Serving as a seeker was no laughing matter. If Rex and Chase wanted a chance at surviving they'd have to learn as much as possible. Until Rex was able to apply, they'd cram every ounce of knowledge into their brains. Studies took top priority.

Lem informed them of the Cordra Library in the southern sector of the district. The old-looking stone building stood at the corner of a busy street. Entwined weeds grew from the bottom all the way to its pointed roof. It appeared more like a church than anything else. Granted a very old and run-down church but a library wouldn't have been Rex's first guess. 

Chase had visited it once with his father, fond memories surfacing briefly. They felt the hot temperature hit their skin when they entered, sweat sprouting on their foreheads. The library had barely any windows. The windows it did have, however, were left cracked open just enough for a shimmer of the sun's rays to sneak in. 

Laid in front of them were rows upon rows of bookshelves. There were around seven or eight rows in total, each spanning to the rear of the building. Rex whistled in amazement of the sight only to be shushed by the old lady sitting at the front desk.

Chase facepalmed himself. "It's a library, genius. You aren't supposed to make any noises."

"How was I supposed to know?!" The lady glared at them again, this time muttering something under her breath. "Fine, I'll stay quiet. This is so annoying."

They walked through the third row which was titled "Outer World Knowledge '' by the sign dangling above. Each of its books varied in the type of information being presented. A certain red book housed facts on fauna. Chase grabbed it and flipped through its pages. He didn't take the time to read each individual page, merely choosing to skim read to see if the book was worth his time. 

What he read slightly terrified him. A page described a creature inhabiting dark caves. They were twice the size of an average human with skin as black as the night sky and claws as sharp as razors. A long tendril stretched from the top of their heads, an appendage apparently capable of constricting larger organisms to death. It surely was a predator to watch out for. 

He flipped over the page, the next beast resembling a bird of sorts. It reminded him of the avians existing in the Old World. Vultures he believed they were called. Unlike the long-necked birds of the past, these small creatures possessed two sets of wings, the second set folding under the larger pair. Interestingly enough, it didn't have feathers. It instead possessed two curved horns atop its circular-shaped head, its mouth filled with needle-like teeth. Chase gulped as he closed the text. Learning of the monstrosities inhabiting the Outside World he couldn't help but rethink his decision.

As for Rex, no book managed to grab his attention. He'd read so many novels of the outside that he knew quite a lot already. Arriving at the end of the row Rex identified a golden text poking out the shelf. The text was titled "Unsolved Mysteries Vol 4". Interesting. Sitting at the foot of the shelf he opened it. 

He wasn't clear who the author was but the handwriting was atrocious. He could hardly read the first sentence. The first couple of chapters discussed theories of how there was an underground system of caves capable of supporting human life. However, this was quickly debunked when an expedition conducted by seekers thirty-five years ago failed. The team only discovered a nest of overgrown scorpions called sand stingers. 

The following chapter described the remains of artifacts and structures buried in the sand. The text probably wouldn't help him in the long run yet its contents fascinated him. I wonder if there is anything on people discovered outside Sanctuary? Sadly, he'd no such luck.

"Find anything of value?" Chase inquired.

Rex dropped his head. "Not really,"

"Perhaps you aren't looking hard enough?"

"I'll say," He glowered at the many texts his brother was carrying. Chase had a good eye for things of intrigue. It was part of the reason why Rex couldn't keep a secret or tell a lie straight to his face. He was just too observant. "So what are they?"

"Texts retaining general knowledge on flora and fauna," Chase said handing Rex a green-colored novel. "If we can educate ourselves properly then we'll stand a better chance at surviving. Agreed?"

"Right," Rex sighed.

Of course, they'd more in mind than simply studying and reading books. There was also the matter of strengthening their bodies physically in order to withstand the Outside World's harsh conditions. Rex faced no problem concerning this challenge. Since he worked as a mechanic he'd developed his muscles naturally. The same couldn't be said for Chase. 

While a good fighter, in terms of strength and stamina, he'd a ways to go. This became evident rather quickly when Rex introduced him to his morning workout routine. They'd lift heavy pieces of scrap metal lying inside of the repair shop. Additionally, Chase completed continuous sets of push-ups or squats and sometimes ran laps around the drive-in space. These activities maintained Rex's endurance when dealing with machines for multiple hours per day.

