The Knights of Merana

Chapter 2

The soon-to-be warriors of Merana were harshly woken up by a roar.

"Alright you dunces, up and at 'em!" Ceelun screamed, successfully waking the trainees into a groggy, but aware state. "I want the whole lot of you to be in the field by sunrise. We're training hard tonight." He foreshadowed their day as the trainees started to rise, up and off the mattresses. Ceelun paced towards the back of dorms, then headed back to the main doors, continuing to wake the soldiers through murdering their eardrums.

"AAH, why'd they wake us up now? I need my beauty sleep!" Surian grunted quietly, trying not to get caught talking back, or else his eardrums really would be murdered. Surian raised his teenage body up into a sitting position, as Valim jumped out of his bed.

"It's not like we can do anything about it," Valim replied, landing onto the floor, creating a soft thump. "Besides, wouldn't your pretty face be ruined if you go to war? I mean, your body is bound to be littered with scars." Valim pointed out, slipping his shirt off, and quickly putting on his soldier attire, making sure no one saw his backside. There would be too much to explain. Valim couldn't afford to dig up an old grave.

"Exactly, so I should keep it nice until that happens! I should at least keep my most beautiful assets in check. For the ladies." Surian proposed with enthusiasm, as he hopped out of bed, finding new energy to burn. He rummaged through the drawers, spotting his uniform. He flung his clothes onto the bed, and slammed the drawers closed. He hastily took off his shorts, and slipped into his burgundy colored trousers. He took off his shirt, almost tearing it apart, and put on the rest of his uniform. He swung his belt that held his sheath and sword across his shoulder, and turned around, heading for the door. "Valim we haven't got all day. Let's go!" Surian called, spotting Valim still putting on his belt.

"...Look down..."

Surian complied to Valim's request, and set his gaze downward. There before him, were his bare toes.

"Oh shit!"

~~~~~~

The soldiers stood outside the dorms, at the fields behind the dorms. A few still yawned, swords were sheathed, and the generals stood before them.

Atria boomed, "Alright, from now you'll be taught how to manifest your magical energy into your sword. You have mastered your swordsmanship skills, now's the time to infuse your magic into the mix. The general that will be teaching you will depend on what element your magic is."

"Sun magic will be taught through General Ceelun," Ceelun stepped forward, lightly glaring the soldiers in canary uniform.

"Twilight magic will be tutored by General Stroa," A bulky man in black and purple stepped toward the sea of soldiers. He nodded his head in acknowledgement, his ebony locks bouncing along, and for a moment, revealing his right eye.

"Brezu will be instructing the Cyclone users," Brezu also took a step towards the crowd, his soft eyes scanned the mass for soldiers in green, his hazel orbs gleaming.

"I will be instructing the Flame users," Like the others, Atria stepped forward.

"At last, but not least, Glacier users will be guided by Karina." Atria held his hand out to point at an empty space. Unable to hear grass be crunched by a boot, he turned to look at his hand's direction. Karina was nowhere near his calloused palm. He heard rushed footsteps and turned to see Karina slowing to a stop beside him. Atria let out a sigh, unsuccessfully concealing disappointment. "As I was saying, this is Karina. She will be monitoring your Glacier abilities." The soldiers ogled at the young beauty standing before them, disbelief etched on their features. Ceelun rolled his eyes, not surprised by the actions of the young girl. No doubt that he didn't believe that she would seem to take this seriously. And so far, his theory seemed to be proven right.

"All of us will train you in accordance to your magic. Be please aware of the circumstances. The training you are about to endure will test your limits. I have no doubt, that within time, we will be strong enough to face the Roghurans and reign victorious." Atria's speech ended with a hopeful note. "Now follow your designated general, please." Atria's instructions were hastily followed, as soldiers' footsteps trembled the ground toward their general.

"Oh, and one more thing." Atria barked. The soldiers stopped their way over, and turned around to hear Atria's words. He continued, "Fail to take our methods seriously, and you'll face the consequences." Atria's face hardened as he ended his words, making sure he was clear by shooting a glare at the mass.