Astralis Prime, The Planet of Warriors

Sword Academy, Hall of Blades

Shadow (looks at his small hand, tightly clenched around the wrapped handle of a dangerous sword): Why do they make me do this everyday, over and over. Is this the purpose of life? Swinging a sword, missing my mark- what’s the point? What’s the point of getting strong? I’m only five…

He raises the sword, aiming for the stuffed target, stuck on a sturdy cement pole. He misses, in return hearing a loud voice yelling at him. Master Agamo and his supervisor enter the training room.

Agamo (briskly walks forward, his sword is strapped at his hip by a black holster, the blade dangles, running sharply along the stone floors): “What have I told you, boy? Have you learnt nothing from your teachings?”

Shadow opens his mouth to respond, but Agamo raises a hand and slaps the kid across the face. Shadow curls inward to withstand the blow as Agamo looks down at the boy from his nose.

Supervisor: “Agamo, go easy on him. He is just a measly human, afterall. Their physical strength is much too weak compared to us, The Primes.

Agamo (pulls away, his face slightly red with anger): “Stop joking around. You say ‘human’, huh? Don’t mind my thoughts; but it seems like you’ve forgotten who that kid was bore from.”

Supervisor (his face changes slowly, recognition sinking into his features): “That child is far too precious to our kind. I know very well whose son he is, but the thing is; we can’t afford the cost of his life, if he doesn’t show any sign of inhuman strength. At this rate, you are just killing his emotions.”

Just as they say this, Shadow stands from the ground, tears pooled in his glowing blue eyes. He squares his shoulders and turns to face the two instructors.

Agamo (sighs and retrieves Shadow’s sword): “Hold this sword, brat. And start practicing until you can’t. You have only one year, then you will have to leave the Academy. Better learn the basics.”

He watches as they leave the room on silent feet, Agamo’s robe bristles as they exit, the supervisor glances over his shoulder before the doors swing shut, leaving Shadow alone in the big room.

Shadow (begins talking to himself, eyes closed as he leans his forehead on the handle of the sword, he sighs once more): I want to run away from here; as far away as I can. My name may be Shadow, but I won’t be on the ground like a shadow, I won’t do as they command, not like any shadow would.

Meanwhile, a hallway away, Agamo enters his private room, shooing his secretary, Astride away. He sits down at his wooden desk and sighs heavily, bringing a hand to his forehead.

Agamo: “I see no special in that boy, he is just like all the others I’ve taught before him.”

Agamo stands and walks to his personal bookshelf, flipping through page after page. “But there is something about this boy… ah, here it is…” He reads silently, pacing. The rules of battle are laid out in sketches and small notes. He reads for several hours, lighting a gas lamp beside the book. Agamo only stops when he hears loud laughter and echoing steps down the corridor.

Student 1 (slaps Shadow and roars with laughter): “The freak doesn’t know how to defend himself!”

Student 2: “You’d think by being the teacher’s pet, he’d wise up.”

Student 1 (knocks Shadow to the ground and spit over him, laughing louder as tears of anger pool into the boy’s eyes): “What is it? Are you going to cry? Cry baby, cry baby!”

Student 2 (shoves Student 1 away from Shadow): “Go, go! Here comes Agamo! He’ll see!”

The students clear the hallway, just as Amago turns the corner and sees Shadow getting to his feet, a crimson trickle of blood on his upper lip.

Agamo (narrowed eyes, he walks past Shadow and continues down the hallway. Shadow’s head drops, silent tears roll down his cheeks. He hears footsteps and turns, Agamo storm down the hallway and yanks the boy further down the hallway): “They bullied you, no?”

Shadow: “I- no. No, they didn’t bully me.”

Agamo: “You lie, brat.”

He slams the door to his office, then sinks into his desk. He swirls a finger on the tabletops, glancing up at Shadow a few moments later. Shadow stands shakily in front of the entrance.

Agamo: “Let me tell you a story, Shadow. Of a boy who was bullied. He dedicated his whole childhood to getting stronger and defeating his enemies. He grew strong, but thought he was not strong enough. He defeated one after another- but was still not satisfied.”

Shadow sinks against the door and wipes at his bloody nose. He watches Agamo with confused eyes, the sudden kindness from the teacher confuses him.

“Were you the boy?”