!!!!! 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.
as promised on sr this chapter is released. im so excited i got to use a table in this one the editor that the admins made makes it much easier and im thankful that it was released just in time for MG. other then that i hope you all enjoy this chapter i did quite a bit.
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Share/Enjoy Chapter 5
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Nian sat silently in the corner of the vessel. The interior gave off a heavy military feel with a dark green color with several straps and uncomfortable seats, a far cry from the luxury vessel he had travelled in before.
As the adrenaline of choosing his own path slowly started to fade, the atmosphere slowly crept upon him, making him nervous and shake slightly with doubt. Akin, who held a holo tablet, was gazing at the screen, processing the information, but he couldn’t help but pick up on the boys nervousness.
“Relax, you're making me nervous… hah..” he said, giving a grunt like laugh before reaching over and taking out a cigarette from a slightly crumbled box.
“I'm sorry.” Nian said, as he gazed at the man that lit his cigarette, the smell of the smoke engulfing his nostrils making him feel slightly woozy.
“I’ve never disobeyed my superiors... let alone my father in such a way… I'm going to be in trouble..”
Akin couldn't help but notice that the boy seemed to focus too much on his family punishing him, instead of what awaited him.
“I think you're mistaken about something. They’re not allowed to interfere with the choices of an individual wanting to be a Warden. That being said, you should worry more about what you're going through. Did you think we would shove you in a Mancer and send you off to the battlefield like that?”
“Uhh?..” These words made Nian freeze for a moment in confusion. He couldn't help but let out a dumb sound.
Akin shook his head a couple of times, giving a smile as he puffed on his cigarette. The sound of their conversation reached the pilot in the front who seemed to be casually directing the vessel, even he couldn't help but chuckle quietly at Nian’s delusion.
Before long, the pilot spoke out.
“All new recruits are to enter one of the military facilities near the border between devourer and human territory. Once there, they will put you in groups of 10 under the guidance of a lieutenant who is required to spend at least 1-2 years depending on his or her performance to train these individuals as best as they can.”
Nian rubbed his hands softly to generate a little heat as the temperature seemed to drop slightly; his breath turned misty white.
“You seem to know a lot about that sir.’ Nian respectively said.
Akin looked over at Nian and replied.
“Indeed he does. Next year, if he is lucky, he will get a promotion and will be able to teach a group of his own.”
Nian looked at him with awe.
“Does that mean you're a Mancer pilot?.”
The pilot nodded as he pressed several buttons before a quiet computerised voice spoke out saying that autopilot was engaged. At this point, the man turned around leaning his arms against the headrest. It was then that Nian’s eyes fixed onto the man's face.
He could see his right side was burnt and his eye was covered by an eye patch.
“Indeed I am. Don't get too excited though. Unlike the people who enjoy shift battles, this is a whole new level of danger…” the man faked a smile as he seemed to reminisce about something, thinking out loud.
“Watching people die around you... It doesn't matter how many of us there are. There are always 10 times more. The little devourer bastards can swarm you. Unless you have a spray type weapon, it's nearly impossible to get them off.”
Akin remained silent as he puffed on the cigarette one last time before putting it out by pressing the butt onto the ruined leather like seat beside him adding onto the seemingly endless burn marks on it.
Nian held his breath before gulping at the pilot’s story.
“I'll work hard..” he stated, trying to build confidence.
“-No…I won't be weak...I won't let that phase me...I'll learn as much as I can and I'll avoid dangerous situations...even...even if I have to flee…-”
The pilot grinned at Nian.
“I bet you're worrying if you’ll be caught up in a similar situation. Don't feel obligated to help anyone… A swarm consists of thousands of these creatures, and their cores just aren't worth it. The issue with the swarms is that they go for the exposed joints and manage to get inside the weaker mancers and tear them up from the inside.
Nian nodded and curiously asked.
“Is... that what happened to you?...”
At this point Akin looked up, gazing at Nian, before looking over at the pilot. The pilot remained silent before grinning with a faint killing intent.
“Yeah… but I showed that bastard… it tore its way into the cockpit… after I thought I killed them all… it spat acid on me but I tore my cockpit open with my mancer and grabbed the little runt before squashing him like a bug. Hearing it screech in agony was enough to make the pain worth it… an eye for an eye I’d say.”
He laughed in a way that made Nian cringe with worry. Akin looked past the pilot and spoke.
“We’re nearing the port, get ready to dock.”
