"You are all gathered here today because all a hundred of you are going out into the world to save it. You are to find Eden and close it. Simple right." King Amira said.
Everyone looked at her in awe. There was no body in this world that didn't know the King of the South and everyone knew of how powerful she was and her tendencies to not get involved in matters like this so everyone knew that the task was not going to be in anyway simple.
Some thought of leaving the colosseum so that they would not be involved in their own deaths, but almost like she read their minds, she stared down the whole colosseum and said in a calm demeanor that came with a lot of seriousness.
"If you're thinking of escaping fate, think again. Does a dog run when its master tells it to fetch. No, so why should you, the dogs to the world run when I tell you to hunt. You belong to me and I have all right to kill anyone that defies my orders."
The students could feel the seriousness in her voice and this made their blood freeze. They turned to their growth parents but none of them could help them and they knew this. They were just too afraid to admit it.
Once Amira felt that everyone was caught up with the intensity of this operation she began to explain the details regarding it. Mostly things that we all know like how the Eden's gates are open and the Elder Gods have escaped and are currently in hiding to gain energy and that Yahweh was stolen but there mission was not to focus on the Elder Gods.
In fact they all had the job to reach Eden and close it. The sword wasn't hard to find and Amira already had a task force in search for it so all they had to do was find Eden and close it using their soul animals. Though they would have to find out how they were going to do that since none of them were taught how to soul link.
Finally operation Ten of Tens was an operation in which all the a hundred students were to be divided into ten groups that they were already chosen for them and they were to search different areas around the world.
Any of them that were found to be traitors were to be killed immediately by anyone close to them. If they chickened out, then they too would be found guilty of treason against the world.
Once they were all briefed for about three hours, many of them felt worse about the operation than they did before. In truth, they were all scared even Lilah was horrified by the mission but none of them had a choice.
They all ironed out their resolves and began packing, for the next day they would set out on their Journey to Eden.
That night, Ezra was doing some last training drills alone when Nova approached him.
"Hey buddy, it's been long." he said.
"Nova, you're not packing?" Ezra asked. He was honestly surprised to hear Nova's voice since none of them talked since the final test.
"I pack lightly and plus we are going outside. We are going to see that old village again." Nova replied with a smile on his face.
"We?" Ezra asked in confusion.
"Yeah, we are partners again. We are in the same group." Nova answered chuckling softly.
"Really, that's great. Let's complete this mission as fast as possible and get stronger, okay." Ezra said amazed to hear to news.
"Nova's expression became downcast when he heard the word mission. "That woman is quite crazy. Guess what they say about her is true. The ruthless King of the South."
"Koko says that she's so menacing that many people just called her a King because they didn't feel like queen would be able to show her power. I see why."
"Koko?" Nova was confused. He wasn't the most social person and he had a problem of remembering people's names.
"Yeah, Koko Jelani, he's King Amira's youngest son."
"Oh yeah, Eki's brother. I know him. He's in our team as well."
"That's great. This mission is going to be a breeze."
I spoke too soon.
The day of deployment finally came and everyone was divided into ten groups. there was Group One, headed by Nova. It consisted of Ezra, Tina, Koko, Delilah, Reina Mochizuki and other people.
Group Two, headed by Victoria Arkwright, consisted of Alba, Adriel, Esme, Eki, and Cait Beverley and others.
Group Three, headed by Sofi Marshall, consisted of Sage Niklaus, Mav Wahiid, Jeda Trinity and others
Group Four, headed by Levi Oragon, consisted of Lilah Lest, Denni Patel, Axel Justice and others.
Group Five, headed by Authur Camelot, consisted of Creo Umri, Nimrod Jelani and others.
Group Six, headed by Noe Jerusa, consisted of Alfred Almond, Bartholomew Remming. and others.
Group Seven, headed by Ayman Jelani, consisted of Chloe Beverley, Asher Beverley, Liam Wilson, Romeo Giovanni and others.
The other three groups were also formed and the groups set out for their mission but before they all set out they were given the opportunity to exchange a few words with some of their friends.
Alba walked up to Ezra as he was telling her goodbye but she didn't have any words to say and instead gave him a long kiss on the lips.
"Don't die, okay. Come back safely, promise me that." she said.
Ezra's eyes widened but he just answered her with another kiss. "I promise so long as you don't die first."
Alba chuckled before giving Ezra her necklace. Something to remember her by and Ezra gave her a bracelet he had bought for her but never got the chance to give to her. The couple hugged once again before going back into their groups.
"It was supposed to be goodbye not a whole romance novel, lover boy." Koko said chuckling.
"If you really wanted to, you could have kissed Tina." Ezra teased.
"Oh right. Tina, what do you say?" Koko asked jokingly.
"You idiot, we're in the same team there is no need for a goodbye kiss." Tina said.
"Okay okay. I get it." Koko said, raising his arms like he was surrendering.
"You guys are lively even though we may die." Nova said.
"We'll be fine, Captain Nova." Ezra said.
I really spoke too soon.
The group chuckled for a little while before they set off for the Western Continent. All the groups were required to go to one of the four continents and search there while sending information to the other groups.
A month had passed since they deployed for the western continent and group one was still in high spirits. They had easily defeated a number of monsters as they looked in different villages until they reached a forest west of the Western continent.
Nova was from a call with group 4 and his face looked like a man that found out he was going to have to leave his house and put his kid into adoption. His entire mood had been low the entire mission like he was harboring a heavy burden. He was always distant and usually silent unless necessary.
That night after the call he left his tent and looked at his group around a campfire as Koko shared stories from his childhood. He stared at them and fire began to form at his finger tips.
"I'm sorry, Ezra."
Separate: Eternal Phoenix