Initiation

"Where have I heard the Steel Legion?" I always asked myself in how did I came to know the knowledge of such people.

Ah, I remember! It was a year ago, during one of my fights in the Martial Games. I had a friend named Leonard one of the well known mercenaries in the region. He joined the Crimson Guild, bunch of ragtag men but are fearsome. A scene however changed my perception of them as men wearing khaki jackets passed by them. Most of them turned pale, flinched and refused to look at them at the eye.

Seeing them coming my friend Leonard told me to stay low.

"Aero, come here!" He said waving his hand asking me to come closer to him.

I did as he commanded and asked why he called my attention. He points out to the strong looking men in khaki jackets that are approaching towards our position.

"Don't stare or do anything stupid!" He said and told me to look down.

"What's the matter? I do not understand?" I asked innocently as the men approached us.

I looked at one of the people with khaki jackets, a man with a huge scar in his face. He is carrying a huge pistol with a rifle on his back. He had a machete on his waist, sheathed and wears a smirk in his face. Upon seeing me, he went to my direction and knelt in front of me and looked into my eye. The man was huge, he could be six feet and nine inches tall. Muscular and sports a heavy beard.

"You are not afraid of us young man?" The person asked me.

"No sir, just curious. You are not from around here are you?" I replied innocently to his question.

His men, the guys who are wearing khaki jackets laughed in return to my question. The person stood up and tapped me by my head.

"You are a brave one, young man!" He said and left.

The huge people with him followed suit and went to the direction of the Mayor's office.

"They are commissioned for a contract by our City Mayor. They are sent to the wastelands beyond the border to rescue the Mayor's son." Leonard said and walked in front of me.

"They don't usually take citizens kindly even to children and young people." He continued and looked at me.

"Have you ever bothered to work in a Legion?"

The sound of engines roaring and the bumpy road awaken me. "You already awake young man?"

A huge black guy asked me, I tried to move my limbs but to no avail I could not. My hands and feet are tied.

"What do you think you are doing with me!?" I asked as I struggled to set myself free.

"Three legionnaires were lost because of you. We were not conducting a pursuit but rescue and termination mission." Their leader said.

"What do you mean rescue and termination?" I asked him in return.

The man then chuckled and almost punched me. I closed my eyes as I anticipated the pain but when I opened my eyes his fist is close to my face.

"You should know that a Legionnaire is worth fifteen ordinary men, five soldiers and two of yourself!" He said to me and stood up returning to his calmed pose and continued to speak.

"You happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time young man. We received a distress transmission in the sewers. When we arrived, the person we are about to rescue are dead but our target the Tyrant is there. Partially we failed the mission. However, we found a bonus!" He points his finger towards me.

"Me, what do you want from me? I am just a delinquent. I have no use to the likes of..."

Before I could finish he places is forefinger in his lips and signaled me to stop talking.

"Shhhh, you don't get it, joining the legion is occasionally involuntary!"

"What!? You can't do this!" I protested.

"My name is Ivan young man... I am intrigued with your potential and abilities in the games. Been a big fan Aero, or should I say, Damon Rand!" He said and ordered his men to untie me.

He hands his right hand for a handshake but I refused and turned to my other cheek.

"You cannot refuse my offer young man. Think about the things we could achieve together! You can stop playing that measly Martial Games and jump start your life. The dangers we face are nothing compared to the prestige, fame, wealth and all a person of such abilities could attain."

"Should I Damon Rand join the legion? I asked myself and having second thoughts in shaking his hand. If I do so, then I officially joined the ranks of the Steel Legion." I said in my mind.

Thinking of no other way in escaping the life of the dome. Constant hiding and playing the games which I partly enjoy and greatly despised. This would better than to be sent back to the dome. I cannot imagine being in a reeducation camp once more.

"I agree!" I replied with a nod to the man in front of me.

"Very well Legionnaire, your life as a mercenary starts today. Welcome to the Steel Legion young man!" Ivan, the mercenary leader smiled at me.

From that day on, my life has turned for the better. I do not have to do and participate in menial and odd jobs. Also, my days as a participant in the dreaded Martial games is over. My life as a mercenary no, a Steel Legionary begins!