The Guardsmen

Chapter 4: Colorful Imprisonment

Time flies as the guardsmen train. 2 years go by without any second thoughts. Once training is complete, the Guardsmen can finally leave the small shack. Each applicant steps out wearing tight white bodysuits. Callum follows them as they take a big breath of fresh air.

"I missed the sun!" exclaims Eden.

"No lollygagging! Up up up you go!" says Callum as he rushes everyone up the stairs.

Amazement covers everyone's faces as climbing the stairs is nowhere near as challenging as they were years ago. At the top of the stairs, they all stand in the arena they fought in to become official Guardsmen. Dr. Nizo stands in the center, a small smile on his face. Before anyone can say a thing, Eden quickly runs up to Nizo and tightly embraces him. "I missed you!!! You would have balanced out that psycho!!"

Nizo pries her off, adjusts his tie, and says "I do agree that I keep Callum in line, but now is not the time for that"

Callum snickers as he watches from a distance. Nizo continues and says "It is time for you to decide whether you shall be individual Guardsmen or join a squadron of Guardsmen, but first, we shall return your belongings"

Excitement floods over everyone's faces. They suddenly turn and glare at Callum, who shrugs his shoulders. "I didn't want them to get dirty during training, so I handed them over to the royal janitors," says Callum.

Nizo ignores Callum and leads the applicants to a clerk who returns everyone's clothes and leads them to the changing rooms.

"My hoodie!! There's no blood or guts or anything!!" exclaims Eden.

Acacius's large trench coat waves as he swings it around himself.

"Oh, how I have missed my color of blue..." Akahito softly says to himself.

After everyone situates their clothing, they step out and stand in a line before Nizo. In a booming voice, Nizo says "I request that you show respect and kneel before your past, present, and future ruler of the Kingdom of Adrith, King Rathon"

Everyone kneels as Rathon slowly walks from the entrance of the arena to his throne. His beard seems to be significantly longer than before; as if he had aged more than a couple of years. Once he sits, he announces to everyone "Now that you have mastered your potential, it is now time to decide how you shall serve this kingdom. One by one, you shall state your intention of whether to serve as an individual Guardsman or as a squadron. Begin."

Pike is the first to stand, then proudly says "I shall be an individual Guardsmen!"

Rathon nods his head. One of the clerks takes Pike's hands and leads him away.

"Where is he going...?" whispers Eden.

"I think that is where individual Guardsmen are sent" whispers Evander.

Akahito is next to stand and says "I shall serve as a member of a squadron, your majesty"

Rathon eyes perk up a bit with interest. "Very well," he says, "Will any members of your graduating class like to join your squadron?"

Akahito takes a deep breath and says "No si-". Suddenly, Acacius stands up, places his hands behind his head, and calmly says "I shall join his squadron"

Akahito looks at Acacius with amazement and confusion. Rathon smirks and says "Anyone else?"

Eden and Evander stand up and announce "We shall join Akahito's squadron!"

Rathon stares at the four of them in pride and amazement. The king turns to the other applicants and says "Are you all determined in becoming individual Guardsmen?"