The day of the recruitment had finally arrived.
Everyone had started gathering in the city hall, for one most important moment in the history of the earth.
Tayo was running late, the rest of his family was already there. The recruitment process was scheduled to start in about 30 minutes. And his airboard just ran out of juice halfway to the city hall, so he had to walk the rest way there. Tayo dad wasn't really worried he knew his son had a habit of being late to almost everything. He wished Tayo and Malin's mum was here to witness this great honour that has been bestowed upon their family. She died a few years back, from the outbreak of strange sickness. But luckily the city came together to produce a cure for it. But it a came a bit late in respect to saving her.
The city council were escorted to their seats, They took their seat around the magical fire of destiny. Everyone in town hall also settled in.
As the recruitments selection began, there was a air of anticipation around the whole place. The fact that you have been chosen doesn't mean you will be selected. If the fire of destiny reject you, you will be replaced.
One after the other the first born of each of the 100 family selected came forward to be tested by the fire of destiny, and each they were accepted by the fire. Tayo made it just in time to see Taeesha step forward to be tested. As he quietly slipped into the town hall, he saw Taeesha slowly walked down towards the center of the hall in between the city council. She took a deep breath and walked towards the fire of destiny. She placed her hands within the fire and after a few seconds of pain she got her acceptance mark and her number. The mark of acceptance was a crown of thorn to signify the pain and sacrifices they might endure in an attempt to save the world. This is what makes them soldiers of jeh. Her number was 10. From now on that's what she would be called.
The next in line was Malin, tayo's brother. Tayo quickly sneaked into a seat close to his father as they both watched Malin walked down to the Centre of the hall with pride. He stood before the fire and gently placed his hand into the fire, it was followed by a sharp pain and within a few seconds his hand was pushed out by the flame. He tried it again, but the same thing happened. He was rejected by the flame.
There was a air of shock and disbelief, this kind of thing had only happened once before, and that was in the first ever recruitment, since then every first born selected was always accepted by the fire, so no one expected this. The leader of the council stood and the crowd. "Malin of the house ayola has been rejected by the fire of destiny." Bring him to the council table to see why he had been rejected, whether he Had committed an unforgivable sin, or his heart is dark. The guards brought Malin to the table. "Show me the mark the fire gave you" the council leader demanded. Malin stretched forth his right hand. The leader look at it and looked up with a sense of pity etched on his face, as Tayo and his dad watched on in confusion disappointment.
"His heart is pure, an unforgivable sin he has not committed. He was rejected because he is sick. His body is dying slowly, very slowly that he might actually live long but his body cannot handle magic. Therefore any power given to him would kill him." Tayo covered his eyes as tears flowed from them, he knew how much this meant to his brother. And he felt like this would destroy him.
But before the news could sink properly into everyone's consciousness. Malin spoke." I would like my brother to replace me as potential soldier of jeh". Tayo looked up from behind his soaking wet palms. With a look of shock on his face that was identical to everyone present in the city hall. Malin continued, "since my rejection isn't based on my heart being dark, or me committing an evil act or sin. The rules gives me the right to choose my replacement. And there's no law against a second born replacing a first born right?" The council leader replied yes that's true.
But the other members of the council and even some of the chosen families, aired their opposing views and disagreement to such a suggestion." it has never been Done before, The instructions are clear. Only the first borns. Ayola household should be stripped of the honor. This is a sign they don't deserve it." They all said. But the council leader said he understands their concerns and worries." But there isn't a rule against the malin's suggestions and besides it not for them to decides. The decision lies with the living fire. Only it can accept or reject. "
Then he turned to the crowd. Tayo of the house of ayola step forward and be tested. Slowly, scared Tayo stood up and walked towards the center of the hall and stood before the council. His brother walked up to him and said." This might have been my dream but I think it's your destiny."
He hugged him and stepped back as Tayo slowly moved towards the fire, But instead of him placing his hand into the fire, The fire extended a branch of itself wrapped it around tayo's wrist and pulled it in. The leader of the council took of his glasses as he couldn't believe what he was witnessing.
After a few seconds of no pain, the mark of acceptance was imprinted unto his wrist as well as his number. His number was 7.
No one had gotten that number ever. the power of seven has never been released or attained. It was said that 7 was kept until the day a human with purest of heart, a person touched by jeh himself at birth will show up.
Only then will the number 7 be given, and now Tayo has that number. Everyone eyes widened in disbelief as the news of what the number actually was reached them. Malin and his dad stood there with pride, and started clappin, everyone else joined.
The rest of the recruitment process passed in a flash, as Tayo was lost in his thoughts. Feeling a mixture of fear, sad, excitement and curiosity. What does all this mean? Was it really his destiny to be a soldier of jeh?