The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 10: New Recruit

With their new missions in hand, the Steel Guard bid their farewells as they prepare to go on their individual adventures that will take them all over the continent. This will truly be a time full of self-discovery as they've always operated as a unit and never as individuals.

The men who've always been just as protective of Cecilee as children are with their mothers, all wondered in their own way, the toll this was taking. Her outer façade never unveiled the turmoil that churned from within.

This was part of what made her a good leader, but also weighed heavily on her when it came to private matters. Each one would've liked to have taken her aside to check on her and offer encouraging words; but they also knew this would not be welcomed.

No one was allowed into her personal hell except for Krinx, whom she was now ordered to hunt down and take his life if need be.

"Well I guess this is goodbye for now." Evenharth said while shaking Guru's hand.

"Yeah, even if we're unable to recruit any of the old DH members, this may give us the experience needed to defeat Krinx."

Overtly excited to be able to take on a solo mission, Thengol saw eye to eye and agreed with Guru. No offense to his teammates but he couldn't wait to get out there and see what he could do on his own.

Who knew after all, maybe he could even learn something from Chri himself, the monk of legend.

"... I'm sorry, say that again please? The great Thengol admitting that there's room for improvement, this mission has already taken a positive effect on the Steel Guard and we haven't even left yet." Cavell said, playfully elbowing his cousin's ribs.

Cecilee laughed at the sight of her team so upbeat. It's always good to see room for self-improvement, even though it is shocking to hear that coming from Thengol of all people.

"I'm just curious though, since Cavell was assigned specifically to Curran, I wonder if we all were paired up for some unsaid reasons?"

Thengol grinned from ear to ear while cracking his knuckles, "Well I'd have to say yes in my case, ninjas, monks and the samurai are all masters of the Eastern Arts. Unfortunately, due to the history between ninjas and the samurai, I didn't get Curran but still ended up with a martial counterpart. I'm guessing this is because if anything, the eastern bond will get Chri to join us."

"Who knows, but speaking of Curran, it'd be best if I head off out now. I don't want to give him more time to further be consumed by his insanity, hopefully I'm able to break him from it. Till we meet again old friends." Said Cavell, being the first to set off towards the gates.

One by one, each member left Faxon in hope of recruiting new members to join in the fight.

The Steel Guard broke apart for the first time on separate missions, missions designed to test the will and courage of each fighter. Undoubtedly teaching them things about themselves that they've yet to learn.

Location: Resistance Headquarters - Throne Room

"Mikhail, I need for you to check on the recovery status of both Dai and Osyrus. This is to be done immediately." The king ordered.

"Yes.. sir... of course." he replied with an uneasy look on his face.

Having noticed the concern, Lord Kashif asked the young scholar what was wrong.

Mikhail expressed to the king that he acknowledged his tone of voice, it was the tone that was usually followed by combat assignments. He hoped that wasn't the case, especially since those two just returned not even twenty-four hours ago from their last mission.

Reluctantly, Kashif rose from his throne and turned to gaze out the window which looked over the courtyards. After a long pause he responded, stating that he understood the concern. The king would really rather it not have to be this way, but he needed them back out there within the next several hours.

Lord Kashif truly despised making decisions like these. Nevertheless, he couldn't allow his personal relationship with certain individuals to sway him into showing favoritism with the war  reaching such a decisive moment.

Displeased with the king's reply, he asked why a couple members of the Steel Guard weren't sent to undergo this as a follow up mission instead. Before the king could respond, Mikhail asked for forgiveness. He had no right to question the king in such a way, instead he belayed his last and went to check on the status of Dai and Osyrus as ordered.

"Mikhail wait, I understand, appreciate your concern but I would never intentionally send anyone to their death. The Legion will have a new member, someone who has been secretly training for quite some time now within the Resistance for their shot at one day joining and fighting alongside those men." Lord Kashif added as Mikhail approached the doors leaving the throne room.

The king hoped this new information would relieve some of the young scholar's uneasiness.

"Secretly training... I thought the Legion accepted all applicants? They just had to complete training with JinX and earn his approval." he replied, having reached the doors to the throne room.

The king nodded, "Correct, this person has already been sworn in by JinX himself. He was to undergo this mission with the Legion upon their return. His training was kept secret because he was afraid Cecilee would've stood in the way of him fulfilling his own destiny."

Even more puzzled, Mikhail asked why would she disapprove and stand in someone's way if it would increase the Faxon's chances at stopping Krinx and ending the war.

The king ceremoniously descended back to the throne while informing the scholar that his brother Naitosai, has been training for years now to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Dragon Knight. While he's almost completed the training, he must undergo actual combat before being declared a full fledged member.

"I thought you knew of this?" the king stated, having noticed the Mikhail's physical reaction with what was being said.

Stunned by the news but not wanting to let his emotions show through. He quickly recovered, "Of course, my apologies sir. It must have slipped my mind, I shall make haste then."

As he closed the door behind him, he took a moment to process what he had just heard - Wow... I knew he was training to fight regardless of mom's wishes, but had no clue he'd become a member of one of the special units. I don't think I'll ever get use to the military's obsession with "Need to know" because apparently I don't need to know shit... even when it comes to my own family.

With his mind wandering, Mikhail's body led him towards the Recovery Center as if on auto pilot. The discovery of both his mother and brother... being members of units that undergo such dangerous missions.

Emotions he had tried to suppress welled within until finally he formed a fist. Distracted and unaware of his surroundings, he continued making his way through the corridors.

With the ongoing battles that the war required, either of them could be killed in the blink of an eye and he would have never known. Blinded by rage, the young scholar never noticed the statues gently trembling as he stormed by them.