Being in the middle of the summer, nature was flourishing at its peak. The trees were full of green leaves, bringing a vitality filled feeling throughout the whole country. The flowers were blooming and showing their beauty. Time of the year loved by all. Especially the children of the orphanage were happy. Having a little garden wasn’t a problem, for it was big enough for the up to 4 years old. Happiness and laughter flowing through the ambient, without a single speck of darkness. But without doubt, the most exciting but nervous were the 5 years old, because they were promised a trip to their new home.
Having gathered the 10 children in a circle just outside the gate, Ranbert prepared himself and began his usual goodbye speech with forced but natural appearing excitedness. “Children, you’re now all 5 years old, that means you will get a new home, isn’t that exciting??” without waiting for an answer he continued. “Not just that, but we will take a trip through the forest to get there. Imagine all of the animals and flowers you will see. It will be so much fun.”
Knowing his way around children, all ten of them were overflowing with expectation and answered: “Yes, Headmaster”. Looking so cute with their baby faces being so emotional, some of the maids had tears in their eyes. Even doe this happened almost every year, the maids admired the Headmaster each time more for his work and dedication to children. But both Monat and Ranbert hat calm-looking eyes and just a smile for this admiration, but deeply hidden there was a certain attitude, that only the children could sense as something different, yet it was only on an instinctual level and no one of them truly took it to heart.
Knowing it was his turn, Monat started to give instructions, “Children, for this trip all of you must follow my instructions, alright. Also, we will be escorted by a group of guards, so please no running around or annoying the guards. Otherwise, you’re free to get off the carriage, which will transport us, in the pauses. It will take us a week to arrive at your next home.”
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Exactly as planned, in the next half an hour, a big carriage appeared pulled by two horses and four ridden guards along. Being as big as it was, it had enough room for the ten children and Monat.
“Monat, take care and come back safely.” With these words, Ranbert sent Monat off. “Of course, like always.” Responded Monat with a grin, with implications, know only to Ranbert.
“Huhu, that is such a beautiful flower” with a single move the flower was uprooted and in the hand of the girl. The flor was like a rose just pink and wider. The girl was very happy about it and put it behind her ear. “That is a Middlemist Red, do you like it?” the familiar voice made the girl turn around to see Monat standing without care and a friendly smile on his face. “Yes, sir” answered she shy, startled by his sudden appearance. Monat looked at her with a caring expression and told her “Take care of the flower, always remember life is like that flower. Now let’s get to the carriage, we have to get going.” The whole group continued the trip after the pause. The children still full of life and happiness, until…
“Stop the carriage immediately or we will shoot” the shout and the noise of galloping horses sounded out. Looking out by the window, Monat said with a face full of worry “Bandits, children stay in the carriage, don’t come out.” And left the carriage, the ten children with fearful faces sat still. After around 10 minutes of fighting, everything went still and a gas emitting ball flew into the carriage. In shock because of the sudden surprise, they didn’t even have the opportunity to scream before falling unconscious.
In a sparely illuminated room, all ten woke one after another woke up. Yet, the surprise was great. An unbelievable great amount of people were in the room. Everybody still half lucid because of the drug, nobody started to scream or truly question the situation. But only some seconds later somebody entered the big room and said “Welcome to The Gladis, become a Gold I and you can leave as a slave or Platinum I and leave as a free man. I am sure you must have a lot of questions, but now: there are 3000 persons here and you all will be teleported to an arena. Whoever kills 2 humans and 5 beasts will be teleported and saved. Also, there will be weapons laying around and 5000 beasts will be released. Good luck.” With those words, he left the room, closed the door and a brilliant light illuminated the whole room.