The recruits stood in silence, the tension palpable in the air. They were all between level six and level ten in their Soul Awakening, a formidable force by most standards. They had been trained to handle simple tasks: breaking up fights between civilians, handling the occasional drunk, or managing petty disputes. Nothing had prepared them for a mission like this.
Zeke's words lingered in their minds—If you suspect anyone of being part of that gang, kill them.
A murmur ran through the group, fear creeping into the eyes of some. The thought of executing someone—without hesitation, without mercy—was something none of them had imagined themselves doing. They had signed up for justice, for protecting the innocent, not for becoming executioners.
Alistair noticed the unease, his gaze shifting from one recruit to another. "Listen up," he said, his voice cutting through the rising discomfort. "This is no longer a simple assignment. If you want to make it in the Guardians, you'll have to face the reality of the job. Zeke didn't give that order lightly."
But the recruits were still unsettled. Fear was building, and even the seasoned ones who had faced danger before could sense the weight of what they were about to do. They had always been taught to subdue, to capture—not to kill.
Zeke noticed the hesitation in their faces, the subtle way they shifted on their feet. He took a step forward, his voice low but unwavering. "You're not here to hesitate. You're not here to second-guess yourself. This is about justice. You'll either do your job and follow orders, or you will wait until someone from that gang kill or rape one of your family members"
The recruits stiffened, the gravity of his words sinking in. They had wanted to be Guardians, to wield power for justice. But now, they were faced with the darker side of that power—the side that demanded action, not questions.
Zeke's eyes scanned them all, his expression hardening. "Move out. I'll be watching you. Make sure you do your job."
Reluctantly, they nodded, knowing this mission would push them beyond anything they had ever faced. The uncertainty remained, but it was drowned by the cold reality of the task ahead.
As the recruits dispersed, Zeke's gaze fell on one of them—Elias. Unlike the others, who fidgeted nervously or exchanged uneasy glances, Elias stood tall, his eyes focused, his posture unshaken. There was no fear in his expression, only a quiet determination. Zeke's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than the rest, sensing something different in the man's demeanor.
Once the group had scattered, Zeke made his way back to his base. The events of the day weighed heavily on him, but there was something about Elias that intrigued him. He needed to understand what made the man so resolute, especially in the face of the orders he had just given.
Arriving at his base, Zeke found Elias waiting near the training room, his expression unreadable. He didn't seem surprised to see him.
"Elias," Zeke called, his voice steady.
Elias turned to face him, his hands folded behind his back. "Captain," he replied simply, his tone respectful, but there was no hesitation in it.
Zeke approached him, studying him closely. "You're different from the others. I noticed it earlier. Everyone else was scared, but you... you seemed ready."
Elias didn't flinch, his gaze unwavering. "Fear is a weakness, sir. If we're going to root out this gang and do what's necessary, we can't afford hesitation. I've seen enough to know that sometimes, mercy gets in the way of justice."
Zeke considered his words carefully. There was an edge to Elias, a sharpness that set him apart from the rest. He was right about one thing: hesitation would only drag them down. But Zeke couldn't ignore the underlying unease he still felt, even with his own power growing stronger.
"I see," Zeke said slowly, his voice low. "But tell me, Elias… What drives you? What makes you so certain you can handle this kind of mission?"
Elias met his captain's gaze without flinching. "Survival," he said quietly. "I've been in situations where hesitation meant death. And I've seen what happens when someone doesn't take action when they should. The innocent pay the price for our weakness, it has always been my dream to be stronger so I will work very hard."
Zeke nodded, the fire in Elias' words stirring something deep within him. This man wasn't afraid of the dark side of power. He understood the cost. Zeke could see the potential in him, the same kind of ruthlessness that had begun to grow in his own heart.
"Then you'll be ready," Zeke said, his voice hardening. "Keep that resolve. You'll need it."
Elias nodded once, his eyes not leaving Zeke's. "I'm ready, sir."
Zeke turned and walked away, the weight of the mission ahead pressing down on him. Elias's determination only strengthened his own resolve. If they were going to take down and eliminate the gang, they would need warriors who could handle the consequences of their actions. And Elias, it seemed, was exactly the kind of soldier Zeke needed at his side.
After being caught up in this storm and since he is in a position of power, zeke decided to grow his forces.
Zeke's gaze lingered on Elias for a moment longer before he spoke. "What's your level?"
Elias hesitated, looking down at the floor, his voice quiet. "Level 6 of Soul Awakening, sir."
Zeke studied him, noting the subtle signs of discomfort. He understood. For someone like Elias, being at level 6 in a group of stronger recruits could be... isolating. But Zeke wasn't interested in weaknesses. He wanted to know if Elias had the mentality of a soldier.
"Do others bother you?" Zeke asked, his tone casual but probing.
Elias looked up, his eyes meeting Zeke's for a brief moment before his gaze dropped again. "Everyone bothers the weak, sir."
Zeke smirked, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He could see the grit beneath Elias's words, the quiet defiance. "Good," he said, his voice firm. "You know where you stand. Now go to your spot."
Elias nodded sharply, the embarrassment fading into something more determined as he turned to head toward his assigned area.
The twenty recruits scattered across the city, their mission clear: search for any clues about the gang. Zeke had stirred the pot—now it was time to see who would rise and who would falter under the pressure.
He watched them move with calculated precision. They were no longer just a group of recruits following orders. This was a test—a test of loyalty, skill, and willingness to do what needed to be done. Zeke's eyes narrowed. The lennox family wouldn't know what hit them, if his thoughts about his ability is true then he had great plans for this group.