Marked by Gaia

The Sanctum's Minister of Defense.

This was the first time I'd ever been this close to someone so high up in Sanctum's administration.

Why was he here?

We weren't supposed to have any delegates speak to us, not until the first phase of training was completed.

And that would take twelve weeks.

By then, we'd all be evaluated and sorted into categories based on our abilities:

Vanguards, Binders, and Anchors

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Vanguards were usually assigned to the outpost zones, the volatile perimeter of the Sanctum.

Their job was to hold the line against the underground terrors prowling beyond our safety.

Mutated beasts.

Remnants of old-world animals twisted by time and poison.

Creatures that would tear through the Sanctum if even one managed to slip through.

I'd always imagined myself a Vanguard, but lately I wasn't so sure...

Next came the Binders.

Support-type Shapers who linked people, systems, and energy flows.

They were the psychics, medics, transmitters, and sensory operatives of the Sanctum.

Highly versatile, they were deployed wherever they were needed most, often facilitating internal and external logistics, communication, and field coordination.

And finally, the Anchors.

These focused on stabilization and innovation.

They were Shapers with exceptional mental capacity, responsible for maintaining what little technology we had left and improving it when possible.

They regulated the environment, reinforced structures, and oversaw restoration efforts in the Sanctum.

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I tried to pay closer attention to what the Minister was saying.

Whatever this was, it had to be important.

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"A team of anchors conducting variability assessments on the upper world recently stumbled upon a signal.

They believe it originates from a new energy source.

Initial readings suggest that gaining access to this source could reduce the resources required to operate the Sanctum by over forty percent.

And if we can study and replicate it…"

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"The potential would be limitless."

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I had no doubt this was classified information.

But why tell a group of cadets?

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As if to answer my question, he continued:

"You will be split into teams, each led by a veteran member of the Black Masks.

Your mission is to head toward the signal's origin.

Identify, and if possible, neutralize any threat along the way.

You will report back to the Ministry with your findings within one week.

Consider this the next phase of your training.

Do not fail me."

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He paused, then added:

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"Now, to the real reason I'm here.

I believe a team is only as strong as its weakest member.

Two of you will face off against the weakest of my guards."

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I could feel the tension wash through the cadets beside me.

I hadn't even noticed when my palms got sweaty.

Zandor was actually grinning.

That one never thought anything through. Hotheaded as always.

"Instructor," the Minister said, turning to Aiv, "point out your strongest and weakest cadets.

They will face Sorid together.

I want to see if these ones are worth the resources the Sanctum has invested in them."

I caught the tense flicker that flashed over Aiv's face at the mention of that name.

I could only feel sorry for whoever would be facing this Sorid.

"Yes, Sir," Aiv replied, turning to face us.

His eyes moved slowly down the line and finally settled on one person.

"Cadet Liora, step forward."

She moved two steps forward, her footing firm, her posture steady.

She was confident, one of the few who didn't doubt her abilities.

And we knew it.

Somewhere down the line, I heard someone scoff.

I didn't need to be an Anchor to know who it came from.

Zandor.

His ego must have taken a hit from not being called out as the strongest.

He had raw power, sure, but tactics? He was lacking in that department.

Brawn without brain.

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I was snapped out of my daze by Aiv's voice.

"Cadet Kaelen, I said step forward."

Apparently, I'd already been called once and hadn't noticed.

That alone was enough to make me look timid.

I stepped forward, my chest tightening with confusion.

I hadn't expected this.

How could he name me the weakest?

Just because nobody, including myself, understood my abilities yet?

Okay, that last thought wasn't helping my case.

Still, surely there was an error somewhere.

I could feel the stares burning into my back. Some curious glances. A few pitying looks.

I could feel my blood heating.

Who did they think they were… feeling like they were better off?

I'd show them.

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"Proceed," Yansley said.

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Time to get this over with.

I exhaled slowly, moving towards the elevated platform at the center of the arena.

This was it, the stage where the show would go down.

Something shifted overhead, a blur of motion.

Then, a loud crashing sound as it landed in front of Liora and me.

Not something, someone.

Sorid.

Who now stood at the center of the platform.

Wait, did he just jump twenty meters?

From where he stood, behind the Minister?

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"Physical enhancements,"

Liora said beside me, eyes locked on Sorid.

"Probably movement-based."

She paused, then added, "I wouldn't rule out strength or durability.

He jumped from that high and still landed on both feet… smiling,"

She glanced sideways at me.

"Try not to get in my way."