War in the Shadows

Chapter 2

A week after the incident, I joined the Army of Falkor with 30 other kids between five and ten years old. We were the new trainees of the IIA division, the Integration, Information, and Assassin's Division. We were trained for five years on individual strength, speed, agility, swordsmanship, aim, and academics until we got admitted into our separate squads, which is when we started working on teamwork and formations. Depending on the first five years, we can become captain of one of the five squads by being among the top five trainees. I was admitted as the captain of my squad with my teammates Lefu Khaylon, Nuri Sarka, Visha Nithe, Melodie Nox, and Favion Gunvor. There are five squads of six, and we were appointed as the Void squad. Our mission for the next five years is to study on the surface and the Aeron elves as much as possible, drill, and train with our squad until our formations are perfected. We needed to develop unyielding loyalty and trust in one another. Currently, we are on the void squad's first mission, tho it's not the kind of mission we've been training for.
After all, I'm only 13, and we are still young; not that age is an issue in the Army of Falkor, but the offensive trainees didn't go out on the field until they neared the end of their growth to diminish the risk of them being overpowered by older and bigger enemies. Due to this fact, this mission is only an imitation. I snap out of my thoughts as I hear footsteps coming this way. I adjust my position to defend if it's an attack while seeming like I didn't notice anything. I waited silently, staring up at the Novalamari Magnoliophyta illuminating the cavern's roof as I surveyed the approaching footsteps from the corner of my eye. The plants shook as the being got closer, and as I saw the shadow of a figure appear, I gripped the hilt of my sword, preparing myself, but then a voice stopped me. "I'm back! I got plenty of food and medical herbs for us!" I relaxed as I saw that there was no threat and it was just one of my new squad mates. "Next time, signal that it's you, alright, Melodie? I thought you were an enemy." She widened her eyes slightly and then lowered her head, tugging the edge of her glove, looking downcast. "Sorry, Captain, what should I do to signal that I'm not an enemy?" I thought for a little but then realized that it was a bad idea. "Never mind. Having a signal that our enemies can imitate is probably a bad idea. We'll have to memorize each other's foot patterns." "I agree with Captain. It will take more time, but it is the safest option." Interjected a new voice. "I didn't realize you were awake, Visha," I said, curious about how long she'd been awake. "Only Lefu and Nuri were sleeping, Captain," Favion informed me as he sat up. "Not with all yer yappen," Nuri said, having been woken up by their talking. "Someone wake Lefu so we can commence the operation," I ordered, becoming severe. "I got it," Nuri said as she got up and walked over to Lefu. She stood there for a second, then took a deep breath.
"WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!!!" "ACK! I'm up! What's the situation?" Lefu said, still half asleep and prepared to defend from an enemy attack. "Calm down, Lefu. When I asked someone to do so, Nuri took the task of waking you. There aren't any threats at the moment." I told him as he glanced around to spot anything out of place. When he heard my words, he did as I said and relaxed. He slowly turned until he was facing Nuri. I kept silent, observing and preparing to intervene when a fight broke out. I saw out of the corner of my eye that my squad mates were also ready to intervene at my command. Lefu approached Nuri and stopped an arm's length in front of her. Then, he breathed in a deep breath and whispered. "Are you out of your mind?" He snapped his head up and started yelling. "I COULD HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK YOU SIREN!" "WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!?" I relaxed as I realized Nuri and Lefu were only bickering, and no severe issues existed between them. My squad mates relaxed as well and went to prepare their supplies for the day.