The Heart Of Gaia - Chapter 32 The Fortress

The field we were waiting in was surrounded by a sea of trees, from beyond it was the refreshing breeze, cooling our bodies with its soft touch. There were weapon racks in place and arrow targets arranged.

“I’m (blank) by the way.”

This character held out his hand, along with it was a bright smile and warm eyes that seemed very kind. As I was about to do the same, the noise came stirring from the crowd of recruits who took our attention.

As I turned to look at the ongoing situation, there, I saw a stern-looking man. I guess Bardel doesn’t train the recruits anymore, but judging from Cordelia’s situation, He would be in the same boat as she is.

“All recruits! Fall in line!” He shouted.

The trainees went running to align themselves.

“Let’s go.”

The kind guy beside me went away and his group of friends followed him, I did the same, following him to the formation.

“As you all know some of you are recently recruited from the Black Market incident–” He paused.

As he paused, memories of the past came through my mind that brought horrible experiences. My eyes wandered to my fellow recruits, some had eyes filled with disdain while others remained neutral on the matter.

The remaining were despondent, hopeful, and random. I couldn’t express how guilty I was of what happened, their faces exuded the feelings that they went through. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t make the words that would make this right. Plus, I don’t think they would want to hear it from the one who murdered most of their families; especially their homes.

*Cough!*

He coughed so that he’d willingly take their attentions, but it worked.

“While some of you are previous recruitees that failed, this will be another chance for you all to prove yourselves.”

“Welcome Class 3 recruits! I usually start the training with a simple introduction!”

There were at least fifty recruits lined laterally, facing him, standing stiff in respect. The instructor started to pace from left to right while keeping his arms crossed behind him. It revealed his large stomach that protruded through his shirt.

His face seemed flushed with heavy eyes, brazenly looking at us. It looks like he was drunk. I could only discern this truth as he slightly wobbled when he walked. He was a well-rounded man especially with weight, but he wasn’t that tall; Average per se.

“You all have a reason to be here, whether it be revenge, love, power, or improvement.”

He started his pep-talk which was the opposite of Bardel who went for action straight away. I could hear faint murmurs a few paces away.

“Is that man goin’ to teach us?”

They started chuckling, making fun of the plump man, couldn’t really blame them but others started mocking him. His greasy looking appearance didn’t really help make him look respectable.

“NONE OF THAT MATTERS!” He shouted.

Soon, he sauntered his way towards the laughing recruits, facing them with a serious look in his eye. It slightly glinted.

“What’s so funny?” He said.

“Nothin’ Sir!”

He had a rugged look, a hairstyle that was eccentric. It was shaved on both sides, leaving him a long braided mohawk flowing towards his back that matched his long graying beard, which was divided into four equal parts that laid all the way to his chest; It was intimidating.

“Is that right?” He asked.

“Yes! Sir!” The recruits replied that followed a salute.

“Hmm…”

Then he started laughing in front of the recruits which was paused every now and then. It was because he belched in between. The recruits were slightly backing away while holding their noses.

“I like kids like you! So, you think I’m funny huh?! Is my belly too podgy for you?”

His laughing was hysterical, the recruits couldn’t help but laugh along with him and soon the remaining recruits did the same.

“Go grab a weapon,” He said sternly.

His mustache nudged slightly the moment he said that I couldn’t look away either and I wasn’t the only one.

“W-What?” They said in unison.

“GO! GRAB! A! WEAPON!” He shouted.

“ENJOYING THE VIEW!? GET BACK TO POSITION YOU PESTS!” He pointed towards us.

We hurriedly went back to position, I thought he was going to be really easy-going but it looks like I’ll be in a world of pain.

“WHAT ARE YOU TWO WAITING FOR!? GO GRAB A WEAPON?!”

The recruits hurried towards the weapon racks and each of them took hold of a weapon. They held standard dull training swords.

“Now! To position you, insufferable ingrates! Take stance! Face each other!”

They took arms, facing one another. The Instructor had picked up a branch from the ground that gave him a hard time since his large stomach was blocking the way. He neared the two recruits then deliberately smacked them into position.

“Your form is too weak! Straighten your back! Hold the sword on chest level!”

He asked for their names then made them fight. As the were sparring, He was barking orders from afar while drinking from a small container that he kept safe hanging on his side.

“You fools think that you can fight properly! Each and every one of you slobs is too ignorant!” He said with displeasure.

“Laugh if you think you have the talent or strength to back it up!”

