I pushed through the strange canvas material and was greeted by the most magnificent, star-filled sky I had seen in my eighteen years. Each orb of light seemed to be little eyes, watching down upon the inhabitants of the world with a look of curiosity and wonder. They twinkled brightly against the velvety sky, glowing with their unique type of light, just like I seemed to. I held my arm out in front of me, examining the newly smooth, clear surface that seemed to sparkle with tiny diamonds despite the darkness that lurked with the nightfall. It was still so peculiar, so strange to know that I was no longer a human. It would definitely take some getting used to. But, with everything con there had to be some pros, as long as you took the time to look for them. I just had to keep reminding myself that.

My eyes were adjusted to the darkness just as quickly as if I hadn't moved at all. Everything was clear as well; I could easily see out a few miles to where my new companions were standing. I began to walk towards them, taking in my surroundings. I couldn't help but feel as though the three woman expected more from me; It felt as if I was a dog who's master was trying to teach him to sit, yet the dog didn't know what the master was expecting him to do. Sighing, I took off in a quick jog, and was standing face to face with the trio instantly. Apparently my expression gave away my astonishment as Nettie and Lucy let out quirky little giggles.

"Now, now, ladies, it's going to take some time. You wouldn't want to embarrass your new General, would you?" Maria asked, a hint of forewarning in her voice as he took a quick glance each at the ladies.

"No, Maria." They seemed to answer automatically.

"Excuse me, Maria…" I murmured quietly. "But what do you mean by General?"

"Why, exactly what it sounds like to you, Jasper." Maria smiled, patting a touch hand on my broad shoulder blade. "You're going to be the General of our newborn army. Do you not remember what I told you earlier?" Her voice suggested danger, and I cleared my throat, standing taller.

"I do remember what you told me. I guess many things are taking me by surprise, that's all."

"It's understandable." She muttered, kicking the toe of her boot into the dust and twirling it around a bit. "Just try to listen to what I say next time." Turning on her heel, Maria ran a few miles North in a few seconds flat. I tried my best not to show any sign of awe at her simple feat, and I concentrated all of my senses onto what she was now saying to me and what she was bound to tell Lucy and Nettie.

"Now, General, I'd like to run a few tests for you to complete to see where to begin training with you." She bellowed as if I'd need the extra help; Surprisingly I could hear her perfectly.

"Without any blood?! Nettie exclaimed, shock clear in her voice. "But Maria, he's weak! How can he possibly complete your tests?"

"That's the whole point, stupid girl. I need to see what General will be when he's at his worst. This will give me an inkling of an idea of what he'll be when he's at his prime. Don't act irrational." Maria snarled, a hard smack imprinted on Nettie's upper back with a quick swipe of her master's hand.

"But Maria, she has a p—" Lucy began, stopping when Maria turned to her with the same glare she had just used on Nettie.

"Now, General, are you ready?" Maria asked, hands on hips and expecting eyes on her newest member.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good boy, smart boy." Maria praised, clasping her hands together before placing them on their original place. "Now, General, I'm going to have you sprint down to where I am as fast as you can. Does that sound feasible?"

I curtly nodded my head, and before I knew exactly what I was doing, I was floating. It was as though I was walking on clouds the way I seemed to glide through the air without a single flaw. I stopped right in front of my new master, and she seemed pleased. "Nicely done, General!" She praised, patting my shoulder. "Nicely done indeed. 3.798 seconds. Impressive, wouldn't you say, ladies?"

"Yes, ma'am." The two answered naturally, watching curiously as my next test was assigned.

"Next, General, we shall test your strength. I'd like for you to run down into that forest. You see that, straight to the east? Yes, that one. Go down there and find the bulkiest tree you can. Once you can rip it out of the grown, bring it back to me."

I nodded and took off, the same strange gliding feeling overtaking my legs. Arriving in the forest, I did as Maria's task instructed. I found the largest tree I could. It easily stood forty feet high and appeared to weigh nearly 200 pounds. I reached out both hands to grasp the rough trunk on both sides, quickly pulling up. As I did, the roots ripped themselves from the ground and out the tree came. It surprised even me as I continued on, sprinting with the tree until I was back where I started. I placed the tree at Maria's feet, and she placed one boot on it. "Nice size, General. Fairly quick timing, too, though we could definitely work on your reflexes..." She turned to Lucy and Nettie with an I-knew-this-man-was-worth-it type of look.

"Hmm… I believe it's time to take your fingerprints."
"Fingerprints, ma'am?" I questioned, cocking one golden eyebrow in the sky.

"Yes, fingerprints. If something were to happen to you during battle and your body wasn't identifiable, then we'd have records. We could tell who you are, you see…"

"Then why not you use dog tags?" I suggested politely.

"We can make those, too." She muttered somewhat annoyed, grabbing my hand firmly and leading me back to the tent, which acted as home base for me. Maria sat me down on the edge of the cot and took my fingerprints, filing them in a metal filing cabinet in the corner I had never knew was there. It appeared in the cabinet that there were only 4 papers including mine. What had I gotten myself into?

We walked silently back to where Lucy and Nettie were sitting. As we approached, Nettie stood up, and apologetic look on her face. Maria stopped in front of her, and I quickly took my spot next to Lucy. "Maria, Lucy and I have been talking and, well, we think we have one more text for our new General."

"Oh, really?" Maria questioned almost sarcastically, placing her hands on her hips. "And what would that be?"
"Endurance." Lucy chimed in.

"And how exactly would you test that?"

"See how long he can go without blood." She grinned, though it wasn't your average grin. It was the type that was hinted with evil, though just on the outskirts so that it took a master eye to be able to see. "Nettie and I see it fit, for if he's able to sustain his thirst now, think of how long he'll be able to fight! Endurance is endurance… Think about it, Maria!"

"I suppose you two are right…" Maria admitted, talking in an almost ashamed voice. "I knew I kept you around here for a reason." She grinned nearly identical to what Nettie had just done, and I knew my fate was clear: I was going to have to see how long I could go in a miserable land where you throat burned savagely and nobody could help stop it. I couldn't fail my master, I just couldn't. I had to show her I was a good, strong General. And I would suffer hell to prove to her what I was capable of.