Months passed inside Eldoria.
The survivors slowly settled into their new lives, but the memories of the attack never left them. Even after all this time, people still used to get nightmares. They used to get up at night and gasp for air. They were afraid of the solar fracture, what if a monster from the sky fell here and destroyed their life again?
The days at Eldoria were cold, but as soon as it was nighttime, warmth spread across the village. It reminded them of the night they lost their everything.
Kaen felt it more than anyone else.
At night, he used to have dreams in which his parents called out his name, people screamed, and children cried. The mark in the chest glowed at night, a bright light burning inside his heart he screamed from the pain.
To avoid people noticing the marks, he used to wear a double shirt and cover the marks with bandages.
He didn't want to be separated from the people he loved. He didn't want to get abandoned as the people with the mark.
He tried everything he could, but couldn't get over the nightmare he had.
The refugee hall had slowly become their home. The cracked windows had been repaired, dust was swept away, and old blankets were spread over the floor so that they could rest. People cooked a meal outside the hall on a small fire. Children had started laughing again.
Vegetable plants were planted near the training ground. Wells were dug for water.
Life was not easy, but it was better than surviving in the ruins running from the beasts.
Kaen spent most of his time helping the injured, cleaning the hall, and bringing water from the well. Riku helped the children by teaching them. Darren practiced with the soldiers whenever they allowed him. Draxion read as many books as he could from Eldoria's library.
Captain Ryn was still held in the examination center.
People were not allowed to meet him.
Every week, a guard used to visit the refugee hall, giving an update on his health. His condition is stable now; the mark on his body has not faded, but it has not grown. The doctors said if his condition remains stable like this, he may be discharged soon.
People felt a sigh of relief after hearing it.
Kaen used to visit him whenever he could. Ryn's body was covered with bandages, light blowing beneath it.
He always told Kaen the same thing.
"Train yourself. Became strong, strong enough so that you can protect the people you love and care for."
Kaen used to practice every day until his body burned out. Ran for hours from the west gate to the watchtowers. Practiced wooden sword training with Darren until they both were exhausted and fell to the ground.
Most of the soldiers didn't like the refugees but sometimes they used to train the children. They were impressed by Kaen and Darren's determination and perseverance.
They taught Kaen proper posture and how to hold a sword, sword skills, and how to keep up his guard.
They used to let them train with them whenever they were free.
Kaen used to practice even in the heavy storms or scorching sun. He never skipped his practices, even when he got bruises on his body.
He pushed himself to his limit as he remembered the day.
When his parents, his house, the scream of people, Ryn collapsing on the ground fighting the beast, the feeling of helplessness that he felt that day, he couldn't forget them.
But training couldn't stop the nightmares.
They came almost every night.
Every night he used to get up drenched in sweat, gasping for air. Fear on his face.
Sometimes Riku used to wake him up as he spoke while dreaming
" No... No please don't die I will help you."
Riku used to ask him another nightmare.
Kaen used to nod his head. He didn't want to speak about it and make everyone worried about it.
The mark on his chest glowed at night. He felt a strange energy inside his body.
The children used to talk about him when he passed by them. "See, he is the guy with the glowing mark, he will soon become like Ryn," a child said.
"My brother said he's cursed," a little girl whispered.
"He glows at night," another child said
Kaen tried to ignore them, but the words hurt him more than the wounds.
He wasn't cursed he was just trying to survive like others.
But the fear in their voice reminded him how fragile the things were. Even a small glow on his chest, the light turning red even once and he would be thrown out of Eldoria.
Just like they did with others.
After four months, the Eldoria council made an announcement.
"The Military Academy draft will begin soon. All children above twelve may apply."
This was the moment Kaen was waiting for.
Kaen, Riku, and Darren applied immediately as they had their chance, entering the academy meant better food, water, clothes, training, shelter, and maybe one day they would even fight a fractured beast.
But the academy was very strict, they didn't accept anyone easily, especially the refugees.
When the instructors visited the refugee section for assessment, they walked through the hall silently, observing the children one by one.
When they reached Kaen, they stopped and said This is the child from Ashland, the one who survived the beast attack. A tall instructor muttered.
Kaen looked at them, wondering what they were thinking.
The second instructor muttered that his records showed he was near the beast when the beast was killed.
The third instructor looked at him closely.
Kaen closed his eyes as he moved close to him.
Stop it. He is not contaminated, Riku whispered.
We will decide that, tall instructor muttered.
The examiner scanned his body with the device. He placed the device near Kaen's chest. The mark started to burn inside him, and his heart felt warm.
He didn't react, he stayed quiet.
The device beeped blue.
It's normal, the instructor said.
Kaen let out a deep breath he was holding.
The hesitation on the instructor's face made it clear that they hated him.
The tryout took place on open ground. Hundred if children gathered, the Eldoria children wore clean uniforms, while the refugees wore mixed clothes.
The soldier stood tall the armour shining in the sky.
"Those who pass will enter basic training!" the commander shouted.
The commander explained the test
First test: running
Second test: strength
Third test: weapon control
And the last test was standing still and calm while a loud noise echoed around them.
Kaen pushed his limits.
His legs hurt, his chest ached, sweat rolled down his face, but he didn't give up.
Riku did well in agility.
Darren impressed everyone with his strength.
Draxion struggled at the start, but instructors were shocked to see his knowledge about the fracture beast.
Instructors watched Kaen carefully after each test, they whispered among themself.
He has potential
He could be dangerous
Look at his stamina
He might be useful.
When it was time for weapon control, he chose a wooden staff that he had trained with.
He attacked.
Blocked.
Stepped back and struck again.
Suddenly the mark on his chest glowed, and
a wave of warmth spread through his body. His vision blurred for a moment.
Not now... Please not now
He tightened his grip on his sword, trying to keep his balance.
His final strike hit the wooden dummy with unexpected force. The dummy cracked.
Children and the instructor were shocked.
Kaen looked at the commander, did they notice the mark?
He quickly looked at the ground, breathing heavily.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then the commander clapped once.
"Pass."
That night, the results were posted on a large board outside the training grounds.
Children crowded around it, pushing and shouting. Kaen forced his way through until he could finally see the list.
His name was there.
Kaen Elistar. Accepted.
He stared at the letters for a long time. He had actually done it. He had entered Eldoria's Military Academy draft.
Riku hugged him tightly. "I knew you would make it!"
Darren shouted, "YES! We're going to be soldiers!"
Draxion smiled quietly. "This is only the beginning."
At night, Kaen couldn't sleep. The room was quiet, but he felt a strange feeling in his heart as if the mark responded to him.
He stepped outside the hall and sat beside the same wall where he had sat months ago.
The sky was clear now, cracks had slowly healed them, but still some fragments glowed in the sky.
Kaen touched his heart gently.
"Why me…" he whispered. "Why did I survive that day? Why did the beast stop from killing me that day?"
The bandages around his chest felt warm.
It was not painful, not burning just alive.
He felt a small spark in his chest.
Kaen froze.
He clenched his fist.
"I don't care what you are," he murmured. "I won't run. I won't be scared. If you are a power or a curse, I will control you."
The warmth faded away.
Kaen took a deep breath.
He looked at the sky.
The next time the beast attacks, I will not be helpless, I will protect my people.
He heard a faint voice.
"I am waiting for you."