The Dark Hole In The Sky

The day finally arrived.

The people of the village were gathered at the village square; some were happy, and others were shading tears glazing upon their children and grandchildren.

Today will be the last day in a long time they will be seeing them, although they had said their farewell, they still felt emotional.

A group of youth was standing at the center of the square, some were happy and some saddened. This group of youth was the village fifteen-year-olds who would be on their way to becoming masters. 

"Big Brother, Mother is crying," said Airi as she tugged at White's sleeve.

White notices the woman standing far away with the woman they called Aunt Ju beside her. Both of them were wiping their tears with their sleeves.

"Mom…" 

Beside them, a girl mutters upon seeing her mother's tears. 

The girl had a sword at her waist and greatly resembled her mother. She had long flowing black hair and brown eyes willed with determination, although she was sad, she didn't cry and stayed strong; indicating her strong personality. She was Airi's friend Young Ju; Aunt Ju's daughter.

"Ju, don't worry we will meet with them," said Airi consolingly.

Lu, and Ruu who were near them nodded and sympathized with her.

White shook his head to the sides and didn't bother with the useless stuff instead, he was feeling a rare excitement.

How long has he waited for this day?

The day when he can finally get out of this damn place!

At that time, a middle-aged man who was well-dressed and neatly combed hair entered the square followed by a youth with a muscular build and had similar traits to the man.

As soon as they entered the square the people quietened slightly and each gave their respect. 

White looks at the village chief and his son in the square. The village chief of this village had a special status and people respected him a lot as he was a person who served in a master army for many years and received recognition.

Everyone has an idea that ordinary people couldn't enter a master army, but only people who passed the first trial of a master would be eligible!

The square came to silent when he arrived and stood at the front with an amiable expression, overlooking the innocent youths whose eyes were filled with dreams and hopes. 

Seeing their eager expressions, he smiled lightly.

"Children I hope you all are prepared and say your farewell." The village chief said slowly, pausing for a bit, he continued, 

"Let me remind you again that the trials of a master are filled with danger, and if one is unlucky, you will even die there."

This was not the first time the village chief had reminded them, so the candidates kept silent. 

"Good, I can see fear but also determination from all of you; only by overcoming great amounts of danger and hardship, could one become successful. Good. I will now explain some things you will need to know.

Today, all of you will be going to one of the places of The Boundaries. This place is located four thousand kilometers north of the village and is also the place where your first trial will begin," the chief loudly announced.

Hearing the massive distance, some people exclaim. 

Four thousand kilometers. 

For some people who hadn't left the village, this distance was able to strike awe, and almost impossible for them to travel.

The village chief continues,

"After you arrive there, you will meet thousands of other participants with many coming from large settlements or cities you cannot fathom, what I advise you all here and now is to not get into trouble with anyone from any of this group, or your situation will be very dire. This I can promise." He warned them sternly, he had been there before and knew of that place, if they made a slight mistake and were unlucky, they wouldn't know they disappeared from the world.

They all nodded upon hearing. The people knew that their village was just a small little place and there were many villages like there if not bigger.

"Lastly, be careful on the second trial. The first one isn't dangerous, but the second is ten times more deathlier than the first and once you start the second trial, you will not be able to return to this place for a long time."

Announcing his last piece of advice, the chief had a serious look and took out a roughly carved black statue, glancing at it.

"You have 30 minutes till you depart, if you have any last word to your family it is time to say it." He finishes, turning to his so behind, reminding him of some things. He thinks highly of his son and sees him as the most capable of the group.

White was contemplating the thing the village chief said, the thing that caught his attention was the last part, that once one enters the second trial they couldn't come back for a long time.

'How long? He is very vague with his words,' thinking, he looking around.

Most have gone to their family, talking, and chatting but some remained. 

He looks at the excited and heartbroken people, saying their wishes and goodbyes.

He heard some wished to return as soon as possible after becoming a master, some were satisfied even if they could serve in a master army for some time.

White couldn't blame them for their naiveness, after all, they were just little children and hadn't experienced the waves of the cruel world. It was also not his duty to remind them nor was he going to, he couldn't care less about what happened to them.

White took a deep breath as he cleared his thoughts, his resolve only grew.

He would bring her back. For that, he was prepared to do anything, even go to the extreme.

"Big Brother, Mother wishes you good luck and for you to stay safe." Airi returned and standing beside him, she lightly said.

White stayed silent and nodded, he had already bid his farewell and would not turn back.

He was grateful to her for taking care of him but, in the end, she was just an orphanage Mother. But if he gets the chance in the future, he will repay for the favor he received here.

Ru, Luu, and Lenju look at him in silence, remembering the Mother's word to look after White. He was the most problematic person in the orphanage, while there were still some they had to look after, unlike White they listened to what people said and did not do whatever they wanted. They don't really know what to do about him.

As time passed, all of them gathered, it was time for departure.

All the family looked at the chief attentively, waiting for something.

The village chief took a deep breath, holding the black statue, he brought it to the vast sky.

At this time, something unnatural happened in the sky!

The unchanging sky ripples strangely as a type of presence descends into the people there.

Rumble!@!

The rippling sky trembled; like the heart of the people present, and a crake vaster than the lands appeared in the sky and slowly started turning into a gigantic dark hole 

The village and its surrounding forest darken considerably. The atmosphere turns solemn as all the people present who witnessed the dark sky kneel in fear and reverence. 

The scene looks like an evil mouth threatening to devour the lands.

White and the others who were directly under found their body unmoveable, their vision turned wavery as darkness started to envelop it. They panicked in uncertainty and fear at the sudden development, but there was little they could do.

White looked at the sky with interest, his pale white eyes reflecting the darkness in the sky. But before anyone knew it, their bodies lifted from the ground, shot into the sky, and disappeared into the dark hole.

The dark sky didn't linger anymore, disappearing altogether.

When the people stood up and looked around, everything had already returned to normal as though the terrifying scene just now hadn't happened in the first place. It was extremely magical.

They all sighed and prayed for their safety, this was the only thing they could do every time and nothing else.