Chapter 6: The Call to Arms: A New Era of Warriors
General Zephyr stood before the assembled group, his piercing gaze sweeping over each of them. "Listen well, for the history of our war with the Xeltharans is long and complex," he began, his deep voice resonating through the chamber.
"For centuries, a bitter struggle for dominance has raged between our two races. The Xeltharans, with their advanced technology and ruthless tactics, have pushed us to the brink of extinction time and time again. But we have persevered, thanks to the strength and courage of warriors like yourselves."
The General paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Each day, after your homeroom sessions, you will hone your skills in one of three specialized classes. The first, Qi training, will teach you to harness the power of your mind and unlock abilities you never knew you possessed. You will learn to read the thoughts of your enemies, to manipulate energy fields, and to bend the very fabric of reality to your will."
"The second class, fighting, will transform you into lethal weapons of war. You will master every form of martial arts known to our people, from the fluid grace of the Zephyrian style to the brutal efficiency of the Xeltharan techniques. You will become living instruments of death, capable of taking on entire armies single-handedly. And finally, the third class will focus on developing your unique abilities. Each of you possesses a special gift, learn to use it well make sure your ability doesn't control you but you control it."
Just before the bell began ringing to signal the end of class, he urgently informed the recruits to choose their preferred classes from the three options before the week ended. With the teachers arriving next week, these classes would officially begin and they needed to have their decision before the week's end.
As the bell chimed, signaling the end of the homeroom session, an electric tension filled the air. The recruits buzzed with anticipation, eager to prove themselves and secure their place in the coveted fighting class. Among them, two figures stood out, their auras pulsing with a fierce determination that set them apart from the rest.
Zara, a lithe and agile warrior with eyes that gleamed like polished emeralds, strode forward with the grace of a panther. Her raven hair, braided tightly against her scalp, swayed with each confident step. She had trained for this moment her entire life, honing her skills in the ancient arts of hand-to-hand combat and mastering the intricate techniques of the Zephyrian style.
On the other side of the room, Raven, a broad-shouldered titan with a chiseled physique, exuded an aura of raw power. His golden eyes smoldered with an intensity that seemed to burn through anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Raven had forged his strength in the crucible of the Xeltharan fighting pits, emerging as a champion among the most brutal and merciless warriors in the world.
As the recruits dispersed, murmurs of speculation and admiration rippled through the crowd. It was clear that Zara and Raven were the frontrunners for the fighting class, their reputations preceding them like the echoes of a war drum.
Cid's goal was to become a formidable warrior, making the fighter class an obvious choice for him. As the week progressed, he desired to hone his combat skills, but was unsure of how to do so. Seeking guidance, he returned to his roommate, Cayden. Meanwhile, in the world of vampires, there was an underground mafia syndicate comprising ten powerful families, all of whom were vampires. Leaders from each family came together to form a Coven Council, which controlled the families. The Coven Council designated one member as the King or Queen, who held the most power and made the final decision. Currently, the throne belonged to Queen Carmelina, whose daughter Dee Dee was being groomed to take over as a Royal Knight in case her mother ever fell into eternal sleep. However, Dee Dee was not content with her secluded life and constant training; she longed to explore the world and form genuine friendships, free from those who only sought her favor because of her royal lineage. To fulfill this desire, she devised a plan to sneak out of the Vampire settlement and enter the human territory, which vampires called "the human settlement". Humans had always fascinated Dee Dee - their drive and kindness drew her admiration and respect - and she couldn't resist the opportunity to meet them personally.
As night descended upon the vampire settlement, Dee Dee prepared for her daring escape. She had meticulously planned every detail, studying the guard rotations and memorizing the layout of the underground tunnels that snaked beneath the city. With a heavy cloak draped over her shoulders and a small pack of supplies slung across her back, she slipped silently from her quarters, her footsteps barely a whisper against the cold stone floors.
Dee Dee navigated the labyrinthine passages with practiced ease, her heightened senses guiding her through the darkness. The musty scent of ancient earth and the distant drip of water echoed in her ears as she wound her way deeper into the bowels of the settlement. Her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, the thrill of the unknown sending electric shivers down her spine.
At last, she reached the hidden exit, a narrow crack in the wall that led to the surface world above. Dee Dee paused for a moment, steeling herself for the journey ahead. She knew the risks, the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of the vampire realm, but her desire for adventure and connection burned brighter than any fear.
With a deep breath, she squeezed through the opening, emerging into the cool night air. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow across the sprawling human settlement that stretched out before her. Dee Dee marveled at the sight, the twinkling lights and distant sounds of life so different.
As Dee Dee ventured forth into the human settlement, the cacophony of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed her senses. Colorful stalls and shops lined the bustling streets, displaying their wares in a dazzling array of hues and textures. The aroma of sizzling meats and spices wafted through the air, mingling with the heady scent of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens.
Dee Dee wandered through the labyrinthine alleys, her eyes wide with wonder as she absorbed every detail. Humans of all ages and walks of life surrounded her, their laughter and chatter a melodic symphony to her ears. Energetic children dashed past, their joyful laughter filling the air, as older couples ambled side by side, their faces reflecting a life well lived.
As she turned a corner, Dee Dee found herself in a vibrant marketplace, its stalls overflowing with exotic fruits, handcrafted trinkets, and bolts of shimmering fabric. Merchants called out their wares, their voices rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence. The young vampire princess couldn't resist the temptation to explore, to immerse herself in this fascinating world so different from her own.
