<h4>Book 5, Chapter 47 – Pioneers</h4>


    All of these recent events were having a major effect on Greend’s progress.


    You could feel it in the atmosphere. A heavy gloom had settled over the city ever since news of Dawn’s capture had spread. It was suffocating, like the air before a thunderstorm. Still and ominous. Posts manned by Pris soldiers were empty since they could not focus on developing the city as they had before.


    At the same time, Greend was and always had been a wastnd city. These settlements were prone to attracting snakes and other bad actors. Chaos always took root whenever cracks appeared in the foundation, like insidious weeds.


    Inrge part, stability had been maintained in Greend because of the strong Pris presence. Once they began to disappear from their posts, it stood to reason that the security they brought would begin to erode, right. Murder, theft, extortion – would the seeds of sin buried in the wastnd’s barren soil bloom in their pure oasis?


    And yet... it was a miracle, because what happened was not what people expected and feared. Even though the city was in conflict, and even though threats approached from all sides, chaos did not take hold.


    Months of effort by its leaders had cultivated a sense of honor and gratitude in the hearts of Greend’s citizens. They saw this city as their home, a ce worth protecting.


    Was the Elysian view that wastnders lived for chaos true? Of course not! After having a taste of surplus, safety andfort, who would throw all of that away for the bloody struggles of their former life?


    Wastnders were humans, and but for a few outliers they preferred safety to conflict. This precious gift, which Elysians were given at birth, wastnders viewed as a hard earned treasure. The emergence of Greend – its harmony, its order, its abundance – instilled within these wastnders a long-dead sense of dignity.


    The Greenders themselves, more than anyone, wanted to make sure this ce was protected! And if the Pris soldiers were too distracted to protect them, then they would do it themselves!


    Grassroots groups sprang up to maintain order. One of the mutants who had been elevated to a leadership position in their forces took charge, leading his squad on patrol and manning guard posts. It was their express mission to make sure anyone who used this chance to cause trouble was harshly dealt with.


    He was but one example. Greend was their home! Although they weren’t strong enough to defend Greend’s honor outside its borders, they could still contribute in this way.


    There was one area in particr which was deeply affected by the changing times, and that was the Institute. Although sses run by Seekers would continue unchanged, most others had been run in the Elysian style with Elysian methods. Their instructors, soldiers from Skycloud, were now all gone. They were preparing to embark on a campaign to fight and die against the expeditionary force. But what of their students? What would they do without their teachers?


    udia showed up at the school as she did every day and was faced with a striking scene.


    Several hundred martial arts students were divided by ss and were practicing strength training in the yard. These young, immature students were solemn and quiet. What did it matter that there were no teachers? They simply followed the same curriculum as any other day under the guidance of their ss leaders [1]. None of them had any doubt that their instructors would return safely in time, and they wanted to be in top shape.


    Seeing these children dutifully attending to their studies moved udia deeply.


    Beneath these fresh faces was a strength that was growing all the time. When they finally bloom, their effect on the world they inherit will be incredible.


    Cloudhawk told her that his hope was to give the wastnd an opportunity to make the change it wanted. What wastnder wouldn’t leap at the chance? In most ces, they were like drowning men grasping at straws. Now that they’d been given a vine, they would hold on tight as they could and never let go.


    udia slowly made her way to the center of the facility. Here was situated their special demonhunter training area. She took up position behind her podium and every student was present. Wordlessly, they took their seats. Their eyes, bright with a third for knowledge, were all fixed on her.


    udia looked them over for a moment then shut the book in front of her. “No ss today.”


    Her students were first surprised then disappointed. No ss? Why!


    “Headmistress, are you joining the fight?” From among her students one strong and dignified voice called out to her. It was Ironspike, the mutant. He had trained hard and was acknowledged as an especially talented novice demonhunter by this point. He spoke to her with a face full of enthusiasm. “The headmistress is strong, she’ll definitely make the enemy regret crossing us!”


    The other student vociferously agreed. But their burning eyes were filled both with excitement and concern.


    Ironspike’s resolute words caught udia off guard. She shook her head. “Actually, I’m not considered strong here in Greend. And I will not be participating in the battle for various reasons.”


