In an almost bare meeting room were five figures all decked out in gold armor-an attire saved for the famous Honor Guard- surrounding a table, the only furniture in the room.

  “We’re on babysitting duty?” Kai groaned in frustration at their new mission. The group, also disappointed at their new mission, chose to express their frustrations differently compared to their rookie by simply frowning.

  Captain Spark noticing their reactions gave them an explanation. “It may sound like babysitting but it’s not.” The squad turned to their Captain after hearing the solemn tone he adopted. “It’s been weeks since the attack on the ships of other powers. Which have all refrained from leaving their countries out of fear of being attacked.” Captain Spark scanned his squad before unfurling a map on the table in front of them.

  “We are going to be the first to leave the comforts of our homes to travel. Although Flow City is three days away and cannot be considered far, it is still a trip outside of the Academy’s range. From our reports we believe they will attack us on the way back. Around here.” Captain Sparks pointed at an open area.

  Hal raised a brow at the pointed location “Fair’s Hills? The lands of the Fair merchant family. But it's all just open grasslands for miles. We could spot them easily.”

  “It's their only choice. You hit us before we get to Fair’s Hills, House Flow with Elite Wind Elementals will get to us quick. And get us after we pass Fair Hills, our men will get to us quick enough if we hold them.” York answered Hal's doubts with a smirk. A smirk that formed after realizing why they chose Flow City instead of anywhere else. Elemental Beasts could be found in most Inner District Cities and yet they chose the home of the Ancient House, Flow. “They are forcing House Flow to make sure we get out of their lands safely.” York let out a chuckle at the genius of their Commander.

  Hal said “ I can understand all this, but all that planning is based on if they attack.”.

  “They will.” Captain Sparks answered confidently.

  Greta, feeling her curiosity take over, wondered “Why are you so sure they will attack?”

  Squad Four stood in silence listening closely to the details of their mission. Captain Sparks folded his arms“ Because. We will be keeping watch over a little over a half a dozen kids. And they aren’t just random kids. They are the newly built Diamond Class. All personally handpicked by Grandmaster Ken himself. So these kids are very important to the Academy.”

  Kai took on a frown after hearing this, and asked “If they are so important, why send them away. Why not keep them here.”

  “A tiger stuck in a cage its whole life will not compare to the tiger that has roamed the jungles.” York responded, giving his rookie a little advice at the same time.

  After York was finished, Captain Sparks continued, “We will be given the job of guarding all students. No mercy to any attacker. We don’t need answers from them. We can get them another time.”

  “Still, will they risk it?” Kai questioned the plan, not sure if the plan would really go into fruition.

  “Of course. Grandmaster Ken is also coming.” The intel got a raise of brows from the rest of the squad. “We were victims of an assassination attempt a few weeks ago. And the target was Grandmaster Ken. I’m sure they would like another chance. We’re giving them one.” Captain Sparks spoke with a tone of confidence.

  “ So, our ship will be carrying our future and our past. A legend and future pillars.A perfect target for our enemies.” Hal nodded his head after understanding the confidence the higher ups had on their chances of being attacked.

  “If that's the case, why just us? If I remember correctly the group that attacked last time was made up of fourteen Elementals and at least all of them were of Elite rank. If they know those numbers won’t be enough, then they will most likely send more. We wouldn’t survive, especially since our goal is to protect others, not ourselves.” Greta’s words put a frown on everyone’s face.

  Kai especially. He just graduated from the Academy and he is the only Advanced Elemental in the squad. And his experience as an Advanced Elemental is only two years. Within those two years he never had to battle an Elite Elemental in a life or death situation. This would be the first time battling someone who could turn a ball of flames into a spear or turning stone to hammers.

  “Kai!” Kai lifted his head up to see everyone staring at him. “You okay?” Kai turned to Captain Sparks and nodded. Attempting to reassure his Captain he smiled and said “My first major mission. I-I mean the last one was major too but like I didn’t-”

  “Kai.” York called out to him. With the boy’s eyes on him, York smiled “It’s just another mission. We will be on many more in the future.”

  Kai gave a nervous laugh, “Yeah, yeah.”

  Captain Sparks gave him one last look before continuing “As I said before, our goal is to protect the kids. That is all. Grandmaster Ken has said he doesn’t need any protection. And we will believe his words. We will simply eliminate anyone who gets near the kids. Grandmaster Ken, will handle the rest. Any questions?” The squad answered with shakes of their heads except Greta who raised her hand.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “What about our numbers? You forgot to touch on that.”

  “We will have help, no worries. Any other questions?” This time none raised their hands.

  “Good. Prepare yourselves. You are all dismissed.” Everyone saluted their Captain before ,making their way out the room. Everyone but York.

  The two stood in silence for a few minutes. Captain Sparks hung his head low and let out a tired sigh “What is it York?”

  “The boy, Captain. We got lucky on the last mission. But this…” York gestured to the map on the table “the boy won’t survive. He’s basically a liability. He’s another kid we have to watch over.”

  Captain Sparks shook his head in disagreement. “The boy has passed our tests and he was recommended to our squad. He will be treated the same as any other member.”