Lost in the wonders surrounding her, Dee Dee failed to notice that her wanderings had taken her perilously close to the outskirts of a military settlement. Suddenly, as she turned down a narrow alley, the sounds of the major thoroughfare fading to a distant murmur, Dee Dee suddenly found herself face to face with a group of armed soldiers. Their uniforms were crisp and sharp, their postures rigid with discipline. They eyed her with suspicion, their hands resting on the hilts, ready to draw their weapons. Upon seeing it was just a young-looking girl, they relaxed.
"Are you a student of the military school?" they asked her. Uncertain of how to reply, she hesitated before answering. "Yes," she finally said, "I was gone on a family expedition and just got back. Unfortunately, that meant I missed the recruitment for joining the military. But I figured I'd come to this nearby base and see if there was still a chance to Enter." The Soldiers nodded in understanding.
The Soldier General called into his superior and got Dee Dee Enrolled immediately when ask what ability she had. She said Aerokinesis. Dee Dee was then escorted towards the school. At the same time Cid who had made his way back to his dorm room to find Cayden to ask of a way he can train finally found him and asked, he then told him about an area in the forest where they keep Rare and Elite Tier beats they captured for students to fight if they are confident enough. Cayden mentioned that the best time to go by train is a dawn so he should go tomorrow. So they went to their dorm for the day and got to know each other.
As Dee Dee walked with the soldiers towards the military academy, her mind raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She had never expected her impulsive adventure to lead her here, to the very heart of human society. Yet, as they approached the towering gates of the military academy, a thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins.
Perhaps this was the opportunity she had been searching for all along - a chance to forge her own path, to prove herself beyond the confines of her royal lineage and finally meet people that care about her for who she was and not the family she was born into.
A Solider escorted her through the winding corridors of the academy, past training rooms filled with the clang of weapons and the grunts of sparring students. Dee Dee's keen senses picked up on the heady scent of sweat and determination that permeated the air, a testament to the dedication and strength of the human warriors who trained her.
At last, they arrived at a grand hall, its vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes depicting epic battles and heroic feats. A stern-faced officer greeted them, his eyes narrowing as he appraised Dee Dee with a critical gaze. The soldiers explained her situation, and after a moment of consideration, the officer nodded curtly.
"Very well," he said, his voice a deep rumble. We will test your abilities to determine what military division we will put you in. Report to the rare and elite tier beast training ground at dawn tomorrow. There, you will face a challenge that will determine your strength. They then gave her a dorm room for the night.
As the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Dee Dee and Cid found themselves at the edge of the dense forest, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The rare and elite tier beast training ground lay before them, a sprawling expanse of untamed wilderness where only the bravest and most skilled dared to venture. Dee Dee Caught Cid's scent with her vampire nose smelling that he was a halfling this made her smile a bit as she found a future vampire friend but what confused her more was that she did not recognize Cid, as the daughter of the Queen she knew the faces of most vampires that were in the settlement. Although she chose to ignore this for the time being.
Dee Dee adjusted her grip on her weapon, a sleek and deadly blade forged from the finest Zephyrian steel. Her heart pounded with a mixture of nerves and excitement as she scanned the tree line, her heightened senses alert for any sign of movement. Beside her, Cid stood tall and resolute, his broad shoulders squared and his golden eyes gleaming with determination. Before entering Cid greeted Dee Dee and introduced himself stretching out his hand for a handshake but in that moment as you looked at her he was a bit taken aback my name is Cid he said nervously because he was aback by how beautiful she was, ignoring the apparent shot on his face from seeing her as she was used to this by now she grabbed his hand and introduced herself my name is Dee Dee but you can call me Dee. Dee and Cid entered the forest together. Dee was nervous because she had never had a genuine friend before. Cid felt the same way. As they walked through the forest, Cid decided to use his special ability to learn more about Dee because he was curious. He looked at her as they walked and in his mind said inspect, and a voice spoke in his head.
Name: Dee Dee
Species: Vampire ( Vampire Nobel Royal)
You're a Vampire Cid suddenly said, and she looked at him saying yes I am and you're a halfling right?
Cid's eyes widened in surprise at Dee Dee's words. "How did you know I'm a halfling?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Dee Dee smiled enigmatically, her fangs glinting in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the forest canopy. "I could smell it on you," she replied, tapping her nose with a slender finger. "We vampires have heightened senses, you know. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
Cid nodded slowly, processing this new information. He had always been careful to keep his true nature hidden, knowing the prejudice and fear that often followed those vampires. Yet here was Dee Dee, the first vampire he had met treating him with a casual familiarity. Plus she was extremely beautiful.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with the scent of wild beasts and ancient magic. Dee Dee's muscles tensed, her body poised for action as she scanned the shadows for any sign of danger. Beside her, Cid's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at a moment's notice.
Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the stillness, sending a flock of birds scattering from the treetops in a flurry of beating wings. The ground trembled beneath their feet as a massive creature emerged from the undergrowth, its eyes blazing with fire and fury. Cid used his inspection skill on the Colossal Nue Beast and was astonished by what he saw. He quickly raised his voice, exclaiming, "This is an Ancient Tier Beast!" Dee, noticing the gravity of the situation, also became serious. She had never encountered a beast of this caliber before. A screen suddenly appeared in front of Cid, instructing him to defeat the opponent, to evolve instantly. Shocked by the message, Cid smiled slightly. He wasn't sure exactly how evolving would change him, but he knew it meant becoming stronger. And standing beside him was someone incredibly powerful; maybe he could reach her level with this evolution.