“Form is sloppy! Is this the trash that the Liberators could muster up! Pathetic!”

“Better give up now than waste your life dying!”

I could tell that one of the sparring recruits had enough of this laughable lardy man. Right after, he took a large swing, he continued to do so that he spun to deliberately hit the loud Instructor.

To our surprise, even while drinking, he took the impact of a full three-sixty swing of a sword with just his left finger. Then he let loose a loud belch that followed after.

“What do you think you are doing? Scum?” He threatened.

His brows furrowed that clearly offended him, on the other hand, the recruit was awe-struck and dumbfounded by his strength. This recruit was prideful, in a sense that he stood taller and bulkier than his target which was probably why he looked down on him.

“Big mistake recruit.”

He took the sword by its dull blade and shoved it towards the cocky recruit, the hilt dove deep in his stomach that made his drop on all fours.

“I am Weylham Oughtlawe! Now! Whoever is stupid enough to do the same as this poor lad will meet the same fate!”

“Sir, Yes Sir!” Everyone shouted in unison.

“Well, what are you all waiting for?! Go grab a weapon!”

As everyone moved towards the weapon racks, there was a figure that came late from behind him. To my surprise, it was the same quiet recruit from the Chow Hall.

“So you’ve decided to show yourself?” Said Instructor Weylham.

The recruit didn’t answer.

As I took to the weapon racks, I heard faint murmurs of other recruits.

“I know that fat man…”

“Well? Who’s the chubby bloke? He acts as if he owns the place.”

“That’s the former owner of the Fortress, He’s known for being strict when training recruits. Word is, he retired from being a mercenary.”

“But I thought Sir Bardel owned the place? Is he a Bardel too? Wonder why he’s back?”

So this fat man might be related to Bardel? I could see some resemblance, but it feels highly unlikely. That opinion seems forced or forged. The Bardel I knew was admirable, respected, and honorable, but this man being a Bardel seemed preposterous because he stood opposite of what a Bardel is supposed to be.

He may have been strict, but in the other aspects, he failed to show any promise that he came from the respectable Bardel family.

“WELL RECRUIT?! YOU’VE NOTHING TO SAY?!”

His thunderous voice took my attention away from the gossiping recruits, I turned to the sight of him scolding the late newcomer. The recruit had a blank expression, his glasses reflected the sunlight that shadowed his face with his hair blowing in the wind.

“I see…” Said Instructor Oughtlawe.

It was an odd sight, he stood motionless, like a tree, but somehow his eyes never diverted away. As if all of his focus was directed at what he’s staring.

“Even so! You came late! anyone who comes in late will receive a punishment! I’ll make an example out of you,” He pointed at the recruit.

“Choose a weapon!”

The recruit nodded then proceeded to march towards the weapon racks. Emotionless, straight-forward, and calm. He felt more like a machine than a human being. As he got to the weapon racks he took a bow and quiver filled with arrows.

Sir Oughtlawe, despite his aggressive demeanor and laidback expression; He was keenly observing the recruit, as the glint in his eyes hinted at something. Something that only he could discern from the recruit.

“Do you know how to shoot?” He asked.

The recruit nodded.

“Then show me.”

The man pointed towards the farthest target within the shooting range, it was adjacent to the weapon racks, so he moved towards it to get in position. The bright, red, circular target was at least fifty meters away, and it was windy. It seemed like an impossible feat.

The recruit began to take a deep breath, as he sighed, he nocked an arrow and placed it on top of the bow as he stretched his hands into position. Everyone was quiet, we, the viewers watched his sheer intensity and focus. He never blinked, his face retained the same expressionless fashion.

The calm surrounding was unnerving as everybody waited for him to fire the shot. As the wind blew in a breeze that carried leaves from the trees; The arrow went firing straight away without any intrusion.

“YOU THERE!”

I turned towards Sir Oughtlawe with a surprised expression. I lifted my finger towards myself, carrying a slight hint of doubt.

“M-Me?” I asked.

“Yes, you! go check on the arrow!”

“Yes! Sir!” I replied.

Without a moment of hesitation, I frantically ran towards the farthest haybale that had a red circular mark on it. After a few moments, I was nearing the target, but to my expectations, there was no arrow.

“Well, I didn’t really expect a long shot from a recruit,” I said to myself.

I turned around and waved my hands around to signal that it was a miss. Then the instructor motioned towards me to go farther.

“What was he talking about?” As I scratched my head.

