Chapter 8
Four Years Forward
Zanuark parted ways with Kaisa, only meeting once a day after supper chow. The next few weeks seemed cold, he wound up sharing his bed with his sisters again. Soon he was the oldest person in advanced combat training, and he still had three months until graduation. His sisters all evolved into Mightyena, and he was yet to evolve, into whatever he would evolve to. His sisters were once more much taller than him. Zanuark ate primarily on his own, joined by others every now and then, and found himself isolating himself from others.
Another moon went by and he was beginning to learn how to use his own abilities. Learning to shoot star-shaped rays of light from his tail, influencing others with his body, and becoming generally better at kicking someone's ass when they annoyed him enough.
Another moon, another sun, another moon graduation has come.
Zanuark and his sisters all stood together before everyone. Jerome gave the drill, his speech of their graduation and first asked Cali if she shall stay.
"No sir! I wish to go home sir!" She shouted.
"Then you will be escorted home tomorrow! Celina!"
"I will stay!" She shouted.
"Cora!"
"I will stay!" She also shouted.
"Zanuark!"
"I will stay sir!" He shouted.
"Then, Celina, Cora, Zanuark, you are now promoted to the rank of Sergeant! You will now be in ability development class. However, Cora, proven her advanced use of her abilities describes by Lieutenant Sebasten, she will be moved to First Sergeant, and placed in advanced ability craft. Meet your new peers." Zanuark bounded off fastest searching for Kaisa. He skidded to a halt seeing her step out of the array. The two immediately began talking. His sisters fell in with him.
The groups broke up to fall into their classes. Kaisa sadly had to leave to go to advanced ability craft. Zanuark and Celina trotted off to their class. More moons passed and Zanuark was once again with Kaisa for a month and then she moved onto the next one. Vacation came and gone. A few moons later, Zanuark was in Sharp Fang. Here he learned how to build structures, and every day soldier life. Then to Sharpened Fang, here, Celina dropped out and it was just him and Cora. Here he learned yielding weapons with his jaw and tail and its proper uses. More moons passed and he graduated to Razor Fang. Here he learned basic life outside of being a warrior. The classes were pretty laid back compared to everything else. Kaisa managed to convince Jerome to allow her and Zanuark to graduate at the same time.
Graduation day came, and Zanuark looked around. He was baffled, there was only ten people in this unit, including him Kaisa and Cora. Then he became even more baffled at the living conditions. It was freezing unless you were huddled together at Waxing Fang. Now, there's always a fire running in Razor Fang. And the food was always just caught in level five at High Fang. Cora, Kaisa, and Zanuark were told the same run down, if they would continue their training, to become officers, or return home, where they can become an artisan or warrior. Either way, they'd have return home for at least five years before they can receive additional training.
"Kaisa, will you finish your training here, or continue to become an officer?" Colonel Jerome asked.
She looked at Zanuark, looking for an answer from him. He shrugged, not sure what he wanted to do himself. Kaisa sighed unsure herself.
"Well?" He probed.
"I'll continue to become an officer!" She shouted finally.
"Cora, will you finish your training here, or continue to become an officer?" Colonel Jerome asked.
"I will finish my training here!" She shouted, much quicker in response time.
"Zanuark, will you finish your training here, or continue to become an officer?" Jerome finally asked Zanuark.
"I will continue to become an officer, sir!" He shouted.
"Then you will all set off for home immediately! Kaisa and Zanuark, five years from today, you will return. Understood?" Jerome ordered.
"Yes sir!" The two shouted in perfect unison.
The three began their exit, being cheered on as they left by the other trainees, leaving at the rank of Master Sergeant.