The pilot blinked with his free eye and waved as if gesturing that he was doing it.
Outside the vessel they were in an ice like region with mountains made from snow; ice sheets littered the area. The snow that fell from the sky seem to mask any living thing that didn't move, then again, it would require a truly strong being to live in such harsh conditions.
The vessel blew forward through the sky before the weather seemed to clear for a moment, revealing a hidden structure. Several vessels were going back and forth from the structure, as well as lights all over it that penetrated the thick weather to help guide the vessels.
As the vessel Nian was in descended, a man with a full dark suit waving two lights appeared directing them where to land. As the vessel landed, it caused the snowflakes that were on the ground before it to melt and enter a sort of drain system under the dock.
Akin stood up and opened the hatch of the vessel allowing the bone-biting cold to enter and blow against Nian’s face. Nian was sure that if he remained in this weather his eyebrows would be covered by a layer of frost.
As he shivered, Akin seemed unfazed as he dropped out. After landing he waved Nian to come out who.
“S..so what is this place?..” Nian asked. Shivering, he followed Akin.
“This is the 4th Military Launch port on this planet. It's also where you will leave with any other recruits here to be processed at one of our space ports near the border, which is also where you will be trained.”
Nian tilted his head.
“You're not coming?.”
Akin turned and chuckled.
“From here on out, you and me are world's apart. I don't care for the ranking shit, but my tasks are different to yours. I still have several places on this planet to try and get recruits, so I won't be seeing you off.”
Nian frowned quietly, but he knew that since he was becoming a Warden, and all wardens were a part of the military, he would have to refer to those higher than him as sir. Akin gazed at Nian’s frown and laughed softly.
“Don't feel bad kid. Once you become an official Warden you will be able to choose your missions and even freely enter devourer territory as long as you notify HQ.
We may be humanity's only line of defence, but we also believe our wardens should grow by themselves, to get stronger, and not wait around to be picked off. This way, we don't have to pay the low ranked wardens much, as it's on them to get their own cores.
That being said, if HQ gives an order for assistance, you are obligated to follow it or receive punishment.”
As Nian and Akin entered the significantly warmer interior of the base that seemed to be bustling with activity, Nian realised wardens were people who could do whatever they wanted, but would have to help the main group when trouble arises, in that sense, he felt that wardens were less restrained and treated fairly well.
Further inside, they entered a hall that led into a large open exterior with several large space vessels where several hundred people were maintaining and re-fuelling them.
Nian also spotted several hulking robotic machines moving large crates. His eyes shone with excitement; these hulking robotic machines were Mancers being used to help store heavy machinery.
“Awesome…” he uttered under his breath stopping for a moment to gaze at the bustling sound of activity.
“Boy! Lets go! Your vessel is leaving soon!” Akin called out to Nian who snapped out of his trance and ran over to him.
Making his way to Akin, he noticed next to Akin was a metallic tunnel-like tube that connected to one of the large vessels. Looking at the tunnel, Nian figured this was a boarding platform. As Nian walked over, Akin took out a small device.
“Do you have a fate card?” He asked.
Nian nodded, before then revealing it to Akin who then placed the device over the fate card before a light shone, seemingly scanning it.
As Akin utilized the scanning device, the fate card began to glow, before a stream of light entered the device he held, seemingly copying the information on the card and showing it on the screen of the device. Akin glanced at it for a moment, curious to a degree as Nian came from what he suspected to be a prestigious family
NameNian MerisAge13RankWarden Recruit F RankFate Hyper Ability'sNILHyper Ability'sNILMancerNILDevourer CoresF=30Fate Armament'sNIL
Akin gazed at Nian’s information not seeming impressed, but his eyes fixed onto the amount of devourer cores.
“Well at least you're family made sure to keep you well off with cores.” He chuckled under his breath.
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Nian who remained quiet, nodded.
yeah...I had more but...I gave some to Alexis.
He couldn't help but remember her image in his mind as well as the words that felt like poison as she admitted she had fallen for lucas. It made him feel angry as he clenched his fists for a moment.
As Akin put away the device, he nodded.
“Ok, all good. This information will be transferred onto the ships database, and when you dock, it will be transferred to the port, and from there, spread around so each port has a copy of your data, just in case. It will also update your data automatically as you progress.”
“uhh what about privacy?..” Nian asked cautiously.
Akin laughed at his question.
