the clan to make sure they take the proper procedures. You may think of this as cruel, but it's for your safety. You may have no hyper ability, but you’re still our blood.”
Nian clenched his fists so hard they hurt and turned pale.
“Fine…” He said.
Nian headed back to the dorm area. After making his way to his room, instead of staying put, he began to pack as many things as he could into the luggage bag he had brought when he first arrived at the academy.
Although the only thing that had changed was the new clothing the clan had sent him was now being packed away.
Stop me?....no way... in his dreams...I can truly find myself as a warden, find people like me. One day I'll even make a name for myself and come back as a great Mancer pilot, surpassing Lucas and father. Damnit, I'll try, or I'll die doing so! He thought hard in his mind.
Later that night, at 8:30, Nian glanced outside his door and grinned.
He underestimated me. I bet he thought I was acting on impulse and wouldn't even go out. Another reason for me to leave, being looked down on and being taken for granted. He thought.
Wearing casual clothes as well as a large duffel bag with a strap, Nian put on the hood of his jumper over his head to conceal his appearance as he began to make his way out. The time would be study hours every night until 10:00pm which gave him the freedom to leave as he pleased.
With each step, Nian began to feel more alive, as if he were rebelling and reaching his calling.
Should I have let the academy know? I mean I'm not finishing the rest of the years. No, it's fine I'm sure the wardens will handle it. He thought.
Leaving the block, he made his way towards the lower half of the academy grounds where students were allowed to roam around and practice their physical prowess, or even get some fresh air, all until 10:00pm.
With many emotions welling up inside him, Nian had a strange feeling. To him, 3 years had gone by quickly, but at the same time, he felt like it led up to him giving up the life of someone destined for a Shift Battle one last go.
While reminiscing about his past up until now, he made his way down a fairly lit path. He didn't notice a figure that was jogging around the grassy area where trees grew. The female wearing casual jogging wear was stretching before she saw Nian’s covered figure.
Seeing a student leave the academy was commonplace, but when she noticed the emblem on the side of the bag that the figure carried, she narrowed her eyes and rushed over calling out.
“Hey! You! How dare you try to leave the academy and disgrace our Meris clan...What's your name?”
Stopping for a moment, Nian felt his body freeze as the figure that had been training made her way up to him. The voice was somewhat familiar, but he hadn't heard it in a long time. Gazing behind, he saw Tessa in her training attire.
“Tessa?..” He asked.
Tessa herself blinked a few times as she could make out the face under the hood in the light.
“N..Nian? What the hell are you doing out so late? And with your bag?” She asked.
Nian was silent for a bit before he laughed softly. He didn't know how Tessa would react if he told her the truth, so he decided to try and spin a lie.
“I'm going to visit the main estate as father wants me to visit…” Tessa rubbed her head a little, frowning, as other than Lucas, father had never summoned anyone else.
“Argh..fine get lost…” She spoke, before making her way back, no longer in the mood to train.
Nian sighed in relief, deciding to sprint the rest of the way. He didn't know what he would do if he encountered another clansman.
At the port, Akin quietly puffed on a lit cigarette, standing next to a grey metallic vessel.
A man was frowning a little as he sat leaning against the vessel’s exterior.
“Sir, why are we waiting again?” The man asked.
Akin glanced at his wrist revealing an old style watch, just like the ones seen on Earth. This man had a taste for classic objects, despite the future’s advancements.
“Relax, still 10 minutes..” Akin muttered.
As Tessa made her way back to her room, a figure rushed over to her, panting heavily. It was Yuto, who had a look of worry on his face, as did several other figures by his side.
“T..Tessa...have you seen Nian?!!” Yuto spoke out, even as he was out of breath.
Tessa tensed a little as she replied respectfully.
“Yes, senior, I did. He was heading to the port to visit the main estate.”
Yuto stopped breathing for a moment, gazing at the others of his year, whom had already been filled in on the situation.
“D...Damnit!! “
4 of the 5 individuals, Yuto included, rushed towards the port. As the 5th was about to leave, Tessa spoke out with curiosity.
“Senior, what's going on?.”
The female that was asked had a nervous look.
“Nian is planning to leave to become a warden.” She replied.
As she finished speaking, she rushed off to join the others. Tessa thought for a moment about what she heard.
“Warden? Why would that trash want to be a dumb warden?”
Tessa stopped for a moment, thinking carefully. In her mind she had always thought that wardens were useless, other than the handful who made it to the A rank or higher. She often heard her parents call wardens those with nothing to lose and humanity's sacrifices.
