Realm Survival

No one was in a talkative mood. The barracks were silent as every trainee sat on their bunk with blank stares, contemplating what their fate held. Minute after minute. One barrack after another. Name after name. The runners went on naming all those who would go on this odd exam. Fear gripped the faces of many, some on the verge of a breakdown. The runners were closing in, like sharks circling their prey. Even I had butterflies in my chest from this endless wait, While Milo sat across from me, his eyes closed in meditation. Until. The door handle turned, and the door slowly creaked open. The tightness in my chest grew even tighter as I held my breath. The door opened to reveal a runner, his face neutral. He entered our barracks as he lifted a sheet of paper.

 No one moved, no one said a word, we just stared too afraid to move. The runner looked from the sheet of paper to those in the room. His eyes scanning each one of us. His gaze piercing straight into our souls. His eyes lingered on me for a second longer than most. His eyes went back to the sheet of paper.

 With an uncaring voice, the runner spoke. If I call your name, you must report to the main compound in the morning for your exam.

Lisa Clarke.

Sarah Aguirre.

Gloria Bray.

Timothy Waters.

Zane Orr.

Rocco Cannon.

Milo Castellanos.

Kael Jones.

You 8 will report to Commander Hudson tomorrow at 0600 sharp. Get some rest. You'll need it. The runners' eyes narrowed; the tone he used seemed like a warning. But what was he warning us about. I couldn't ask, as the runner quickly left. The butterflies in my chest left me as I sat on my bunk. I was chosen. I was chosen! I can't believe it. My mind was fast at work thinking of plans and strategies, of how our exam would go perfectly. Kael, Milo called for me, but I was too deep in thought. Kael. I couldn't hold the excitement of being chosen for this. Kael!

Milo grabbed the top of my head and forced my head up to look at him, shaking me out of my thoughts. Quit your thinking and listen, Milos' voice was steady, his face serious with no hint of fear. He sat back down to be at eye level with me.

Listen, this is going to be difficult. You and I will need to work together to make it through this. Do you understand.

Milo, my friend, do you trust me. I stared at my friend with as serious an expression as he had.

Of course. Milo replied instantly.

Then trust that I can take care of myself. I will have your back in this, just how I had your back in the miner realms. But trust that I know what I'm doing. I'm not just a kid. You forget that I've closed more realms them most of our siblings.

Milo chuckled as he rubbed his eyes. Your right, you're a fine man who can handle himself. I just worry about you sometimes.

I give Milo a mischievous smirk. You know, you act too much like a parent sometimes.

Milo laughed; I do don't I. I guess you're my practice baby.

I reached across the aisle and lightly punched his shoulder. Does that mean you're making me a baby brother or sister with that girl I've seen you talking to, my smirk wide.

Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. You'll have to make sure this exam goes smoothly to find out.

It's a deal, let's get some sleep. Hell awaits us in the morning.

With you by my side Kael, I'd Walk into hell with a smile.

With you by my side, I'd fight the devil himself. We both laughed as the lights went out and we drifted to sleep, preparing for what's to come.

 The next morning Milo and I, along with the others chosen in our barracks geared up before leaving for the main compound. No one spoke. There was no need, we all knew what we were walking into. As we walked, we gathered with those from the other barracks who got chosen. Albion, Arvin, Amura, and Violet were among the group. Albion and Arvin wore fear on their faces, while Amura and Violets' faces were neutral. Milo and I nodded to them as the group of 50 chosen walked to the main compound.

Assembled in the main compound, we stood in formation facing Commander Hudson. Hudson paced in front of us, not speaking a word. Barrett and Ava standing at attention behind him. He studied us as we stewed in fear and anxiety. After 5 minutes of this, he finally spoke.

50 trainees, 50 warriors, 50 examinees. How many of you will succeed? How many will fail? How many will fall? These are the questions leaders have when taking those under their command into battle. These are the questions that will go through your heads when you are out there, doing your jobs, trying to save people. When you're fighting as one against a horde of rampaging monsters. If you do your job right, you won't have to fight, just evacuating the residents of Oakhurst and getting out. Can you do that!

Sir yes sir! We all exclaimed proudly but fear still covered the faces of many.

When I dismiss you, you will gather provisions to keep you fed. If you run out, you are on your own. You will inspect your equipment, making sure it is battle ready. I will not tolerate anything else. Finally, Barrett and Ava will go over the plan for Oakhurst. You will do what they say when they say it. Hudson paused for a few seconds. Not all of you will complete this exam. I don't expect you to. But a few of you. A few I expect will exceed my expectation and do things I never expected.

We all looked confused; Hudson knew something but wasn't telling us. By the looks on Berrett and Avas' faces, I don't think they knew either.

Hudson studied us a few moments longer, a bad feeling filling my body.

Alright, Hudson finally exclaimed. You're dismissed, get your preparations done, you move out the moment you are.

We left the main compound to gather what was needed for our exam. Under the dim glow of the sparce lights, we bustled around focused on packing our gear and supplies for our expedition. The rustling of fabric and the clinking of metal filled the air. The occasional bark came from Barrett to remind us of the urgency. Each of us, clad in the armor of the Wretched Requiem methodically completed our preparations before forming up in the courtyard in front of Barrett and Ava.

Listen up maggots, Barrett's voice booms across the courtyard. I'm going to go over the mission briefing, so listen up.

**Mission Briefing: Oakhurst Investigation**

**Objective:** 

Investigate the realm fluctuations and execute civilian evacuation.

**Location:** 

Oakhurst—a town now shrouded in unsettling anomalies. The air thick with tension, and the landscape displays erratic shifts: trees warped, shadows distort, an unsettling stillness permeates.

**Current Status:** 

Reports confirm severe disruptions in local reality—anomalous phenomena manifesting unpredictably. Civilians are at risk; the fabric of their existence is faltering with each passing moment.

**Actions Required:** 

**Assessment:** Deploy scouts immediately to map fluctuation zones and monitor intensity. **Evacuation Protocol:** Establish a perimeter. Initiate evacuation procedures for all civilians. Priority on vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, those with disabilities. **Containment:** Ensure no civilian remains in high-risk areas. Use all necessary force to prevent interference.

**Notes:** 

Remain vigilant. The fluctuations may attract unwanted attention. Ensure efficient communication and maintain a cold, unyielding resolve.

 As Barrett went over the briefing, I listened intently not missing a single detail.

Does everyone understand the situation and their roles, Barrett barked.

Yes Sir! We all yelled.

Move out!

 In formation, we turned towards the compounds exit and marched. The trucks were in the lot waiting for us to load up. As we did, no one spoke, only focused on what was to come. The feeling I had that something was wrong, that something bad was going to happen was still with me. 

 As young men and women gather to prepare for what can only be described as a "not-so-fun vacation in a war zone," there's an unmistakable air of optimistic doom in the air. It's almost touching, really—like watching someone excitedly pack a bag for a trip to a tropical paradise while ignoring the ominous thunderstorm warnings. One can't help but admire the sheer enthusiasm that comes with delusions of grandeur. Meanwhile, seasoned warriors roll their eyes—well, more like shake their heads in wry disbelief—as they hand out advice that mostly consists of, "Don't do anything stupid." As we practice our formations and discuss our "mission objectives," one can't help but be tentatively amused by the irony. Here we are, training for a deployment that's likely to be filled with mud, monsters, and just the right amount of mayhem.

 Load up, it's time to go. Barretts screams are heard over the loading dock. Everyone loads in the trucks, as we head to Oakhurst to complete our exam.