Chapter Text
The stairs were hell warmed over. The young male made a mental note to later give Xaden a piece of his mind. The whole idea was laughable. Dying or die trying. He huffed as he took another step. Joonhyuk Xiakim did not want to be on the way up to conscription day. No. He wanted to be anywhere else but there but the relic on his arm prevented him from doing anything against it.
"What's wrong, Smalls?" The guy behind Joonhyuk teased as he stepped up closely behind him. "To many stairs for your short legs?"
"My short legs can still kick you in your face," he replied with another huff and a glance over his shoulder. Bodhi was the personification of positive vibes. All grinning and sparkling eyes while taking the steps like it didn't bother him at all.
"Oh no. I'm scared." He chuckled as he ruffled the others hair "Make sure you don't stumble when you try. We already climbed halfway. To get back up here would be a bitch."
The black haired males shoulder slumped under the backpack. "Yeah. That would be tedious and annoying..." he replied annoyed as he looked down, watching the long line of hopeful people that climbed the stairs after them "Can't believe we don't have a choice..."
"Better than dead." Bodhi chimed in.
"Better than dead." Joonhyuk repeated as they took another step. They were at least thirty people in front of them. All of which either freely enlisted to be tried out on the parapet or are forced to do it like the black haired males. "The wind is strong today. Probably get blow off the bridge."
"Told you you should've fatten up a bit. You were always skin and bones" Bodhi chuckled amused. Another step. "But I bet your muscles work just fine. Do you remember the time we crossed this vicious river when we were younger? You did that just fine."
Joonhyuk looked over his shoulder again, shifting under the weight of his pack, "I was nine. That was literally over a decade ago."
"And now you've grown into a huge piece of shit. Good for you!" A voice boomed from behind. Both males looked down, seeing just who was so riled up with them. Draven. He was the child of a rebel too, far too hulking to be ignored on the staircase. If he falls down, he would be like a human wrecking ball, probably killing everyone in his Path. That was the only reason why Joonhyuk didn't do something against the known asshole like pushing him down like a domino stone.
"Huge? I'm honored" the smaller male replied as he made another step up. "Make sure you don't look up an okay high and mighty for to long or you might drown in the rain." He added with a narrowed glare towards the brunett.
"You are dead, Xiakim. Just you wait..." he grumbled which caused a few recruits to look their way with either wide eyes or raised brows. Or both.
"Move!" A female voice rang out and pushed the seething Draven to the side of the wall only to pass by him "Gods you are all so damn slow! Look at the gap over there!" She grumbled but this time pushing the guy in front of him to move. Her brow wavy hair was braided in a braid over her shoulder and her brown eyes looked as annoyed as a cat who got interrupted while sunbathing. She surpassed two more before she stood right behind Bodhi. The line moved again.
"Tough girl!" Bodhi grinned at her and bowed playfully. "Wanna go before me too, princess?"
"Nah. Just wanted to get away from my brother." She muttered as she followed them up "He's been a pain in the ass all morning. Makes me fucking nervous..." she exhaled sharply before she noticeably relaxed and gave both stunned guys a smile. "Hi! I'm Jacey."
"Joon." The smaller of them introduced with a baffled wave before stepping up again. Only around ten steps up. It should be over until I knew it.
"And I'm Bodhi! Don't you worry. Pessimist-Smalls and me are far better company anyway" he told her charmingly. "Are you scared?"
"Hell yeah. The ones who aren't, are stupid." The girl replied as they ascended further up towards the waiting turret. "But it's no big deal. You can't become better when not faced with your fears." She flashed both of them a confident grin.
"It's just balancing. Without a safety net. 200 feet over a ravine" Joonhyuk chimed in as he stepped on the turret. "No big deal at all."
"See? Pessimistic. You'll see a lot more of that. He was always a doom-monger that one" Bodhi explained while clasping Joon on his back and nearly send him tumbling down the steps.
"I do not!" He snapped back at one of his oldest friends. "Just aren't very keen on being here. If I had a choice in the matter, I would've a nice farm by now. Surrounded by cows and sheep, not by people who either die or want to kill me."
"That sounds like a very... boring life" Jacey replied with an arched brow. "But here you got dragons. They are so cool." She grinned again, stepping on the turret after Bodhi. There are only two people in front of them who told the riders at the opening their names. Joonhyuk didn't even bothered to listen to their names.
"Dragons are cool when you bond them. Otherwise they're bloody killing machines, only destined to either be annoyed or get annoyed" Joon shot back to Jacey before stepping towards the rider with a scroll and pen in his hands.
"Name?" He asked without looking up, his eyes occupied with the list in his hand. His companion on the right, eyed his relic with her green eyes before looking up with so much disgust as if he was covered in nothing but filth.
"Joonhyuk Xiakim." He told him which made him look up, his eyebrows raised before scribbling down his name. The name was almost as memorable as Riorson or Tavis. Just a bit more difficult to write. "Need help or get it?"
