Chapter 4:

Titus stared wide-eyed at the massive military camp the group had just arrived at. This camp was the largest training camp in the entire Kingdom. Tens of thousands of soldiers trained here every year. Enclosed on all sides by mountains and dense forest, military officials had no worries of potential runaways. It was the perfect location for training new soldiers.

The teens followed the Captain through the camp, exhausted after the long march. Soldiers ran to and fro, keeping themselves busy with various tasks and training exercises. Sometimes Titus would see young people his age swinging swords or sparring.

After 10 minutes of weaving through the lively camp, the group arrived in front of a massive two-story wooden building. The Captain stopped and turned toward the group.

"Pay attention newbies, this here is the barracks!" he said, slapping his palm against the doors. "In a moment, you will walk inside and choose a bunk. On that bunk will be one training outfit, one lovely pair of boots, a practice sword, and a canteen. You only have one of each of these. I'll be back here in 5 minutes, I expect you to be changed and ready by then. Training will start immediately. Any questions? No? Good then. Get your asses moving!"

The frightened group broke out into a stampede, rushing into the barracks. During the commotion, Titus heard a familiar voice call out to him.

"Titus, Is that you?"

He turned toward the voice, recognizing a familiar face.

"Oi Fatty, you got picked up too?" he asked.

Despite not being on the best terms, Titus was rather glad to see Felix. His eyes were a bit swollen, Titus guessed he had probably been crying. He wouldn't tease Felix for this. Afterall, In a little over a year, these boys of just 13 and 14 would be going to war.

"I told you not to call me Fatty, Titus!" Felix shouted out of habit. He paused, looking down toward the floor.

"D-do you want to share a bunk with me? You're the only one I know here."

Titus paused a moment, smiled, and replied, "Sure Felix, let's find a bunk."

He had never been on great terms with Felix, they'd had many brawls throughout the years. Despite this, Titus found comfort in seeing a familiar face. They found an unclaimed bunk and settled in. Titus took the bottom bunk, while Felix climbed up top.

Titus sighed, the long hours of hiking had taken its toll. Beside him, just as the Captain said, lay brown burlap pants, a shirt, a worn leather belt, a dirty pair of boots, and a canteen. Next to all this was a steel sword, just a bit longer than Titus' arm. Titus touched the blade, it was completely dull. He couldn't cut himself with it if he tried.

Titus changed into his new clothing. It was definitely an upgrade compared to the torn, dirt covered clothing he had worn for years. He even owned a pair of shoes, a first for Titus. It was a little uncomfortable, but jumping a couple times in place, he adjusted to the feel. He felt rather good in this new outfit.

Titus put the canteen around his neck and looked down at the bed. Staring at the sword, he hesitated for a moment. For the first time, he would pick up a weapon.

He reached slowly, grabbing the hilt. A strange sensation spread throughout his body. The weapon was heavier than he thought it would be, but he felt comfortable. It made him feel powerful. He stared in a trance at the sword in his hands.

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"Damnit, why didn't they give me clothes that fit?" he heard Felix grumbling next to him, breaking him out of his daze.

He looked over and couldn’t help but laugh, this Fatty’s shirt didn’t fit him all the way, revealing his full belly at the bottom.

"It looks nice on you Fatty, I've never seen you lookin' so good," he teased.

Before Felix could reply, an annoyingly loud voice came from the doorway.

"Get your asses outside!"

The teens gathered around the waiting Captain outside.

"I'd like to give a speech to motivate you all before we start today," he started. "Many of you probably don't want to be here right now... well guess what? Tough shit, you're the Empire's property now! It's my job to make you into a unit worthy enough to be cannon fodder! You will keep up with my training, or you will suffer the consequences! We have a war to win here, no one has time for your complaining! Now, follow me. We’re starting training immediately!" the Captain said, taking off in a sprint.

“Already with the exercise? We don’t get to eat something at least first?”  Titus thought, frowning. After all, the main reason he easily accepted his fate was the promise of food.  

The Captain led the group out of the barracks area, increasing in pace over time. Eventually, the group ran in at full speed. The group struggled to keep up with the fully grown soldier.

Thirty minutes later, the teens laid sprawled out in the grass.

“This guy is surely a sadist! How can he do this to an innocent kid like me?!” Titus thought, looking up at the sky while he struggled to get enough air.

The Captain, showing no signs of exhaustion at all, decided they had rested enough, “Break time’s over brats, keep running!”

"Fuck, this guy is a demon!"

No one dared to complain openly. Dragging their tired bodies up, they chased after the Captain. This time, running at a fraction of the speed they started off at.

“Faster!” the Captain screamed, running down one of the kids and slapping the back of his head, knocking him into the dirt.

Motivated by fright, the group pushed their bodies to the limit, increasing their speed. This felt like torture, but they did not dare protest. The poor lad who had been hit by the Captain hadn't moved yet, one could only assume he had been knocked out. The group could only curse and cry to themselves, continuing to run.

…..

A couple hours later the sun had begun to set. At last, Captain Phillips had allowed them to stop for the day. Many kids passed out due to exhaustion or heat stroke. The Captain did not even give them a glance and left them where they lay.

The Captain seemed lively as ever, barely breaking a sweat. "Bring those who are unconscious to the barracks. The rest of ye' go to the cafeteria."

“Hm, cafeteria?” Titus perked up a little.  

The group dragged their way to the cafeteria, Titus seeming to forget his exhaustion, led in front of the group.

“Food, food, food, I finally get to eat some food!”

Once in the cafeteria, the group silently lined up. Needless to say, Titus had stolen the first spot in line. Receiving a full plate of rice, beans, and a slice of meat. Titus skipped to a table and sat down. To a child of a normal background, this meal may not seem grandiose, but to Titus, this was a gift from heaven.

Titus licked his lips, "Meat! I got meat!" he sang, devouring his delicious meal. Felix sat down next to him, looking at him in amazement for a second, before turning to his own food.

Kids robotically sat down at tables. Too tired to speak, silence persisted. Broken only by the sounds of eating, and the occasional cough or yawn. Trainees who had arrived at an earlier time looked at them with slight pity. It was only a couple months ago that they experienced the same thing as this fresh group.

Back at the barracks, Titus flopped down onto his mattress, rediscovering his previously ignored fatigue, he instantly sank into sleep. Throughout the night, other children could be heard whimpering or crying softly. Some woke up to nightmares. Titus was an exception to this, sleeping blissfully without worry.

After several more weeks, strength training was added to the fitness training. The teens could only endure and keep exercising. In no time, two months had gone by. The Captain decided it was time to start basic combat training.