Initiation

Chapter 1: Prodigy

     The picture above is what I kind of visualize Chloe to look like, but without the freckles and add silver specks in the center of her brown eyes. I do not in any way own this picture. Let me know what your thoughts are!

Enjoy reading the chapter! :)

     Morning light filters in from the tiny slit that passes as a window, awakening me from a deep sleep. I sit up abruptly, pushing my ratty hair out of my face. My eyes scan the small space I called a room. In reality it was more like a decent sized closet. Dread soon washes over me as I realize the time. 

     Argon didn't particularly enjoy tardiness. In fact, he condemned any delay to my training. This has been drilled into my head as far back as I can remember. I knew better than to be late. The vigorous training I committed myself to is an important key to protect myself against the League.

    My routine in the morning thankfully, was a simple one. Less than fifteen minutes later I enter the room where I spend most of my free time.

"Chloe. You are late." Argon's voice echoes off of the metal and concrete walls.

"I'm sorry master. I won't—"

"Do not apologize to me. Those words are for weak fools," a chill runs down my spine at the question I knew was coming. "Have I raised... a weak fool?"

"No master. You have not."

     A wicked glint forms into his eyes as they motion toward the other side of the room, "then prove it to me."

My eyes follow his gaze and immediately I know I am in for a tough day.

     Located on the opposite side of the large open space was a broken, rusted pipe protruding out of the wall. This was not my first exposure to, what I formerly called the water funnel test. The metallic cuffs click slowly as I secure them around my narrow wrists. 

     The chains attached to them keep my hands raised above my waist. They rattle as I adjust my position. The sound of heavy footsteps draws nearer as Argon walks toward me. I keep my eyes lowered as I wait for him to say something. This act was to show him respect. Argon tended to be less aggressive this way.

"Only the strong survive," he states vaguely just before he presses a hidden button.

     Before I can decipher where a fast paced whooshing noise is coming from, cold water crashes into my body. This causes me to jerk forward slightly at the unexpected stream crashing into my body. My muscles tense as the frigid water engulfs me from head to toe. 

     Argon specifically designed each to test to make me stronger in areas that I was weak. As a fire endowed admix, water was supposed to be my biggest weakness. After being tested over thirty times at the water funnel, cold water was no longer a crutch. Then again I was only immune to a certain extent.

     The water becomes substantially colder a few moments later. My body begins to tremble to a point where Argon could potentially see my weakness. I am starting to feel faint. To gain focus back to the task at hand my eyes close. I hear the crackle from electricity long before I feel the crippling pain shooting over my skin. 

     A cry of pain escapes out of me unwillingly. My feet buckle beneath me, but the chains above only let me fall forward so far. Pain forms around my wrists at the pressure from my full body weight leaning against the cuffs. I faintly hear Argon's disappointed voice over the water.

"The League won't go easy on you when they attack. They're main goal is to kill you," Argon begins. "They believe themselves to be—" I don't hear what Argon says next as another electric current zaps me, "are you going to allow them to kill you Chloe? After all you've gained!"

    My teeth come together as I clench my jaw. I force myself to stand up straight. Once doing so my knees begin to shake, but I do not give in.

"If you can handle this, my prodigy— you can handle more," Argon sounds very pleased.

Even though the water is still cascading over my head my eyes open. Argon's eyes meet mine with expectation.

     A battle cry escapes my lips, "The League will never take me down master! I will beat them all!"

His lips slowly twist until they are in the form of a smirk.

"Very well then. Let's see if you can handle ten degrees lower. If you can we will feast tonight. If you can't- well- you will have to suffer the consequences."

I nod curtly in obedience, "yes sir."

    This test had to be beaten. My main goal was to make Argon proud. There was also the fact that I did not want to get punished. Argon had tricked me though. He would never tell me ahead of time what his plan was. He thought, out of common sense, that I'd figure out what he was doing. 

     The water had to be close to being in the negatives by now. My teeth start rattling against each other, even though my jaw is clenched. I knew the punishment awaiting me if I failed was far greater than what I was going through now. I continued to push onward. I had to make my way through this.

    I begin drifting in and out as soon as he added the slightest amount of electricity. I kept standing throughout the entire ordeal.

"More master!"

He definitely gives me more. I cry out in pain, but don't budge. My body was screaming for me to give up, but my will power told me to keep pushing forward. By now my knees were shaking visibly. Both of my eyes are tightly shut.

    With the rest of my precious energy I focus on the aura swirling inside me to create a force field around myself. Argon had put me to the test like this for a reason. If I could deflect a full-fledged water and electric attack and still remain conscience, there really was going to be a feast. 

     I did exactly that. The light neon purple force field blew the water off of me, spraying the surrounding area with mist. The electricity crackles violently towards the ceiling. Argon glances at the powerful display before smirking down at me.

     "You'll be ready to help me with bigger projects soon," he praises for the first time in a while.

I was breathing heavily. Speaking would be difficult, but thankfully I was able to find my voice, "thank you master. I would do anything to serve you."

An evil look sparked on his face, sad to say that was his quote on quote "happy'" face.

"Anything now," his voice purrs. "Would you truly help me with anything my dear?"

"Of course," I respond with a huff of defiance.

      On the outside I appeared to be as solid as a rock. What I was feeling on the inside... now that was a different story. I was barely holding myself together. My limbs are numb to any feeling while my heart felt like it was pounding in my head. Argon walks over, pats me on the back and releases me from my bondage.

"We are done with this exercise, but now is the true test. Can you battle after such an attack as this?"

     I nod without hesitance. I didn't think I could talk anymore. Talking would reveal my weakness, but I had to at least say something. Taking a step forward I respond, "Who is my opponent?" It took all my strength to keep my voice from shaking. He eyes me skeptically. Does he see right through me?  He remained silent a while longer, and then says the words I feared most, "I am your opponent."

** Author's note **

     So most people should know by now that I make split second decisions. I was planning on updating the first edited chapter later next week, but I was so excited to update, that I just decided, 'what the heck, I'll update now, why wait?' Those were my exact thoughts/words. 

     If you have read the rough draft I had on before, you'll be seeing a lot of changes in the edited version. It needed to be done desperately. I hope you will enjoy the Initiation even though some things will be different. 

     As for those reading Initiation for the first time. Welcome! I hope you have enjoyed the first chapter. I love getting feedback and constructive criticism is always welcome.