It was time.

He stared at the sapphire-colored building with determined eyes. To say he was excited wouldn't exactly be accurate. In fact, he didn't know how to describe this feeling. His entire body seemed unsure of itself, almost as if a maelstrom of multiple emotions violently competed for his attention.

Was he overjoyed that he received the chance to do more with his life? Not quite. This feeling could simply be the curiosity for what he might uncover passed Sanctuary's walls. Then again, it wasn't as if perilling the unknown was what drove him. He shook his head vigorously, getting a headache over something like this sounded completely idiotic. 

Rex glanced at his brother, Chase's half-lidded eyes staring at the group who, like them, waited for their superiors. Surrounding the two was the select group of individuals that passed the aptitude test. In total, there were over fifty of them. Chase hardly believed so many had overcome the neuronic wave test. When he'd to endure them, he thought he'd faint in the first couple of seconds. If he didn't have so much to lose he probably would've failed in an instant.

Concerning the results of the test, Alex far outshined him. He spotted her near the front gates of the courtyard. Per usual, the ever-vigilant girl monitored the seekers' grounds quietly. Her crimson hair was fuzzy and unkempt while bags formed under her eyes. 

I guess she's not a morning person. He lowered his face to the ground when she directed a glance at him, dots of sweat beading his forehead. Seriously, how does she know when someone's watching her? 

On the other hand, Rex's results were undoubtedly the most impressive. In terms of mental and physical fortitude, he was in a league of his own. As his older brother and the one who'd promised to protect him, Chase needed to catch up quickly.

A sudden commotion sparked near the center of the courtyard. A pair of seekers began to order everyone to gather around them. Pretty soon the mass of teens formed a collective ring with the seekers at its core. 

Chase led the way for Rex who tried his best to push past the crowd of cadets. His right foot scraped the ground resulting in him tripping into a person in front of him who, unfortunately for Rex, wasn't his brother.

"Ow! What the hell? You've got a death wish or something?!" the person yelled.

. . . No . . . it can't be . . . When their eyes met it felt like everyone else present disintegrated. Ahead of Rex stood the person he despised most. Caiden Singh glared ferociously. Lightning shot from the boys' eyes and clashed between them, a sensation of hostility emanating from them both. Caiden, the local bully, with his foolish burgundy colored hair and ugly freckled covered face folded his arms. 

"Rex? What the hell are you doing here?!" Caiden's face fixed into a scowl. "Don't tell me that bastard Chase is here too! Dammit! I thought you losers were happy spending the rest of your lives working in the run-down warehouse?!"

"It's a repair shop."

Caiden turned his head. "Like I care."

Other than their most recent fight last year, Rex really hadn't seen or heard of him. Even so, the hatred towards him lingered within. Rex solely saw Caiden as an obstacle. A foul-mouthed and annoying obstacle at that. Looking at him now, however, he couldn't say his attitude improved. He was still the same jerk who liked to pick on people weaker than him. Although, Rex could tell he'd been working out. 

His forearms were more defined, the muscles showing in their full glory when he crossed them over his body. How did this guy get those clothes on? He also appeared to be taller, Rex almost having to stare up at him. 

If they fought right now who'd emerge victoriously? He may have gotten stronger but apparently so did Caiden. They might even be on equal footing in their current states. The bully's newfound height made Rex stiffen. Even so, he was intent on not letting Caiden notice this fraction of hesitation. The oaf needed to know to mess with him would be a huge mistake.

"Since you're here it must mean you passed the aptitude test, right? I guess you're not as worthless as Joseph and those other clowns. They took it with me and failed." Caiden grunted. "I suppose it shouldn't come as a shock as to why you'd want to leave. You're not from Sanctuary so you're probably after answers. Is that it?"

"As usual, you're completely clueless. I'm leaving because I'm tired of having this society decide others' fates. I want to find a new home for humanity. Nothing more, nothing less."

Caiden smirked at his response. "Don't tell me you're one of those nonsensical idiots who believe in "Eden". If it truly existed then don't you think we would've found it by now? Face it, the entire story of there being a paradise beyond the desert are just lies created by some moron desperate for attention. Do yourself a favor and grow up."

He then began to push his way through the crowd. Although he didn't get far before a puzzled Rex inquired, "So why are you here?" Caiden halted, the boy glaring at Rex through narrowing eyes. "If you think the very reason the Seeker Corps exists is absurd then why did you enlist in the first place?"

"That . . . Is none of your damn business," he muttered under his breath, disappearing into the group of seeker cadets.

