BOOK 1 - CHAPTER 12 - THE ELITE GUARD

CHAPTER 12 –THE ELITE GUARD

Johnny got a good look at Julia's elite guard. He was informed by Julia when they approached that he was now going to be monitored around the clock. Johnny was curious who would take up the scouting missions he heard about. Julia informed him Orion had others running in her elites' stead.

     Johnny got a good look at the four of them as they strode behind Julia. He was stunned to see parts of the bodies had been replaced with cybernetic parts. When the four of them finally stepped beside Julia. Two on each side she began to give introductions. She started from left and ended at the right.

     "This here is Margret. She specializes in supportive and defensive roles. She is our main weapon specialist. She helps even out the playing field and takes aggro when needed. She is a specialist in cybernetics as well. She is part Valkyrie and part succubus." Julia informed Johnny with a smile. Margret nodded in response.

Margaret stared at Johnny with her ruby colored eyes. Johnny stared back at her form trying not to be intimidated as she was taller than he was. He couldn't admit her features made her look like a goddess in her own right. She had red hair that she let loose down to her lower back. She had redish-brown horns spiraling out from behind her ears. The most stunning part of her was her wings. Her wings looked like they were made up from swords and daggers.

Julia then introduced the rest of the group. "This here is Cleo. She is our assassin. Helps deal with issues on scouting missions that get messy or keeps hidden foes from getting the jump on us. She is a wolfkin.

Cleo was shorter than the other girls, with short brown hair. She also had a bushy brown dog tail. Her body was covered with scars. She looked at Johnny with her blue eyes. Johnny noticed her legs and arms had been replaced with cybernetic limbs with claws on her feet and hands. She just simply waved as she turned her arm into a bracer and then back into a hand.

The next to be introduced was Qin. "Qin here is the support specialist. She does most of the heavy damage with cybernetic summons and weapons. She is a dragonoid like Orion" Julia stated.

Qin stood about seven feet in height, with perfectly complexioned olive skin and a red pixie haircut. She made Johnny feel the most intimidated by her scales that could be seen on her body. They were the same red in color as her hair. Except they were a bit darker. Her wings, feet, and hands were all cybernetic. The claws on her hands and feet were a sight to see. Each of the claws were about 3 inches long and reflected with silver. They were sharp as daggers. Her wings took the cake in Johnny's opinion. Unlike, Margarets wings that were made of swords. Her's looked like skeleton wings of a dragon. Where there was supposed to be flesh was a radiating white light instead. She could contract her wings into a laser beam to fire off light beams. As she did so to impress Johnny. Julia fussed at Qin who just shrugged, while Johnny stood bewildered. 

Julia then went to introduce the last of her elite guards. "This is Lisa. She is a cat kin. Her specialty is scouting. Since the void claimed her ears and right eye. They were replaced with cybernetic parts. She can pick up on more sights and sounds with tracking. She sets traps, scouts, and does any other reconnaissance for us. Usually, she does most of the scouting work. We were short handed here, so everyone was needed for assignments." Julia finished.

Johnny looked at Lisa who had flowing black fur. She looked back at him with her eyes. The right eye gave Johnny the creeps as she was looking into his soul. As she looked at him up and down. She silently nodded at Johnny.

"Now I would like you to all meet Johnny." Julia said with enthusiasm as she looked at her elites then to Johnny and back. "He is a champion from Earth. He was chosen by The Radiant One to ascend into void portals and destroy their cores." She finished her speech of Johnny with a heroized tone.

She focused on Johnny again. "They will help with your training. I've seen some of what you can do, but I need to see what more you can achieve." She added. "Once I get a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. I am going to have train day in and day out with them." She continued her talk. "I will make sure they won't go easy on you either Johnny." She added a bit of a sorry tone to her voice.

Johnny just nodded but then spoke. "I understand." He just sighed thinking of how helpless he was with the times he had been attacked since coming into this world.

