A Chance

Bronwyn led the group amongst crumbling stone ruins in a small forest clearing, shafts of golden sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees yet unable to dispel the early morning mist clinging to the ground. The excited chirping of curious birds filled their ears, while the occasional beast scurried through the lonely paths.

Scanning…

Scanning Completed!

Range: 5km.

No threats detected!

James's eyes shifted between individual ruins. It had been thirty minutes since they left the harbor, yet they hadn't reached their destination. 'Where is he taking us?' He expected a grand settlement bustling with activities, not a desolate path leading to god knows where.

Bronwyn suddenly paused, before turning towards the group. "All right. Let's stop here." He said while retrieving bangles from his robes. "Open the gate."

James frowned. 'Who's he talking to?' His eyes wandered in all directions, however, he saw no one. "You should all wear this. No matter what, don't lose it, okay?" Bronwyn instructed.

Scanning…

Scanning Completed!

Name: Saven Bracelet

Rank: Superb.

Use: Instant Teleportation.

The Item does not possess any threat to the user.

James blankly received the bangle. 'Did he activate it? Or did he modify it?' In the space of a few hours, the contents of the system's message had changed. 'I have to—' James's body staggered forward. The earth beneath his feet rumbled ceaselessly with visible undulations shifting the ruins. 'What's going on?' James regained his composure.

"Don't worry, it will be over soon," Bronwyn said. Unlike the youths, the vibrations didn't affect him.

A crack echoed. The space behind Bronwyn shattered like a broken glass. Revealing a blood red portal darkened by the partial darkness. Ghoulish screams filled the area. Intensifying with each swirl. "It's open. Let's go in." Bronwyn urged.

"I'm not stepping into that."

Bronwyn turned towards the young lady, "Oh? That's okay. It's your decision. I won't force you." He smiled impassively at Kayla. Turning towards the others, he said, "Anybody else?" No one responded. Was that a joke? Who knew what would happen if they remained. "Good." Bronwyn nodded. He expected their reaction. "Follow me then."

Turning once more, he jumped into the portal. Disappearing before the hesitant youths. A yellow tinge surfaced on the ghastly portal.

Scanning…

Scanning Completed!

No threats detected!

James stepped forward.

"Wait a moment." Kayla called out. James, however, didn't hesitate. He jumped into the portal before Kayla could speak further. Kayla shuddered. 'Is he mad? How can someone willingly enter that?' She retreated two steps backwards. She was no strange to danger, after all, she grew up in the Black Lands. However, she felt uncannily frightened by the portal.

Ibane followed, and then Odrik, the Halfling passing a glance at the human before leaving. Soon only Kayla and Aithlin remained. "To get this far…" Aithlin paused. He shook his head, not bothering to finish his previous statement. Within a breath, he too disappeared.

'Damn it! Why am I so scared?' Kayla felt helpless. Her limbs trembled nonstop, and she was on the verge of falling. 'This makes no sense. If they can do it, why can't I?' Kayla gritted her teeth. She raised her left hand to her mouth, before sinking her teeth in between her index finger and thumb. 'I will not die here! Move! Move!' Kayla turned her fear to pain, and pain to motivation. She drew blood, yet her teeth sank deeper. A crisp chime echoed in her head. Her trembling legs firmed. Warmth surged through her body. 'I won't die here!' Kayla vowed. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the portal, before disappearing like the others before her. The portal followed. Calm returned to the area.

At that same moment, a figure appeared in the area. However, they only lasted a second before disappearing.

***

James stood in a room devoid of doors or windows, yet his hair swayed from side to side while his clothes flapped under a torrent of frigid air. Desks, with matching steel chairs lined the nine hundred square meters room. Neatly arranged in rows of six along the length and width of the room. 'Is this what I think it is?' James's eyes narrowed.

"I figured you'll be the first to arrive. Take a seat."

James turned his head. 'A blackboard... so it really is a classroom.' Bronwyn sat on a desk at the end of room.

"We will be here for a while, so it's best you take your seat." Bronwyn gestured towards a nearby seat. "You can stand... I really don't care." Bronwyn chuckled.

"What about the others? Why haven't they arrived yet?" James echoed his doubts. A few minutes had passed since he arrived.

Bronwyn smiled mysteriously. "Oh. Don't worry about them. If they passed through the portal, then they're definitely safe. If not..." He paused. James needed no one to tell him what he meant.

He sat on the closest chair, as he said, "So, what next?" He couldn't be bothered with the well-being of people he knew nothing about.

"Straight to the point... I like that." Bronwyn chuckled. He truly liked the mysterious nature of the redhead youth.

"Like I said earlier, I will handle your induction." Bronwyn's visage turned serious as he continued, "Let us begin. Please don't interrupt me. I will give you opportunities to clarify your doubts."

'Is he advising me or warning me.' James nodded. 'Maybe I'll be able to figure out why that old bastard sent me here.'