“Don't worry. When you obtain things such as weapons, cores and such, you can decide whether to show them or not by willing the fate card to do so. Also, if you do become a proper Warden, and if you're incredibly lucky, you may come across objects or things that add new sections onto your fate card. As usual, you can also will the card to show these extra things or not whenever you please. But note that the moment you do, it will update on the Warden’s database.”
Nian nodded. He understood almost immediately that the feature on the fate card was most likely to keep those weak individuals with special things from being killed and having their goods stolen. He would have to be careful.
As Akin walked down the platform like tunnel towards the vessel, he continued to speak.
“While we’re on the subject, we wardens treat Mancers like our lifelines. They are your life, you need to earn one. Your fate card is also your lifeline because when obtaining new things it will give you a soft description on it as well as how to use it.”
This information was new to Nian. He began to wonder why the academy didn't bother to teach them more about fate cards. He concluded that the academy probably only taught students about fate cards more when the students were learning about Mancers. But here, it seemed to be something told on the spot.
Walking over towards the entrance of the arc shaped vessel, a women dressed in a tight military suit showing her curves stood awaiting. As Nian glanced at the female he noticed she wore glasses and had a strong dignified look about her.
Akin called out to the women.
“Got one for you.”
She in turn glanced back at him and smiled.
“Well, if it isn't Akin The Legionary”
The women closed the holo tablet before moving her hands behind her back showing a cute grin.
This look made Akin’s face twist slightly.
“I told you that name is only for the battlefield. Just call me by my name...” Akin grumbled.
“Anyway, I got a recruit. I'll be heading off. So process everything and look after him ‘till he gets there.” he said.
The female walked over and knelt down in front of Nian who gave a nervous glance. The women reached over and rubbed his hair.
“A handsome one at that. I didn't think you could snag one from this planet. I guess that makes the total to 19. Not much, but still more than we expected.” she said.
Akin nodded.
“I'll be heading off then. Nian. Training to be a Warden is a hard task. You may think it's your path, but you have to earn that path. We fight on the verge of life and death, and sometimes the devourers aren't our biggest enemy on the battlefield, but the Wardens that you make your enemies. Friendship lasts forever, but hatred burns brighter.”
Nian felt a cold chill. With those words, he understood Akin clearly, he was to be careful of who he offends. Nian understood that out here, he was just like the others, with no clan to back him. As he thought about it, the more he realised that there were clans made out of wardens. Compared to them, he was the lowest life from.
“Tsk...” he uttered quietly, before Akin soon vanished out of sight.
The female glanced at Nian curiously.
“I wonder what the Sergeant told you to convince you to join. Regardless, please enter and strap yourself in one of the seats. We will be departing soon.”
Nian nodded, smiling at her silently before walking off inside. As he entered, he looked around as he felt a little nervous after entering the main section. He saw several individuals onboard, all nearly older than him.
As he was glanced around, several whispers fluttered about. He quietly ignored them as he walked over towards the corner section. He stopped for a moment as a hand landed on his shoulder. Nian felt that his luck was terrible as trouble was going to brew so soon. But as he turned, he saw a young male with a wild like look, and eyes that could pierce into his soul.
The male, appearing around 15 years old, looked at Nian and laughed softly.
“Hey! You look like you're as old as me, right?!” Nian couldn't help but remain silent for a while as the boys shout attracted some attention.
Nian blinked and responded.
“13...” The boy removed his hand and entered a thinking like pose.
“D..damn! I was hoping to be the youngest warden on this planet. Looks like you have a chance to beat me. But i won't give up so easy!” he declared.
Nian wondered who this boy, who seemed as wild as a monkey, was. He didn't find trouble, but it seemed like he unintentionally made a rival.
“I'm just trying to become a Warden… Whether i become one sooner or later is fine.” Nian said as he buckled himself in.
The boy gave a hearty laugh before taking a seat, unexpectedly, next to Nian.
“Don't say that. You don't know about you, but I want to change the way this sector looks at wardens. My father was one and was a hero to me. After I become a Warden, I'll become SS rank, and show this sector that they were looking down on the wrong family.”
Nian grumbled quietly at the wild monkey next to him.
“Only SS?” He couldn't help but joke quietly.
The boy laughed and looked up at the ceiling as if dreaming.
“You're right, you're right. I'll be happy with S rank. I'll make a name for myself and let my mother and little sister live happily forever.”
