Everyone bid their farewells to Ram. Safal, though visibly nervous, mustered the courage to wish him luck. Meanwhile, Varun, brimming with urgency, turned to the informant and demanded, "In which village were the Peacekeepers stationed? And who leads their force?"
The informant's expression darkened as he hesitated, his voice quivering as he answered, "They're in Arjun's village, East Lodge. As for the leader… it's the Supreme Highkeeper, Kaelan Drayke—the cold-blooded executor."
The words struck Varun like a thunderbolt. His face paled, his body trembled, and he felt as though the earth had been ripped from beneath him. An overwhelming wave of fear consumed him, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
"Everyone, hide!" Varun's voice cracked as he barked the order. "Protect yourselves. Do not, under any circumstances, approach that village. There's a… MONSTER there."
The sheer terror in Varun's voice was infectious. The students, upon witnessing their master's fear, scrambled to find shelter, retreating deep into their cells. Yet, amidst the chaos, Ram and the informant prepared to head toward East Lodge. The informant tried to reassure him, "Do as they say. They're just recruiting… they won't do anything drastic, I hope."
As they approached the village, the sight before them was entirely unexpected. People from across the islands had gathered, eager to be recruited into the Peacekeepers. A sprawling line of boys and girls stretched before the counter where names and ages were being recorded. Over five hundred hopefuls awaited their chance.
The atmosphere was electric when a young woman stepped forward to address the crowd. Her commanding presence silenced the murmurs. "We are Peacekeepers," she declared, her voice resonating with authority.
A thunderous cheer erupted, echoing the pride in her words. She continued, "I am Aria Vos, the 129th Captain of Peacekeeper Force-II. As you know, each continent's Peacekeepers are designated by a Roman numeral, and we represent this one. We are not here to impose but to extend a hand of help. The Peacekeepers are outnumbered by the pirates and so-called freedom fighters who seek chaos. Today, we recruit brave souls willing to stand for peace in the name of the Great Seven Rulers."
Another wave of applause erupted.
Aria's expression softened as she added, "Those who join us will undergo rigorous training, learn the laws, and gain the strength to protect their homeland. Patience is key. Please wait for your turn."
Amidst the clamor, Ram's heart sank. A mere captain commanded such respect and reverence—and yet, she was just one cog in the enormous machinery of the Peacekeepers. He laughed bitterly at his twisted fate.
When his turn came, an elderly man at the counter asked, "Name and age?"
"Ram Paster," he answered, forcing confidence into his voice. "Sixteen."
In truth, Ram was only eleven. His muscular frame and tall stature belied his age, and the lie went unquestioned. As he was registered, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. He had walked away from one peril only to face another.
Back at their hideout, Safal, Kavya, and Arjun surrounded Varun, questions swirling in their minds. Kavya broke the silence. "Master, why are you so terrified of the Supreme Highkeeper? Is he truly that powerful?"
Varun's expression turned grim. "Powerful? That word doesn't even begin to describe him. Kaelan Drayke is a monster. If he discovers us, we're as good as dead."
The room fell silent as Varun's voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with memories. "Two years ago, my chief, Nishan, and two others—all rookie freedom fighters—set sail on a mission. They were young, just eighteen, but they had the strength to take down one of the ten furious Freedom fighter gangs."
Varun's hands trembled as he continued. "But… they crossed paths with Kaelan Drayke. Within moments, two of them were slaughtered. Nishan survived by sheer luck, but he was never the same. Kaelan doesn't just kill; he executes. If you ever encounter him, pray for a swift end, because suffering is inevitable."
Meanwhile, Ram observed the bustling recruitment with mixed feelings. Among the recruits, a girl named Aria Vos stood out, her confidence and charisma inspiring awe. Yet, despite her motivational speech, Ram couldn't shake the feeling that he was plunging headfirst into a storm.
The line inched forward, and Ram tried to stay inconspicuous. He couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations. Most recruits were driven by desperation, hoping for food, shelter, or a chance to escape their grim realities. For Ram, this was less about choice and more about survival.
Back at the hideout, a sudden commotion broke the tension. An eagle swooped in, delivering a letter to Varun. His eyes scanned the parchment, and a rare smile broke across his face. "We've been invited to a tournament at Lion's King Continent!" he announced.
The room erupted into cheers. The fear and uncertainty of Kaelan Drayke's shadow momentarily lifted, replaced by excitement and anticipation. For the students, the tournament was a chance to prove themselves, to compete, and perhaps, to reclaim their confidence.
As night fell, Ram lay on his makeshift bed, staring at the stars. Safal's words echoed in his mind. "The little boy I saved has become a man, choosing his own path." Ram wondered if he had truly become a man or if he was just a child pretending to be brave. Either way, there was no turning back now. His journey had only just begun, and the road ahead promised both trials and revelations.
At the hideout, Varun's thoughts lingered on Kaelan Drayke. The fear still gnawed at him, but the promise of the tournament gave him hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could find a way to survive—to grow stronger—and to stand against the monsters of the world.
For now, both Ram and Safal stared into the unknown, their paths diverging yet bound by the same storm. The world was changing, and they would either rise with it or be consumed by its chaos.