I went farther, looking for the whereabouts of the arrow. Beyond it was the forest, it was peaceful with a hint of singing birds in the early morning. A few minutes as I entered the sea of trees, something caught my eye, a bright red object hanging from the tree.

“A-An apple?”

As I came closer to inspect, It was an apple tree with several apples hanging about ready for picking.

“H-How?!”

Awestruck, I saw the arrow in the middle of its trunk. On the arrow shaft was a bright red apple, its juicy contents were coating it. The apple was pierced in the middle. The tree was at least ten meters away from the target itself. How in the world did he spot that?

I took the arrow and swiped another apple along with it. It’s enticing brightness took over me since I didn’t eat anything for breakfast, I felt my stomach growl a little bit. I strolled out and hurriedly ate the apple, I wouldn’t dare eat in front of that old geezer.

After some time, I finally made my way back with the quiet recruit doing push-ups.

“Sir! Look! you were right!” I gleefully remarked.

His eyes widened, which was followed by a confident smirk. How could he have possibly seen that happened? it was covered by the vast number of trees that it was barely visible.

“I guess you have talent! But! Don’t think for a second that I’ll be treating you differently! Keep working!”

The recruit didn’t even reply and kept to his task. Meanwhile, he took two students, made them choose their own respective weapons then made them spar against each other. The same process continued until it was finally my turn.

I worried because I was useless with any kind of weapon, each time I sparred with Higime; I lost, horribly. I admit that with my fairly less than average physique, I couldn’t really face against a Faustian; The pinnacle of physical brawn. It was like a mouse facing a tiger.

As I slowly panicked, but at the same time bracing myself for the strict old man and his punishment. I felt a slight tap on my shoulders that made me turn. It was the same nice guy that I befriended earlier, he threw a small gesture as he smiled.

“Nervous? Don’t be…”

“T-thank you,” I said slightly soothed by his words.

Well, I better expect the worst. We faced each other in position, I stared at the field behind us where the finished recruits kept their sparring going while the rest still waited at the line from where we came from.

“Choose a weapon! Anythin’ will do!” Sir Oughtlawe barked.

I immediately went to the weapon rack and kept rummaging around for anything good to swing with that wasn’t too heavy for me. As I took my time searching for a perfect weapon, my eyes wandered to my opponent to which he held a slim but dull-edged rapier that laid comfortably on his right hand.

“What are you waiting for!?” He barked again.

This time I knew his patience was wearing thin so I just grabbed a standard sword. I sauntered towards my position as I faced my opponent directly opposite of me. He was (physical description) that carried the elegant sword with poise.

Instructor Oughtlawe took to his position which was in between us.

“The winner will announce his name first then proceed training with the others while the loser will do the same but will do fifty push-ups.”

*Sigh*

I already knew I was going to lose so I might as well get this over with.

“To your positions!”

I took the standard short sword stance that I barely remembered from the classes of Sir Bardel. On the other hand, my opponent looked confident as I slightly stumbled into position.

“BEGIN!”

As he chopped his hand into the air to signal the start then moved away. My opponent immediately charged towards me with the dull-pointed end.

*Clang!*

The clash of steel made me stumble away as I barely parried his attack. The flurry of thrusts he threw against me was insanely difficult to dodge and block. I stared at him with desperation as I saw his confident expression.

I bet he could’ve ended this faster if he wanted it, but I wonder why he didn’t? Was he testing me? It was frustrating.

Finally, he ended the fight, leaving me on the ground tasting the dry dirt and grass in defeat. As I turned to look as he wore a satisfied face, standing atop me with pride. He held his hand out then I grabbed it as he pulled me to stand.

“Name?!” Said the old man.

“My name is (blank).”

“You?!” He pointed towards me.

“Knoxx Abbot, sir!”

“Nice to meet you!” I continued.

I held my hand towards him, but he didn’t do the same as his eyes widened, staring at me like some sort of monster.

As I tried to formally meet him, I felt a dreadful atmosphere all around me. I finally understood the situation as I saw the fellow recruits surrounding me. They all wore a distasteful expression, full of contempt and disdain.

“Hmm, another trouble maker! Now drop and give me fifty!”

I threw myself on the ground as I tried to ignore all that horrible energy against me. It was unnerving to feel all of those feelings pitted towards me. All that anger I could feel piercing through me with each passing moment that I could hear their voices in my head.

Even that guy who was nice to me had a hint of unnerved aura while gazing at me. Although, he still wore that same smile he had earlier despite knowing who I was; it felt forced.

