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Chapter 1

Marcus

I shuffled outside with my backpack ready for my last day of school, It's different today.. I wasn't dreading it. After today I don't have to see my classmates anymore. I felt a hand on my shoulder and it was Abel my brother.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You're not as upset as you normally are going to school."

"It's the last day, you should be happy too you know!"

"I am.." I can't tell.. Does he even know what happy is? I wonder..

"You ladies ready yet!?"Carmen Yelled by the road; she's my best friend. She looked good today, Black hair in a ponytail, her clothes were clean today, looks like she got a new leather jacket and some sneakers. She's a tomboy, rough around the edges.. Like me, I'm glad she's my friend. I don't know how I would've survived middle and high school without her. Nobody understands her except me.

"Yeah."

"Come on! Let's get our last day over with!" We started walking to school walking to school. We started talking about graduation.

"I wonder what the Trials are, I wish they'd tell us already! Ahhh!!" Carmen yelled, I understood her frustration, We've only heard rumors. All the adults tell us it's best to not think about it and to focus on our studies and magic.

"Whatever it is.. We know it takes a really long time.. The people that do come back.. They don't come back for at least a year."

"A year and a half.." Abel pointed out.

"We'll deal with it together. I Trust you Marcus." She said.

"Agreed." Abel said. I smirked as we reached the school. It had a finely crafted metal sign "Grand Academy". A perfectly paved sidewalk leading to a large water Fountain and hedges. Tall Trees branched out everywhere and provided shade. So Pretentious, I can't stand this place. I'm glad we're leaving.. Even if it's on whatever this 'Trial' is. We made our way to our Homeroom and quickly took our seats.The Home room teacher; Ms. Torres, stood and came to the front of the class. She seemed serious today, she normally smiled and danced into class.. This time she didn't. But Final Exams are today. Education was everything here... The smarter you are, the better off you are and more people liked you.

"Hello Class. Today you finally learn what the trials are. If you graduate you will start the day after tomorrow. You can put your pen and paper away you don't need to take notes. You'll be able to remember everything I'm about to tell you. Now I know you've speculated as to what the trials are I assure you... It's harder than anything you've heard. Everyone under the age of 68 has done the Trials, including myself. You will be tested in many ways! You will live as a refugee, no government, no law, no help, just you and the wild. I won't sugar coat this? Some of you will die? Either of Starvation, The elements, or? by the monsters." Die?! So? that's why everyone doesn't come back. "I'll explain the rules." The first rule was that you can't have or use money unless it's a requirement in that town, you can only use things that are given to you. The second rule is you must live by any and all laws when in another city but you don't obey any laws in the wild anything goes. Third Rule is that you have to live for a month in all ten villages with the people there.

"I speak from experience when I say that the people I met on my trial, changed my life and made me the person I am today, even though some.. Some of them died, You will be changed by this. Embrace all the memories you make.. It will change you.. and hopefully for the better.."

"Why?" I turned around to see a guy with blonde hair, tanned skin with a muscular build. It's Javair.

"Good question, I can answer that later.. Any other questions before we continue?" Ms. Torres Asked.

"What about Hybrids?" I glanced around the room and noticed everyone staring at me and Abel. I felt my heart jump and my breath escaped me. I didn't like attention, it always leads to something bad. People don't like Hybrids, especially Javair.. He constantly picks on me, a lot of people do.. I can't wait to get out of this school.. Even if it means going on a life and death journey.

"Hybrids must live in both villages for the Required time; they cannot receive money or possessions from their parent races... However they get a place to stay by themselves in both places." We were the only people here that had a special exemption and I know from experience that sticking out is a bad thing.

"When you were on your trial did people attack you?" Carmen asked. Everyone fell quiet and looked to the teacher Mrs.. Torres for her answer.

"Yes..."

"Why?"

"Because they needed Food, Water, supplies, or under a spell from one of the monsters. They had many reasons to do what they did. That's what you're going to learn out there? you're going to learn what people; including yourself are capable of." One word 'monsters' stood out. Those things living in the woods that had the everyone scared all the time. Its why we had a defense system, why nobody was allowed to go into the woods. These monsters have strange powers; all of them can do different things. The adults never told us what they are or what they want? they tell us that they are dangerous, we see why when they try to break through.

"Your all going to do stuff you don't want to do. This is inevitable... Even without these trials. That is life, it's a harsh lesson to learn. Any other questions?"

"Will we get training or something to help us out there?" A girl asked, I turned around to see Ester, Javair's on again off again girlfriend she's as mean as he is.

"Yes... You'll get two days of Training, every race does. Anything else?" Nobody answered.

"Now.. For the last rule You can't tell anyone here who hasn't gone through the Trials yet anything about it. Do you want to scare all the children? Doing so would be a cruel thing to do. If you do? you will be exiled. It's the most important rule?"

"Any more Questions?" Mrs.. Torres Asked.

"What if we refuse to do it?" Javair asked.

"Then you will be exiled if you break any of the rules, you will be exiled, Any other questions?" Everyone remained silent.

"Ok... Now for me to explain why we're doing this 68 years ago a 20,000 year old war had been won by us, against a great evil bent on destroying us.His name was Patriach.. He had many powers and twisted with power. He was able to keep himself young and manipulate the minds of many people. A long time ago.. He was a ordinary person like me and you.. But his race became to strong with their Magic it was called 'lineage' magic powers could be passed down from generation to generation in families.. All the other races became scared and decided that they were too dangerous, and they acted on those beliefs."

"You mean we killed them?" Javair questioned.

"Yes Javair, They thought they were all dead. He was the sole survivor and wanted revenge he almost got it, you all know the ten races? There use to be 20, his plan was to pit us against each other and made us kill each other in wars using our differences against each other, that's why you go on this trial to learn from the past and accept each others differences and learn patriarch's tricks."

