Axel stood in the courtyard, his hands behind his back, his golden eyes stealthily surveying the crowd he stood with and his surroundings, as he kept very still. There were two hundred people in line with him. Both men and women were present, and they were discussing loudly among themselves.
Hacquel was the one who had directed him to the courtyard, and as he had come here, he had received very harsh glances, and Axel could tell it was from the people who had killed him or beaten him to the point of death.
"Is that the one that got beaten to stupor?"
"Yeah, the fucking bastard insulted Ripper, who was stronger than him, and paid the price for it."
"Dude, don't be stupid. Have you forgotten Ripper was the one who attacked him first?"
"Ripper had the strength to back up the insult, the bastard didn't. Strength determines survival in this harsh world. Without strength, you won't be able to live comfortably."
Axel refused to say anything, trying to focus on the words that Keala, whom Hacquel had said was her name, told him in the medic room.
"Field Of Elderith." He muttered, "It could be a test or something. I need to be prepared."
He knew that the former soul had failed his Awakening g, but had kept it a secret from everyone. It was now certain that even though he had inhabited the body, it still applied to him too. Now there was the simple question, how was he going to survive? The others had abilities to defend themselves with, he was the only exception.
Suddenly, someone appeared beside him and Axel instinctively turned to the side. It was a young man, his age if he was correct, his hair was golden and cut smoothly to resemble a taper quiff. His eyes were clear sky blue and he was very handsome.
"Whew," the young guy breathed. "I thought I was late." He turned to meet Axel's gaze and his face erupted into a disarming smile. He stretched out his right hand.
"Nice to meet you." the young guy announced. "The name's Eric."
Axel stared at his face for a moment before receiving the handshake. "Same."
"Thought I was really late," Eric began, trying to make small talk with his new friend. "Sleep was exceptionally exquisite last night."
Axel nodded to what he was saying, his actual attention was waiting for the meeting to begin and finish so he could start planning out ways to survive.
As if his prayers were answered, a door opened, and a young woman walked onto the wooden stage that was erected on the ground. Axel could remember her. She was the first person he met in this world.
"Good morning," Keala began, her voice icy and clipped. "I will now be presenting the Head of the Scarragos Clan."
The door opened again, and the figure that walked out made Axel frown in both thought and disgust. There was only one way to describe him.
He was too old.
Not old.
Too old.
He wore a short, black robe that reached his knees and left his withered, wrinkled ankles on full display. His eyes were no longer visible as his thick, bushy eyebrow covered them. He had a small, tuft of hair that ran from the back of his skull all the way to both of his ears. He held a wooden stick that wobbled like it was about to snap. He looked like someone who was meant to be in bed, dishing out his will, not standing at all.
"Yo," Eric beside him, whispered. "Is this actually the head of our clan?"
"Apparently, he is." Axel smoothly replied, deciding not to openly voice his comments out loud.
The old man stood on the stage surveying the people who stood before him. His face was a mask of no expression as he straightened up his posture which wasn't much.
"Good day," he began. "I'm sure you know why you're here. The two hundred of you have been brought to this clan to become soldiers that will defend the kingdom from both internal and external threats, and bring honour to Scarragos. Some came by application, others by connections, begging even, and we accepted all of you."
"But I'm here to confess the truth." The Old man continued. There was a short pause before he spoke. "You are all failures and we never wanted you in the first place."
"..."
"Huh," Axel muttered in shock. "What the hell is this guy saying?"
He wasn't the only one who was in shock as the people beside him voiced their own amazement audibly.
The old man chuckled in amusement. "Do you think we've been accepting failures and rejects from every part of the empire because we care for them and want to nurture and make them stronger? He laughed for a short moment before continuing. "If you think so, then you must be insane and deluded."
"The truth is, that twenty years ago, one of our soldiers did the unthinkable and abominable. He seduced and slept with one of the King's daughters and got caught in the process. As punishment, he was castrated and then exiled from the empire. Our clan did not escape punishment, our punishment was that we would be taking all the rejects and failures that couldn't make it into the other clan and train and nurture them."
"But I'm certain the king just wanted to get rid of the failures, and what better way than to have them all 'die for the kingdom', am I right?"
The whole crowd was silent after hearing the statement. Axel could tell that their morale and excitement had dropped drastically after hearing what the leader had just said to them with no hesitation whatsoever.
Eric chuckled beside him. "That was so brutal."
Axel didn't reply, his focus was all on the old man before him.
"Now as for my name," the old man continued. "I cannot tell you that since some of you are going to die in the upcoming test we're having and it will feel strange that you hear my name and that's the last thing you hear before you die."
"What the hell is wrong with this guy?" Eric whispered to Axel.
"I certainly have no idea."
The old man suddenly banged the cane he held on the wooden platform and announced. "It's time for the test."
Suddenly, a small circular watch materialized on Axel's hand and he stared at it in curiosity.
"The watches you have on your wrist." The old man explained. "They are point detectors, and that means the number of points that you win will be recorded and placed on the scoreboard."
"Now, it's time for the test." The old man continued. " You'll be entering the Field of Elderith, where the goal is to slay the beasts that lie in wait until everyone is dead or the stipulated time is finished. Be warned, everyone is participating, and if you die, you die, and that means you won't be able to have The Wish."
The crowd began to mumble at what the old man said. Axel took a deep breath as he listened to the words. The Wish sounded highly important for everyone to be so excited. He had to pass this test.
It was then Axel noticed Hacquel had stepped out and he pressed a button he held, then a sword materialized in his hand. Just from one look, he could tell it was a common weapon but it didn't matter to him yet. He turned to Eric, and he saw that he was holding a dagger.
"The weapons you hold," Hacquel spoke, "are the weapons you listed in your application, and they have been provided for this mission. That is the only weapon you'll have throughout the test so be careful."
"Now," he continued. "Let the test begin!"
Suddenly, a mechanical groan was heard as the wooden wall behind where the old man, Hacquel, and Keala stood shifted into two places. Axel watched the portal appear, its bluish glow giving it an ominous feeling.
"One by one, please step on the stage. "Keala commanded, her eyes on the crowd.
Axel watched as the others began to step forward and walk into the portal. Eric grinned at him as he stepped forward.
"Well, it's time for me to go." He spoke, gleefully. "Wish me luck. Not like I'll need it."
"You're not scared?" Axel asked him. "We will die if we're not careful."
"Not really. See ya."
Axel watched him enter the portal then he stepped forward and walked to the portal. He turned to the side and saw Keala staring at him, her expression unreadable. He ignored her as he stopped at the portal for a moment.
'Well, here goes nothing."
He took a deep breath then he stepped in.