CHAPTER 14-THE NEW GENERATION

Midnight before the Spirit Trials, the village buzzed with excitement. Everyone explored, learned about New Babylon's history, participated in food competitions, and enjoyed fellowship through praise and worship songs, easing their minds from the world's darkness.

At a small location outside the Spirit Trials Arena, the Anointed gathered. Zane exclaimed, "Whoever knew this place would be so awesome? I almost never want to go back home!"

Khayjin responded, "I agree, this is the most fun I've ever had, but I'm disappointed in you, Zane. You live on the Broken Coast; how did you let me beat you in the fishing competition?"

Zane replied, "When you're busy fighting armies every day, you don't have time to fish." Nobu responds, "Well I won the archery competition!"

Khayjin teased, "You're still ugly!" Nobu stood up, "Say that to my face!" They charged at each other, but Zeyta intervened, grabbing them by the head and throwing them in opposite directions. "Boys will be boys!"

Sol walked in, "Or men will be men." Zeyta's eyes widened. "I cannot believe I'm looking at this handsome specimen!" 

Khayjin jokes, "Who is this greasy-looking warrior?" Zeyta slapped him upside the head. "That's Sol, a legendary swordsman! He's fought countless wars and never lost. The guardian of the Broken coast..."

Havibot scanning:

Name: Sol

Age: twenty

Ethnicity: American

Height: six feet four inches

Hair color: brown

Eye color: green

Anointing: detected 

Wanted by: Boykinz army, elite demons, government 

"The little robot is impressive!" Khayjin remarked, "Dang, he's old!" Zeyta slapped him again.

Zane asked, "Where have you been all day? You were supposed to be relaxing. Why is it that you're always on duty? Mother told you that today is your day off and the Spirit Trials should be your only focus."

Sol shared, "I'm fully-aware of the Anointing's weight. As a warrior, it's always on my mind to gather information and know the enemies next moves. You'll learn this more and more as you embrace your Anointing. You become one with the original predecessor."Mines just happens to be King David.

Zeyta noted, "Master Vojim said embracing our Anointing can make us become the original holder. So it's true if I keep training then I can become as powerful as Deborah once was."

Two figures appeared. Zesh introduced himself and his adopted sister, Aza. Khayjin jokes, "Who's this robed hyena?" Aza replied, "Who are you, a hairless possum." "Hey who you calling, omggggg she's beautiful" "You're lusting!" Zeyta whispers.

Havibot scanning:

Name: Zesh

Age: seventeen

Ethnicity: Hispanic American

Height: five feet eight inches

Hair color: brown

Eye color: brown

Anointing: detected 

No records

Havibot continued 

Name: Aza

Age: sixteen

Ethnicity: Nigerian 

Height: five feet seven inches

Hair color: black

Eye color: gold

Anointing: detected 

No records

Zesh says, "I see Master Ark's little robot is doing well." He grabs the bot. "Hmmmm let's see this is a model 2.4. I'm surprised it scans as well as it does. He's one of the first models made. I'm impressed, who has been fixing his coding?" Khayjin clears his throat. "Umm um that would be me, my friend." Zesh replies, "Wow what tech and Dynoxian equipment did you use and what coil is being heated to make him scan at such a fast rate? Khayjin looks dumbfounded. Then Aza says, "That idiot is not responsible for havibot, look at him."

Zooms in on Khayjin's, face he's cross-eyed.       

Sol implies, "I see now you two must be Ark's students." Aza replies, "It is Master Ark, do not disrespect our leader." Zane intercedes, "Hey watch how you're talking to my mother's advisor." Nobu asks, "Is it true that your master betrayed Lady Hela?" Zane replies, "Of course it is, I watched him betray my mother. I've been wanting to confront him myself, but I was told that I cannot. He is the reason ..." Sol interrupts, "Enough. Their master has nothing to do with us surpassing the Spirit Trials, it is not fair to these two. Leave it to the Masters to deal with Ark. Trust me, the warrior in me wants to slice his head like a bagel." Nobu said, "He's getting way out of hand with this warrior thing."

Sol inquired, "Nobu, I must ask, where you guys live, is it true there's a demon nest?"

Nobu replied, "Ever since I was young, my father told me about the Cross Guards, who protect Sun-Kissed Lands. They monitor demonic activities and know the demons emerge from the ground, supposedly born from seven locations, one near us."

Sol scribbled notes.

Nobu continued, "I always wondered why we live there, and my father said God assigned us here for a reason. Raiza leads the X-Guard, and Kayge, the strategist, is my father's most trusted soldier. He'll participate in the trials alongside Raiza."

Sol paused, pen on the table. "Impressive. Thanks for the info."

Nobu concluded, "The Cross Guards have fought demons, keeping them at bay. We've had only one invasion in fifteen years, with many lives lost, but the demon nest has been quiet since."

Two men approached.

"Alright, everyone," Gavon announced, "They want us to get some rest now. You've had a long day, and tomorrow will be intense. Tega and I have our own preparations to attend to, so get some shut-eye to be energized in the morning."

Khayjin groaned, "Oh, come on."

Sol smiled mischievously. "So, you're Gavon, the great sniper? I'd love to test my close-range skills against your long-range expertise. They say you never miss."

Khayjin chuckled, "Well, he missed plenty against Kyll."

Gavon slapped Khayjin. "He was under an Elite-level curse, kid."

Khayjin grinned. 

Gavon then says, "But to answer your question, Sol, I'd love to spar once these kids are asleep. Let's battle it out!"

