Stormchildren: The Beginning

Chapter 1:The Selection Part 1

I woke up, my body trembling with cold, and the small round window in my tiny room was covered with frost. Shivering, I threw off the thin, hole-riddled blanket and crawled out of bed. The gift I received on my 12th birthday, a small action figure of a general from the military, stood next to my bunk on a metal crate. It had been standing there for two weeks now, ever since my 12th birthday. The floor in my room was made of iron, the walls were made of iron, and the ceiling was made of iron. Everything in this tiny apartment was made of iron. It felt like a prison. The only decoration in the apartment was a small lamp above the table. If you can call a large wooden crate that also serves as storage a table.

On the table lay a small screen with a message:

"Dear Julian,

Unfortunately, I had to go to work, even though today is the day of the Selection. You know how things have been for us since your father died in the war. We desperately need the money. However, I have deposited some credits on your card. You can buy a bun from Massimo before you head to the Academy. I believe in you!

Kiss,

Your mom."

It was like every other day: my mother had to somehow feed us and pay the rent, so she had to work in a munitions factory.

But I didn't let it get to me because today was the day that would determine my future life. It was the day of the Selection, a highlight in everyone's life. So I put on the nicest clothes I owned and set off. Our apartment was a few floors above the ground; we were lucky not to be on the lowest level. Immediately, a disgusting stench of feces, sewage, and chemicals hit me. Dripping pipes and smoking vents filled the air above the ground. Everywhere, foul liquids dripped from the pipes onto the street. The street itself was crowded with people.

I got into the next lift and pressed the button for the lowest floor. Upon arrival, I immediately made my way to Massimo, a small bakery where you could still buy buns at good prices. He told me, as always, the same story about how he once killed aliens ,we call them Outsiders, in the army to establish colonies. But I knew it was all a lie to elicit a little sympathy.

After my visit to Massimo, I ran to the nearest anti-gravity train. With my remaining credits, I bought a ticket to the Academy. Unfortunately, the money was only enough for a one-way trip. If I didn't pass and had to return home, it would be a four-hour journey. If I passed, I could stay at the Academy immediately and get a free place to sleep. First, however, there was a half-hour train ride ahead of me. It was the first time in my life that I was allowed to take the train. I wasn't the only one; the train was packed with kids my age, and extra security personnel had been deployed. The security personnel were humanoid robots equipped with the latest attack and defense systems, even well trained soldiers stood no chance against them. Only the Storm Children were not intimidated by them. As the buildings passed by, we approached the Academy, and a metallic voice said, "All those heading to the Academy, please exit now."

Then green lights illuminated the interior, the doors opened, and I saw the most beautiful building I had ever seen. It was made of dark stone, with small balconies adorned with beautiful railings jutting out everywhere. The windows had breathtaking decorations. The building itself resembled a castle, with towers reaching up to the sky. Around the Academy was a park full of hedges, small groves, and wonderful flower gardens. At regular intervals, there were also fountains. I wondered how such a park could even grow in such a city. But it wasn't just this building – all the streets radiated like the points of a star towards the Academy, and the surrounding houses were all of the most modern architecture. Buildings made entirely of glass towered into the sky around me, partially blocking the sun.

Suddenly, I felt a jolt. The crowd of children began to move slowly towards the Academy. I stumbled down the steps and then ran towards the Academy. Full of excitement, I stopped at the entrance. A wall, dozens of meters high, surrounded the building. But what was even more impressive was the entrance gate. It was made of massive metal, but it was decorated with heroic soldiers, bloody battles, cruel Outsiders, and powerful mages. Suddenly, there was a thunderous noise, and the gigantic gate wings opened, and thousands of children streamed into the area. Suddenly, an incredibly deep and powerful voice, amplified through loudspeakers, boomed over the square and filled the air: "I welcome you all to this year's Selection!"

Thanks for reading<3