The Astral System

Aiden stood on the rooftop of the dilapidated orphanage, gazing out at the bleak, crumbling cityscape. The once-great metropolis of New Avalon was now a shadow of its former self, battered by years of war with the Enigmi.

The sky was a perpetual shade of Gray, the sun barely visible through the thick layer of smog. In the distance, he could hear the faint echoes of explosions and the wailing of sirens, a constant reminder of the ongoing conflict.

"Hey, Aiden!" a voice called from behind him. He turned to see Mark, one of the older boys from the orphanage, climbing up the rusty fire escape with a look of determination on his face.

Mark was tall and lean, with a mop of unruly brown hair and a perpetual smirk that rarely left his face.

"What are you doing up here?" Mark asked, panting as he reached the rooftop. He leaned against the metal railing, trying to catch his breath.

"Just thinking," Aiden replied, his voice barely audible. "It's peaceful up here, away from all the noise and chaos." Aiden's eyes reflected the burden of thoughts he carried, thoughts of a future that seemed bleak and uncertain.

Mark sighed and sat down next to him. "Yeah, I get it. But you know, we're all worried about you. You spend so much time alone," he said, his tone softer now, almost as if he was trying to reach out to Aiden through the wall of isolation he had built around himself.

Aiden shrugged, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "I just need some space, that's all," he said, though he knew it was more than that. It was the weight of the past, the loss of his parents, and the constant fear of what the future held. Furthermore, he has been getting some weird visions lately, and it was starting to make him anxious.

"Well, you better come down soon. The caretakers are looking for you. They say we have a special visitor today," Mark said, standing up and dusting off his pants. His tone carried a hint of excitement, something rare in these dark times.

Aiden raised an eyebrow, finally looking at Mark. "A visitor? Here?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Visitors were a rarity in the orphanage, especially someone important.

"Yeah, some high-ranking officer from the Academy of Defenders. Maybe they're finally going to draft us, we are of age after all." Mark said, a mix of excitement and dread in his voice.

The Academy was the last hope for many, but it was also a gateway to a life of peril and uncertainty.

Aiden's heart sank at the thought. The Academy of Defenders was one of the last hopes for humanity, training the next generation of warriors to fight against the Enigmi.

But it also meant being thrown into the front lines of a brutal war, a war that had already claimed so many lives.

"Alright, let's go," Aiden said, standing up and following Mark down the fire escape. As they descended, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach.

The future was uncertain, and the thought of being drafted into the Academy filled him with both fear and determination.

As they made their way back to the orphanage, Aiden's mind raced with thoughts of what the future might hold.

Would he be able to live up to the expectations? Could he make a difference? These questions swirled in his mind, creating a storm of doubt and hope.

When they reached the main hall, it was already filled with the other children, all whispering and casting curious glances at the doorway.

The caretakers had lined up chairs for the visitor, who was expected to arrive any moment now. The air was thick with anticipation and nervous energy.

Aiden took a seat at the back, trying to blend in with the crowd. He preferred to observe from a distance, to understand the dynamics before diving in.

The door swung open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped in. Dressed in a sleek, black uniform adorned with numerous medals, the officer exuded an aura of authority and power.

His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, settling on each child for a brief moment before moving on.

"Attention!" one of the caretakers barked, and the children scrambled to stand in a semblance of order. The room fell silent, the only sound being the faint hum of the lights overhead.

The officer walked to the front of the room and addressed the group.

"My name is Captain Voss, and I am here on behalf of the Academy of Defenders. As you all know, our world is in dire need of brave young men and women to join our ranks and fight against our mortal enemies. The Enigmi. Today, I will be evaluating each of you to see if you have what it takes to become a Defender."

A murmur of excitement and fear rippled through the crowd. Aiden felt his heart race as Captain Voss's gaze fell upon him.

The intensity of Voss's stare was almost palpable as if he could see through Aiden's exterior to the core of his being.

" You," Voss said, pointing directly at Aiden. "Step forward."