    When she said it udia could see the disappointment in their faces. What were they disappointed about? That she wasn’t thought of as strong, or that she wasn’t going to fight?


    She kept her face calm and continued. “We aren’t having ss today, because we have something more important to attend.”


    Her students quieted down again. They listened with eager curiosity.


    “Today is an important day for Greend. For the whole of the wastnds.” As she began a conflicting mess of emotions filled her. She had been, after all, a noble demonhunter of Skycloud. Even after months among the wastnders her former life still left its mark. However it had finally begun to dawn on her that she was an Elysian no longer. “It’s important that you are all there to see this historic moment.”


    “Headmistress, what do you mean by historic moment?”


    “The Governor is going to meet with several people, each of them very important for the wastnds. They are fine examples for you to follow in your life, for they represent the real strength of the wastnds. They came here with a purpose and a motive, but what’s important for you to know is that they are all pioneers, all elders who deserve your utmost respect.


    Their eyes glittered with interest.


    “In the future, when you’re sitting safely in ss and learning to better yourselves, remember that these men and women are who made it possible. They were the ones who stood up to death and danger in the dark ces you can’t see, protecting you so you can have that future.”


    “Further in the future, if some of you grow to be as strong as they are, please remember them and their contributions. Do everything you can to walk in their footsteps. Transforming the wastnds is a long and difficult journey that will require the efforts and sacrifices of many generations.”


    “That’s enough lecturing. Now, let’s go take a look.” udia was suddenly struck with a wave of exhaustion when she finished her speech.


    The students were all abuzz with excitement. Azura was the first to shoot to her feet and took charge. “Alright, calm down! Follow instructions. We don’t want this to be a mess!”


    Everyone obediently quieted down. Azura wasn’t just the most talented among them, she also had a surprisinglymanding presence for her age. She was only ten years old! When she grew up, she would be exactly the sort of person udia had just been talking about.


    The students arranged themselves into orderly lines, then made their way to the square in the center of the city. They stood straight and tall, and quiet as they waited for the spectacle. It was an hours-long process, and not once did someonein or get out of line. To them this was like a pilgrimage. They were all excited for every moment.


    Eventually a loud rumble shook the city. The gathered citizens turned their eyes toward the noise. Several enormous airships were descending on them from above.


    Once they were docked the students watched as a number of striking and important figures emerged. One after the other they presented themselves, and with each new face the students were more in awe. Their headmistress had impressed upon them how important they all were. They understood that without these people, the wastnds would never survive under the shadow of Skycloud.


    Wolfde! Leader of the Dark Atom. For years he stood alone on the front lines against the Elysiannds.


    The Khan of Evernight! Master of the city of Nox. They were the mysterious power from the south that wielded incredible and enigmatic power. They were the backbone, supporting them as they marched to war.


    Cloudhawk! Governor of Greend and one of the men these students adored the most. A unique wastnder, and founder of their great realm!


    The procession continued: Abaddon, Autumn, Hellflower, Coal, the Wendigo King... a dozen of the wastnd’s greatest leaders all gathered in Greend. Choose any one at random and you would have a representative of the best of the best the wastes had to offer.


    Here they were, most of the wastnds’ powerhouses, gathered as representatives of theirnd’s defiance to Elysian oppression. Their city had be the center of their bid to win freedom and the right of self-determination.


    Who could have imagined that such a small act could lead to one of the most historic wars in modern history?


    Cloudhawk, Wolfde and the Khan stood at the head of the procession. The rest fanned out behind. All together they walked across the square and into the central fort. Although itsted only a moment – ten minutes at most – the spectacle had filled the students with fervor and determination.


    They felt pride at being present when these illustrious figures gathered.


    They felt honored that these pioneers were fighting for their right to live free.


    They felt confident, for they had faith one day they might join these hero’s ranks.


    Fight for survival. Fight for freedom! Fight for dignity! Fight!


    Their actions would nt the seeds of resistance and fighting spirit. Their blood would soak the barrennds and, one day, turn it into a vibrant paradise!


    1. ss leaders being a staple of Chinese ssrooms, wherein one student is selected as the instructor’s personal assistant. I suppose in the US we call them ss monitors.