That lasted all of ten minutes before we were interrupted by the arrival of one of the other bandits. The one that had been keeping an eye on us straightened up, it was clear who he was reporting to. This new guy made his way straight towards us, I didn't recognize him from the group from before so I didn't know where he had come from, or how he would react to us.

"Hey guys, My name is Charles, I am going to help you with the transition from the Empire, into our better nation. Once you join the Warlords you will be respected greatly as combat talents, you will be trained and become true and proud members of the horde."

It took me a second to comprehend, what was going on. This new man was far more pleasant than any other of the people we had encountered, he seemed quite nice and approachable. A complete opposite to the image behind him, the destroyed town of my youth. It was something that was so jarring, this man that claimed the best for us, in front of the remains of my childhood, my life so far. Anything he said, just seemed like a lie. What could they have to offer that would make up for the immense loss they have caused over the past few days.

"Now we are going to awaken you all a little early, it seems some Empire dogs have been snooping around so we are a little stuck for time, so come along join the others who have already been awakened."

He turned expecting our immediate obedience and began to walk away, Ben quickly looked at me before beginning to follow. I had to talk to him though. If the empire was nearby, maybe we should try to stall, let the empire come and rescue us. Get awakened in the proper system and still give ourselves a chance to get into the ancients program, no matter how hard it may be. Still if we went down this route, than that option will forever be out of our reach. Walking alongside I tried to pull him back a little so I could have a proper conversation with him, he tried to pull away, but I was insistent, he finally relented.

"What do you want Micael?"

Looking him directly in the eyes, trying to make sure he understood where I was coming from.

"We have chance to escape, didn't you hear what he said. there are people form the empire around us, we just need to stall for a little bit and then there is a chance for us to be rescued. We can get out of here"

He looked at me for a second in confusion, he saw the resoluteness in my eyes.

"We can't let that change our plans, we have few chances in the empire to get recognition, out there we are nothing, in the horde we might have a chance to become something. we could do something that would actually get us known in the Empire as a whole, if we become heroes life is set for us in the Empire"

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Breaking free from my grasp he began to walk forward once again, what the hell, why would he risk so much for the unknown, the Empire could rescue us within hours an if we are awakened by an outside power, it would make us ostracized forever. It is near impossible to be welcomed into the Empire never mind citizenship, losing the opportunity of my homeland due to some foreign invaders. That was simply unacceptable. I had to find my way back to my ancestral home and get revenge for my family.

We came back out of our earthen prison to see quite a nice little campment set up, the people left were treated quite well at least. In front of the Town hall the awakening stone had been wheeled out. You could only know the history of the Stones and awakening after you awakened, but the empire has stated several times, that the history and story that the other fringe powers claim as their own are heathen lies. So I had to take any information these guys give us very carefully, it wouldn't take much for an inquisitor to say you have been influenced by some bad powers, forcing you into a serious re-education camp, plus constant surveillance no matter how light for the rest of your life. There had been quite a few of those people in the town before its destruction. None were still alive.

We were slowly lead by the new figure over to the stand. Forcing us into lines the very worst happened. I was put in the front of the line, being marched up by the arm by one of the Bandits, he forced my hand on to the awakening stone, despite my struggling it was all in vain. My life had been taken from me by a simple act, forcing me to move my hand, shifted my entire life forever.

Awakening was different for everyone, as you came into contact with your gift, you were shaped by it, just as much as you shaped it. I felt myself land on an emerald plain, in the distance I could see titanic creatures battling it out, a giant dragon passed over my head leisurely, looking around all I could see was strife and war, in my little patch was safety. Such juxtaposition usually meant two gifts. One where you feel protected usually means a shield or enhancing type power, if animals or creatures existed in your gift as well than usually that was related to a summoning gift. Two immensely useful gifts, considering the immensity of my surroundings I could assume I had pretty good potential, which would be great If I awakened in the Empire. Unfortunately that was not the case.

My life was ruined. I was stuck fighting for some fringe army, where I was destined to die.