"No. It's alright..." the rider muttered as the pen scratched away and the third who stood at the gaping mouth of the tower gestured to it. "Good luck. It would be a shame if you slip" he told him with utter disdain. Apparently they all got some grudge against the fucking children of rebels. What a day.
"See ya later" Joonhyuk called over his shoulder as he stepped almost casually on the parapet and held out his arms.
The wind was strong, yes. But somehow he managed to stay were he wanted to. The heavy backpack helping to ground him on the stones of the bridge. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to get the black curls out of his face while he took one step after the next. Child's-play for now...
He walked confidently, not slipping until he was at the halfway mark and got stopped by the girl who was in front of him on the stairs. She was frozen on the bridge, like a deer in hunters eyes. "Oi. Move," he told her,tilting his head in utter annoyance "It's fucking freezing up here... you need a hand?"
He reached out, not to push but to help her get her footing back but the girl smacked his hand away so hard that he was the one scrambling to stay on the damn parapet "Stay away, rebel scum!"
His jaw ticked at the insult but he took deep breaths, counting to three before he opened his mouth again, "Listen. I don't fucking care what you think of me. But if you not move and won't let me help you, I will start to push. And believe me, you nor me wants that. So fucking move already!"
The blonde made a whimpering sound before she took tentative steps forward. "Fuck you, asshole!"
"Good. Keep insulting me. When it keeps you moving I couldn't care less." He followed her. Step after step. He didn't need to look back to know that Bodhi was already pretty close and probably will ask why they were so damn slow. But the boy was anything but a scumbag. He won't be the cause of a death just because people thought he's a monster. Or rather the child of a monster.
The three quarter mark was near and he relaxed a bit. Seemingly just like the girl in front of him. One harsh gust of wind, a terrible timing to raise her foot and she was slipping. He should have let her fall. She was a damn bitch, a person who rather judges by gossip and other peoples judgement than herself.
But no matter what he thought, his arm reached out before he could think better of it, wrapping his hand around her wrist. The movement made his shoulder groan in protest and he was sure he heard the telltale popping sound from the girl who now dangled off the parapet. Better a dislocated shoulder than the fall into the ravine where other bodies already waited to be picked up by the wagons.
"What the hells are you doing?" His friend exclaimed, rushing over to them as fast as the narrow bridge allowed. "If she falls, she falls!" He watched as Joonhyuk was pressed with his chest on the parapet, his gaze solemnly on the panicked girl that tried her best to find purchase but simply wasn't able to.
"Hold on, bitch. Don't you fucking let go now." He growled as he took a sharp inhale. Despite his rather frail appearance he managed to pull her up so she could take a hold of the stones. With a groan of pain and effort, the black haired male hauled her fully back on the damn death path, kneeling while carefully trying to keep his balance. She looked at him with wide, blue eyes. Fuck. Now he knew why he acted that way. She looked almost like Sloane. "Thank you would be appreciated."
The blonde girl panted as she stared at Joonhyuk before she slowly pushed herself up and turned carefully before walking the last steps towards the courtyard. Bodhi growled annoyed under his breath as he helped his friend back on his feet. "You're right. She's a bitch. Not worth saving."
The smaller wanted to say more but they were interrupted by Jacey who managed to catch up on both of them "Are we having a tea party up here? Damn, and I don't even wear my Sundays best."
Joonhyuk scoffed amused as he began to walk again while Bodhi flashed her a bright smile over his shoulder "You look good enough to eat in that leather. No need to try and look better."
"Aw, how sweet of you. Move or I overtake your position regardless if you fall or not." She countered playfully, making a shooing motion with her hands.
"Ouch." The tawny male grasped his chest as he followed Joonhyuk again "Young Lady got teeth. I like that."
"Just make sure you keep up or she might make true of her threat and really push you down" Joonhyuk chimed in with a grin on his face. With Jacey and Bodhi in one year the whole thing shouldn't be so bad.
They all reached the other side of the parapet without any more issues and told the two riders with another scroll their names. Their gaze flickered briefly over the relics that swirled their way over their left shoulder but she didn't make a quib. At least that.
They entered the courtyard, a big space to hold a lot of people which is kind of laughable. This quadrant is the one with the most death toll. But it was kind of amazing after all. Shaped like a teardrop with the open sky over them where the sun hits the outer wall that was at least ten feet thick.
"I am pretty sure that wall ist't there for defense" The smaller male thought out loud as they passed a small group of cadets that stared at them, or rather, Bodhi and Joonhyuk with so much contempt that a shiver run down Jacey's spine. The boys didn't seem to notice or care.
"More like a perch" Bodhi replied with his easy grin that didn't seem to vanish from his face as they made their way to an empty area "Dragons are big ass beasts. If it weren't for the wall they would crush us when we stand here. Although I am pretty sure they don't come here often."
"I hope I make it until threshing." Jacey told them as she looked around to the huge structure that will be their home until they graduate. Or die. "My Dad's dragon was always a sight to look at. But he didn't let me touch it."