Aiden swallowed hard and took a hesitant step forward, feeling the eyes of every child in the room on him. His palms were sweaty, weak knees, arms were heavy. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Captain Voss studied him for a moment before nodding. "What is your name?" he asked, his voice steady and commanding.

"Aiden," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He cleared his throat and repeated, "Aiden Raines," his voice stronger this time.

"Aiden, do you know why we fight?" Voss asked, his tone serious, his gaze unwavering.

"To protect humanity from the Enigmi," Aiden answered, his voice growing stronger with each word. It was a truth he had known all his life, a truth that had shaped his existence.

Voss nodded approvingly. "That's right. But it's not just about fighting. It's about sacrifice, about pushing yourself beyond your limits to ensure the survival of yourself and humanity. Do you think you have what it takes?" he asked, his gaze intensifying, challenging Aiden to rise to the occasion.

Aiden straightened his shoulders and met Voss's gaze. "Yes, sir. I do," he said, with a confidence that surprised even himself.

"Good," Voss said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "We'll see about that." He turned to address the rest of the children, but Aiden could still feel the weight of his words hanging in the air.

The evaluation process began immediately. Each child was asked to demonstrate their physical abilities, strategic thinking, and, most importantly, their resolve.

Aiden watched as his friends were tested one by one, each facing their own set of challenges. When his turn came, he felt a surge of determination. He had to prove to himself, to Voss, and to the memory of his parents that he was worthy of being a Defender.

The physical tests were gruelling, designed to push them to their limits. Which included push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups for strength and running, jumping and climbing for endurance and stamina.

Aiden ran, climbed, and fought with a tenacity that surprised even himself. His muscles burned and his lungs ached, but he refused to give up. He knew that this was just the beginning and that this was his only ticket to avenging his dead parents and surviving in this world.

After what felt like hours, the evaluations finally ended. The children were gathered in the main hall once more, their faces flushed and sweaty from the exertion. Captain Voss stood before them, his expression unreadable.

"I have completed my evaluations," he announced, his voice carrying a note of finality. "And I am pleased to announce that five of you have been selected to join the Academy of Defenders."

Aiden held his breath as Voss began to read the names. "Mark Thompson, Sarah Williams, Tom Carter, Lena Blackwood, and Aiden Raines."

Aiden's heart leapt in his chest. He had been selected. A mix of emotions surged through him—relief, excitement, and a deep-seated fear of the unknown. He glanced at Mark and Lena, who were grinning from ear to ear.

"You five will report to the Academy tomorrow morning. Prepare yourselves for the challenges ahead," Voss said, his gaze lingering on Aiden for a moment before he turned and left.

As the crowd dispersed, Aiden felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Lena, smiling at him. "Looks like we're in this together," she said, her eyes sparkling with determination.

Aiden nodded, a sense of camaraderie forming between them. "Yeah. Let's give it our best shot."

"Give it your best shot? you are nothing but a weakling. Don't get cocky Raines, remember your past, hehe" said Tom, maliciousness dripping from the words he uttered.

"Wanna fight, Tom? Or you going to cut it" said Mark, as he walked towards Tom.

Tom just scoffed and left.

"Thanks, Mark. But you should have let me handle it this time," said Aiden, with a new resolve to stand up for himself. 

If he isn't able to stand up to Tom, he will surely die in the academy.

That night, Aiden lay in his bed, the events of the day replaying in his mind. He reached under his pillow and pulled out the artifact that looked like a necklace, feeling its cool surface against his skin.

He didn't know what it was or why it seemed to call to him, but he knew that it was important. It was a piece of his past, a link to his parents, and perhaps a key to his future.

As he drifted off to sleep, Aiden dreamed of a world where the Enigmi were defeated, and humanity could finally live in peace. It was a dream that seemed impossible, but as he clutched the artifact in his hand, he felt a glimmer of hope.

He knew that the journey ahead would be long and difficult, but he was ready to face it head-on. The Astral Chronicle had begun, and Aiden Raines was determined to write his chapter in the history of humanity.