Somehow Rex managed to regroup with Chase, locating his brother preserving a spot near the front of everyone. He pushed his way over to him, ignoring the pain of someone beside him thrusting an elbow into his guts. "What kept you?"

Res responded with a moan. "Did you know Caiden is a seeker too?"

"Wait, you saw him?"

"Yup. That jerk and I had a little run in just now. Needless to say, he's not particularly thrilled we're here."

Chase smirked. "I never pictured someone like him in a seeker's suit of armor. As long as you don't start fights with him like you used to, then he shouldn't be of concern to us." 

A challenging scowl appeared on Rex's face. It was the expression he made whenever he wanted to fight someone, or in this case, Caiden. Chase released a sigh, pondering the many possible ways of which Rex and the knuckleheaded Caiden might start their infamous quarrels.

The commotion died when the doors to the headquarters building burst open. Out walked Commander Keith, Lieutenant Maria following closely behind him. Both of them wore the white exos suits, Rex once again ogling the amazingly advanced mechanical marvels. 

Commander Keith stood in front of a stone water fountain at the center of the courtyard with his hands tied behind his back. Clearing his throat, he announced, "I welcome you, cadets. I'm glad to know we have so many troops willing to fight for our cause. Today marks the day where you'll abandon the life you've known until this point. Our destination outside the walls is a secure training facility established a good distance from Sanctuary. I dare say we might not return for the next five years or so."

Instant chatter broke out amongst the crowd, Alexandra rolling her eyes at the outcome. Caiden remained silent. He'd long since anticipated this. In fact, it was what he'd been counting on. Soon that bastard's going to have to show me some respect. I'll become stronger than even him.

The commander held up his hand and said, "In this line of work we explore the Outside World. Surely you didn't expect we'd be in Sanctuary all the time, did you? Your duty as seekers is to help us secure humanity's next safe haven. It is the reason the Seeker Corps exists. Before you can be of any use to us, however, we'll have to transform you into seekers capable of defending yourselves." 

He paused as his eyes swept the crowd of young adults. 

"I look at you all and I only see scared little kids who thought they could take it easy since they've obtained the status of a seeker cadet. Hate to break it to ya, but 'status' won't mean anything if you're dead. If you want any hope of surviving then heed my word and listen to everything I say. There are a large majority of poverty-stricken individuals who have high hopes of us, entrusting we'll eventually end their suffering. If you don't want to help them then I don't want you in my corps, understand?"

A drunken Commander Zeke sneered. "There he goes again." Keith was an undaunted man. Someone who truly wanted to accomplish the Seeker Corps' ultimate goal. His eyes set on the distant horizon where a possible future for humanity could be lying in wait. Should these recruits want any chance at impressing him they'd have to show the same amount of dedication. With an alligator smile stretching across his face, Zeke grinned, "This should be fun."

"All I ask of you is this, my young troops." Keith's job wasn't to make them afraid, quite the opposite. The best method to create powerful soldiers was to motivate them. To make them believe. "Give us everything you've got. Show us it wasn't a mistake you're here. Do so and I'll be more than happy to treat you with the respect you deserve! As the commander responsible for you, the Seventy-First Seeker Brigade, I promise to keep you alive for as long as possible! That is all."

After Commander Keith's speech, Maria took over authority. She ordered the group to stand at the entrance of the HQ's hub building. At the same time, eight stallions hovered onto campus. These stallions looked different from the normal ones as they were coated in black metal. They also differed in size. Just one of the massive hovering vehicles stood a height of eleven feet and was around thirty-five feet long. As they circled the fountain, Maria, along with a few other seekers, directed the cadets.

Commander Keith stood at the hub's front doors, accompanied by Commander Zeke. "Some speech you gave. I could feel my tears welling. Tell me, how many of them do you think is gonna make it? My guess is below half."

"I can't be certain until I see their skills. I'll have Dorvan evaluate them after they finish their first month of training. Remember Zeke, they succeed or fail based on our teaching abilities."

Zeke sighed. "I know but it'd be nice to already have an estimate of what they're capable of beforehand. It means less work for me."

"Be patient. Let's just make it to the training site. We don't want a repeat of last year's . . . Incident."

The two of them shuddered. "Definitely not," Zeke whispered.

Rex sat at the front of the stallion. He looked through the oval-shaped glass next to him, wondering how difficult a journey it'd be to get to their desired destination. He scratched his implant at the thought of a monster attacking them in this vulnerable state.

"Hey buddy, mind if I sit?" Rex was shocked and overjoyed to see Seth, the boy taking the seat beside him. "Told ya we'd be seeing each other again. Where's that brother of yours?"