In short, Chase assisted Rex in understanding complicated texts as Rex saw to it his brother properly managed his body. Every morning before work, instead of taking the stallion, Rex convinced Lem into letting them run to Fredrick's. The younger brother compulsively laughed at Chase's struggles much to his brother's annoyance. For once he'd authority! This itinerary continued for eleven months. 

As the days passed, they became more accustomed to their newfound training regime. Rex's birthday was in September meaning they'd a month left before they could legally sign up for the Seeker Corps. Knowing this made Rex rake the leaves scattered on the front lawn even faster. The afternoon sun rays bore onto his exposed back. Meanwhile, Chase tended to the lines of hedges surrounding the facility. 

So absorbed by their chores neither of the brothers noticed the royal stallion enter the laboratory grounds. It hovered to the front of the main building before Lucas exited the vehicle only to be followed by the princess herself. Upon hearing the doors shut Rex and Chase ceased their duties, exhaustedly striding towards the drive-through canopy.

"Good day. I can see you two have been productive."

"Nice to see you too, Lucas." Rex beamed. "We're working ourselves to the bone! You won't see us moping around anymore."

Alice attempted to hide her embarrassment, failing miserably. The brothers veiled in sweat withheld a bulkier shape. Rex's arm muscles were just as well-defined as the six-pack poking out his stomach. By contrast, the shirt Chase wore struggled to contain his sturdy physique, white fabric tightly constricting his chest. 

Indeed, they'd changed in more ways than one. They weren't the same kids she'd known in the past. They were men longing to make Matt Hunt proud. Yet Rex still couldn't target the source of her discomfiture. Did I do something wrong? It took Chase nudging him in his side for Rex to realize he wasn't wearing a shirt, having left it on the front lawn.

"I- I didn't e- expect to see you guys here. You- You're usually at work . . . This time a day." the princess blurted out forcefully.

Sighing, Chase spoke for a currently trembling and abashed Rex. "We've been given the day off because our boss had a function. So we decided to get a jump start on our chores. Right, Rex?"

". . . Right . . . Chores," he repeated, nodding frantically. "More importantly, why are you two here?"

"As a matter of fact, we came to relay a message," Lucas answered.

"A message?"

Alice poked her two index fingers together, her previously red face gradually returning to normal. "You see, recently I've been dwelling on our promise. At first, I thought it was your strange way of supporting me. I later recognized you intended on staying true to your word by leaving Sanctuary altogether. You're trying to find Eden."

" . . . Uh."

"And then when Lucas said he saw you both training I put the pieces together. You're planning on enlisting in the Seeker Corps, aren't you? All of your efforts were in preparation for the aptitude test." she deduced.

This aptitude test as everyone called it was an examination the seekers put in place to test one's . . . Well, aptitude. Basically, if an individual couldn't reach the requirements then they'd be denied entry. These tests were held once every four years. 

It was a little coincidental for this year's exam to be set in the same month as his birthday, let alone the day after he turned fifteen. Chase had a sinking feeling Commander Keith had something to do with it. Apparently, even if you failed you'd still be allowed to retake the test after an additional four years past though very few did.

"That pretty much sums up everything" Rex chuckled. "We'll help the Seeker Corps locate Eden and then free humanity from Sanctuary's walls! Right, Chase?!"

"Well, I suppose that's what you want to do." The boy covered his mouth as he let out a yawn. "I'm only tagging along to make sure you don't get yourself killed."

"Dude! I was trying to have a serious moment and you completely ruined it!"

"Really? It's hardly any different from how you normally act."

"If I may," Alice butted in before the brothers could start one of their infamous sibling quarrels. "I came with information regarding this year's aptitude test. Based on what I could gather, it's going to be an endurance test."

Chase rubbed his finger across his top lip. "An endurance test, huh? I suspected as much. It makes sense that seekers would be interested in how well we cope with conserving our energy?"

"That's pretty broad, don't you think? An endurance test can be anything from continuously lifting weights to simply running a prescribed distance for a prescribed amount of time," muttered Rex. "Do you have anything more specific? Like tips from people who've already taken it?"

"We tried but we haven't managed to track down any of those who failed."

