Chapter 6 : The Ascenders

For the next few weeks,the Nellmians and humans began adjusting to SIONI, although some of them were resentful at the choices made, everyone was contributing to building their new home in this new place.

DEKOD established the Warrior force of SIONI, specifically dedicated toward training warriors for combat against the Fritz. As of now the group consists of Binae and Nam as commander and Shawn, Tete, Jamie, Cazar, and 15 other Nellmians.

The training grounds would take place 2 kilometers from base camp, where they already cleared enough trees to properly train the new recruits.

Londa: Quin! You idiot! What are you doing? That's not how you shoot a rifle. (Takes the gun) How many times do I have to tell you, keep your eyes at least 3 inches from the lens, you want a full image, not get hurt—

Jamie: Is everything alright?

Londa: Just trying to get used to shooting.

Jamie: Have you seen Nam?

Londa: He's probably with his father.

Genny sits outside of his newly built house, watching people build their new homes.

Nam: Father.

Genny: Nam, where have you been all day?

Nam: I went to the election today.

Genny: Nam, I willingly resigned, I don't want to be leader anymore there's mor-

Nam: This was not your fault, I'm sick of people saying it was.

Genny: I may not be the one that caused it, But I can't deny that I had a role.

Nam: But who would've thought that this was going to happen!

Genny: But it did,and just because you are not the perpetrator doesn't mean you have no involvement.

Nam: I...

Genny: I'm fine, it's time for a new leader to take over, I was hoping it would be you but—-

Nam: I want to survive, father, I want peace.

Genny: Peace comes with war.

Nam turns around and prepares to leave.

Genny: I don't want you to get lost trying to chase after my honor, Nam, because once you stumble, it will cost more than just an arm. (walks to Nam and pats his shoulders) Chase your own thoughts, I know you're angry because you've never had the chance to fight the Fritz. And despite me saying that peace should always be sought, I know deep inside you have a yearning for revenge, just be careful.

Nam looks at his now amputated arm and leaves to the training ground.

Jamie after witnessing everything pops out of nowhere.

Jamie:(clears throat) I didn't mean to interrupt you guys.

Nam: It's fine.(sits down) Is everything going fine with training?

Jamie: Not really. Quinn and the others are more used to the Nellmian weapons compared to guns, I think it's better if they stick with spears and arrows.

Nam: Is that so? Who can actually use a gun then?

Jamie: Cazar, Henson, Shawn, and me, though I prefer my sword.

As they head back to the training ground, Nam realizes that the trees here are bigger.

Nam: What do you think about our Ascenders?

Jamie: The Ascenders? I don't know, I can't find the importance or use of it.

Nam: I think we can make use of it. Having a team that knows how to use the element of their surroundings for sneak attacks can be very valuable.

Jamie: But these trees are 2 times bigger and taller than the ones in Janou.(touches the tree) It'll be a bit harder to climb without gears as well (feels the unusually smooth texture of the trees).

Nikaaw, who had been snooping around trying to get any updates on the revolutionists, stumbled upon Nam and Jamie and overhears their conversation.

Nikaaw: I can help you guys with that.

Nam: (sees Nikaaw) I'm not trying to get on Molxe'ia's nerve.

Nam and Jamie continue walking.

Nikaaw: (blocks them) I can handle these types of situations, my clan has always been foragers and we climb trees of sorts way before you humans came. (looks at them) Not that it's a bad thing, but I've been to multiple isolated places and seen trees bigger and taller than these, so scaling things (snickered) is my specialty.

Nam: Thanks, but no, (continues walking then turns) your father will kill me if he knows.(frowns) He lost his brother during the invasion, I don't want to put more stress on his plate.

Nikaaw: I am not my father! I make my own decisions!-

Jamie: Nikaaw,you–

Nam: (stops Jamie) You're right, but until you can prove that you're actually worth something, don't even think about joining.

Nikaaw: Fine, I'll show you (looks around for the tallest tree) You see that tree over there? If I can make it to the top and return to this very same spot in under 5 minutes, you're letting me in on it.

Nikaaw takes out a VUVI, a rubber elastic vine, and ties it around his waist. The vine has a sharp hook at one end like a dart rope. He then sprints toward the tree and throws the vine, surprising it was able to extend far up to a branch and lifts him up. He continues making his way to the top and returns in less than 4 minutes, just like he said.

Nikaaw: (Nikaaw trying to catch his breath) How was it? I made it right?

Nam: Meet me at our training ground tomorrow morning.

The two resumed their walk.

Jamie: Will you actually let him join?

Nam: Depends on how useful he is. (continues to walk ahead)

At the training ground.

Shawn and the others were busy at the shooting range.

Shawn sees Jamie and Nam as he runs to get some water for the others.

Shawn: Hey–

Nam: Where are the others?

