Author's notes:
<>.
— I use this for dialogue.
—Yes, sir. —he says, in a firm voice. —Received, sir.
A few seconds later he comes out of the booth.
—Well, boy, you can come in.
—I beg your pardon? —Caleb says to him, clearly angry.
—It turns out that he has been invited to come, by the captain himself.
—By the captain? —he replies in surprise, as he turns, enraged.
They exchange brief glances.
—Follow me boy, I'll take you to the entrance.
He was young too, a little older than him but about 25 at the most.
Yariel steps over the white line, crossing paths with Caleb, who didn't look away for a moment. You could almost say that time froze. The tension could be felt between them.
After a few yards, they are almost at the foot of the wall. It is ancient and up close it was more overwhelming than expected... the white coloured stone that covered it was in a very good state of preservation, apart from the fact that in some parts there was some damage, which could be due to time or an old war.
The main gate has not been accessible for years. They pass through another side, a more recent construction that crosses the wall from its base, from one end to the other. It was much less ostentatious, for personnel and vehicles. Similar to a bunker, double metal gates, tall and wide.
Swipe a card through a slot and it activates a keypad system. Entering a multi-digit code opened a small hatch, a retinal reader. He moved his face a little closer and instantly a screen lit up in green.
[Access allowed]
—Access allowed.
Said a female, robotic voice. Pretty high and effective security measures for sure... but cumbersome for everyone who wants to get in and out.
—You seem to have piqued Mr. Kassian's interest. —I commented after passing through the first door.
They entered a corridor, four metres wide by another three or four metres long... simple. It was basically a tunnel, somewhat plain and undecorated, but quite well lit. The ceiling lights followed a straight line to the next door, similar to the entrance.
—I imagine this is your first time here. —This time his tone is much more approachable, without mockery.
—Yes... -he replies.
—Well, then... —he says as he rests his hand on a digital reader.
''beep... beep... beep... BAAP!''
[Access allowed]
-Access allowed.
—...let me welcome you to...—he says as the gates open and beams of light reflect off his face.
— ...the red fortress.
After these words were spoken, the gates opened wide.
The layout of the fortress was incredible. First of all, its size stood out, it was colossal on both sides. It could not be perceived from the outside. To say it is gigantic is an understatement, the sight was overwhelming and no book tells you how big it is. In fact, there is not much information about the barracks in terms of its design.
It is not even fair to call it a barracks, it could literally have the dimensions of a big city, but walled in. There are some pictures and facts in the books, after all it is part of our history and it is said that it could be about 1500 years old, but there is a lot of mystery around it.
There was a huge path through some miles of dirt and grass, I could even make out a lake in the distance and at the end of it all, you came to the main castle. It's true that ''the fortress'' is more fitting, but maybe they mean the whole thing, with the walls and everything surrounding the main castle.
—Hey boy, are you going to stay there all day? Hop on, we won't be long.
—Y-yes.
The truth was that he had become absorbed in the image. He had read a lot about the red fortress when he was little, but he had never imagined it to be so overwhelming. It was really big - bigger than he had thought.
Just outside the entrance there was a jeep-style car with no windows, just like a safari car. From a distance, it was logical and made perfect sense.
Once on the road, Yariel could see to the right and to the left. Yariel could see to the right and left different groups of Dakunaitos practising different physical exercises, mastering the elements, handling weapons... In some areas they were fighting in groups of two and in others they were performing some kind of meditation on a pillar that rose up several metres. It is understood that the entire esplanade surrounding the castle is a training area.
From inside the Jeep and as I drove along the path towards the castle, I could sense that the proportion of people was getting smaller as I went along. So did their uniforms, and the hangars were getting bigger and bigger. Finally there were some buildings that you couldn't see what was inside, they were like sealed pavilions that led to some underground area.
[Reserved Zone - Rank 4'']
In the total population census, approximately 16% of the world was said to have the gift. Of which only 5% were actually ''functional'' and less than 2% could use it in a useful way, either for good or ill.
In the dakunaitos it is normal for the vast majority to be of that 2%. But it is one thing to be able to belong to that group and another to learn to master the gift. At this point only a few within the clan reached. Rank 4 was the first step on the officer ladder. The lower the number, the greater the power.
When they arrived at their destination, the main entrance to the castle, they both got out of the car.
<
Nothing like those tall, square, grey stone medieval ones, no. This was something more sophisticated and majestic. This was something more sophisticated and majestic, like a gothic cathedral.
-Well, that's as far as it goes. From now on you go on, and when you go through the door you will find a table where the next companion will explain where you have to go.
—Okay, thank you.
—See you. -He replies as he turns and climbs back into the car.
Yariel takes one last look at the card before turning around. This is an important moment, he doesn't quite know what he's doing there, but he feels a welcoming sensation, as if he's been there before, as if he already knows the place.
After coming to, he walks to the doors. When he opens the doors he finds a huge hall. It looked like a hotel reception, but in a big way. There were no benches to sit on, just a long red carpet with gold and patterned borders. The ceiling was very high and the room was crossed by several white columns, the walls were made of stone. At the end of the carpet was a long table with two computer screens and two people behind it.
<
Yariel was walking while looking around. The room was decorated with different paintings depicting ancient battles. Some of them looked familiar from history books, others were disturbing. The room was lit by a huge transparent window in the ceiling. You could like it more or less, but it was certainly unique architecture.
About halfway down the carpet, you notice the 3 huge screens hanging high on the far wall, just above the table. On the first is a sort of ranking... a list of 30 people with names that didn't ring a bell, except for one:
[''3rd Position: Caleb Levine'']
It was the same person as before, the younger brother of his best friend.