"And since the king doesn't want the young princess from the castle without him knowing we're constantly racing against the clock. Not even I can perform a task given to me by Princess Alice unless I report to him first."

"Damn! He's still treating you like a prisoner?!"

"It's not so bad. As long as I stay on his good side then things are, for the most part, okay." Rex detected the faint sense of dissatisfaction in her voice. "To pass the test you'll have to be smart. Based on this limited information, you'll either succeed or fail depending on how well your endurance is. Sadly though, that's pretty much everything I can offer."

Rex frowned. "I was kind of hoping for more."

"Is that your way of saying thank you? It may have been months since I last saw you but your manners surely haven't improved!"

"Relax, you've done more than enough," he assured. "Thanks for everything, it will surely be helpful to us."

"He's right, you have our gratitude. At least now we have a general idea of what we'll be facing." Her piece of advice technically provided them with an advantage in comparison to the other applicants. Chase kept quiet regardless, not favoring the idea of making his royal friend disheartened.

Lucas tapped the princess on her shoulder. "It's time, Princess Alice."

She nodded at him and then turned to her friends. They were caught off guard when she wrapped an arm around them both. Rex's heart pounded faster and faster against his chest. "Assuming you get accepted I won't be seeing you for a long while . . . So I'll wish you luck right now." Rex exchanged glances with Chase before the two returned the kind gesture. "Goodbye, for now, my friends."

Chase smiled. "We'll meet again."

"He's right! I have a promise to keep, after all!" Rex added. "When next we meet Chase and I will be accomplished seekers. Get ready for it, future queen!"

Alice's cheeks turned red. "I don't doubt it!"

They waved as the royal stallion exited the facility. That very well might have been the last time they saw their friend. It surely seemed so. But Rex knew as long as their promise existed so did the chance of them reuniting. He'll make it his duty to find a better world and free Alice from the clutches of her damned father. This impulse would be carried in his heart until the day he fulfilled his dream.

* * *

The aptitude test arrived within the blink of an eye.

Yesterday, Rex had officially turned fifteen meaning there wasn't anything stopping him from applying. Lem had turned in their application documents that same morning. They were all set to participate in the exam which would ultimately decide the direction of their futures. Rex and Chase arose at the crack of dawn. When Lem opened the door he was astonished to see them both fully dressed. They stared at him, eyes burning like fire.

"Ready?" the scientist smiled.

"You bet," Rex responded, holding his thumb up.

Lem had personally driven them to the Seeker Corps headquarters. The large sapphire-colored building was built into the enormous cement wall separating Cordra from the royal castle grounds. These same walls separated every district from one another. Whenever Rex looked at the humongous skyscraper on the other side of the impenetrable barrier he felt insignificant. To the king he truly was nothing.

The headquarters consisted of three main buildings. The largest of the three stood in the middle of the two smaller structures branching off its sides. It contained three stories with red roof tiles on top, multiple windows, and a courtyard expanding to the front gates. Ahead of the main building were two blue flags, one on either side of the front entrance's stairs, which bared the seekers' golden emblem: A pair of bird wings diverging from a ring that encompassed the star at its center. 

Numerous seeker soldiers marched around the campus, the fully armored men moving like robots. They carried an intensity far outweighing a regular enforcer. Entering the grounds were other boys and girls similar in age to Rex. Are these guys taking the test too? He watched them through the window of Lem's stallion. Most of them looked to be from Cordra as he recognized some. However, there was a good handful originating from poorer districts.

They must've gotten permission to enter Cordra in order to attend the aptitude test. Chase opened the door, Rex following his lead. This was it. His starting line. If he failed then his dream, his entire purpose would be utterly destroyed. He'd do anything to prevent such an advent. It didn't matter what the test was. Rex promised to overcome no matter the costs.

"Good luck, boys," cheered Lem. "I'll be rooting for you."

Chase shook his hand. "Thanks for everything."

"Yeah, we promise to return the favor."

Having completed their goodbyes, they headed for the Seeker Corps' gates. There was no turning back now. Taking a step onto the courtyard cemented the paths they'd chosen. Depending on the results, they'd either be allowed to finally escape Sanctuary or be doomed to stay within it forever.

"Ready, brother?" Chase said as they faced the sapphire complex.

Smirking, Rex replied, "Let's do this,"