Pick Your Path: Book 1

16

" I'm human." you respond. White Kingdom's soldiers... They would never hurt you.There was no reason to fear them. In fact they might even take you in. You've had some experience fighting the stray half-breed, those who even dared to sneak past your hometown. You come from a village, quite close to the White Kingdom. So naturally, you were raised with an animosity towards all half-breeds. You hear they are vicious, animal like beings that will attack at a moments notice. They have super human strength and rumor has it, some of them are able to take down an entire scout group!

" Human, eh?" the leader, who held your shoulder, responded with a hint of skepticism. " Where are you from."

" I came from a village near the White Kingdom." you say.

" Close to the White Kingdom?" the leader looks at his group. " How well do you fight? What experience do you have?"

" Some pure bred wild animals... The occasional, rogue, half-breed.."

" Half-breed? You've fought them before?"

" Yes. I have."

" Hmm... What do you think boys?" the leader turns to his group. " I say we take him/her in."

" Sure, General."

" Yes, he/she would be a great help." the group voices their approval.

" Come on then, runt, let's go." the general walked off, you and the group follow. He called you a runt, you didn't mind. You had confidence in your skill. Most sparing matches you've had with your friends and family, you've won. That's what mattered.

" This way, runt."  you follow the general to what looks like a training area. The rest of the group had dispersed, heading off to who knows where. The sand pit was in front of the house, where the soldiers in training stay. " You will be staying at the training grounds for the time being. I know you've had experience fighting, but I still need to test what you know." you see some of the students sparing out on the sand pit. An older kid, maybe around 14, had just flipped one of the younger kids onto his back. You watch as the older kid walks away, leaving the younger one on the ground. He shakes his head, clearly disappointed. " Hey, runt, you interested in testing your skill?" the general gave you a push, " Go on, ask to spar." You step forward with some pushes from behind.

" U-um..." you walk up to the 14 year old. " I was wondering.."

" What do you want, newbie?" he snapped. " Don't ask for advice on sparing. I don't train people."

" Actually, I wanted to spar with you." you corrected him. You mentally calm yourself, putting on a confident smile.

" Really?" he scoffs, " you're not worth my time, newbie." 

" What? Are you scared that you will loose?" you sneer to the boy, who had his back turned to you. " Talk about cowardly..."

" What did you say?" he growled , glaring at you.

" You heard me..." you lift your head with confidence, " Now, are we going to spar or not?" the by silently get into stance, ready to spring at you. " Guess that's a yes." you prepare to defend against his blow. He throws a punch, you step to the side, letting him fly past you. He rebounds, coming in for another hit. You step back, avoiding his kick. You then throw your own punch, nailing him square in in the face. He falls to the ground with a yelp of pain.

" J-just who do you are?!" he groans, holding his nose, a thin stream of liquid trickling down his chin.

" Wow..."

" Did you see that..?"

" He/She just beat one of the strongest students..." you look around, a group of people had gathered near where you were sparing. They stood in awe and shock. The person you had just defeated was one of the strongest?! He barely knows how to hit properly!"

" Hey listen, newbie. Just because you won once, doesn't mean you're high and almighty. I went easy on you." he stumbles off, still holding his nose. As he limped off, a wave of students surge forward.

" How did you do that?!"

" Please, teach me some of the things you know!"

" Can you help me with my fighting style?" the students crowded around you, as if you were some hero. All you did was defeat a rude and haughty kid, who didn't know first hand what fighting was about. It's not a big deal. You try to keep your balance as the students pushed and struggled to get to you, bombarding you with questions. You spot a girl standing a small distance from the crown, her black and red hair left down. Her brown eyes glanced at you for a brief heartbeat before she walked away. You see the boy from earlier, the one who got flipped onto his back. He looks at you with silent, pleading eyes. Almost as if he wanted you to help him with something.

" Runt." the students part as the general approaches. " I have to say, I'm impressed." he places a hand on your shoulder, " You have much potential, runt, use it wisely and for the greater good." he leaves, letting the students crowd around you again.

Later that night, you were shown to the the room you were to sleep in. You were told by your guide that you had a 'room mate'. You peek into the room, a familiar boy sat on one of the beds. His pale silver hair was hard to miss.

" Hey..." you open the door and enter. He jumps, startled, before diving under the covers of his bed. " No..! There's no need to be scared." you approach the shaking blanket and gently move it, revealing silver hair and a pair of mismatched eyes. One was an icy blue, the other was a sea water green. " I'm not going to hurt you.."

" Y-you're the o-one who de-defeated the t-top s-student..." he stuttered, slowly coming out from under the blanket. The fear in his mismatched eyes slowly replaced with relief and curiosity.

" Yes, I'm (Y/n) (your name)" you settle yourself next to him, " What's yours?"

" I-I'm T-Theodore..." he responded, nervously. 

" Hi, Theodore, nice to meet you." you smile. He's like having a younger sibling! " Guess we're roommates from now on!" you walk over to your bed, Theodore got under the covers. " Good night, Theodore..."

" G-goodnight, B-Big Brother/S-Sister ( Y-y/n)" he responds, calling you his sibling. 

" I'll ask him about that tomorrow.." you think before drifting off to sleep.

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