Kale had to leave early. He knew that if his little sister, Celeya, woke up and saw him go, she wouldn't let him leave her behind. She would refuse to stay and insist on following him. And if she stopped him... Kale knew his own weakness: he wouldn't be able to control his emotions, and he'd either take her with him or abandon his mission altogether.

  He checked his laptop, verifying the last email exchange with Principal Calvin.

  Calvin's reply was simple, clear, and immensely reassuring: “Don’t worry, my boy. You’ve done your best. I take full responsibility for your younger sister. Starting tomorrow, she will be staying with my twelve-year-old granddaughter, alongside me. And i will watch them both.”

  "Thank you, Principal Calvin," Kale whispered to himself, a film of tears coating his eyes. "You're the only person I can count on for Celeya's safety."

  He turned back to the room, looking one last time at Celeya, who was curled up in sleep, innocent and perfect. Kale couldn't bear the sight. Tears tracked down his cheeks, and he spun quickly back toward the door. "I'm sorry, Celeya. I have to leave you alone for now." He rushed to the door and eased it shut, slowly, silently, ensuring the gentle snick of the latch wouldn't wake her.

  The Journey to Vanguard

  He stepped out of the apartment and walked down the street. A few meters away, he glanced back at the dark building.

  I wish I could take you along with me, Celeya, he thought, his voice choked with emotion. But it's too dangerous out there with me, and I’m still too weak to protect you. I’m sorry I’m leaving you like this. I promise I’ll come home soon, and when I do, I’ll bring back the brother we lost long ago—Aling—to stand beside you.

  He walked away from the apartment without looking back again.

  "So, are you ready, young man?" the driver, a large man with a loud, energetic voice, asked.

  "Yes, I'm ready," Kale replied.

  The driver opened his front door, and Kale opened the rear door. After he placed his few belongings inside, the driver gave a firm nod. "Leave the rest to me. Your safety is in my hands from here until we reach the Special Forces Military Base."

  The car engine roared to life. Kale, lost in his turbulent emotions, barely heard a word the driver said as the car pulled away, taking him toward his new destination.

  Hours later, they arrived. In front of them stood a towering perimeter wall and a massive metal gate, easily sixty-five feet tall.

  "WOW! That's huge," Kale said, surprised. This was the first time he'd seen a gate of such impossible scale.

  "You bet it is," the driver replied, laughing. "Wouldn't be surprised. This is the entrance to the Special Forces—the most powerful force that guards and protects the world from evil. And this is nothing, young man. I hear there are even more interesting things inside the base."

  "Oh, I see," Kale murmured.

  The car stopped. The driver—Alex—got out and opened the trunk, pulling out Kale’s bag and a few sparse belongings. Kale got out, too, retrieving his things.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "All the best, young man," Alex said. "My name is Alex. I should be heading back to Vanguard City now."

  "Thank you, Mr. Alex. My name is Kale. It's a pleasure."

  Alex nodded, got into his car, and drove away.

  The Unseen Guardian

  The only things left were Kale, his bags, and the vast, empty road leading toward the giant metal gate, surrounded by thick forest. Kale looked up at the gate, noticing a large symbol engraved at the top: a stylized silver and gold eagle with two crossed swords.

  That’s strange. There’s no security, no lights, not even a guard, Kale wondered. How am I supposed to get inside? I have zero clue about this place.

  At that moment, powerful floodlights snapped on, blinding him. A deep, amplified voice boomed from speakers hidden in the upper wall. "Identify yourself before we see you as a threat, and explain your presence here!"

  Kale, nervous, shouted back, "My name is Galiem Kale! I live in Vanguard City, I’m eighteen years old, and I’m here to join the Special Forces!"

  Just as he was about to elaborate, the colossal gate began to open. The floodlights and the booming voice vanished. The sound of the gate’s movement was immense—a loud, screeching GROAN of metal echoing through the empty landscape.

  Then he saw the woman. She was effortlessly pushing the massive, multi-ton gate open with just her right hand, her left tucked under a pristine white jacket. Kale was stunned. How is that even possible? He estimated the iron giant must weigh a hundred and fifteen tons.

  She walked slowly toward him, still nudging the gate with one hand, showing no sweat, no strain, and no expression. Kale, already feeling heavy just carrying his small bag, realized the chasm of difference in strength between them: a normal human and a truly trained Special Forces soldier. Two younger soldiers, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, followed silently behind her.

  She finally let the gate swing open and faced him. She was slim, slightly taller than Kale, and stunning. She had dark purple eyes and dark purple hair, wore a white cap with the eagle symbol, and a white cloak and dress. An ornate gold cord hung from her shoulder, and a silver eagle symbol was embroidered across the back of her cloak.

  As she slowly approached, her aura hit him. It was incredibly strong and cold, pressing down on him, forcing him to bow his head. It felt as though her mere presence was commanding him to kneel.

  She stopped a few meters away, keeping a safe distance, recognizing that the young man could barely handle her natural pressure.

  "So, you're the boy Vergo sent me?" she asked. Her voice was strong, echoing clearly through the empty air, carrying a fierce, unmistakable personality.

  Kale, unable to process what was happening, simply bowed his head further, straightened both arms, and said, "Yes, Ma'am. It's me."

  She gave him a single, dismissive glance, then turned. "Follow me," she commanded, walking back toward the newly opened gate.

  Left Behind

  Kale instantly straightened and rushed forward at full speed. She had already grabbed the gate's hook and was pulling the massive steel door shut with one hand, never once looking back.

  Kale ran as fast as he could, scrambling to get inside before the gate fully closed. Judging by her actions, she truly didn't care if he made it or not. Just as the gap narrowed to nothing, Kale used all his strength to leap. "YAAAH!" he yelled.

  BAM! The gate slammed shut with a final, booming noise, the sound of compressed steel on steel vibrating the air. Kale had barely made it.

  "Huff, that was close," he whispered, wiping the sweat from his forehead while sitting on the ground, his heart hammering.

  The woman and her two soldiers were already twenty meters ahead. "Get up, or you will be left behind," she said, her tone serious, without even turning around, acting as if Kale were a minor inconvenience.

  Kale scrambled to his feet and sprinted after them. Clip-clop, clip-clop, his running footsteps echoed on the hard road. But even their normal walking speed was too fast.

  Kale was running as if his life were in danger, but he still couldn't close the gap. Finally, he stopped, bending over with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. "Huff, huff, huff." He watched them get farther and farther away until they finally disappeared into the distance.

  He looked around his surroundings. Everywhere, except the straight road they had taken, was thick, deep forest and jagged mountains. What? Inside the gate is another forest? Kale thought, struggling to control his breathing and get back on the path.