"But he's dead." Javair said.

"We destroyed him but his remnants are everywhere.. He's the monsters outside the gate that we've been keeping away. His body separated into 600 pieces, they act independently on their own, they have powers that Patriarch had and still try to get us to kill each other the trial is about you learning their tricks.. You're going to experience what it was like during the great war. That's all I can tell you.. Learn the rest during your training. I started to think about the future, Abel and Carmen everyone else I've known for so long... What's going to happen to them. I watched everyone in the room until my eyes rested on Javair. He stared at me, I froze as a smile creeped onto his face, Everything he's done to me. Hurt me, Humiliate me, torture me, everything.. I hate him.

"That concludes the Orientation. Good Luck." The bell rang and I jumped. Everyone poured into the hallway where a million questions burst into the air. People were talking about teaming up.

"We should get to Class." Carmen said.

"We'll talk after class Marcus. Fill me in later on the plan of action is." Then he disappeared into the crowd, Me and Carmen then walked to our next class to do our first Exam. While we we're there my mind kept wandering back to my dad.. Luiz.. and how we've been with each other.. He must be worried about me going on my trial. I may not be his, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that he does love me with all his heart. I got lost in the Exam, it was advanced Botany.. It wasn't really my thing.. I preferred gears, cords, tools.. My Magic is Robotics and little gadgets, Dad and a lot of the elders have been impressed with them. I passed my exam and waited for Carmen Outside. She walked outside and smiled at me.

"I passed!"

"That's great!" Then we started walking to my next class.

"So, What do you think about the Trial?"

"I don't know what to think, I don't know how I'm supposed to survive something like that.."

"Me neither.." I hope she doesn't really think that.

"You're a member of the Boxing team.. Your tough, Abel too. I'm weak, what am I suppose to do?"

"You're smart Marcus. You need to use that! Besides, comparing yourself to Abel is a bit unfair."

"How?"

"I don't know you're the smart one! Think of a way to use it!" I guess she was right.. Maybe I just need a night to think about it or something. Then we finally met up with Abel.

"How'd you do in Botany?"

"We passed!" I said, then Carmen headed off to her next class and We went to ours, Literature.

"Do we know what we're doing for the trial yet?"

"No, We talked for awhile about what we think about it, and how we're.. Expected to survive."

"Survival rate is moderate Marcus, Don't be pessimistic." He said apathetically. I heard a Girl laugh behind us.

"Weirdo." She said. I tried to ignore her.

"Your strong, a fast learner, you have Medical knowledge because you always read those books. I'm sure when you go through the training you'll learn a whole lot. Do as much as you can... You can teach me and Carmen everything later." I explained.

"What about you?" He asked.

"I'm Resourceful and I can build things."

"You're creative Marcus. I would know."

"Yeah don't remind me." The girl giggled again.

"If he's smart then I'm a fucking genius! Like anybody's going to help them! What Freaks..."

"Ignore her Marcus, She doesn't know anything."

"Abel? Please?" I'm holding back so much anger as she laughed again. I have so much anger deep down inside of me. Carmen's seen it.. I don't want Able to know.

"They look funny. That scaley blue skin, Horns, and tails.. Chamas look strange but.. Wow."

"Will you please?" Abel asked turning around.

"What?"

"You're making my brother upset."

"I didn't do anything."

"You're laughing at us."

"So? You look weird... I didn't make you weird."

"But-"

"Just STOP ABEL!! She doesn't care." She's Viviana, She's friends with Javiar. Like Javiar and myself she's also from a wealthy family.

"I'm sorry Marcus... I'm just trying to protect you? That's why I'm here."

"That's NOT why you're here! I've told you so many times."

"weird!" Viviana said and found a seat away from us.

"I'm sorry." Abel's Strange, But I can trust him. The teacher started talking and we got ready for out exams.

He handed us our exams, it had questions about famous writers and Books from all ten races. This was going to be easy, I like reading.. I feel like I already know what it's going to be like in the other cities after reading their literature. The Chamas.. Live in a constantly moving Caravan. Like a traveling city, they get to visit each town once during a period of 10 years. When they visit us? they mostly keep to themselves? They don't get along well with humans; they didn't even spend that much time with me. Which makes me wonder how I was made? what brought my parents together?

Then I flew though the exam and but Abel still finished first, when I was done I met him out in the hallway.

"Sorry Marcus, forgive me." I looked into his eyes and it was faint but there was a hint of confusion and fear. Just like when we first day we met Three years ago.. Me, Carmen and Abel passed all our exams today and we were to report to the Training building the next day to learn as much as we could before we headed out. We met up in the main hall and started walking out when we noticed someone who I consider the scariest person in the Human City.

Javair's Dad? Mr.. Salazar.

"Hello Ms. Ramos." He greeted Carmen, he didn't look in my nor Abel's direction. "Did you pass your exams today?"

"Yes, not that it's any of your business." Carmen informed him, he smiled and seemed unphased by her attitude.

"Good, then I trust you'll make the right choice and go with my son on the Trial."

"Why would I do that?"

"He's the most capable person here.. and with you by his side I'm sure you'll both make it with no problems.."

"I'd never go anywhere with that pompous little ass."

"I think it'd be best for everyone if you went with my son.. If you don't it'll only cause? Conflict.."

"Conflict? Is that a threat?"

"Not at all.."

"Sounds like one.."

"You'll know what I mean in time, until we meet again." He walked past us into the school. I wonder why he's here?

"We should tell the police."

"No, what's the point.. We won't be here for much longer."

"That's the point.. Maybe Javair's going to try something out in the wilderness.. You heard what Salazar said.. Nothing will stop them out there.." I got a really bad feeling about this.. Really bad.