Alex woke up early one morning to the sound of other children calling out cammands. She sighed softly, climbing down from the top bunk of her bed. Stretching she glanced at her alarm clock then groaned softly. 'Late again...'

She quickly ran to the shared bathroom grabbing her neatly folded pile of clothes. In a few minutes she was bursting out the front door of the tree cabin, a cloak tightly wrapped around her shoulders. Alex made her way down a rope bridge to the lower areas of the tree fortress.

A tall blonde girl, slightly thicker than the others greeted her when she walked in with a big hug. "Alex! We thought you were going to sleep all morning!"

"If only I could, Val." Alex huffed as she tried to pull away from the bigger girl.

Another girl around the same size as Alex made her way over chuckling at them. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and curled at the ends. She wore dark clothes similar to the other two. Her eyes were a dark brown, soothing when she was calm.

"Val...let go of Alex please. You know she hates that." Mak said in a commanding voice, though they knew she was playing.

Alex sighed softly when Val let her go. The three of them shared a small laugh each one of them finding humour in themselves. The small joke ceased when an older man walked over to them, the wrinkles in his face making him have a permanent frown. His outfit consisted of dark reds and navy blues.

"I understand the 3 of you were recently promoted to minimal generals, but you still have to work like the rest of them" His voice was hard but it wasnt mean or angry just, matter of fact.

Mak and Val nodded apologizing immediately. Alex only tipped her head in acknowledgement as she did with all of the adults. She followed the other two as they walked away with their heads down towards their stations.

Alex watched as Val crossed the bridge that lead to the clothing structure and Mak headed towards the brewery. (potions and spells) She sighed softly making her way to the armory. Today was going to be a long day...

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The soft whistle from a mechanical flute signalled the day was over. Alex took off her welding mask and set it on the bench she was currently working at. Her boylenth hair was slicked down with sweat, partially blinding her. All around her the others in her faction were setting their tools aside or fixing minor repairs last minute. She sighed softly, relieved she had finished one of the high generals swords before the end of the day. The blue tinted sword that layed on her bench barely showed signs of repair, which was good. Her reputation of the best smith in her faction was not going to be tarnished tonight.

She grabbed her cloak which she had set aside and strode towards the door. When she met up with Val and Mak in the dinning hall she had to suppress a giggle. Maks hair was frizzed out and her clothes visibly singed. Val on the other hand just looked tired, she twirled her fork quietly as she ate. She was probably thinking of designs for the newer faction that was going to be joining them.

Alex realized it would be soon that the other would join. The fourth great oak was fully grown and another great hall and several side buildings were being built in and off of its limbs and trunk. She couldn't wait to be honest. The new faction was supposed to be farmers and gatherers. It was a wonder they had made it this far into the year without them. They had been surviving off of food shipments and lucky patrol parties.

Alex finished her plate then tilted her head waiting for the others. When both of them nodded they each stood and carried their empty plates to a platform already filling with other dirty plates. They wasted no time is hurrying out and back to their cabin, Cabin number 148 also part of Sector Black.

Val being the first one in wasted no time in packing her bag for the weekend. Mak followed suit more slowly. Alex laughed softly walking to her bunk she grabbed her already prepared backbag from under her sector issued pillow. Then she reached under her covers and pulled out a short sword. She had forged it secretly, and when others asked she claimed it was for a general. The blade was made out of carbon steel with 3% trace of iron, its hilt was wrapped in strips of hardened leather for better grip. Alex made sure it was sheathed properly before tucking it into the waist band of her shorts.

"Are you ready, Alex?" Val called from the door.

"Well duh, I havent seen my family in two weeks. I've been waiting for this break." Alex smirked as she threw the bag over her shoulder and walked towards them.

Not long after they had made their way down the rope bridges leading to the door way into the trunk of the Third Great Oak Tree that their sector was held within the braches of. Alex groaned softly as they made their way inside and began the trek down what felt like thousands of stairs. After what felt like 30 minutes of walking downwards they made it to the outer door.

Mak was practically dancing with excitement. Val also couldnt help but put a hop in her step. 'They were finally going to see their families after what felt like forever! Only though it had been two weeks...' Alex kept her excitement down as they pulled the doors open and walked out. They still had to go out the last outer gate before they could travel on the path towards their home city.

Alex followed beside Mak as they trailed after a fast paced Val. Mak and Alex made small comments back and forth laughing, occasionally getting Val's attention until they made it to the gates.

"Halt! State you name. What sector are you from and where are you headed?" A guard dressed in light grey armour stood infront of them. His eyes were icy as he stared them down.

"Alex Thrave. I am from Sector Black and I am headed to the town Monteli."

"Makayla Berns. I'm from Sector Black and I'm going to Monteli as well."

"Valentine Harper. Im from the Sector Black and I'm headed to the same place as them."

"Very well. Now your symbol." The guard sighed softly.

Alex sighed then pushed her cloak back to reveal her right shoulder. A black fox silhouette tattoo or rather known as a marking showed on her upper bishep near her shoulder. Nodding the guard turned to Val who raised her left shorts leg. She sported a magenta elephant silhouette on her thigh. Alex watched as the guard gave a small chuckle then turned towards Mak. Mak sighed as she tilted her head to show a teal owl silhouette marking on her neck.

"Ok, you three may go. Be careful travelers have been reporting strange creatures." He nodded to us then gave a shout to the guards higher on the gate to open it.

Alex pulled ber cloak around her tightly and raised her hood up as she watches the gates slowly open. 'Finally'. She started walking out of the gates the other two soon following. She noticed Val glance back as the gates closed. Now they were officially on their own til they got to their families.