"My….my first draft?" Savitar asked.
The downpour increased. Savitar was soaked in the rain, not caring about the stiffening cold. His heart raced.
"Yh Yh" Inquisitor Jay voiced out.
"Normal citizens of the Empire who awakened as given the privilege of entering into the trials of the Grey Tower"
"The trials will truly determine the rank of a Player in the Player's Association"
"But awakened slaves have in had. For a slave who has awakened to be called to the trials of the Grey Tower "
"They must prove themselves worthy by serving the Empire" Inquisitor Jay explained.
"How do I serve the Empire?" Savitar asked.
"That's where the draft comes in. All awakened slaves according to the ranks of their skills will be drafted"
"This is your draft decree issued by the Player's Association "
Savitar fell on his knees to receive the decree.
He had his head bowed before the Inquisitor.
"Slave Savitar. Under article five of the Imperium Order. You have been drafted into the Black Star Platoon as a pseudo player" Inquisitor Jay voiced out.
He read the content written inside the scroll he was given.
Savitar's eyes broadened.
"The Black Star Platoon? Aren't they the infantry division under the Player's Association? Aren't they infamously known as the suicide squad?"
"Having the highest death rate in an organization. That's definitely them"
"What is the meaning of this? Have i been sent to my death?" Savitar asked himself.
He overheard his pounding heart. His eyes twitched, laced with fear.
Savitar had no idea when he started sweating.
"As a pseudo player of the Player's Association. You will be joining the next exhibition team and will be deployed to the Eastern Coast"
"You will be armed with any weapon of your choice. You have a day to report yourself to the Black Star Platoon"
"Failure to adhere to the decree will be seen as an act of treason. Penalty is death!!"
Inquisitor Jay read the content written on the scroll in its entirety.
Silence dawned on them afterwards. Inquisitor Jay glared at Savitar.
Savitar gnashed his teeths. With his fists clenched, he boiled in rage.
"The Eastern Coast? Isn't that place considered the den of Nightmares. I knew they would dispose of me for being useless and worthless"
"But I didn't think they would be sending me to my death"
"No Player has never return back alive from the Eastern Coast"
"If I decide to flee from the Empire, I will be hunted down by the knights in noir and I will be beheaded"
"Ah. I'm fucked" Tears flowed down the cheeks of Savitar.
"Are you ok? Child" Inquisitor Jay questioned. He rolled back the scroll.
Savitar raised his head, staring at the uncordial gaze of the Inquisitor. His heart skipped a beat.
Quickly wiping off the tears in his heart. He stood up from the ground.
"Yes sir. I accept the decree of the Empire" Savitar answered with his hand crossing his heart.
Inquisitor Jay grinned.
"You will be leaving with me. I'll be dropping you off at the Black Star Platoon, you have only a day to prepare yourself "
"You will be appointed a mission which must be completed before your team will be permitted to exit the Eastern Coast"
"I hope you're ready to serve the Empire. Slave" Inquistor Jay uttered.
"I'm ready sir" Savitar declared.
"Good. Let's go" Inquisitor Jay commanded. They left the street, still soaked in the rain.
Entering into the sleek hover car of Inquisitor Jay, they drove out of the scene. Heading towards the command base of the Black Star Platoon.
They drove out of the sector 10 city. Heading towards the Eastern Border where the Black Star's commanding base exist.
They've been driving for ten hours already. Savitar could see the sunrise from where he sat.
Savitar laid his back on the backseat of the car. Staring through the window, he could see the beauty of the Empire.
"Inquistor Jay….I have a question to ask" Savitar voiced out.
"Sure. You're free to ask your question" Inquisitor Jay responded while tilting the steering. He drove into a corner.
"Thanks. What would happen after my death?"
"It's not just a rumor right? The Eastern Coast is infamous for being the domain of Nightmares from the first era of the great cataclysm"
"Creatures yet to be touched for decades"
"I don't know what my mission will be but I'm certain I ain't making it out of the Eastern Coast. Not even the federation would dare send their soldiers in there"
"Probably those in my time are criminals who have the death sentence but are insignificant to the Empire"
"I want to know if there's any chance I would be buried if I die during my mission?" Savitar said.