"Okay then." Bronwyn nodded. He really liked James's straight forward personality. "Like I said earlier, you're all soldiers now. However, not all of you will serve in Lord Cassius army. Not to talk of serving by his side. In fact, only a few of you will be alive by this time next year." Bronwyn paused.

'Not a single tremor in his eyes. This kid is something else.' His admiration only grew and so did his desires.

"To be honest, I was generous with my previous statement. It's likely none of you will even survive the first year. After all, none in the last fourteen batches survived." Bronwyn declared.

This time, James's expression darkened. However, he said nothing. Bronwyn hadn't given him permission to speak yet.

"Before I continue, ask anything plaguing your mind," Bronwyn said. He didn't miss the change in James's countenance.

"What's the reason for such an abysmal mortality rate?"

Bronwyn chuckled. He expected James's question. With a derisive smile, he said, "The strong feed on the weak. If you're weak, you'll die. It's that simple."

He had seen countless people die over the years, and many more would follow in the coming years. Only the strong would survive in the Village. Anything else would meet its end sooner rather than later.

"Anything else?" Bronwyn asked.

"Who is this Lord Cassius you speak of? Is he the heir to Aians Tuta Aghoul?" James regained his composure. His past life taught him the essence of the rule, only the strong will survive. He feared nothing. Not even death.

"Indeed. You're paying attention. Lord Cassius is the heir to Aians Tuta Aghoul and the next leader of the Black Order. Which brings us to our next point..." Bronwyn's voice turned heavy, "Engrave my words into your heart... no. Your soul. The very moment you stepped into Kynar, you surrendered you life to The Order. You will live and die by their orders. If not, a fate worse than death awaits you. Do you understand?"

James nodded. 'Live or die by their orders? Let's wait and see.' Now wasn't the time to show his cards.

Bronwyn's voice relaxed, "I will now explain the essence of the rights ceremony. Pay attention." He stood to his feet before approaching James.

"The ornament on your wrist is proof you are superior to the other recruits. Hence, you're entitled to more benefits." Bronwyn paused as he arrived at James's desk. "You will have your own accommodation with fifty slaves to service your needs. We will provide fresh food and clean water on a weekly basis and we will give you ten Oden rocks every month. You can do with them as you please. However, the major benefit of passing the rights ceremony is the nine months exception from the Akalite run and coliseum." Bronwyn said in one breath.

His eyes suddenly lit up, "I almost forgot. You will can also borrow specialize tomes and scriptures. And if you wish to train, we will assign additional slaves. Do you have questions?"

"I have a few," James said. It would be strange if he didn't after listening to Bronwyn's explanation.

"Go on. I'm listening." Bronwyn urged.

"What happens after nine months?" Although he had his suspicions, he needed clarification.

Bronwyn smiled. He expected the question. After all, he spoke in vague terms earlier. "One of two things. You either die or you keep your rights. There's no in between."

James nodded. 'No wonder the previous batches died.' His gut feeling was right.

"What did you mean when you said Akalite run and Coliseum?" James asked. He could still remember the system's message where it listed Akalite among the oddities in Kynar. If not pressed for time, he would have asked System what it was.

"Even if I say nothing, you'll find out within a week. However, I'll be magnanimous and tell you what it means." Bronwyn smiled. He then continued, "The coliseum is where we appraise your skills. Naturally, several combatants will fight against each other. Depending on the rules, only one winner might emerge. Or everyone could go home happy. There is a prize for every win. Not everyone will partake in the Coliseum. You will understand what I mean later," Bronwyn's voice turned cold, "Meanwhile, the Akalite run is something everyone will take part in. It is a death race where only a certain number of people can pass. You will also have to contend with creatures called Akalites. You can read about them later. Do you still have questions?"

James fell silent. He already expected his stay in the Village would be fraught with danger and devoid of escape.

"It seems you don't have any—"

James interjected. "I still have a few questions," he said. The reality of his situation temporarily overwhelmed him. "From what I can gather, this place breeds soldiers worthy of serving Lord Cassius, yes?"

Bronwyn nodded. "That is correct." He wanted to know what James was hinting at.

"At what stage would we be able to leave, or considered worthy of such a task?" James believed they had to be a criterion for someone to leave Kynar. Since The Order had invested into Kynar, he believed they would want to reap the benefits of their investments.

Bronwyn chuckled. "I would advise you not to have such thoughts." He slowly shook his head. 'Other thought of how to survive, but here you are asking how to leave...' He understood James's thoughts, however, he knew how difficult the task was.

James frowned. "Why? Is it impossible to leave?" If there was no chance of leaving, then he was screwed.

"You misunderstood me. It's not that you can't leave, the criteria for leaving isn't something someone normal can fulfill." Bronwyn explained.

"Tell me," James said. His heartbeat quickened as he stared at Bronwyn.

"All right. If you want to leave before the appointed time, then you must..." Bronwyn paused. A wry smile graced his lips, as he said, "... you must reach Senior Adept or Kill a beast equivalent in strength."

James's expression darkened. However, he jubilated wildly in his heart. 'There's a chance!'