Chapter 14: The General of the Grey Knights. Infinite Yes Sir
Finn’s mind was enveloped with questions. He wanted to know who she was, how powerful she was, with and without the Corrupted blade.
’If she has the same ability as me, then how is she not half as popular?’ Finn’s mind was bustling with questions.
But alas he could not get any answers.
At least for now.
Finally the last test had finished and the shy boy had collected his level ranking from Sir Antonio.
He was on the same level as Finn, Level Three, and gloomily accepted his fate as though a curse had been thrown in his face.
Finn on the other hand, was overjoyed by his common Level Three ranking.
Not just the shy boy, but Frey who had a frown plastered on her face, as she glared at the girl with the corrupted sword, maybe in envy or pure rivalry.
Even someone with a Level Four rating was still envious of someone who had a Level Five rating.
’Who am I not to also be greedy?’ Finn replaced his smile with a discontented look as he rose up from the muddy plains, he and Terrence going to join the others.
With all the students finally accounted for before Sir Antonio, he cleared his throat, glancing at each one of them before speaking.
"Alright, since we are done with the assessment program," his eyes drifted to the beaten up mech.
"Thank you for destroying every chance of me getting a raise. Now we can go join the General in his announcement."
With that Antonio turned around and began to move towards the direction of a path.
Each of them followed closely behind.
While they did so, Finn couldn’t help but think about the girl with the corrupted sword once again. Glancing at her, as she led the group after Sir Antonio.
This time the burn of his anxiety got the better of him.
He turned to Terrence who was beside him, hands folded behind his neck as he was clearly enjoying the scenery of the forest path that led outside the training ring.
"Who is she?" Finn asked.
Terrence blinked a few times, tracking Finn’s gaze to see who he was talking about, and when he did, his lips curled.
"Looking for a second girlfriend are we friend," Terrence said nudging Finn on the shoulder.
Finn simply grumbled, ’I can’t imagine who is more annoying in this guy and Estes.’
Terrence laughed at the expression Finn had on his face. "Hahahaha, Finn, I’m kidding, you don’t have to take it all too personal.... Well, she is of a royal House obviously, Artemis Bryce."
Finn took in the name like it was a revelation. He had no knowledge of the mighty Houses in the Gravemont Kingdom, however the name sounded quite important...
Maybe?
With that little information, Finn could already see the reason for envy in Frey Antigonous.
Family rivalry maybe. Losing to Artemis probably burned worse than the score itself. If Finn was in her shoes he would feel the same.
"I can only wonder why you aren’t angry about her gaining a higher score than you?" Finn turned to Terrence, "you are also from a distinguished family, aren’t you?"
Terrence shrugged, "what is there to be envious of, comparison is the thief of joy. I plan on staying happy the best I can."
Finn rolled his eyes, ’Right, I would expect nothing less from the handsome blonde.’
"He only gets hotter," Estes commented from within.
Finn simply ignored, already used to her usual disturbing self.
***
The group traversed the long forest path, up the muddy terrains to the rocky cemented road.
Their boots clattering onto the ground as they moved at a steady tempo.
Whatever they were heading to, they were slowly closing in on it.
Finally just as the sun rays began to dwindle bringing slowly the dusk of night, they reached it.
The back of an enormous crowd was the first thing they met, the rowdy noises from both males and females, then past that was an enormous podium that spanned for a dozen feet long and meters wide. On the platform stood three people, all suited up in...
Grey Armour.
But past them was the true pristine sight.
It was a barrack, the streets lit with golden glowing lamplights. For as far as one could see, a number of small huts that could fit around twenty people dotted all around the barracks.
This was Brixton Academy. Or more appropriately put, Brixton Military Base.
Reaching the crowd, Sir Antonio finally broke off from the group, and disappeared into the crowd.
Moments later Frey did the same, so did Artemis.
However the shy boy remained, his head down and shoulders lifted.
Terrence also, surprisingly stayed by Finn’s side.
Throwing his hand over Finn’s shoulder and then, the shy boy startling them both.
"Bros must stay strong together! Eyes up soldiers." Terrence joked.
"Oh now, just gouge out my eyes and stab my ears already," Finn facepalmed himself yet again.
At this Terrence laughed, "And deprive myself of your daily commentary? Never."
The shy boy simply remained silent watching as the two yelled at each other, Finn who was scrappy and the earnest Terrence.
He groaned, "why am I being pulled into this?"
Just as the uproar of murmuring was about to become unbearable, a loud thundering voice covered the entire crowd, curbing them into silence.
"Shut the hell up!"
The grey knight with short brown hair, a large prominent scar on his nose bridge and a short scruffy beard spoke. "You will now be faced with your General, The General of the Grey Knights."
"General Eric."
With that a hefty man stepped past the announcing grey knight. He was large, larger than everyone else on the platform. Long white hair, short white goatee, a face that carried many scars, making him have a very terrifying yet disturbing glare.
All in all he seemed like a man one would not want to mess with, even in the slightest, name of joking.
General Eric pulled in a breath and then spoke, "Welcome to Brixton. The land where many of you will spend their final days, suffer beyond compare and wish you were not born."
"Every year, recruits die. Some quit. Some break. Some decide death is kinder than Brixton."
"I am not here to care for you, not certainly here to pamper you. I am here for true soldiers. Men that see death in the face and bite its fucking face off."
"Being a grey knight is not about strength or knowledge, it is perseverance! And only those that can persevere through the horror of death can truly become a Grey Knight!"
"Are you prepared to die for the Gravemont cause?!"
"Yes sir!!!" The crowd responded as though it was a practiced reaction.
"Are you prepared for the horrors of becoming a Grey Knight?!"
"Yes sir!"
"Can you die for your King! The royal family!"
"For your General!"
"For the human race!"
"Are you prepared to take torture from the heinous Corrupted Monsters?!"
"Give me an answer Soldiers!"
"Yes sir!" This time they yelled so loudly, Finn could have sworn his voice box had shattered.
The General satisfied with the replies they had given nodded and raised out a hand. "Welcome to Brixton Military Base."