"He's on a different stallion."

"I see. So, are you excited?"

Rex shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure if 'excited' is the right word."

"Really? Well, that makes two of us," Seth grinned. "The Outside World always enamored me. I'm more ecstatic than ever!"

"It'll be different, that much is a given." Rex stared at his lap whilst mentally preparing himself for the trials ahead. He understood his motivation and what was required of him. By contrast, Seth's intentions had yet to be revealed. "Seth, why did you enlist? Other than to see the outside, of course."

"To be honest, I'm just in it for the thrills," he answered with a smile.

"S- Seriously?"

"Pretty much," he assured him. "I'm not like most here who are striving to gain something grand. I saw an opportunity to traverse an alien world so I took it. Plus, if what I'm doing is helping Sanctuary somehow then I'd say it's a win-win." The stallions roared to life. Rex's head nearly collided with the back of the seat facing him as the vehicle abruptly jolted forward. To this, Seth let out a chuckle. "But I'm not an idiot! We'll be placed into scenarios unfamiliar to us. If anything, that's what makes me the most excited! I say bring on the challenge."

" . . . We could possibly die," Rex uttered, resting a hand over his red forehead. "Are you okay with putting your life on the line just for some elation?"

"Yup!" he answered almost immediately. "I mean, it's not like I have anything in here to live for."

Once again, the stallion shook as if the very earth underneath it was shaking. A few short seconds later, the stallion's doors shut. The transport at the head of the group, which just so happened to be housing Chase, led the advance off of Seeker HQ's grounds. The golden entrance gates remained open as each stallion fled the premises. 

As they moved, Rex spotted the crowd waiting for their departure. It consisted of middle-aged men and women cheering, children crying in their parents' arms, and interested onlookers. The tired souls did their best to conceal their concern even though some, mainly the youth, failed miserably. A woman bawled like an infant as the man beside her, presumably her husband, comforted her.

Standing a few spaces next to the distressed couple Rex saw Lem and Gordon, a smile working its way onto his face. Lem had on his lab coat, Rex convinced the professor never actually took it off, as Gordon wore a flamboyant green colored robe and a pair of long red pants, his feet covered in a new pair of dark shoes. He sure has a strange sense of style. The professors waved and clapped as the stallions hovered by. Chase also recognized them. Like his brother, he took note of Gordon's unusual attire.

"Figures. The slacker gets most of the jen," he chuckled.

Eventually, the stallions drove past the crowd. The streets were blocked off by enforcers, allowing a safe route to the outskirts of Sanctuary. Even now people on the sides of the roads pointed and watched as the floating vehicles carrying the fresh batch of cadets went along their way. 

They cheered from the streets, the balconies of buildings, and inside parked stallions. Some looked happy while others seemed to be on the cusp of breaking down into a crying fit. Although a handful appeared to be judgemental, none of them attempting to hide their sneers.

"It's kind of sad,"

"What do you mean?"

"They know many of us will never return. Yet they have to watch as their sons or daughters march willingly to their deaths," Seth explained in a solemn tone. "I can't imagine what it'd be like for a mother to see her children go off into the great unknown. For a father to watch his son disappear before his eyes. What must they be thinking?"

What a fascinating question. Had his father been alive would he be content with the choice he and Chase made? Would he support their decision? To those questions, he'd never receive an answer. He simply had to focus on moving forward, forward into the future. 

It took over an hour but there it was, Rex's eyes widening and his heartbeat accelerating as they approached it. He hadn't visited the edge of Sanctuary in years. A wave of nostalgia flooded him as they traversed the streets of the Ensett District. It looked the same as it did ten years ago. Old wooden houses barely standing and persons, adults and children alike, dressed in rags. Skeletons laying on cracked earth.

Poverty had taken its toll. Rex had seen a few beggars in Cordra, however, even they were in a better condition than Ensett's citizens. Rex averted his eyes from the sight. Seth observed his reaction, deciding it best to keep quiet. 

When they arrived at the glass barrier of their haven Alice popped into Rex's head. He wished he could have gotten the chance to see his friend a final time. He thought back to the first moment he'd seen of her, those blue eyes meeting his. This reminded him of their promise. So distracted by the memory he failed to notice his necklace's pendant starting to emit a blue light that flickered repeatedly. 

Rex sat patiently as he heard the sound of a raging storm, the pendant's flickering growing brighter underneath his clothing's fabric. Blasts of wind carrying sand flew past the windows. When he felt the stallion move he'd instantly forgotten his ponderings. What consumed his mind now was that of the image of gold.