Night is upon us, and my guildmates are long asleep. That battle put a plethora of unpleasant thoughts into my consciousness, and I can’t really seem to close my eyes as I sit on the edge of the boat looking at the moon’s candescent reflection upon the waves of the sea. Raeis is tending to his wounds in his quarters, as a group of Navaen legionnaires take over his navigation duty. My only background noise is the sound of the waves hitting the hull, and the slightest hint of conversation between the sailing Navaens.

  Staring downwards into the ocean. Yawning as I continue to ponder, I notice the conversation of the helmsmen come to an abrupt halt. I stand up, turning around to see Chief Raeis Fawra with bandages wrapped around his bare chest. His scars are illuminated by the moon, as he walks in my direction. He stands next to me, his eyes also veering down towards the ocean.

  “It is not often that I see the potent urge that resides within us all so magnified. You have shown promise in battle, but there is still much to learn Home-lander. I am prepared to commence your training tomorrow morning. Do not worry, these wounds bear no harm to me. I have vanquished vermin leagues above that putrid Cai’al.”

  He chuckles, still gazing into the sea.

  “I’ll be ready for anything you throw at me, Chief.”

  I’m lying through my teeth.

  “Is that so? We’ll begin with your body. We must strengthen your fortitude. I have prepared boulders, as well as training vests for sparring. I have instructed our chef to reserve you two meals for breakfast, three meals for midday, and five meals for dinner. You will need an ocean of energy to survive this training. Savor any rest you can. Goodnight, Zadahn Vali.”

  “Goodnight, Chief.”

  I listen to Raeis’s advice, entering my sleeping quarters to hear the snoring of Antarc, the purring of Sevilla, the whistle of Alexandria, and the tussling of sheets with Charlie. I close my eyes, collapsing onto my bed.

  “Zadahn.”

  “Zadahn.”

  “ZADAHN!”

  I’m cruelly fished out of my sleep by a clearly impatient Antarc, as he stands looming in the doorway of the ship’s quarters.

  “Y-yes, Antarc?”

  I rub my eyes, processing the time.

  “Everyone is already in the dining quarters. Your food is on the verge of being cold, and your training begins in thirty minutes. On your feet, Navaen soldier!”

  “Tch. Got it, Antarc. Thanks for the heads-up.”

  “Yeah, well get your head down here before you have to deal with a pissed off Raeis Fawra.”

  I jump up from my bed, changing into my garments in a burst of lightning, dashing past Antarc into the dining hall. There are three long tables spanning nearly the entire area of the hall. Two of them are entirely occupied by the Navaen Elite Warriors, and the third table is occupied by my guildmates, Raeis, and the four elders.

  Noticing their agitated expressions and my two plates of likely-cold food gathering dust next to them, I promptly take my seat.

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

  My usually-talkative guildmates sit silently, as Raeis finishes his nearly serving of Mushroom Bisque.

  He lets out a guttural burp, startling my guildmates and I back into perfect posture.

  Charlie momentarily takes his eyes off of his specifically-requested vegetable omelettes.

  “Sir– Chief-”

  Raeis turns his head to Charlie.

  “Yes, Home-lander?” He says, rubbing his stomach.

  “I’d like to formally apologize for the untimely arrival of my companion.”

  I avert my gaze embarrassingly, looking back to see the heads of Alexandria, Sevilla, Antarc, and even the Elders nodding in agreement. Can’t anyone advocate for me here? I want somebody to back me despite being admittedly wrong. Is that such a terrible thing?

  “I apologize, Chief. I assure you it will not-”

  To all of our surprise, the Chief laughs, interrupting me. I feel a mixture of relief and nervousness, as he ends his laugh with an abrupt slam to the table, regaining his composure.

  “It is your dreams that you insult by being late. You must not only prove to me that you’re prepared for the horrors of Celtor—You must also prove that to yourself. The later you prepare, the earlier monsters down there will eviscerate you. Above all else, Home-lander, I can assure you of one thing. If you do not commit your entire being in utter focus, you will march in ignorance to your death. Make that choice for yourself. As for the rest of you, do not fall behind.”

  I swallow every rebuttal I have, knowing that he is telling the truth.

  “I will devote myself entirely to your teachings.”

  The Chief stands up, pointing to my two untouched meals.

  “I have lectured enough. Next, comes discipline. Men!”

  He exclaims towards the tables of his elite soldiers.

  At his addressal, their clamor shifts to silence as I hear the clanking of utensils being placed on bowls.

  “Decide amongst yourselves who gets these untouched servings.”

  The battle-scarred veterans jump for joy, as they begin fighting over what was to be my sole energy-source for the next five hours.

  “Thank you, Chief!” They yell back synchronized.

  “Begin training within twenty minutes, soldiers.”

  “Yes, Chief!”

  “The five of you, follow me.”

  Alexandria, Charlie, Antarc, and Sevilla scarf down the remainder of their food, as we all stand to follow the Chief.

  Navigating through this labyrinth of a ship, we reach the bottom deck, a vast open ground used to transport siege-weapons. The floor is cold, and made of gray steel. I catch a breeze from the sea through the small windows lining the deck’s white walls. I savor it momentarily, before being brought back to reality by the Chief's impatient gaze.

  My guild and I stand shoulder to shoulder, as Raeis stands infront of us with his hands held behind his back, carefully observing us. Behind him, I notice five boulders, each a different shape and size.

  “For the next seven days, I will sharpen every aspect of your beings. In order to survive a singular night in Celtor, you mustn't be dull in any facet. I will surpass the limits of your fortitude, strength, agility, willpower, intelligence, and weapons proficiency, in that specific order. Your final lessons will be individualized training based on your elemental path. I am not an expert of Thundercall, Flamecharm, Galebreathe, or any element other than Frostdraw for that matter, but I have something that little to no other soul of our world does. An understanding of the song— Of the ether in the air that allows us to manipulate these primordial elements to our will. I will grant you a portion of this understanding, though you must all realize one thing before we begin.”

  The Chief takes a beat, pacing back and forth in front of us, eyeing us like a hungry wolf noticing a pack of vulnerable deerlings. Second thoughts overwhelm me, as I comprehend the hellish trials I'm about to be put through.

  “There will come moments of collapse throughout this journey. You are not my first apprentices, and I highly doubt you will be my last. There have been many who have not survived my apprenticeship, and whether you emerge through or not, is an accurate prediction of whether you will survive Celtor, as well as the battles to come at Minitrysa. Your final test will be surviving this war.”

  Antarc raises his hand.

  “Speak, Antarc.”

  “Sevilla and I are Attunementless, Chief. We were born without elemental affinity.”

  “I can speak for myself, Antar-“

  “I have a separate path for the two of you. See me after today’s lesson.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Sevilla says, sighing in relief.

  “Now then, shall we begin?” Raeis announces, slamming the bottom of the floor with his spear.

  The five of us exclaim unanimously.

  “Yes, Chief.”