One month remained for the upcoming new soldiers. They may spend it however they wished. One month remained for their normal lives. The recruits went to their respective homes to say their goodbyes. Rinna invited Avryn to her home. They spent the days touring her hometown, and they spent the nights sparring. Their bond became even stronger. They started to know each other’s moves so well like clockwork. They were tied against each other. The final day would prove to be the tiebreaker.

  Rinna spun her halberd around and went into her battle stance. Avryn settled with Lerosa. Their eyes stared deeply in each other. Words didn’t need to be spoken. They both entered a deep state of focus. Each micromovement was seen. The grass waved under the breeze. They both circled around each other, weapons in hand. Nearby, Haervinna was observing from up her room’s window.

  The two charged against each other once again. An onslaught of slashes echoed around in the courtyard. The moon served as their observant spectator. Avryn had been getting better in reading Rinna. A glancing glow grazes her as he fell into a parry. He mustered up a counter attack, however, sending her away. They were back in the neutral.

  “I’ll never get tired of this,” Avryn said in between pants.

  Rinna used her halberd’s recoil to charge forward. They met again and exchanged blows. Avryn got her with a parry but she forced the advantage back to her with a swift kick. Avryn held onto her foot and dragged her into a lariat but she rolled under. A swing of the halberd forced Avryn to retreat back and reassess the situation. They circled again.

  Meanwhile, Livea had approached Haervinna with a tray. A tea set were set on top of it. The maid expertly poured the tea with one hand, the other setting the cup and coaster on the desk.

  “Your tea, mada’am,” she gestured.

  “Thank you, Livea,” Haervinna replied.

  The head maid looked on from the window. Haervinna noticed,

  “They’ve been at it the entire month,” she commented.

  “Why do they do this?” Livea asked.

  “They’re warriors. They do this to get themselves ready. Physically and mentally. I was the same with my husband,” she recounted to her.

  Avryn charged at Rinna. He changed direction at the last second and attempted to attack her flank. She adjusted accordingly and blocked his attack. A pull of Lerosa’s trigger broke down her defenses quickly. They were caught in another bind. The steel slid down each other as the two wrestled for control. Avryn won through brute strength and forced an opening. Rinna took the initiative and hit him with a headbutt strong enough to force him away. The whiplash also forced Rinna down.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Complete silence fell down around them. It was a tie. In the fight and grand totals. They both huffed and heaved from the fatigue. The battle had satisfied them both. Avryn got up,

  “Well, a tie’s a tie,” he commented.

  “You fell first, I won,” Rinna was adamant.

  This earned a chuckle from Avryn.

  “Alright. I’m no better than to argue this with you,” he went and helped her up.

  The two shared a nod of respect.

  “Tomorrow, we’ll be off to a new world,” she reminded.

  Avryn nodded in response. She retired for the night. Avryn was about to enter his room before Livea caught up to him. Haervinna wanted to speak with him. Livea guided Avryn to Haervinna’s study. The maid took her bow and left the room.

  “My daughter has grown a respect for you matched by her love for her father, you know,” she offered him some tea.

  Avryn took his cup,

  “She does?” he looked pleased.

  “Might I be selfish for a moment?” Haervinna took a sip from her tea.

  He was listening intently,

  “I’d like you to watch out for her,” she requested.

  “Of course I will, it’s the least I can do for your generosity,” he replied.

  Haervinna was pleased with hearing that. She said that the Lost Lands would surely test everything he has learned so far and advised to look to his comrades to keep each other alive. Avryn took her advice to heart and went to bed.

  The next day, the recruits were called to assemble at the Academy’s rooftop. This was an unusual order. They usually would assemble at the docks for transport. Avryn and Rinna reunited with the rest of the gang. Valoche and Tvira had special face paint on. They explained it was how their people celebrate. A quick glance and several Velundians were also sporting the face paint.

  “Yo!” Harver hollered.

  He was the next to meet them. His leg has fully healed and clearly in a better headspace. Kiria interrupted and went straight to Rinna.

  “Oh Mistress Rinna, it’s been too long,” she ogled over her.

  “You don’t have to keep calling me that…” she grimaced from her embrace. It was too tight, as always.

  Avryn went up to Harver,

  “Hey man, I’m guessing you spent your time with Rietta, huh?”

  “Of course, it’ll be months or even years before I get to see her again. Jenilah suggested we send each other letters until then,” he recounted.

  “Hey gang, seems we’re all accounted for,” Leifren and Jenilah arrived.

  A sound came from the skies. They all looked up. Giant moving machinations were flying above them. The magic crystals powering them hummed loud and strong. Those were airships. They all beared the flag of Baradov. There were at least twenty ships strong.

  The recruits made their way up. Headmaster Aldric was the first to meet them.

  “No more are you students. Allow me to be the first to greet you as soldiers,” he bowed to them all. “And these, courtesy of Baradov, shall escort you to the outposts. Now. Choose one.” he gestured.

  The recruits eagerly, but cautiously entered the ships. The gang entered the ship and was guided to the passenger seats. The inside of the airship provided windows to the outside. They waited for the other seats to be filled in before taking flight. They headed for their destination: The Lost Lands. The flight staff gave instructions on how to fasten the seatbelts on their seats. Magic crystals helped propelled them into the air as they took flight. The recruits were excited during the whole duration. The parade of airships together made for a wonderful sight. Headmaster Aldric gave them a salute as they left.

  The skies slowly turned into a dull grey as they closed in on The Lost Lands. Avryn was looking out the window, seeing the vast expanse of the sea between Ordellia and them. Harver was eager to look on as well. The ship Avryn and friend’s were in branched off from the others and headed to Outpost D. The land below them was just like the simulations. Different shades of grey, and thick trees which sported the same colors of leaves. The ship landed safely alongside a couple others. They disembarked.

  Soldiers were there to greet them, and one man in a cap in particular was in front.

  “Alright, step in line, and about face,” his voice commanded.

  The recruits quickly did so. The man introduced himself as Major Shalshukein Ever. Commanding officer of the outpost. He quickly had the recruits do introductions. Leifren and Avryn’s squads were last. After introductions were done, he properly gave them a warm welcome to the soldier’s life.

  This would mark their new beginnings.