<
Including that sorting would be important for something in particular.
After walking all the way across the carpet to the table, he encounters a tall woman. Of the two people, she was the only one who stood up. She had red hair and a pale complexion, with many freckles. She wasn't old, I'd say she was about his age.
—Good morning, I've come to... —He tries to say until he is interrupted.
—Go up the stairs to the left. On the next floor turn right and go down the corridor. At the end you will reach a lift. Go to floor 4, walk straight to the end, once there. They will tell you what to do, is that clear?
—Eh....
—Left-Stairs, right-elevator, straight ahead-Table. —he repeats.
—I think I've got it... I'm going for those, aren't I? —he asks pointing to the stairs.
—Exactly right, luminaries.
<
He read his uniform.
—Do you want an autograph or what?
—No, no, I'm sorry
<
After that brief encounter. He followed the woman's directions carefully, the place was huge and he was looking in great detail everywhere. Admiring the style and decoration.
<
Majestic and well cared for in detail. It is as if it were an ancient palace of royalty, but a bit more modern. Another thing that struck him was the delicacy and cleanliness of the place. Nothing was missing, nothing was superfluous. Everything was spacious and sophisticated, but it didn't feel stuffy, perhaps the size and spaciousness of it all made it feel light. Every staircase, every step, every window, everything was big.
After turning and walking down a long corridor full of large windows, small figures and paintings, he saw the lift in the distance.
<
When he arrived he pressed the button to call it and after a few seconds the door opened. But before he enters he notices someone standing next to him. A young man with completely white hair, with the same uniform as the ones he had met at the entrance and reception of the castle, but let's say he was a bit more unkempt, even dishevelled.
—You first... —he says as he gives way to the young man.
—...
—Ha, ha, ha, ha... —she smiles as she signals him to give way, insisting.
—Well... then, I guess I'll go through... ha, ha, ha...
Yariel passes first and stands waiting for the boy to pass, but seeing that he was still standing still, he simply presses his button.
[4th Floor]
After a few seconds, when the doors begin to close, the boy enters without saying a word. It was as if he had not noticed his presence, or was in another world. He was a person younger than him, two or three years? I'd also say he's an albino, that would explain the colour of his hair and his skin tone, pinkish.
<
***
Tin, tan.
The doors opened and the boy stood still, not coming out. Yariel walks past him, trying not to touch him. Of course it hadn't even been 30 minutes and he had already had several strange situations inside the barracks.
After exiting, he leaves the lift behind and walks to the end, the lift doors closing without the boy flinching. Following the directions, he eventually reached another table. This time it was a much more adult man, he looked serious, formal, well groomed and with spotless uniform. He was the first person who inspired confidence and respect in him since he had entered through the wall.
<
<
<
—...
He stares straight at the man, who looks back at him.
—...
[GRAHAM]
<
—...
Yariel watches him, trying to stand as straight as possible.
<
<
—Gr...—the sir starts to emit a slight grunt.
<>.
Suddenly:
—What the fuck do you want?!
—Ah! Shit!!...I mean!...S-sorry, sir, I was just waiting for....
—Waiting for what?! Are you an idiot or what? You're just staring at me like I'm supposed to guess what the fuck you want?!
—I'm sorry! It's just that before...
—I don't give a shit!
Then he hurries up and pulls out the card, holding out his hand.
Taking it and noting that it was a business card, he looks up to see Yariel again, from head to toe. He repeated the motion several times, suspiciously.
—Right, sit there and be quiet, huh? -pointing to a bench in front of him.
—Y-yes, I got it!
<
As he sits down, Mr Graham calls on an old cable phone. He mutters under his breath and then hangs up.
<>.
More than ten minutes passed, ten long, interminable minutes in which the man didn't look away from him for a second, without blinking. What kind of person doesn't blink once in ten minutes?
The lift opened again and he heard footsteps approaching, although he couldn't see who it was as his back was turned.
—Good morning, Petty Officer Graham. —said Graham, who arrived with some books in his hand and a briefcase in the other.
—At your orders, Lieutenant Wyte. —replied the other. —The guy waiting for you is quite suspicious, I'd say he has some kind of disorder. If you order me to, I'll get rid of him.
<
—Oh yeah? hahaha that won't be necessary. Send him in in five minutes.
—Yes sir.
***
The longest 5 minutes in history. After five minutes, the suboficial stands up and says to him.
—This way. —Firmly and emphatically.
—Followed. —He answers without giving it any more importance.
He leads him past the side of his desk and through a dark wooden double door.
—Thank you very much...
¡Pum!
He slammed the door shut.
<>.
He had entered a sort of library or study centre - you know those famous fantasy illustrations where you could see huge bookshelves several feet high, with books, tables and chairs everywhere? Well, that place was something like that, but with at least 3 floors.
—Relax, the suboficial doesn't like anyone. I doubt he can even stand himself, hahaha. —says a man in the middle of the room.
—I'm sorry, what?
—Petty Officer Graham... he's very meticulous about his work, he doesn't usually trust anyone.
—Ah... haha no problem... mmm... Who are you?
—Just a simple librarian, but that's irrelevant.... and yet you ask it in the presence of one of the greatest ancient history libraries on the planet.
<
His dream since childhood was to belong to the dakunaitos, and his greatest hero had invited him in person. But with every step he took, all he did was to have more doubts, he looked like an elephant in a glass figurine shop, why was he there?
—Ha, ha, ha, ha.... Relax kid, I'm just staying with you. —he says as he walks towards the centre of the library.
There is a white stone altar, where some water rests. It looked like one of those baptismal fonts.
—My name is Noah White, the highest ranking officer in this sector and head of the Red Fortress academy training under Captain Darius.