The Natblida

This was the first time that I had ever awoken in an actual bed other than the one on the Ark. It was a surreal experience, standing on the balcony, looking down on the citizens of Polis. The sun is just barely peeking over the hills surrounding the city as it is still very early in the morning. The yellows, oranges, reds, and blues of morning light created a masterpiece in the sky, reminding me of paintings of old. The famous paintings I've read about in my history books, done by artists like Vincent van Goh.

Taking in my fill of the gorgeous scenery I turned back into the common area of my quarters. Laying upon the table in the center of the room was what I assumed was my new training gear. The gear consisted of soft cloth underclothes to go underneath my armor, which was laying beside the underclothes. The armor to go over the cloth was thick cured black leather. The leather on the front and back parts of the torso looked to be doubled. It makes sense I thought, that's where most of my vital organs were. Next were light leather boots and small leather shoulder pauldrons. All in all it was armor that was made for someone with a footwork based fighting style. Light enough for you to move in but sturdy enough to protect you from attacks.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

When I finished putting my armor on, I couldn't help but notice that the space suit that I came down to the ground with was gone. In my exhaustion last night I kinda just stripped and threw it down on the ground. Whoever left this armor for me must have taken it I suppose. Speaking of, looking at my wrist where my stylish space bracelet used to be, I saw that it was gone. Honestly though, it doesn't really surprise me. It was a strange device and whoever found me in my drop-pod must have taken it because they thought it was worth something.

The only thing that saddens me a bit is that it was my only way to communicate with Mr. Kane. Now he probably thinks I am dead, I hope he isn't mourning me too badly. I knew he would most likely blame himself for my death and that didn't sit well with me.

The upside however, is that the council thinks that their experiment failed. With my death, comes the death of their plan. Laughing to myself I couldn't help but think about how they are probably panicking up there right now. I pity the victims of their next full proof plan.

Walking to the bathroom I notice a mirror on one wall. Looking into the mirror I see that my dark brown hair has gotten rather... unruly. I raked my fingers through it to try and calm it somewhat and make myself look presentable as the second to the Heda. After a few minutes I eventually was able to make it look styled to one side. I thought I looked kinda roguish, in my leather armor and unruly hair.

Finished with my appearance, I walked back to the common area. When I got there, someone started knocking on my door. Taking a wild guess on who it could be, I open it to find Matthew looking back at me in astonishment.

"You look like one of us now! Well, you still look a little weak but you'll get there." He said, chuckling. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words.

"Gee, thanks Matthew '' I mumbled, closing my door behind me as I stepped into the hallway.

He placed his hand on my shoulder and led me down the hallway. "There are a few ground rules we must establish. Pun definitely intended." He said somewhat seriously as we walked.

His pun honestly wanted me to die inside. "What type of rules Matthew?" I asked, looking up at the side of his face.

"Rule one, when others are present, ALWAYS refer to me as Heda. If I am seen as weak, they will try to replace me. So when others are around I may be very serious or strict, but just know a true leader can not be seen as weak in front of his people, young James." He said very seriously, looking at my face until he was sure I understood the seriousness of it.

Nodding my head to show that I understood, he continued. "Rule two, being my second does not give you free reign to do whatever you want, whenever you want. You are a representative of myself, treat others with respect and you shall expect respect in return."

He waited for me to nod again before continuing, to show that I indeed understood his words. "Rule three, you will train with everything you have and always give one hundred percent. Never give up and I will never give up on you." He finished speaking as we got to the elevator, and started to descend.

I took his words to heart. I vowed to myself I would make him proud, and I will. No matter what it took to accomplish.

All too soon the elevator reached the ground floor and we began our trek to the training grounds. Soon I began to hear the clashing of steel and the thud of things hitting wood. Turning the corner I was greeted with the sight of a dozen, or maybe more, kids and teens sparing with each other and dummies.

I couldn't peel my eyes away, I seemed to have that problem alot lately I realized. They were all of varying ages, the oldest seemed to be about sixteen-ish and the youngest looked to be around seven.

"These are the Natblida, James. Nightblood, they are the ones who have the opportunity to be the Heda once my fight is over." He said while evaluating each Natblida, his eyes sweeping over each of their forms.

I watched them and I couldn't help but feel a little bit intimidated. I've never even picked up a weapon before and these kids have all probably been trained since birth. Looking at each of them swinging a weapon, I wouldn't be surprised if they came out of the womb with it.

"Who's the best here, Heda?" I asked curiously. He chuckled lightly at my words.

"That is a very vague question young James and only proves to show me that you have much to learn." He spoke quietly. His words only seemed to make me feel depressed. "Don't feel bad James, you have much to learn and I have much to teach you. Your question was poor because it simply can't be answered with one name."

I was confused but I wanted to understand what he meant so I nodded along with his words, completely engrossed with what he was saying.

"For example, Titan over there, he is the eldest and the strongest. He fights with a large battle axe, much like myself. He is fierce with it, and not many can beat him. However, he does get beaten. His style is very predictable and slow, but if one were to get hit by him it would be their end."

I started to understand what he was saying, while they each had their own strengths, they each had their own weaknesses. Where they were now, they still had plenty of room to grow and learn... adapt and evolve their fighting styles till it was a masterpiece.

So, I posed my next question. "I think I understand more now, Heda. So who at the moment has the most adapted and flexible fighting style?"

He was very pleased with my question and his eyes seemed to get an excited glint in them before answering. "Her" He said, pointing towards a little girl about nine to ten years old. The girl was wielding dual wooden swords and wearing light leather armor similar to mine, she had light brown hair and grayish blue eyes.

At the moment the girl was ruthlessly taking down an older boy with a flurry of attacks with her swords. Sweeping her leg out she managed to take the boy's legs out from under him and send him to the ground. Smacking away the boy's sword, she pointed the tip of her sword at his throat, signaling his defeat.

I was astonished by what I just saw. I wanted, no... needed to learn how to fight like that if I wanted to make Heda proud. "What is her name?" I asked still in absolute awe of her victory.

"Her name is Lexa, and she at the moment is the second most promising Natblida, right behind Luna." He said with pride in his voice, one day I hope that he will talk about me in the same voice.

She was only the second most promising? This Luna must be an absolute monster because Lexa is absolutely amazing. "Where is Luna at?" I asked, eager to see her.

Matthew looked around for a bit before shaking his head exasperatedly. "It looks like she skipped out on training again, if this keeps up she might not survive the conclave." He said tiredly, rubbing his forehead as if hoping to dissuade an approaching headache.

Conclave? What is a conclave I wondered, and you could die in it? "What is the conclave, Heda?" I asked, using his title to get used to saying it.

"The conclave is how the next Heda is decided. The Natblidas will be released into the city and they will have to fight to the death in a free for all." He said, with a sad look in his eyes. I assumed that he was thinking back on the time he himself was participating in the conclave.

The idea was a little barbaric to him but this was their culture, their way of life. It wasn't his place to judge them, so he didn't. "I see," I replied quietly.

Snapping out of his stupor, Heda rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"Now, let's go find you a weapon."