Shawn:(catching his breath) In the shooting range why? Is–

Nam: Call everyone here. (walks pass Shawn)

Shawn: (looks at Nam then Jamie) Is everything alright?

Jamie shrugged.

Everyone gathered in one place as Nam had instructed.

Nam: Beginning tomorrow, we will have three training groups: a scout group, an important force that gives us prior information before we plan an attack, our sharpshooters, and the final group, led by Binae, will use Nellmian weaponry and guerilla tactics. Is that clear to everyone?!

Morning came, everyone was up and ready for the day.

Nikaaw, after successfully sneaking out of his house, arrived 10 minutes later than the rest.

Nikaaw: I'm late aren't I?

The rest of the group looks at Nikaaw in agreement.

Nikaaw:(clears throat) Anyway, I-I will always be late so-

Nam: When can we start?

Nikaaw: Oh right, umm, Nellmians climbing trees is something we do all the time, but as you can see, these trees are not normal. They're twice as big, taller and have very smooth textures, so(takes out the dart vines) you'll be needing these, but because you don't just see these vines anywhere, you will be sharing. (throws out about 3-4 long vines)

Shawn:(picks one up and stretches it) Where do you get these? (tries to whip it around)

Nikaaw: From the Nuetos forest.

Quin: The Nuetos forest?! But isn't that–

Nikaaw: Yes,it is where the Oni clan live.

Shawn: Who are the Oni?

Quin: Our enemies you can say (picks up a dart vine and begins tying it around her waist) They're just like us,but are more compatible with trees, if you ever see one, run because they do not like humans.

Nam: Is everyone ready?

All: Yes!

Nam: Quinn, Shawn, and Tete will be training with Nikaaw. Binae and Cazar will be with Henson and the rest, follow me.

Climbing trees was extremely tough especially when the only equipment they had was Dart vines. It was far too dangerous to sneak into Rorow.

As Shawn tries throwing the dart vines like a cowboy he misses the target. On the other hand, Quinn and Tete were getting the hang of it.

Nikaaw: (hanging from a tree) Try relaxing your arm more. You're too stiff, you'll injure yourself if you continue doing that.

Shawn:(talking to himself) Relax, relax, relax, I got this.

Shawn missed his target once more and his dart vine intertwined with Quinn's.

Quinn screams as her dart vine gets loosen by the impact of Shawn's.

Cazar and Henson were used to shooting, so it came naturally to them. Quinn, on the other hand, was having difficulty. Of course, there were times when Quinn covertly attempted to use a gun, but mastering it, like any other weapon, was almost impossible.

Cazar: (sees Quin struggling) Seems like the Nellmian women can't use guns. (laugh)

Quinn: (approaches Cazar in anger) Speak to me when you reach your full height young man

Cazar: (acting all tough) Says the useless tool.

*Bang*

Henson: (shoots a bullet through the two) Cut it off, you two. I'm getting some water, in the meantime practice managing your anger.

Everyone was practicing hard.

*COMMOTIONS*

Henson looks at the Ascender team (tree group)from afar and sees that Shawn was making mistakes continuously. He observed the Dart vines and returned to the shooting range.

Nam's group practice was going smoothly.

Dawn approaches and everyone returns to their place.

Jamie, after putting Ant to sleep, notices that Shawn was nowhere to be seen. She has a feeling he was still at the training ground. Jamie summons Akeaw and goes to look for Shawn.

Shawn was busy training even late in the night.

Jamie arrives at the training ground and sees that Shawn was with Nam.

Jamie walks to Nam: He's still practicing?

Nam: (nods) Maybe I should assign him to the shooting team. (Jamie looks at Shawn struggling) He's struggling with his grip, strength, and balance,basically everything. What do you think?(looks at Jamie)

Jamie:(looks at Shawn) Give him a few more days.

Shawn was about to throw another swing when Jamie stopped him.

Jamie: That's it for today (takes his stuff away) You'll strain your arms if you continue.

Shawn: But I–I'm so useless, I can't do anything. Even when Jason got injured, I couldn't help. I couldn't even help you when you got attack, I-

Jamie: You still have tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Shawn: But what if there's no tomorrow? What if I can't ever do anything? I now have a purpose to live, to fight for, but what if I can't even protect you guys?

Jamie: Jason its not something that comes to you instantly you gotta fail and fail to get it right.

Shawn returned after sweating his ass off.

After observing everything, Henson thought of an idea. Using his weaponries he came up with a new device that uses air pressure to launch the dart with more precision and force

The Tool goes on the arm and has the ability to shoot the vine like a gun without reducing the precision

Henson introduced the newly built tool to the Ascender team the next morning.

Shawn discovered that he has an exceptional climbing ability.

For the next few weeks,the group began an intense training regimen.