Chapter 12: Fire of Dreams
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Weeks flew by at the training grounds, and with the arrival of spring, Roku continued to display exceptional prowess, consistently securing top marks in every aspect of his training, he even caught up to the seniors who joined the training grounds 2 years ago.
On this particular day, the training involved a mission where trainees were required to escort supplies through an empty desert, testing their survival skills.
Roku was grouped with Anna, Gerrard, Darian, and Kaida for this mission.
As the squad discussed their plan for the escort, Roku remained aloof, taking a solitary walk until their discussion concluded.
His disinterest in their planning irritated the rest of the group. "What is this guy thinking, we are in the middle of a discussion," Darian said with irritation
Anna, growing frustrated, decided to confront Roku and urge him to join their discussion.
"Hey Roku, why did you leave we are discussing the mission as a team"
"I am not interested",
"But we have to do it as a team"
"I love to work alone" declaring his self-sufficiency, much to Anna's annoyance, she left him alone and rejoined the group.
The time for the journey arrived, and the team set out.
The instructor approached them "OK cadets your mission is to reach the city of Marble with supplies in the wagon, you have to protect it from any thugs too, Darian is going to be the leader so all of you follow his orders"
"Understood Sir!!" Darian said to the instructor; they headed out, they had to go through a desert to reach the city of Marble, and that was the point of the training; Survival training.
While the others engaged in conversation to alleviate the boredom, Roku maintained silence, lingering at the rear.
Gerrard tried to engage him in conversation multiple times, but Roku's responses remained terse. Darian acted as the leader, suggesting a suitable spot for their night's rest, and the team promptly set up camp.
Gerrard started to gather some wood for the fire, and Darian was building up some tents because the weather was cold as at night deserts are cold, Roku just stood without doing anything he started to look up at the stars; he was amazed by how shiny they were.
Darian interrupted his peaceful moment "Hey Roku are you going to stand there without doing anything??!"
"What am I supposed to do?" Roku said in a cold voice, "Come lend me a hand with these tents," Darian told him
Roku ignored him and went to his horse and pat it, "Hey I am talking to you, I am the captain so you have to obey my orders"
"I am not obeying anyone's orders, you lack experience as a captain, you can't build up tents with such weak wood, and Gerrard is searching for the wrong type of wood to light a fire"
Darian looked so annoyed "YOU damn maniac!!", "Hey stop it both of you" Anna interfered
"You too Roku do a useful thing instead of just talking, and you Darian you have to act more like a captain" Anna scolded both of them.
Once the camp was established, they congregated around the fire under the starlit sky.
Gerrard proposed that everyone share their dreams and aspirations.
He eagerly expressed "I will become a Scout, I want to contribute to humanity's progress and discoveries, and I will become a formidable soldier" he declared enthusiastically inciting laughter from everyone except Roku, who remained impassive.
Darian followed, expressing his desire to join the Military Police to protect the king.
Anna chimed in, aiming to join the Military Police as well, driven by her wish to support her family.
Kaida, on the other hand, expressed a preference for a peaceful life, contemplating joining the Garrison.
Finally, it was Roku's turn. Reluctantly, he murmured, "I will join the Scouts." His announcement surprised and shocked the group. Gerrard, taking it lightly, praised Roku with humor, calling him his partner.
However, Roku promptly reminded them of the seriousness of their mission and instructed them to sleep.
As Roku settled in for the night, strange noises disrupted his sleep. He heard screams and colossal footsteps that seemed to shake the very ground. He woke up when he looked around him it seemed everything was destroyed, there were giant footsteps around him and the loud voice of footsteps was still, amidst the chaos, when he looked back, he glimpsed a massive foot poised to crush him. Terrified, he jolted awake, drenched in sweat, and found Anna awake nearby.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked
Roku feigned composure, claiming there was no issue, although his face bore the terror of the dream.
The night passed with an uneasy tension hanging over Roku, the remnants of the dream haunting his thoughts.
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End of the Chapter