Eternal

That night, Gerard led me to just outside the main hall. We skirted the edge of the wooden house and to the back of it. There was a small path that led to a great meadow. The grass swayed and tickled my ankles under the gentle touch of wind the soothed the night air.

“Ready for the bonfire?” He asked me. I nodded, thinking back to beating Jordan, err, Mesmer.

“What is the bonfire, exactly?” I asked him. He chuckled. There was a faint crackling of fire up ahead.

“It’s just a little meet and greet, plus…your first assignment.” Gerard winked at me in the darkness. I gulped, my muscles tensing up a little. My first assignment? What was this? Was I already part of the Witchers? No, it couldn’t be!

We entered the meadow and sat down around big fire. There was the rest of the Stormchargers, the Highest Sky duo, and the Final Horizons. I quickly reviewed their names and the squad titles.

Gerard motioned for me to sit down between him and Mikey. The two buff warriors to the left of us sat on a different log. They talked quietly between themselves. I saw one of them pass me a few spare glances. The other four, the Final Horizons, quietly joked amongst themselves.

“Ready to start?” Jordan asked. Everyone quieted down. Gerard nodded before standing up.

“So as you guys know, we have a potential recruit in our midst.” He gestured towards me. I smiled a little, looking around. Mikey clapped me on the back.

“And potentially our new weapons expert, if Mes is rusty.” He joked. Mesmer just rolled his eyes, but kept his grin. He never seemed to lose that grin. The rest of the group chuckled.

“Anyways, I think some formal introductions are in order. I’ll start. I’m Gerard Way. I’m the leader of the Stormchargers.” He waved.

“Hello, little Gee.” Mikey chuckled. Gerard kicked his shin as Mikey stood up. We slowly went around in a circle. Mikey Way, Ray Toro, Bob Bryars, Frank Iero (who was constantly joking the entire time). Then the Final Horizons group started.

“I’m Jordan Fish. I’m the leader of the squad when Oli isn’t here. Call me Mesmer.” He raised his eyebrow at me before sitting down. The next man took a breath and stood up.

“Matty Nicholls. I work with the horses. Don’t get on my bad side or I’ll feed you to Phoose.” He threatened. The name made everyone hiss and flinch.

“He’s Matty’s horse. Devil creature, if I’ve ever met one.” Gerard whispered to me. I grimaced. Phoose kind of rhymed with loose. Loose. Phoose. I liked it.

“I’m Matt Kean. My longest kill range is a three hundred paces on a vampire. Pesky one, that was.” Matt muttered and shook his head. Woah, wait, he was an archer? Gosh, that was a long range! The fire crackled higher and higher in the night sky. I looked through the orange and yellow flames to see the others. Crackling logs sparked.

“I’m Lee Malia. I’m main connection with the other camps. I’m the messenger boy, I guess.” He shrugged. Matty snickered. The Highest Sky duo elbowed each other before one stood up.

“The name’s Rian Dawson. I’ve killed Rigoli demons before. The stupid ones are the fastest, be careful of that.” He winked at me. I laughed a little. I already really liked Rian. He seemed pretty cool and down to earth.

“Since I’m last, I’m Pablo-“

“Shut up, you’re Zack!” Rian smacked his shoulder. The boy with the windswept brown hair cackled like the fire.

“Fine, I’m Zack Merrick. I love demons. I kill woman. Wait, was that the other way around? How drunk am I?” He laughed, falling off his log. I barely contained my own chuckles.

“Wait, switch that. I love woman. I kill demons. Not much about me. Oh, and watch out for Ee.” He smirked. I looked curiously at him for a moment before I felt wind which so close over my head, it was like a ghost touched my arm.

“EEEE!” I screamed like I had seen a specter.

“Exactly!” Zack chuckled as he held out his hand. A falcon landed on it, peering at me with intelligent eyes.

“I see how you got that name.” I growled. He chuckled.

“Now on to the business,” Mikey cut him off. I smiled a little and rubbed my head to make sure I wasn’t bleeding. Zack stroked the falcon’s magnificent head.

“We said we had an assignment for you. This is your initiation assignment. If you survive, you’re in, kid.” Mesmer laughed. Rian winked at me.

“If you’re dead, then…you’re not in. Sorry.” He joked. I rolled my eyes but twiddled my thumbs nervously. The edge of my cloak fluttered in the wind.

“What’s the task?” I asked. Frank smirked.

“You know the legend of Dragontooth Cliffs, out by the Ghost Sea?” Frank asked. I shook my head. I wasn’t that familiar with the area.

“Well, it was rightfully named when a dragon roosted there at least a couple hundred years ago. It was said that the dragon was slain by Erik of Ernstead, a great warrior, but we have our doubts.” Bob said quietly. A shiver ran up my spine as the meadow fell quiet. The only sound was the crackling of the fire.

“Well, we doubt that most because every recruit we send never returns, so…” Ray shrugged. Mikey hit his shoulder.

“Now you’re going to scare him off!” Mikey groaned. I shook my head, steeling my nerves.

“No, no, I can do this. What do I have to do?” I asked them. Where they honestly going to ask me to slay a centuries old dragon? I don’t think I was quiet ready for that…

“All you have to do is survive the cliffs by not falling off, go inside a cave at the ‘mouth’ of the cliff by climbing down the naturally carved steps in the side of the cliffs. As soon as you climb down them, just enter the cave, check it out, go all the way in, see if there’s a dragon, and come back and get us. Report if there was a beast or not.” Matty shrugged. I looked at them curiously. Ee cooed as Zack stroked her wings.

“Is that really all? I thought you said the others had died! There has to be a dragon!” I exclaimed.

“Well, Toltek, actually, a lot of them have probably fallen off the side of the cliff. It is winter and the steps are slick down to the cave entrance. So you know…don’t fall?” Gerard suggested. Jordan and Matt snickered. I pursed my lips.

“Really? I don’t have to kill the dragon or anything?” I asked. Jordan shook his head.

“Nope. All you gotta do is check it out. If there is the beast, don’t get eaten, come back to us in one piece, you get the job as a Witcher, and we’ll go kill it.” Lee said. I laughed a little. This didn’t sound so bad!

“Easy. I’ll be back in a couple of days.” I smiled. Gerard patted my back.

“That’s a good way to look at certain death! Now go ahead and get some rest! We’ll send you off in the morning.” He nodded. We all disbanded the fire. Rian threw water on it to quench the flames. As we tromped back to the hall, I couldn’t help but think of the cliffs.

This couldn’t be hard, could it?

Notes

Yo, everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Life's been busy and I was trying to balance out my others stories :) Anyways, the contest is over, I'm going to try to get prizes shipped out by the next couple of days, and hopefully get some more chapters written! So I have two things. First quick question: I'm just really curious about this...do any guys post/read on this site? I've seen and talked to a lot of girls, but not many of the guys species XD Sorry, but continuing on, I've always just been curious about that little question.

Second thing, I have another story posted! It's called Rage, Rage, Against the Dying of the Light and it's a new little project I have going. Go check it out!

Thanks everyone!