Inquisitor stayed mute for a few seconds.
"No. The Empire only buries those they acknowledge as citizens, you're a mere awakened slave"
"Once you have been confirmed dead. Your name will be deleted from Aurora and your Cariburn Chip will self destruct"
"Either way you will be fed to the Nightmares who killed you"
"That's the life of a slave" Inquisitor Jay answered.
Savitar stayed silent for a few minutes. Not uttering a single word, a loud sigh escaped his lips.
Returning his attention back to the window.
"There's no reason for me to be burdened by the inevitable. If I'm going to die then so be it, fuck life either way "
"Living as a slave sucks as well" Savitar spoke out.
Inquisitor Jay couldn't help but smile at the raging words of Savitar.
"So you've made up your mind huh? Good kid. I read your stats, your skill is an SSS class skill right?"
Inquisitor Jay asked.
"Yes but an SSS skill that is neither offensive nor defensive is useless. I don't even know what my skill is all about " Savitar answered.
"It's quite saddening and the fact that you have the lowest Starlight Output in addition to the failure of your skill"
"Now I understand why the Empire is determined to dispose of you. You have no use to them" Inquisitor Jay said.
"But you weren't given an SSS class skill without any reason. A useless object can still be useful when used differently "
"I'm not saying this to motivate you but if your fate is to die then during this mission. You will meet your end in the most vile way possible "
"But if your death hasn't been confirmed yet. Fate will return you back alive"
"We've arrived "
Inquisitor Jay announced. Savitar turned to see the symbol of the Black Star Platoon displayed on the gates.
His heart skipped a beat.
To think he was commissioned to this slaughter house.
Inquisitor Jay drove through the large gates. He was greeted by the watchmen, halting his car right before the extensive rectangular building.
Ash in color. The flags of the Empire were on display.
Savitar nervously smiled.
The door was opened for him. he emerged out of the car, he saluted the Inquisitor once more before watching him leave the premises of the Black Star Platoon.
He faced the entrance of the building. Climbing through the stairway as he approached the entrance door.
He was let in as instructed by the Inquisitor Jay who dropped him off.
Savitar walked into the building. He was met with the nefarious grin of the awaiting Inquisitor.
Savitar recognized the Inquisitor badge and uniform. Formally saluting the Inquisitor, his heart skipped a beat.
The Inquisitor chuckled softly with his arms folded.
"Hmph. To think this brat is more informed huh? Seeing the one who dropped him off is Inquisitor Jay"
"He must be the trash commissioned here" the Inquisitor voiced out.
Savitar didn't dare to move an inch from where he stood.
He avoided looking into the eyes of the Inquisitor.
The Inquisitor covered the distance between himself and Savitar. Savitar floundered backwards.
His legs quivered.
"Hey trash. Welcome to the Black Star Platoon, we have been waiting for you since. The exhibition squad is nearly complete "
"Tell me….what's your name. Boy!"
Enveloping his words with Starlight Energy. Savitar was sent crashing into a wall. The power of an Inquisitor is beyond anything.
He groaned out. Struggling to stand up to his feets.
The Inquisitor approached Savitar. He grabbed Savitar by the neck, carelessly lifting him into the air.
"I asked you a question. Didn't it? Boy"
Savitar's ears, nose and eyes bled as a result of the pressure.
"It's Savitar…my…my….my name is Savitar" Savitar answered.
"He-he-he-he-he...well Savitar. Welcome to the Black Star Platoon" the Inquisitor voiced out.
With a swing, Savitar was sent crashing on the ground.
He coughed out bloods from his mouth.
"I hope you're prepared to die boy. As it's famous…..the Black Star Platoon, we're the suicidal tools of the Empire"
"Follow me. Let me get you geared up"
"Within a few hours you will be deployed to your death!!"