"Like I said. Either they are annoyed by default or get annoyed..." The smaller male said as he ran a hand through his slightly curly hair. "I just hope a dragon gets to kill me if I die here. I begin to think there are far to many people after our heads already." Or rather mine. His blue eyes were fixed on the opening to the parapet were recruits stepped through and there was no sign of the boy who stood before Draven when he stepped on the stone Dias. Another death for Malek. Joonhyuk watched as he told the rider his name like the three did moments before and their eyes met.
"What in the name of Dunne is his problem?" Jacey asked with a scoff as she followed the boy's eyes, seeing how the hulking dude just slid his finger over his throat with a clear meaning.
"Even rebel children can have problems with one another," Bodhi muttered as he scratched his neck, "This one didn't like Joon for a lot of reasons but mainly he accused his father for not acting right when the rebellion ended. Whatever that means."
"And here I thought that rebel children are friends for life." Jacey muttered, her own gaze now trained on the parapet. Draven was in front of her and his brother when they were on the staircase. Maybe three potential recruits in front of her brother? Or more? A girl stepped through the opening, clearly shaken by the parapet. A boy after her a few minutes later. And another.
"Fuck Dain... Where are you...?" She sighed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She called him "annoying" as so often. Not a good way to part if he falls— no. She can't think like that.
"Dain?" Joonhyuk asked as he stretched like a cat in the sun that wandered undeterred through the sky, shining on the dead recruits and alive ones alike.
"My twin brother..." Jacey answered absentmindedly. She crossed her arms, her fingers tapping an erratic rhythm on her forearm while staring into the direction of the parapet. Do I know how the guys behind Dain looked? She pursed her lips, trying her best to not get to nervous as she recalled, or at least, tried to recall the faces when they started to climb the tower.
"If he is anything like you, you don't have to worry, princess" Bodhi told her encouragingly "You had no problems with the parapet. He won't either!"
Joonhyuk raised an eyebrow at his friend, unknowingly to the girl who's nervous energy made her practically vibrate in her spot. Because just because you have no problems on the death path called parapet, doesn't mean that other people can't just push you off into the waiting mouth of the ravine which had probably seen more deaths than they could count.
But just as that a figure emerged from the opening. He was taller than Joonhyuk, that they could see from where they stood. But definitely not that muscular. The color of the hair though, that gave it away. Not necessarily Jacey who startled like a dog who saw a strange shadow and bounded towards him like one. As soon as Dain told the scroll-rider his name, he walked down the Stone Dias and was met with a bone crushing hug from her sister.
"Dain! I am so sorry what I said earlier" she quickly apologized, hugging him even tighter. "But you are okay, right?" The brunette pushed him away to look him up and down "Gods, for a second I thought I lost you!"
"Well, if you would have gone with me, you could've been more at ease..." her brother said with his gentle smile. "Are you okay?" They began to walk back into the middle of the courtyard where Joonhyuk and Bodhi are engaged with someone that Dain immediately recognized. Tall, broad, tawny skin like Bodhi and a relic that was more profound than any other, reaching his neck.
He stopped in his tracks as Jacey rambled on how she managed to cross the parapet with only one slight slip of her feet. "Where are you going?" He interrupted her story, grasping her wrist.
"To my new friends. You will like them. Grumpy and sunshine." She grinned at him before it faltered and a frown replaced her cheerful expression. "What?"
"That's fucking Riorson over there" He whispered harshly, trying to tug her back but she stood her ground with an even bigger frown.
"So?" Her head turned to see how the son of Fen Riorson, Xaden as anyone with a little knowledge of history knew, ruffled Joon's hair with a hint of a grin on his face. "He's just a guy. A hot one, I give him that but otherwise—"
"He's a rebel" Dain interrupted yet again. "Jay, let's go over there. To the others." He urged, his hazelnut eyes pleading with his sister and tugging at her wrist like a displeased toddler.
"I want to go to my friends. And if you don't like it, our paths might part yet again" she huffed before prying his hands from her wrist only to walk towards her new friends, while Xaden made his way back to the building and- her breath hitched as she saw who stood next to Bodhi and nodded along when the boy recalled the incident on the bridge with the blonde girl. He was tall. And seemed even muscular than Xaden with dark curly hair and fuck. When he smiled, this handsome, attractive smile, dimples appeared on his cheeks.
Joonhyuk smiled at her as she made it to the small group "Where's your brother?" He looked past her, seeing how Dain glared at them and grimaced knowingly "Ah. Not a relic lover I presume."
"Not at all." She answered with a nervous chuckle. Damn, I am never nervous in front of guys, she chided herself and blushed a bit when the handsome boy's brown eyes met hers.
"That's the princess I was talking about" Bodhi explained proudly, stemming his hands on his hips, "Jacey that's Garrick Tavis."
"Pleasure" The brunette managed to say as she looked at Garrick with a smile that was far to awkward, especially when he began to chuckle lowly.
"Pleasure is all mine, princess." He replied. And the way the pet name sounded on his lips was so different from the way Bodhi called her that she forgot to breath again and her heart made a tiny leap in her chest. This will be an interesting first year for sure.