They grab the necessary paperwork and start to fill it out at the desks in a nearby room. One by one they return it and await their friends.

Tiana: all done then??

Zack: yes we're all set now.

Tiana: normally you would each be assigned to different groups but given your numbers I'll just make a new platoon for you.

Belle: so we all will stay together??!

Tiana: yes you all seemed glued at the hip anyway. Go down the hallway. a friend of yours will be handling your basic training. Take these pendants they are your Military I.d.

Zack: thank you again, Mrs. Grey.

Tiana: oh my it's been a while since I've been addressed as such. Anyway, go on now I've work to do.

She waves them off with a smile then vigorously starts to fill out and file paperwork.

They walk down the hallway and open some rather large doors. On the side is a gymnasium of sorts. There's a rock climbing, wall rope swings balance beams, and other obstacles.

Before them, they see a very familiar greenback.

He turns around, "Hey you kids! What brings you in here, sorry the shops are closed."

All in unison: " SCER!!"

They all run over and flash their new pendants at him.

"Wow, ya joined huh? Well, I suppose I'll be your instructor. I knew you could do it from the moment I met ya two.

He looks at Zack and Belle. They lean down and he pats them

On their shoulders.

He quickly turns around and begins speaking in a more stern tone.

"Alright recruits it's time to see what you can do."

He walks over to the rock climbing wall. They all follow behind them.

"Who is first I'll time each of you we have a series of tests so make it quick.

Gorgyle: step aside I got this.

He looks at Kyra and winks.

He starts with a jump onto the wall catching his grip and starts to scale the wall. As he is climbing he hears a series of gears clinking.

Suddenly a slot in the wall opens and a mechanical fist comes rocketing out of it slamming into Gorgyle's gut. He holds his grip gritting his teeth, but holding on. The fist goes back into the wall, and Gorgyle smiles faintly.

"That all you got?"

The fist then comes flying back out this time

Knocking him down to the ground.

"Thwack!!" "Ughggh."

"Want to give it another go??" Scer said kinda worried.

"Watch me work," Gorgyle says wiping blood off his lip.

Scer: next test is a strength test. You see that boulder, move it.

Zack steps up. "This isn't gonna punch me is it??

Scer: "Not that I know of just move the boulder.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Zack: "This rock is huge it's like 2 wagons stacked"

Scer: just push the boulder.

Zack puts his hands on the boulder and starts to push on it. Every one standing silent waiting for some contraption to go off. But none go off, Zack is pushing as hard he can getting beet red in the face. The dust on the boulder starts to shake off. The boulder starts to move Zack is pushing as hard as he can. Keeping a walking pace then a power walk, pretty soon he is running while pushing this boulder.

Scer: alright lad very nice you can stop now.

Zack doesn't stop he can't hear him.

Scer: ZACK THATS FAR ENOUGH THE WA-

CRASH!

Zack looks up and he and the boulder have busted through the wall into an office of some kind.

Zack looks around to make sure everyone's alright. He sees someone hanging from the chandelier. It's commander grey.

Who is looking down with a panicked expression?

Zack: I'm so sorry commander grey I was pushing this rock and broke your wall hope I didn't break anything important.

Commander Grey clear his throat hopping down and dusting himself off.

Commander Grey: ahem nothing but my concentration my boy. How is the training going.?

Zack: it's going well I think saw Gorgyle get punched by a wall so that's a good memory.

Commander Grey: aww yes my idea is always to expect the unexpected. Anyway, you better get back to it. I would say you could use my door but you made your own he said with a faint smile.

Zack: thank you sir sorry about the mess I'll be going.

He bows and walks back thru the wall taking the boulder with him.

The commander wipes off the rubble on his desk slumps down and continues his paperwork.

Scer continues to put them through rigorous tests to check where they are all physically and where they need to work more.

About a week of this goes by and they are in their tents when they hear the morning wake-up horn goes off.

They all come to the main hall where Scer and a tall with red shimmering skin like kyras are standing there waiting for them.

Zack: good morning Scer reporting in.

Scer: good morning all. I know you just got out of training but our platoon who is on wall duty for tonight has fallen violently I'll. We need to put you to work. This man here is Djin. He is one of the commanding officers who work directly under commander grey."

Zack: pleasure to meet you, sir.

Djin: ..... you will report to the south lift at 20:00 hours.

He then walks away leaving everyone.

Belle: who peed in his gruel.

Scer: aww he isn't a morning person, once you show him what you have shown me over the last week, he will come around.

