Avryn got up and got a good look at himself. His hands were thick with Ulver’s blood. He looked towards Ulver, who was now cowering behind his father.

  “And winner, by way of disqualification, Ulver Olesin!” it was announced.

  Avryn frowned. This fight was not worth winning. He walked back to the tunnels, where his friends were waiting. He returned to them with a somber expression. The adrenaline had worn off and his hands were shaking. Parts of the skin by his knuckles were torn off. Jenilah was first to meet him. He assured them all he was alright, and that he used his full strength today. He was tired, but still concerned for Harver. He explained his actions to them, and they all understood. They didn’t blame him for what happened.

  They returned to the stands and met with Oliviere once again. He was applauding Avryn.

  “Well done, Mr. Starbright, well done.” he congratulated him.

  He offered him a place in his personal guard when his soldier’s life is complete. With that, the Battle Festival had come to an end. The Academy’s graduation ceremony commenced. The seniors of the year had been given a huge send off. There was something oddly different this time around. Headmaster Aldric was given the podium. He addressed the student body,

  “As some of you may know, there have been some stirrings around The Chain, coalition of the five nations.” he exclaimed. “The time to help propel the world forward has come.”

  He further explained an emergency draft had been called. This news shocked the entire academy. The instructors helped shush down the students. The upcoming third and fourth years would also accompany the seniors in the draft. Numerous murmurs and whispers were in response. Aldric reassured them of everything. They wouldn’t have made this decision lightly.

  Avryn looked to his friends. They had one month left before the draft. They decided to make the best time of it. That afternoon, Harver came to Avryn’s dorm and asked him for a favor.

  “What’s the favor?” he asked.

  “There’s this bakery in Storia, and I need your help to get there,” Harver pointed to his injured leg.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “No problem, man, we’ll take a cab there,” Avryn suggested.

  They made some light conversation during the ride there. Avryn asked how the leg was holding up. Harver said he would be ready by the time of the draft. That was good.

  “Oh, driver, make a stop here,” Harver pointed.

  “You got it,”

  They paid the fare and disembarked. Avryn helped Harver into the establishment. The bakery owner immediately recognized Harver and helped him to the nearby chair. Avryn recognized the woman. She was with him when they went to the theater.

  “Avryn, this is Rietta, my love,” Harver introduced them. “Love, this is Avryn.”

  “Nice to meet you, miss Rietta,” Avryn smiled.

  “Nice to meet you, Avryn. Thanks for being such a help to Harver, especially now,” she bowed to him.

  “Well, Harver’s my guy. It’s my duty to,” he assured her. “I’ll leave you two to it, then.”

  He went outside to wait. It was nice seeing Harver happy this time. He wondered if he would find something like that, himself. His intrusive thoughts had gotten the better of him. Of course, there were plenty of beautiful girls he had met, but he didn’t know how to act in such a way. He wondered if he would even have time for love serving the soldier’s life. There was also still much of the world he needed to explore, that was his main goal.

  Avryn leaned back and wondered at all the possibilities. His first thoughts were of Rinna. He spent the most time with her, but it seemed like she was too focused on one thing other than pursuing romance with someone. They did clicked though, at least in fighting. He thought of Jenilah next. She was the kindest. He started to think out loud before he saw the actual Jenilah was trying to catch his attention.

  He was surprised by her and almost fell down.

  “Oh, Jenilah, how long were you there for?” he asked her.

  “About a minute. What were you thinking of that made you smile like that, I wonder?” she teased him.

  “Oh, um, nothing important,” he excused himself. “Why are you here?”

  “The gang’s gonna have a picnic and Harver said this bakery has some good treats, so I decided to take a cab here,” she explained.

  “Oh, alright,” he leaned back.

  Jenilah waited expectantly.

  “Uh…yes?” Avryn asked.

  “I don’t know the place, and I need an escort, if only a big strong man was around,” she toyed.

  “Oh, alright,” he agreed with her.

  He guided her inside the store. Jenilah wrapped her arms around his as they made their way inside. Rietta greeted the two of them. Harver was trying to keep his laughter in check after seeing Avryn all flustered. Jenilah bought food enough for eight people. Harver finished up and the three made their way back to the Academy. They had a picnic just by the shore north of there. They enjoyed their food and began their discussions. Unlike their seniors, they only had basic training under their belt, and wondered if that would be enough.

  “I’m sure they’ll just give us basic assignments,” Kiria spoke up.

  “The only thing a soldier needs is the ability to follow commands,” Harver commented. “Ain’t that right, Avryn?”

  Indeed, Avryn was the only one with the experience. He nodded to Harver and agreed.

  “They fast forwarded us two years. I wonder what for?” Tvira questioned.

  “Something big. I wonder what it is?” Leifren gets into his thoughts.

  Rinna was quiet throughout this. Avryn wondered what she was thinking of.

  “Well, we’re ready as we can be. We just need to trust the man fighting beside us to have our backs,” Avryn suggested.

  It was sound advice. Whatever may happen, they could look towards the veterans. As Avryn’s thoughts were on it, he was looking forward to meet Leandros again. He looked up to the distant horizon. Grey clouds hovered over the distant Lost Lands. Thunder rumbled in the distance. The two squads looked to the sea. It would be a matter of time they would step foot in those lands. They all wondered how much longer would it take for them to come home in one piece. The waves ebbed. They were one step closer to destiny.