At those words, Nian’s annoyance towards the boy couldn’t help but vanish. In Nian’s eyes, he felt he couldn’t compare to him anymore. This boy had a noble goal of winning honour and helping his family. As for Nian, he thought carefully but soon realised his reason was running away on impulse and wanting to find a path that he was satisfied with.
“Nn..” Nian quietly thought out.
The boy turned to look at Nian and grinned. He moved his hand towards him wanting to shake hands.
“I'm Aun Regins. Nice to meet you! So, what's your reason for wanting to be a Warden?.”
Nian remained silent for a second before he laughed silently. The boy’s goal, as well as his uplifting attitude, seemed to infect him as he offered his hand to him.
“i'm Nian, Nian Me… uh Nian is fine”
Nian understood that despite wanting to be a Warden, these people were from the planet same planet as he was, and his clan was famous on this planet as one of the top shift battle clans. In order to not stand out he knew he couldn’t easily blurt his last name out. -I'll have to change my last name… not like I need Meris anymore. -As he thought of this Aun clasped his hand and shook it firmly.
“Well Nian, I look forward to being your rival. Let’s become friends and work hard together!”
Nian’s mouth opened in the shape of an ‘O’ as he wondered who gave him permission to make him his rival and even have the nerve to be his friend. He just chuckled softly and nodded.
“Ok, ok. Let’s then.”
After finishing introductions, both him and Aun spoke for a while more until a voice echoed throughout the interior.
“Attention please. We are departing in 1 minute. After leaving the planet’s atmosphere we will enter Wave Warp before arriving at Sector 890. Please prepare and take your seats.”
Doing so, both Nian and Aun clasped their hands firmly on their arm rests. The seats themselves seemed to glow slightly before their bodies sunk in, molding over their bodies slightly for safety. Aun gave an excited look and spoke
“I’ve never entered wave warp before… I heard first timers will vomit” as he said this, the surrounding people who heard him gave a nervous look.
Nian had experienced it once before, the feeling was like being in an elevator moving forward, but many times more faster. It was as if one’s organs were floating in mid air and the feeling itself made one dizzy and vomit. He had learnt the hard way.
Outside the vessel, the machinery attached to it was long gone as the engines seemed to roar to life like a monster ready to hunt. This continued for several seconds before the vessel smoothly lifted into the air and pointed its nose towards the sky before shooting like a bullet.
The force was barely felt as the interior was protected by a field that negated the G.Force as if it wasn’t there, but the ripple of the warp itself could still be felt. It had taken the vessel only moments to leave the planet’s atmosphere, and soon after, it began to glow a bright blue before it fired off into space. It's body, seemingly stretching like a line, before shooting off like a wave rippling across space before going fast enough to vanish from sight.
Nian experienced the feeling and it made him somewhat dizzy. But looking around, he was better off than others, as the sound of vomiting from the front was already confirmed. Aun laughed as he looked around with excitement.
“This is amazing...I can't believe it...going to train to be a Warden...killing devourers, getting famous. It's going to be awesome, right Nian?!”
Nian who seemed to be holding his stomach glanced at Aun, giving a slight nod, afraid he may vomit on him if he opened his mouth. Aun couldn't help but laugh.
“You look like a puffer fish! hahahhahaha”
This made Nian’s expression turn sour as he held his mouth. Aun grinned before speaking.
“Hey Nian. Guess what?”
Nian grumbled and made a groaning sound as if asking him what. Aun gave an evil expression.
“Waffles and pancakes drizzled in cream and syrup with - ”
Nian had underestimated Aun’s intentions. Within moments he vomited to the side like a small fountain.
A nearby female, who saw this, squealed as she shuffled closer to the opposite side of her seat in disgust.
“Urk…” Nian weakly wiped his mouth.
“Y..you bastard...urh…” He continued.
Aun was like a firework, as he laughed, he couldn't stop once he started.
“Hahahaha, well, now that your stomach is cleared, you won't puke again right?”
Nian sighed, wiping his mouth as the pile of puke seemingly vanished inside the ground of the vessel. Nian understood then that it was a sort of technology that was made for this purpose because cleaning vomit off the floors vessel would be endless and disgusting.
“Yeah… I feel better… somewhat..” Nian uttered helplessly.
Aun nodded.
“I see, I see. Let me test to see if you're right. Roast beef with gravy and mashed potatos an-”
Nian gave a pleading look towards Aun who showed no mercy as he continued.
“Urk..” Nian knew this 5 minute trip was going to be a trial on it's own, to survive this boy’s merciless onslaught of words.