They all head to the lunch hall to get breakfast before they take care of their morning assignment. (chores)

After a full-filled day of chores, they go to the lift as instructed and are met by Djin.

Djin: well done getting here we thank you for joining us in this time of need.

Zack: of course sir happy to be here.

Gorgyle: speak for yourself.

He mumbles thinking no one could hear him.

Djin appears next to him.

Djin: if you don't want to be here then leave. But I must warn you will not leave here the same way you came in. I know who you are or were.

He then walks back to where everyone saw him standing a second ago before he seemingly teleported. He then leads them to the lift and accends the cliff face as they ride he debriefs them on what will happen tonight.

Djin: we will take rotational shifts in pairs of two, while the others sleep, two of us will guard. Over here is the draw bridge it is stuck down we are trying to get repairs down quickly.

There are guards up and down the bridge itself. As for us, we are the last line of defense. The last thing between those who want to cause harm and the people of Zindali.

There are tents over here and cannons set up over there on the wall.

You all know your posts me and the dwarf there will take the first shift get some rest you will need it.

Gorgyle: is silent looking down and walking towards the tent.

Kyra runs up to his side grabbing his arm.

Kyra: are you okay?? You don't seem it??

Gorgyle: you wouldn't understand. Just leave it be.

Kyra: well of course I can't if you don't talk to me please Gorgyle.

Gorgyle: NO YOU CANNOT WITH THE LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED... you will never understand things I've done had to do. You just can't. He storms off into the tent leaving Kyra standing there fighting tears she walks over to belles tent.

Zack: I guess I'm bunking with Gorgyle.

Zack enters the tent and Gorgyle is laying there facing the wall.

Gorgyle: I'm sorry Kyra dear that djin guy just got under my skin it's been a long day. I hope you're not too upset with me.

Zack: uh...Kyra?? I'm not upset with you either but you might want to try and smooth things over your shift is next.

Gorgyle shoots up completely red in the face.

Gorgyle: you damn oaf why are you here!!

Zack: it's not like I wanted to cuddle or anything my spots have been taken because someone needs to work on communication.

He looks tilting his head with his hands in that disapproving father stance.

Gorgyle: yeah yeah I'll smooth it over. So things seem to be going well for you and Belle.

Zack laughs while rubbing the back of his head.

Zack: yeah I don't know what it is but she seems so much closer and happier I love it. You and Kyra seemed like you are doing well as well.

Gorgyle: shut up don't tease me!

Zack: whatever you say friend I'm rooting for ya. Now get some sleep.

They turn out their lights and go to sleep. Meanwhile in belles tent.

Kyra: I just don't understand, we were doing so well and he was opening up but then commander kill joy had to spook him. I would never judge him, and just because I grew up a little better of them most doesn't mean I can't understand you know what I mean Belle.

Belle: guys are weird they have this need to be strong and not open up unless it's behind closed doors. And isn't "commander kill joy"one of your own?? Why not try and talk to him?

Kyra: not all fire genasi know each other or get along. Geez typical.

Belle: I didn't mean it like that I mean you guys have something in common easier to have a conversation with someone who is like you that's all.

Kyra: well maybe I don't know I'm gonna sleep on it thanks, belle.

Belle: no problem just give it time it will work out.

They all fall asleep drifting into the silence of the wall.

Gorgyle and Kyra are woken up by guntar and Djin.

"Hey, it's your turn oh edgy one."

"Thanks for the wake-up call guntar good night. "

"Kyra was it? It's your turn get up."

"Yes sir at once."

The other two go to sleep.

Kyra and Gorgyle are left sitting there. They both don't know what to say the silence weighing on them.

Kyra: I'm sorry I pressed the issue okay so don't be upset with me.

Gorgyle: Kyra dear I am not upset I'm just haunted and it came bubbling up. I'm so scared once you know the real me the one who took and killed without looking back. You will walk away from me.

Kyra: I would never walk away, you have never treated me differently once about my nobility, you are the only one I have told. Everyone has a past there's nothing you can do about it. But we can face it together your not that guy anymore.

The two huddle together, occasionally getting up and checking the bridge sending signals down the bridge ensuring everything is okay.

It's almost Belle and Zack's shift Gorgyle and Kyra are sharing some hot tea on the ground looking at the sky.

Gorgyle: do you see that star there it's so bright.

Kyra: is it me or is it getting closer?

Gorgyle: yeah now that you mention it's getting close.

Gorgyle jumps up ringing the bell and swinging the torch but there's no answer. The bridge is dark.