//Here ya go

Screams pierced through the starry night sky,  dark red blood soaking the ground as wail after wail echoed all around. Pleads for help, calls for death, and the begging for even a modicum of mercy could be heard throughout the surrounding region as a massacre took place. Buildings were burning and/ or destroyed, the dead and dying strewn about as explosions shook the very earth, making everything seem even more chaotic then it already was.

However, even with all that was happening around him, the young boy carrying a red headed female on his back was unable to hear anything except a steady ringing in his ears as he dashed forward, his legs pumping fiercely as he dodged countless pieces of shrapnel including sharp wood fragments and shattered pieces of glass. Appearing out of breath, he made a beeline for a tall clocktower positioned in the distance, a look of clear desperation on his face, blood dripping into his left eye, hindering his vision.

"Wolf, their catching up to us," The redhead girl shouted in the white haired boys ear. "Just set me down. No need for both of us to die here."

The young boy called Wolf ignored the female as he tightened his grip, running even faster then before as he went around a fiery building, escaping the clutches of a nearby Spawn, a demonic creature that hungered for only violence. Blood poured from numerous scratches all over his body, some even looking to be fatal, but still he maintained his speed. It was clear that only survival was on his mind as the enormous clocktower came closer and closer.

Behind the two kids, above the shouts and cries, growling and battle cries could be heard. The redhead was the only one able to look back and see the utter hopelessness of the situation, gazing death in the face as the Spawns closed the distance ever so easily. It was painfully clear what the outcome would be if the current scenario continued, and she could feel the despair overwhelm her.

"Its gonna be okay Kanna," Wolf panted reassuringly despite his obvious exhaustion. "I can get us to the tower. We can both make it out of this alive. If we hold out long enough there, I know the Elementals will come."

Kanna knew the words were empty, carrying little to no weight behind them, but nevertheless it gave her courage. She knew what needed to be done.

The tower was still quite a ways away. By the time they made it, they would've already died two times over. There was only one way to make sure Wolf survived and she was all too willing to make the choice.

"Hey Wolf. Thanks for everything," Kanna said with a smile as she leaned forward and gripped the youth firmly. "You've always been by my side and for that, I'm thankful. You always had my back no matter what crazy thing I had planned. You were the best support a girl could ever ask for."

"Kanna, what are you-" Wolf wanted to ask her what the hell she was going on about but was cut off when he nearly stumbled over a dead body.

"I want you to live on. For the both of us. Become the best Knight you can be. I'll be rooting for you." Kanna whispered something softly into Wolf's ear, something that caused him to nearly fall over, his heart skipping a beat.

"NO KANNA," Wolf shouted, his brain finally registering what the girl meant to do. "WE CAN MAKE-"

It was already to late to stop her however as the young girl pushed herself off Wolf's back, throwing herself away and onto the street.

Without even the slightest hesitation, Wolf stopped and attempted to make his way back. He understood what Kanna was trying to do and wanted to put a stop to it, but he was a step too late as the three Spawns that had been pursuing them reached the girl first.

"Run Wolf and live on," were the last the youth heard before the Spawns ripped into her.

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"KANNA!!!"

Juda Cicero shot upright, sweat pouring down his red face. His breathing was ragged and his bright blue eyes were as wide as saucers, his heartbeat unsteady as he gazed around.

After a few seconds, the young man seemed to come to his senses, his breathing slowly returning to normal. It was gradual, but Juda finally managed to regain some form of normalcy after a moment of collecting his thoughts  He simply counted to one hundred in his head until he finally relaxed, a calm and cool attitude replacing his previous panicky and flustered one.

"The same dream again huh?" Juda muttered softly as he tossed his covers aside. His whole body was caked in sweat, his abnormally white hair matted down by the unnatural amount of saltwater that had been released, making it clear just how much the dream had affected him. "I think thats the third time this month. Is it getting more frequent?"

Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, Juda ran a hand over the top of his head as he rose to his feet. Having fallen asleep shirtless as he usually did, the numerous scars he accumulated during the course of his life were on full display as he made his way towards the bathroom. Now that he was up and about, it was time for him to get himself ready for the coming day. The day he began the test to become an Elemental Knight.

"SURPRISE MAGICAL PUNCH!!!"

A shout rang out through Juda's room before a tall man in his mid to late forties came barreling out from within the bathroom, his leg raised in an attempt to kick the white haired youth. However, despite being inhumanly quick and it being a surprise attack, the man sailed harmlessly past, slamming into the wall on the other side of the room. Juda, who had quite easily sidestepped the attempted assault, paid no mind to the mans actions as he entered the bathroom.

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"Nice try Uncle," Juda said, checking himself over in the mirror, flashing his teeth. "But youll have to try something else if you wanna land a hit on me."

Abraham Stolls, a kind man and uncle to Juda, let out a grunt as he pushed himself off the floor and onto the balls of his feet, his disheveled brown hair falling into his eyes. For someone who looked rather old, he was rather nimble as he easily stretched his limbs, his grey eyes filled with pride. "You got lucky this time, that's all. You sure are quick on your feet kiddo. I can hardly keep up with your base speed at this point."

"Lets be honest Uncle, you weren't even fully trying to hit me. Always going easy on me." Juda picked up his toothbrush located at the edge of the sink and slipped some toothpaste onto the end of it. "Also, that wasn't even a punch. It was a kick."