All of them were shocked, "Kidsss!!"

Aza jumped in, "I'd love to spar too!"

Zeyta suggested, "How about us two against the guys?"

Gibby intervened, "Sorry, no sparring allowed; it's against tournament rules. But as Gavon said, get rest; tomorrow's a big day."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

*TRIALS DAY 1*

Gibby, the Announcer boomed, "Dear ladies and gentlemen, hope you had a good night's sleep! Today, the Spirit Trials begin! Please head to the Coliseum in the next five minutes. Leaders and Anointed enter first, followed by other saints."

Everyone rushed to the Coliseum, greeted by Gibby and Shink, who escorted them to their designated areas.

Shink briefed Gibby, "I'll set up the outside perimeter with Soz, Heku and Hazai on patrol. Nothing will get through or out."

Gibby handed Shink a tablet. "Thanks to Ark, you won't miss a thing."

Shink replied, "Interesting. I'll keep one eye on the exams and one off. If anything approaches, we'll ring the emergency bell."

*The Introductions*

Time passed, and the crowd filled the Arena. Gibby announced, "Now that everyone's here, it's time to introduce each leader and tribe!"

The crowd erupted.

"From the Sun-Kissed Lands, Master Adonnnnnnn! Anointing Noah!" (Crowd cheers)As he stands.

"His tribe's chosen one: Nobu-Anointing Gideon!" (Crowd cheers)

Followed by Kayge.. annoiting Job)(known as the Invincible.

(Crowd cheers)

"Up next we haveeeeee!"

"Raiza Anointing -Moses, Also known as the Demon Slayer!" (Crowd goes berserk)

Khayjin whispered, "So that's the infamous Moses kid. He looks strong but I think it's his bulky clothes."

Zeyta slapped Khayjin. "Shut up!"

Gavon cautioned, "Focus, keep quiet in the Lord's presence."

Khayjin continued, "I don't see why he's praised. He seems normal."

Rouke warned, "Seriously, guys, be respectful."

*Next Tribe*

The Announcer introduced, "From Northern Edge, Master Rouke Anointing-Samuel!" (Crowd goes insane)

"His students: Khayjin-Anointing Samson!" (Crowd cheers)

"Zeyta-Anointing Deborah!" (Crowd cheers)

Khayjin pouted, "They barely cheered for us."

Zeyta reminded, "Stay focused."

*Broken Coast Tribe*

The Announcer presented, "From Broken Coast, Tribe Leader Hela-Anointing Queen Esther!" (Crowd goes wild)

"Her students: Sol-Anointing King David! "Also known as the warrior of the coast." (crowd cheers insane.)

"Zane-Anointing Elijah!" (Crowd cheers)

Khayjin jokes, "Zane is asleep, haha."

Zeyta chuckled, "He's sleep-standing."

Gavon teased, "You're not the only idiot anymore Khayjin hahaha!"

Khayjin grinned.

*Final Introduction*

The Announcer concluded, "And from VeSka City, Tribe Leader Master Arkinson-Anointing King Solomon!"

Rouke- "Wait what two students did you bring; you never had Anointed under your care that I was aware of? I thought you were just building the arena and setting things up. Who are these two?' Ark replies, "Look at you, not even able to remember your own Anointed." Rouke sighs.

The crowd roared.

"His two students"

"Zesh Anointing-Joseph" (crowd cheers)

"Followed by" 

"Aza Anointing-Jael" (crowd cheers)

"NOW THAT ALL IS SETUP LETS GET READY FOR THE FIRST TRIAL...WE START IN FIVE MINUTES."

*Leaders' Confrontation*

The leaders sat above the arena, overseeing the Spirit Trials. Ark walked in, prompting Rouke to remark, "You just never cease to have a trick up your sleeve."

Ark replied nonchalantly, "What's the problem? I saved these two years ago."

Hela questioned, "Why didn't you tell us yesterday?"

Ark shrugged. "Why say anything? It was no big deal to me. This isn't a tournament, is it? I thought it was a trial, so why are we arguing?"

Ark addressed the group, "You all speak to me, but we have Raiza and Kayge, who has already slain demons and almost matches our spiritual energy. Yet, you don't question Adon having advantages."

Adon defended, "Shut your mouth, speaking of my My boys .They have worked hard to get where they are."

Ark countered, "Save me the talk. You all decided to do Spirit Trials to keep people like me from misusing our Anointings and maintain order. Yet, there's no order among you. I've been judged since day one. When I betrayed you, I was judged and crucified by this entire team, while others got by with similar actions."

Rouke corrected, "This isn't true, Ark. You know your actions were driven by evil intent. We forgave you. Now, answer my question: Why do you have those two?"

Ark explained, "You seem to forget that when God gave you visions and dreams about who to Anoint, I accompanied you on many expeditions. Remember when you Anointed Zesh and Aza's village? They were just four and three years old. Two months later, Dynoxa attacked, killing everyone except these two, who were hidden in an underground vault. I saved them. I'm sorry if I showed compassion while you were busy with life."

Hela criticized, "Rouke has had to fill big shoes while you built your kingdom, selfishly. Getting those two kids was the least you could do."

Rouke reflected, "He's right; I should have searched for them after the attack."

Vojim intervened, "God has reasons for everything. He must have known Ark would be the best fit for those two."

Rouke warned, "Ark, I'm watching you at all times."

Ark smirked, "As you should, Leader Rouke."

CHAPTER ENDS .

DAY ONE OF SPIRIT TRIALS NEXT WEEK

HOPE YALL ARE READY...