When Lightning Strikes: World's Collide Edition

21. The Darkness Monster

10 years ago 

The boy found himself staring at the clear blue skies above him. He became entranced, mesmerized by the crisp colour – it often left him intrigued about how the sky got its colour. He nudged Jasmine, who had been seated next to him, with his elbow. They were on top of a collapsed log near the edge of a small hill that overlooked the town of Revulea.

"Is the sky always like that. Blue?" Jasmine was engrossed in the beauty of the sky as well.

"I dunno, maybe." She pulled out a bag of cashews from her side. "It's very pretty to look at." Amal nodded in agreement.

Amal continuously looked over his shoulder, expecting a soldier with Anduru robes to approach them. Behind them, was a building that housed future soldiers and trainees that would soon be a part of the great Anduru army. The boy anxiously awaited his report – the report that would decree him a part of the Anduru. Otherwise, he'd be stuck scavenging in the streets, fending for only himself. The boy longed for a family, a group he can be a part of. A symbol that he can fight for.

Looking behind him again, he sighed in dismay. There were soldiers milling about around the building but paid no attention to the two children. He glanced at several slightly older children, who wore their Anduru robes and stood behind a stern-looking officer. There was a ceremony being held for the newly appointed soldiers.

"Don't worry," Jasmine chirped, "We'll both get in." The boy certainly hoped so.

After an excruciating dozen minutes had passed, a soldier finally waved them over. Amal and Jasmine got up to their feet in a fraction of a second and raced into the building.

"Amal Thamizh and Jasmine Tariq, you have been officially selected for training under the Anduru code. Here are your robes and begin preparations for the initiation ceremony in the coming days."

The two children's faces lit up with excitement, grinning from ear to ear. Giddy with joy, Amal picked up his black robes on the table in front of him. It was neatly folded and clean, and the two children were guided into the building.

...

THWACK! The sound of blade slicing through wood pierced through the air. The kunai zipped through the air shortly afterwards and clattered against the stone tiles on the ground.

"Well done Amal! You've gotten stronger!" The instructor gazed at him, smiling. He noted something down on his clipboard, nodding approvingly.

The target itself was a wooden pole that protruded from the ground half a dozen metres away. In the middle of the pole, lay a gash from the slice of a kunai.

The boy spun the kunai blade around his index finger, growing rapidly comfortable with the weapon. Some of the other children glared at him - Amal seemed to take away from their own accomplishments. Jasmine, in front of the crowd of children, continued to smile.

"Yeah, whoo! Amal, you're doing great!" The boy flashed her a huge grin, his eyes glimmering against the blazing sun.

Despite the intense heat of the desert, the boy was comfortable in his new threads. The dark robes he'd worn depicted the symbol of Anduru on both the back and front of the robes.

Just as he was about to strike the blade at another target, one of the soldiers on the side, stood up. They seemed to be watching the children as they trained, but eyed Amal curiously. His gray hair grew long and slightly frizzy, swept away from his face. He was fit and towered over many of the other men in the area. The soldier raised his hand high, and stood closer to the instructor, whispering something in his ear.

The instructor stood before the crowd of trainees. "Alright everyone, we'll be taking a break. Amal Thamizh, come here please."

The boy scurried over to the instructor and the Anduru soldier, who watched him with interest. "Yes sir?"