"That's what made it magical," Abraham replied, waving off Juda's retort. "Its almost as good of an attack as my Surprise Magical Kick."

Juda rolled his eyes as he stuck the toothbrush into his mouth and began to carefully attend to his pearly whites, the nightmare from earlier already pushed to the back of his mind. Being around his uncle always seemed to ease him into a sense of security, the mans silly antics a welcome refresher to his usually drear mornings.

Though Juda called Abraham 'uncle', the old man was more like a much older and vibrant brother then a man who was past his prime. The youthful male was someone Juda looked up to and inspired to be, strong and capable, able to confidently help those around him with a smile on his face.

Abraham Stolls, former ranked GeneraI of the Fire Knights and the very person who had trained Juda to his current self. All the information, knowledge, and training the white haired youth had undergone was due to this man, the same man who had quite literally gave up his status, job, and title just to save him. To put it simply, Abraham was someone he could never fully repay no matter how much the white haired youth attempted to.

"Anyways, are you ready for today?" Abraham asked as he stepped into the bathroom with Juda, making faces into the mirror as a form of distraction. "You've got quite the task ahead of you."

"Brou mean tà knights 'ntrance zam?" Juda asked with his mouth full of toothpaste, purposefully allowing some to fly onto Abraham. After gargling with some water, he eventually spit it out, but not without getting some water thrown back in his face by his uncle. "I got that in the bag. All we need to do is show our worth right? Sounds pretty simple."

"You say that but you cant even beat me in a match, let alone someone of royal birth," Abraham smiled as he clapped Juda in the back. "That is, of course, unless you wanna prove me wrong."

Juda narrowed his eyes, icy blue hues staring daggers at the man before him. "Name the terms."

"One on one, no Stigma, only CQC and magic. Loser buys dinner." Abraham leaned on the countertop, his smile having morphed into a knowing smirk. "If its too much for you though, I can always add Maya into the mix to make it fair."

The two of them glared at each other, neither blinking as they sized up the competition. Even when a head full of light blue hair poked its way into the bathroom, their staring contest remained unbroken, neither willing to look away. 

"What the hell are you two doing?" The new arrival, a young girl with light blue hair, asked as she stepped in between them. "Better not be starting another fight. I swear on the Knights that if you two duel again without my presence, I'll never referee for you ever again."

Sucking his teeth, Abraham looked away, his grey eyes landing on his daughter, Maya Stolls, of whom was currently standing with a stern and motherly look in her eyes. Although a being a full foot and a half shorter then the former General, she managed to give off a menacing air that caused him to eventually concede as he shifted his head to the side. Arguing with someone as headstrong as Maya was usually pointless as she was either usually right or just wouldn't back off until given her way.

"Relax Maya," Juda said as he reached over and flipped the switch for the shower. "I wasnt going to hurt him too bad. Just knock the old man around a little."

Maya rolled her eyes, a pale pink color making a full circle before resting on the white haired youth. "Lets be honest Juju, You wouldnt have lasted a full second if dad was serious."

"HA," Abraham exclaimed.

"And YOU need to stop instigating a fight, dad, especially just so you can have your nephew buy you food!!" Maya placed her hands on her hips, clearly disappointed as she shook her head. "Its like you're a child who doesnt know better."

"But sweety" Abraham replied, attempting to plead his case, "He should at least be able to keep up with an old man like me dont you think? I'm a lot slower then when I was in my prime."

"Slow my damned ass," Juda muttered under his breath. "Better grit those teeth ya old fogey."

"I'm sorry, did the loser say something?" Abraham asked, cupping his hand around his ear as he leaned slightly towards the white haired youth. "Couldn't quite hear over your incessant whining."

Juda clenched his teeth before finally going on the offensive, grabbing the brown hair on top of the mans head and pulling it as hard as he could. Abraham, not one to overlook this assault, quickly retaliated by grabbing Juda's face, clawing at it with his fingers. Without even the slightest hesitation, the two bickering males went at each other like cats and dogs, not afraid to bite and scratch.

This comedy skit went on for a few seconds before Maya, who at this point was already at her limit, snapped. Reaching both her hands out, she gave each of them a sharp and powerful smack on their cheeks, a resounding clap echoing through the bathroom. 

"Thats enough!! Act like you got sense." Maya reached out and grabbed Abraham by the ear and began to lead him to the door. "Lets go dad, we're leaving."

Before fully exiting the bathroom however, Maya stopped and turned around, gazing at Juda once more. "Hey Juju, you should hurry up and finish prepping. You'll be late if you don't."

Juda nodded as Maya walked away, Uncle Abraham being pulled not too far away.

"Don't you dare lose to anyone or you owe us dinner!!" Abraham yelled before the bedroom door closed, leaving Juda alone once again.

Juda let out a small smile before finally shaking his head. "I sure got one hell of a weird family."

(("I guess its time I get ready though. The Knights Exam will be starting up soon and if I miss it then thats that."))

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"So, do you think Juda can handle it?" Maya asked her father as the door to the youths bedroom was closed. "Nearly half those attending the exam are nobles and royals. He'll be outclassed wont he?"

Abraham shook his head, reaching up to rub the ear Maya had been pulling. "No, he'll be fine. When it comes to combat knowledge and technical magic, he surpasses everyone. That includes me."