"I'll have you train with Margret first with figuring out what weapon suits you best. Then if there is time today. I'll have you train with Cloe on physical forms to see where you are." Julia finished her talk with a resolve to get Johnny at his best.

"For now, I would like you all to get to know each other better. As you will all be supporting each other." She told the group as she began to walk away. "I have to go off and do paperwork on the new scouts that are doing their jobs for the time being." She sighed with frustration. "I'll be at my tent by Johnny's prototype thingy." She finished her statement with a ton of boredom and frustration in her voice.

"The poor dear just doesn't know how to make her life feel better." sighed Margret as she looked at Julia as she walked away. Margret then turned her attention to Johnny. "So, looks like the alliance has given us a new playmate isn't that right Qin." She looked over at the dragonoid with a grinning smile.

     Margaret was pulling different weapons out of her wings. As she tried to find something that could work for Johnny. She materialized a short sword with dull edges. "First, we will see how to work with a sword. You will be going defensive for the first part. Then you will go offensive next." She said as she handed Johnny the sword.

     Johnny only had experience with sword fighting in VR. He was confident he would do okay, but he needed to prove his worth.

 Margaret instructed Johnny on when they would start. She then pulled a short sword out from her wings that was like Johnny's just a bit longer. As soon as they began, she started slowly at first to see how his reflexes were. She then picked up the speed when she was satisfied. She began pulling fast jabs and strikes at Johnny. He managed to parry most of the strikes. Soon it was impossible to block any as she was becoming a blur. With that she stopped.

"Okay, now you will go on the offensive." She informed him. He took what experience he had from the VR game and tried to go at her with it. She managed to block everything he attacked with. "Is this the best you can do." She mocked Johnny raising her brow. Johnny didn't say anything. Margaret just sighed pinching her nose. "I will see what else I can train you in. At least you are good with the blocking, but your attacks are poor." She let out a frustrated tone.

She instructed Johnny to hand back the short sword. He handed it over as he watched her put his and her sword into her wings. She then went to test Johnny from axes, bows, lances, guns, and all sorts of other forms of combat. By the time they were done the sun was beginning to set.

Julia had come back just then. Margaret informed her Johnny lacked a lot of weapon skills but seemed to be most promising with the sword and guns. "He needs to work more on his attacks, but his blocking is at my approval." She informed Julia with concern. "On the contrary, his marksmanship with guns and rifles is over my pay grade. He pretty much hit every target dead center." She finished with an admired tone. Julia nodded and informed Johnny he would be working on his swordsmanship with Margaret later the following morning. Tomorrow he would be working with Cleo on his physical forms.

Johnny woke up the next day doing physically demanding tasks. While eating breakfast he wondered if he could have Albert assist him. "Hey Julia, can Albert accompany in helping with the tasks?"

"No Johnny, you need to do this on your own. Who will help you if you are by yourself? You need to be capable of doing things on your own." Replied Julia with a serious tone. Johnny just groaned while the others snickered. Johnny finished his breakfast and headed off with Cleo for his physical assessment.

Cleo led him through the different tasks. He did many simple tasks such as seeing how much he could lift in weights. To how much force he could use. By mid-morning Johnny was getting worn out. Julia helped Johnny by calling him over for a break and giving him some stamina potions. He continued to on afterwards doing simple tasks until lunch came around. He was relieved for a lunch break, but his mood was soon spoiled when he was told the tests were going to be more rigorous.

After everyone broke from lunch around the campsite. He was now having to do even harder tests that included multitasking. One challenge had him run through an obstacle course while being chased by phantom rift eaters. By the time dinner rolled around Johnny was worn out and tired. His body was aching in pain from all over. Julia relieved him with a simple healing spell that relieved all his aches and pains. As soon as she was done with him, Cleo made her report to her. Cleo was satisfied that Johnny was in physical form. Julia instructed Johnny that he only needed to do a minimum of at least two hours of physical training a day to keep up. Knowing he was in physical shape Johnny was going to be able to sleep better. Although, he dreaded tomorrow as well. Tomorrow he was going to be working on how to use a sword properly.