She then began to remember her words, constantly taunting Nian, calling him useless and trash. When she thought carefully about Nian’s decision, she realised that Nian must have felt that being a warden was the right decision.
In Tessa’s heart she felt a slight pain as her chest tightened, finding it a little hard to breathe. It was a feeling she had never experienced before. How would a 13 year old girl, who was praised and considered a genius, know what guilt and regret felt like?
Akin finished his second cigarette in 8 minutes.
“He's here. Get ready to depart.” He said.
The man was about to ask who he was talking about, but before he could, Nian’s voice was heard as his figure made its way onto the dock.
“Ah..s..sorry I’m a little late... but I’m here..” he panted somewhat heavily. Nian was not athletic despite his appearance.
He looked up at Akin who said.
“You kept your word, and that's what’s important.”
Nian made his way towards the vessel along with Akin, but both stopped as Yuto and the others arrived.
“S...Stop!!!” Yuto called out madly, his face flustered.
Nian felt worried as he had been discovered.
“Yuto?..What are you doing here?..” Nian asked.
Yuto glared at him and stood up straight from his exhausted manner having looked high and low for nian.
“Nian...disobeying your senior….your father told me to bring you back to the main estate for discipline...to think you would go behind our backs.”
Akin spoke out as if finding Yuto’s words annoying.
“Declaration 312 of the Warden Bill. Those who are 10 years of age or older may choose and decide to become a warden no matter the circumstances, to serve a minimum of 5 years to help humanity fight the devourer threat. Any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd party planning or trying to intervene and stop the individual from this Bill will face a severe penalty and be considered to be stopping humanity from fighting the devourer threat.”
At those words, Yuto’s mouth pursed as he looked at the man who no doubt had seen more battle experience than any of the teachers here. Yuto turned to Nian, who was stunned at Akin’s speech.
“Nian...is this truly what you want?...To be a warden?...you know your father despises wardens, and you will be outcast….”
Nian was silent for several moments before he nodded.
“Yes, this is what I want.” He replied.
Tessa and the 5th senior who had managed to catch up watched silently from the back. Tessa made her way around as the head senior, equal to Yuto spoke out.
“Nian, this is stupid...you still have time to reconsider. Sure our clansmen were harsh on you, but this can be fixed..you still have a chance...after we-”
Nian cut him off.
“I don't have talent like any of you. I don't have a good future like any of you. You are all going to become great shift battlers carrying the Meris name. As for me, someone who doesn't have what you have, the best I can do is to try and meet people like me and make a name for myself. The way people like me should is to be a warden...if I die. I'll do so without bringing issue to the clan.”
Tessa, upon hearing his words, wasn't sure what to do. She had indeed pushed Nian quite far, but had thought it was only childish jokes and games. After not seeing him for 2 years, she wouldn't expect that the first time she would see him in those 2 years would most likely be the last. Yet as much as she tried, this feeling in her chest didn't act or ease up.
Nian, seeing Tessa, smiled at her as he bowed towards her.
“Tessa… Thank you. With your help over the years as well as the help of our cousins and the others, I was able to see that being a warden is what I need to be.”
“N..Nian…” Tessa uttered quietly as her chest tightened up a bit more.
She felt like crying but forced her tears back unsure why they were even trying to come out.
“Boy, lets go. If we’re late, I won't hear the end of it.” Akin said.
Nian turned to Akin and nodded. Akin boarded the vessel and Nian followed.
“What do you expect me to tell your father?! What about Lucas?!” Yuto called out.
Upon hearing his name, Nian felt a tinge of anger resurface as if a wound had salt rubbed into it.
“Tell father I'm handling my own matters. And tell Lucas...well, tell him good luck.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the vessel shut. As much as Yuto called out Nian’s name there was no response. The vessel’s wave engine began to rumble. The vessel turned towards the night sky, and pulsed before vanishing in a wave like motion.
No one could have expected that in a clan that focused heavily on shift battles, a useless individual, still of their blood, would choose to give up his life to become a warden with little to no chance of coming back alive.
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A.N some of you are wondering why nian all of a sudden wants to do what he does. to be frank before he didnt care because the way things were even if he did nothing he still had the hope of having a hyper ability, when that was broken he was sadened but had his step brother to help him out and he also met alexis and became attatched to her.
seeing her reveal her feelings broke him despite being angry he knew he couldnt blame lucas. meeting the warden recruiter and nian who felt he had lost everything felt it was a chance to start fresh and become stronger and see where his fate lies as he lost all purpose for even trying to continue at the academy it would only saden him and he decided to just get as far as he can. :)
i hope this helps a bit if not then just ask in the comment section or pm me