  “He will die out there.” This time York's voice was raised a bit, revealing a bit of anger at the Captain’s decision to allow the boy into the mission despite knowing the chances of the boy surviving isn’t low.

  “So what do you want me to do?” Captain Sparks lifted his head and asked.

  “Change the personal. Choose someone else. Ask the Commander to switch the kid out. We will be the only squad assigned to this mission. A mission that is too dangerous and much too important to allow Kai to participate in.” York explained hoping his Captain would see his reasoning but all he saw was Captain Sparks shaking his head.

  Captain Sparks calmly replied “The last time a recommendation for a permanent member came was Gretel. Five years ago. ” Captain put an emphasis on their long wait. “ And she is a great addition to the Squad. Something you didn’t see at first until she saved you during that battle with those boys from the Triarchy Bank. This kid must have something the top sees. I will put my trust in them.” Captain Sparks rolled the map up and began leaving.

  “And who knows, maybe that boy will do the same thing Gretel did four years ago.” Captain opened the door and came to a stop. Without looking over his shoulder he said,

  “He might just be the one to save you.”

  ***

  In front of the mirror stood Kai, donned in golden armor unique to the Honor Guard, standing in front of the mirror, inspecting his armor for any stains, dents, or missing parts that could lead him to being scolded by Greta who always said the Honor Guard must always look presentable. Every member of the Honor Guard is a representation of the entire organization

  “So your embarrassment is our embarrassment.” Kai muttered to himself the words he knew Greta would utter. With a smile, he continued his inspection of his golden armor.

  The armor shone, like the golden sun. A design obviously meant for standing out. But the Academy wouldn’t blatantly do something so vain. So they created the reason. The reason being that like the sun, it would chase away the darkness and bring hope to all who saw their shining golden armor. A story that has been told since its founding until now.

  Kai took a final scan of his armor before nodding his head, satisfied with what he saw. On the way out he grabbed his daggers and a standard sword by the door before leaving his room.

  ***

  “Presentable.” Kai immediately shut his mouth that was on the verge of yawning after hearing Greta remind him from his left. Kai held back a glare meant for Hal after hearing him snicker right beside him.

  Squad Four of the Honor Guard stood under the blazing heat in their golden armors waiting for their mission to arrive. While doing so, they stood lined up behind Captain Sparks, trying not to sweat so much before the mission even began.

  “When are they coming?” Kai took a peek at their captain making sure the coast was cleared before he whispered to Greta.

  “Patience.”Greta gave her answer, causing Kai to frown. He had been patient for over an hour now. His sweat was falling down his back and he was resisting the urge to wipe the sweat rolling down his face.

  All of a sudden heard clamor of noise catching his and everyone else’s attention. Walking out the Welcoming Hall was a small group of students, all appearing to be excited and full of energy. The sight brought Kai down a trip through memory lane. He remembered his first time out the Academy was for an unveiling of a ship from a Great House. Something all powers do after creating an Airship, a rare creation only a few can have. Kai was lucky enough to be one of the chosen students to go outside. Him and his classmates couldn’t stop talking the entire time.

  Now watching these excited kids in front of him sharing excited murmurs and happy smiles, he forgot his earlier complaints.

  Right behind the kids were a pair of old men, one was the old man with bushy sideburns, Grandmaster Ken while the other was an unfamiliar balding old man. The mysterious old man walked side by side with Grandmaster Ken with a limp that was helped by a cane. A cane that glimmered under the sun, the silver flames appeared to be dancing under the sunlight.

  Kai scanned the man and noticed the old man was wearing black robes similar to Professors. But Kai didn’t find the old man familiar at all. He wasn’t even sure if the old man was even in the Academy during his years. Taking the man in from head to toe, he noticed the old man was smiling at him, his hazel colored eyes reflected the sun as they shone with warmth and friendliness. Spotting his smile, Kai returned it with one of his own.

  “Sorry Captain for being late.” Grandmaster Ken gestured towards the old man beside him “This is Professor Orion of the Mortal Relations. He will be joining us, I hope you don’t mind.”

  Professor Orion smiled as he introduced himself. “Hello brave folks, I am Professor Orion.”

  “ Captain Sparks.” Captain Sparks introduced himself before turning around towards his squad to introduce everyone from left to right.

  “This is Greta.” “Hello”

  “Kai.” “Nice to meet you”

  “Hal.” “Hello.”

  “And my right hand, York.”

  “Nice to meet you sir and you too little ones.” York introduced himself to both man and children with a big smile on his face.

  Captain Sparks, still carrying an expressionless face, answered “And we don’t mind at all at the extra people Grandmaster. If it is fine with you Grandmaster then it is fine with us.”

  “Great!” Grandmaster Ken clapped his hands with a wide smile. “Because Professor Orion brought one more student with him.” The shocking words froze the squad. With a quick glance they counted nine instead of the reported eight. A mortal old man and an extra kid. Kai had a feeling their mission just leveled up in difficulty.

  “Right!Then let's get this journey on the road.”