Until the sunset, the Instructor finally dismissed us from our training. Our group and other classes made its way towards the drawbridge, I could already feel the piercing gazes of fellow recruits around me. No one came near me that I had a radius of space as I walked.

(Blank) never spoke to me ever since we introduced each other, come to think of it I never saw him even in training. The feeling of loneliness was eating me, it was unnerving because it was something familiar.

Familiar in a sense that I’ve felt it before, inside the prison cells below the Fortress. This was still a bit bearable and I could handle it, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious when I saw other people together.

When I finally reached the drawbridge, there was a commotion going on. The students grouped themselves directly below the gates, the sea of men and women from different classes got stuck there.

I tried squeezing myself inside but there were too many people. I figured that since not all of them stared at me with the intent of killing me yet, I guess the word hasn’t spread out.

I looked at the person beside me and tried to ask him.

“What? you don’t know? Apparently, there’s a fight going on.”

“Do you know who?” I asked.

“I think it’s that quiet guy and another recruit.”

There was only one quiet guy that I could discern, I knew for certain that it was that person. Maybe I’ll just try to find another way inside. Right before I turned around, I heard a familiar voice; It was (blank).

I could only hear his voice shouting amongst the crowd, it felt distressed. I hope that maybe it wasn’t him in that fight. I shoved, squeezed, and forced myself through the mass number of people.

When I got there I finally saw him, he was partially beaten up while the quiet guy was in good shape.

“Hey! (Blank) are you alright?”

He turned to look towards me since I caught his attention.

“Stay away! that guy is dangerous!” He motioned his hand for me to stay away.

The opponent stayed expressionless of the matter. I couldn’t leave my friend in such a perilous situation that I had to interfere.

“Stay away! This fight is over!” I screamed.

“You emotionless bastard! You tried attacking my friends!” (Blank) shouted.

After that, the crowd started booing the opposite in agreement, but there he still stood with a blank expression then went away inside. As I tried to take the victim’s side his friends held a horrible expression towards me.

“Are you al–”

“Stay away,” Said one of his friends.

They continued to surround him then tended to his needs. I couldn’t impose and force myself into their group, but I’ve already done my job so I left. What followed was a couple of knights that passed by to assess the situation, but they were already too late.

As I passed through the gatehouse, I turned right and waited there. I wanted to make sure that they’d bring my friend towards the infirmary, after a few moments they came assisting their friend.

“Get better soon…” I whispered.

I pondered why did our fellow recruit would do that? He never struck me as an aggressive type. Nevertheless, it was still horrible maybe I’ll confront him when I see him.

Soon, I passed through the bailey and went to the right side of the great hall.

*Clang* *Clang*

The insistent clanging of metals was resounding inside my head as I passed by the blacksmith. His muscles were aching and I could see the vein trembling on his biceps with each strike. The process in which he was going through was fascinating.

He didn’t even bother to look at me as he continued to hone the metal into shape. I always saw him every day making weapons, it was probably because he had a lot of orders from the Liberators.

After a short while of admiring his craft, I left. There was a wooden stair in between the Blacksmith area and the way to the Great Hall. It leads directly into the second floor of the hall and was the shortest route to take towards my room.

This was the same path that I kept taking even the month before, it was just so peaceful passing through here as people rarely went this way. Slowly, I stepped onto the stairs and made my way towards my room. The orange sunset was seeping into the hallway windows.

I didn’t think of grabbing a meal since I was very tired, I just wanted to rest on my bed. Besides, I don’t think I’ll ever get a meal until I apologize to that woman. Thinking about her made me shudder a little bit. Tomorrow is going to be much harder, I knew, it made me feel anxious since I didn’t know how to handle it.

“I’ll just deal with it tomorrow,” I muttered to myself.

There were guards everywhere inside the Fortress that I think they didn’t felt the need to assign one to me. Basically, I didn’t feel any sense of privacy with the exception when I’m inside my room.

*Creak!*

The creaking of my bedroom door broke the silence within the halls, finally, I was safe. I hurriedly untied my shoes and threw the boots to the side; I hopped onto the bed and laid myself there. Today was crazy, but tomorrow will be even worse.

As my eyes slowly fell to a close, I felt something was amiss. I couldn’t fall asleep, that thing kept bugging my mind, as a result, I sat upright. After a few minutes, my head felt a little heavy that it slowly tilted down.

“What?!”

My neck felt light and that was probably the reason, I kept looking for the necklace everywhere, but to no avail; I couldn’t find it.