My lungs are burning, sweat is dripping into my eyes, and hair is straggling down my back. Gods I can hardly see anything. I want to collapse but I keep struggling on. Today we are running up the path to Alukina's Palace, with 100 pounds of armor on. Our gladiator trainer loves to find these horrendous paths for us to run up. This is my third week of training. Our group consists of 25 recruits. Most of them won't make it. I won't be one of those that fail.
Preceptor Kalsten arranged for me to join this group. He warned me it wouldn't be easy; that I'd be pushed to my limits and beyond. I didn't believe him then, but I do now. I've never been as exhausted as I have these last few weeks. I just fall into an exhausted sleep, only to get up and start over the next day. Breakfast is a hurried affair with no time to sit over a nice cup of tea. Every morning we run wearing heavy armor. Then it's drilling with weapons. We get to eat a quick lunch, and then it's off to strategy planning, then more running, then more classroom time. Missing a day of training is not acceptable. Several recruits have already dropped out or been kicked out.
******* 6 months later
Our class is down to 15. Today we get to work in Altgard. There are several groups of Lepharists that have moved into the area. Our job is to remove them from the fortress area using any means necessary. Hopefully they go peacefully. Most likely they won't. I don't like the killing part. It seems like a failure when you resort to killing.
I've put on weight and bulk. None of my clothes fit anymore. I feel so much stronger.
******* 1 year later
Our class is down to 8. We are slowly being whittled away. Today is my 19th birthday. I don't get the day off from training though. While eating my breakfast, I remember where I was one year ago. I was sitting in the library hiding from my half-brother Halse. How things have changed. I am nothing like the person I was back then. I've put on 30 pounds of solid muscle. I easily outweigh him by at that much if not more. He still hangs out with his good for nothing friends. I rarely see him anymore. He and father had a tiff and he has moved out.
Father himself is not in residence either. He is on our country estate doing gods only know what.
I am glad he isn't here. He doesn't know about my training. He would forbid it, I've no doubt. Tonight the guys are taking me out to the tavern for cake. I don't drink anymore (since that night) but I can't turn down cake.
****** 27 months later
Today is graduation day. There are 7 of us left. I made it! Our graduation gift from the Masters is a full set of plate armor. I haven't been able to take my eyes off mine as I eat breakfast. This moment has been a long time coming. All of the struggles and hardship have led to this moment. We will receive our assignments this morning. I can't wait to see where I get to go. My dream has come true. I am a true gladiator.
A knock on the door jerks me out of my daydreaming. It's a shugo with a message for me. I pay him and look at the parchment. Slowly peeling the wax seal off, I open the parchment. It's a message from High Priest Baldar. I am summoned to the Great Temple immediately. Another knock on the door comes and this time it's my old Preceptor Kalsten. He looks very grave.
Herrel, he says. I have come to escort you to the Temple. "But sir", I protest, "what about the graduation ceremony?" You won't be attending that ceremony Herrel. "What?!", "what do you mean?" "No questions Herrel just come with me."
Puzzled I followed Kalsten burning with questions but knowing to keep silent. Shortly we arrived at the Great Temple. There were many Archons lined up along the pathway to the High Priest. Curiously, I looked over at Kalsten. "It looks like some ceremony is going to occur" I whisper to him. He nods at me. Come Herrel. He leads me around to the back of the room where the High Priest was quietly talking. Turning Baldar notices us. Ah Herrel, here you are. Welcome Daeva. I gaped at him. Wha...What? I glanced over at Kalsten again. He just looked at me with that grave look of his. The man never smiles. Yes you Herrel. Congratulations. He laughed at my puzzlement. Ascension is not always a dramatic event. Most don't even notice it unless they are in a battle for their lives and don't die from a normally fatal wound. But enough of that for now. I am in need of your services Herrel, but the proprieties must be met first.
He glances at my dress. Yes yes, that will do fine I think. Shall we begin then? Kalsten? If you would do the honors. Kalsten takes my elbow and leads me out into the Temple to the carpet. When beckoned, walk down the carpet isle and kneel before the Priest. He'll do the rest.
And so I became a Daeva of Asmodae in service to the High Priest Baldar. I was just turned 20.