In the chamber of the Dean's office, Elian and Res stood at attention, their expressions striking in contrasts. Elian's face bore a gloomy, unresponsive mask, his eyes seemingly lost in the shadows of his own thoughts. Res, on the other hand, stood with unwavering focus, her gaze sharp and alert, ready to absorb every detail of the impending mission.
Dean Cirala Thorne, undeterred by Elian's mood began to speak.
"You probably wonder why I called you" he said.
Elian and Res kept quiet. When he spoke again his voice had a sense of urgency in it "Elian, Res," he started, his voice carrying the weight of the task ahead, "I have a mission for you that requires your immediate attention."
Elian's gloomy expression remained unchanged, his face betraying little emotion as he listened to the Dean's words. Beside him, Res gave a slight smile, her eyes bright with anticipation, eager to learn the details of their assignment.
"Our intelligence reports have brought to our attention a troubling situation," Dean Thorne continued, his tone grave. "A young boy has escaped from an abusive family, but his actions since then have raised serious concerns."
A flicker of interest sparked in Elian's eyes at the mention of the boy's troubled past, though he kept his features carefully neutral. Res, sensing his subtle shift, shot him a quick glance before returning her attention to the Dean, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
"He's taken matters into his own hands," Dean Thorne continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "He's killed every member of his family and is now in possession of a dangerous artifact—a weapon of immense power."
Elian's somber demeanor shifted slightly, a pang of empathy tugging at his heartstrings as he processed the gravity of the situation. Though his expression remained guarded, beneath the surface, a wave of conflicting emotions raged within him.
"Your objective is clear," Dean Thorne stated firmly, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "You need to apprehend this boy and secure the weapon before it falls into the wrong hands."
Elian pushed himself off the wall with a slight nod, a sense of responsibility that he didn't want. He responded nonchalantly "Fine," he murmured softly, his voice tinged with resignation.
Res nodded in agreement, her resolve unwavering as she prepared herself for the daunting task ahead.
"A Veteran soldier Mr Zers will be waiting for you outside the corridor to brief you on the mission". The duo nodded. Dean Thorne being satisfied with their response, nodded in dismissal.
As Elian and Res stepped out of the Dean's office, they were met by a man waiting in the corridor. His presence commanded attention, his sharp features etched with a sense of authority that matched his confident demeanor. Mr. Zers, as he introduced himself, had a commanding presence, his piercing gaze seeming to see straight through them.
Tall and imposing, Mr. Zers had a rugged charm about him, with a chiseled jawline and piercing black eyes that seemed to hold a wealth of experience. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, framing his face in a way that accentuated his sharp features. Despite his stern appearance, there was a hint of warmth in his gaze, a glimmer of compassion that belied the seriousness of their mission.
Without wasting any time, Mr. Zers delved into the details of their assignment, his voice firm and authoritative. "Elian, Res," he began, his tone brooking no argument, "I've been tasked with briefing you on the specifics of your mission."
Elian's expression remained gloomy as he listened, his features betraying little emotion. Beside him, Res was eager to hear what he had to say, her eyes intent on Mr. Zers as he spoke, her focus unwavering.
"Our scouts have pinpointed the last known location of the boy," Mr. Zers continued, his voice steady produced a worn parchment from his cloak. Unfurling it with care, he revealed a crude sketch of the boy they sought. "He was spotted in the outskirts of the Veridan kingdom near the old ruins to the east."
As Elian and Res studied the drawing, their eyes fell upon the boy's striking features. His tanned skin spoke of hours spent under the sun, while his green hair set him apart from the crowd. Despite his youth, there was a sense of maturity in his gaze, a haunted look that spoke volumes about the trials he had endured.
"He's no older than ten," Res observed, her voice filled with sadness as she studied the boy's face. "What could drive someone so young to commit such acts?"
Mr. Zers nodded solemnly, his expression mirroring Res's concern. "That's what we're here to find out," he replied, his voice tinged with determination. "Our priority is to bring him in safely, but we need to tread carefully. He's armed and dangerous, and we can't afford to underestimate him."
Elian nodded in understanding, his mind already racing with thoughts of how best to approach the situation. Despite his gloomy demeanor, there was a spark of determination in his eyes, a resolve to see the mission through to its end.
"We leave at dawn," Mr. Zers stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "Be prepared for anything, and remember, the safety of the kingdom is our top priority."
With a final nod, Elian and Res turned to leave, their minds already focused on the task ahead. For Elian he was just interested in the boy and not the experience of the mission. Res was squealing like a little girl she was so happy that it was her first mission. When she looked at Elians expression she punched him and said" Your emotions are spoiling my mood". Elian shrugged he didn't really care at all about the mission.
That night Elian slept off fully aware that he was going on a mission the next day.
As the moon cast its silver glow through the window of Elian's room, he lay in his bed, enveloped in the embrace of sleep. His breathing was steady.
But suddenly, a sharp blast shattered the tranquility of the night, jolting Elian awake with a start. His eyes snapped open, confusion clouding his thoughts as the echo of the horn reverberated through the room.
Before he could fully grasp the situation, the door burst open, and in strode Mr. Zers, clad in armor that gleamed in the dim light of the room. His presence was commanding, his expression grave as he surveyed the room with a sense of urgency.
Beside Mr. Zers stood Res, her own armor less ornate but no less imposing, a testament to her skill and dedication. She wore it with the confidence of a seasoned warrior, her determination evident in every line of her stance.
"It's time, Elian," Mr. Zers announced, his voice cutting through the stillness of the room. With a swift motion, he presented a set of armor and dropped it onto Elian's bed, the metal plates clattering softly against the mattress.
Elian's gaze fell upon the armor, its craftsmanship evident even in the subdued light. Each piece was meticulously forged, every detail a testament to the skill of the kingdom's finest artisans. The breastplate gleamed with a polished sheen. The pauldrons, were full of spikes and rivets and exuded an aura of ferocity and danger. The armor was fit for a king.
He doned the helm felling the cold metal slide ontop of his head. The helmet had curved horns at each corner and had a special visor that only covered half of his face leaving the other half of his face exposed.
As Elian rose from his bed and began to don the armor, he felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins. His gloomy attitude momentarily gone as he wore the cool looking armor ready for battle.