Chosen

Another one of the stained steadily made their way up to the basin. Repeating the actions of the previous rat he spilled his blood into the basin. 

The chasm went silent before the Large red armoured rat raised their hand. 

"The red legion its is then" The large rat bellowed out. Another set of cries could be heard from the rafters above. This time from rats all dressed in red mirroring their masters ' red armour. 

The tribunal continued with 3 other rats stepping up. 1 was taken by the red-clad rat, one by the shady rat and then the final one was picked by the wise old-looking rat. He promoted his group as scholars assumingly being more based on intellect than brawn. 

Finally, the small white rat rose to the tribunal. Spilling her blood into the basin the chasm went silent. Two hands rose. One from the black throne and one from the silver throne. The odd-looking creature sitting on the wooden throne had yet to have made a move on any of the rats so far. 

The white rat looked befuddled before slowly crawling over to the black throne and joining the other two members that were already standing there much to the joy of the shady-looking rat. The wise rat let out a frustrated "tsch" before going back to observing the next rat. 

Next up was the fat obese black rat. Being one of the only two who seemed comfortable standing on their hind legs he strutted up to the basin before snatching up the dagger. Slicing down his arm creating a large gash allowing blood to pour out. 

Yet again two hands rose. One for the red legion and one huge red hand has been forced into the air. The Lord had made his move on one of the stained. Seeing his options the fat black rat quickly darted beside the lord before letting out a large toothy grin while staring back at the rest of us. 

The red armoured rat did not seem annoyed and instead gave a nod of acceptance to the great red rat sitting on the centre throne. 

It was my turn. 

Confidently walking up to the basin I too grabbed the dagger and with as much zeal as I could muster sliced into my arm. Blood drooped out and into the basin now joining the murky mixture that had formed in the basin. 

Seconds went by in pure silence as the tension built in my stomach. I knew it was unlikely but fear of rejection had begun to well in my heart. 

Finally, a hand was risen, then another, and then another. Three hands had now risen. The most that had been made to any rat so far. 

Looking at their owners I saw one for the the great rat on the red throne, One for the strange creature now sitting on the wooden throne that had remained silent up until now, and finally one giant red-furred hand in the centre. 

Hundreds of beady eyes were now trained on me. Whether they looked with admiration or fear I did not care. However, one set of eyes caught my attention the most. The strange creature has a certain emotion displayed in his larger and front-facing eyes. A mixture of what looked to be either confusion or excitement or maybe a mixture of the two. 

Nevertheless, I knew what I had to do. Walking forward I joined the annoying large black rat and stood to the Lord's side. Both the strange creature and the armoured rat gave a nod of approval. But just for a moment, the strange creature showed hints of anger before quickly covering it up with an unreadable expression. 

Continuing on the other 2 rats that were still yet to be chosen took their turns at the basin. The brown rat goes to the silver seated rat and the smaller black rat goes to the red armoured rat. 

With no more young rats to choose from the tribunal steadily came to an end. The bearded rat got up to make one final speech before the chasm returned to its usual cacophony of sounds as the adult rats went back to their chores and behaviours. 

I was elated. This was what I needed. A boost straight to the service of the lord himself. If only not for this stupid fat rat I would be the only one. I would need to get rid of him at some point but that was a chore for a later date. 

Following our new master we continued in silence past the throne room moving deeper down much larger and more grand passageways. Eventually, we came to a large cluster of different rooms. 

Finally turning to face us he motioned with his hand into one of the rooms.

"Go prove yourselves worthy, I will issue your orders once you are tempered" 

In unison, we hurried into the room not daring to say another word. 

The room is large but smaller in comparison to the breeding grounds. However, the dull and mundane rock walls were replaced with sculpted walls of rock with etched designs weaving a tapestry of rock along the walls. In the centre of the room stood just one rat. Dressed in flashy red and black armour with a large curved sword in one hand and a shield propped on the ground in the other hand. 

Upon spotting us he slowly meandered over to us.

"so yous are the new chosen, yous looks stronger than some of thoses before yous"

He lets out a chortle before continuing 

"I wills enjoy our times together, Whats are your names" 

Stepping up first I proudly stated 

"Schreetch head taker" 

A cacophony of laughter followed making me shrink back a little.

"Hes calls himself the Headtakers" Yellowed the flashy armoured rat eliciting an even louder cackle to escape his jaws. 

"What heads have you taken young one but your own head up your arse" Yet again laughter erupted. 

The embarrassment that once filled my body was replaced by fury. I would not let this fucking bottom feeder embarrass me. 

I lunged forward letting the anger dictate my actions. Swiping my claws I cut cleanly through the air which now stood in the rat's place. The laughing only intensified as I felt a large weight now on top of my back pushing me to the ground. 

"You wont takes my head withs those dull claws" 

During this ordeal, the black rat had stood bewildered by the side. Finally speaking up when I had been subdued. 

"My name is Thassius bone breaker"

He unsurprisingly got a similar response. However, seeming to learn from my mistake did not make a move. 

The laughing finally died down before the flashy armoured rat took a more serious expression.

"yous can have your funny little nicknames when you earn them. Killing your weaker siblings does nots make you a warrior. Now go line up in the middle of the room. We must await the others" 

Finally releasing me he returned to his original position and watched as we lined in the middle of the room. 

We looked stupid standing nearly half his size. 

The flashy rat then introduced himself as the General Itch of the Red Baron. 

He trained and led the lord's personal soldiers. 

We did not have to wait long before the others arrived. 

A familiar group of rats led by a fat brown rat and a lanky tall black rat. 

I had been reunited with my group. Sniffer and Splinter looked elated to see me and sprinted up to me alongside the 50 other rats that were following them. 

The fat black rat's group had also entered looking fearful of their master and quickly lining up next to him. 

Two groups of around 50 rats now stood in the room eagerly awaiting orders. 

The flashy rat rose to his feet and began pacing back and forth in front of the two groups. 

"I will teach you younglings how to fight like a rat. I will teach you the brutal methods of war. I will teach you how to become strong" 

He finally stopped pacing and stood in the front and centre drawing the eyes of all the other rats in the room. 

"But first I will teach you discipline, I will teach you pain" 

The words hung in my ears.