[center][h1][i][b]Markson[/b][/i][/h1][/center]
Thousands and thousands of trees, only breaking every few spots. Dark shadows could be see flitting about through the dense foliage, followed by the whoops and yells as bigger, more prominent shadows chased after them. Laser bullets lit up the darks, illuminating the humanoid forms for a few moments before they receded back into the darkness. Footprints left in the dirty ground were swept away over time, being kicked under dirt from the feet racing off to continue the fight. Lights broke through the west barrier of trees and a large wall came into view, lit up with security lights. 

The Guard Towers stood tall and bright as they surrounded the gate. The moonlight glinted off the snipers pointed out toward the foliage of trees. Humanoid forms stand at the edge of the trees, looking toward the towers in fear. One of the Sniper Guards, standing close to the edges, sees one of the shadows and fires off a warning shot. The hiss could not be heard at that distance, but the warning shot did exactly what it was meant to do. The shadows flitted off into the distance, disappearing from view. The sniper stood back, looking toward his partner with a cocky grin, who just rolled his eyes and continued a lookout. The bell chimed a six o'clock call, and the two men looked to each other. 

On the opposing tower to them, a young woman pressed three buttons, in successive order, and the gate begins to open slowly. Different groups begin to approach, and dark shadows sprint out from the inside the gates, from behind the Wall. The groups whoop and yell, high-fiving each other as they switch off before the gates begin to close again, doing as they normally do: only be open for two minutes at a time. The new packs take off running in different directions, and sounds of terror could be heard through the dimming sky. 

As the gates shut, the retired groups laughed and began walking down the pathway, heading in the direction of a tall, sparkling glass tower, one that was a half an hour walk away. They pass by short, stumpy houses and young farmers, who wave and smile to them as they do their final feeding. The Guards waved and smiled back, letting out yells to former friends, or cat calls to young women, who giggle and take it in stride. The road is the main road that no cars, except the rare government car or helicopter, was allowed to go on. The Guards hold onto each other, laughing and smiling as they approach the glittering tower. Lights flash on the inside, people preparing for the night. 

Castle, as it was called, was the most protected building in all of Markson, being home to the Guards. It was the most fortified and had the most weapons out of anywhere in Markson. The groups walked up to the front doors, placing each of their hands into a small opening by a seemingly normal wall. The first one, a young man, cringed as the needle pricked his finger, but as soon as his blood was approved, the wall slid open, making a minor door for the young man to walk into. 

The beginning foyer of Castle was close to a hotel lobby. There were couches where Guards would sit, waiting for their tours to begin, or play video games and hang out in between training and exercising sessions. Walking forward down a small hallway, the building then opened up a bit more, breaking off into three different hallways. Continuing straight would lead one to all of the meeting rooms, while if one were to turn right, they would head to six elevators to take them to their rooms or the training rooms on the upper floors of the Castle. This particular young man turned to head to the elevators, but where the fun really begins is going left and heading down a long hallway to a pair of double doors: the ballroom. 

Tonight, it was lit up with multicolored lights and festive balloons and streamers. There was a snack table, a space made for dancing, a stage, and multitudes of tables filled with people, the front five filled with young Recruits who had just finished their training. The rest were filled with off duty Guards and the mentors who trained the young Recruits. A young man of a somewhat Asian decent approached the stage, going up to speak into a microphone...

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[color=skyblue][h1]Ariella Taraman[/h1][h3]The Ballroom; Castle[/h3][/color][/center]

Sitting at the front of most things was not unusual for her, but this time, it was all assigned. The first table was for the highest ranking out of all of the Recruits. She was at the head of the table, smiling softly, as she watched Nau, the head Recruiter for the Council and resident of Castle itself, make his way onto the stage. Nau tapped the microphone, then waited for the murmurs of the Recruits and other guests to die down. The room fell into a hushed silence and Nau began to speak. 

"We gather here to witness the beginning of an era. These twenty students are about to step into the world of a Guard. They have trained, hard, from Day One. There has been blood. There has been sweat. And there has been tears. They have thrown their heart and soul into becoming a protector of this wonderful city of ours-" A loud cheer arose, with a chant of the city name, before Nau held up his hand the room fell quiet once more. "-and I'm sure they will give their lives to protect those that they love behind these walls. Now! Onto the acceptance, choosing of the weapons, and the random partner selection." 

Nau began calling each of the Recruits, one by one, starting from the last ranked Recruit. They all went up and swore a speech that said, "I pledge myself to protect the city of Markson. Until the last breath leaves my body, I will hold my ground against the Anomalous. Until the last drop of blood hits the ground, I will protect those I love. This I swear." The oath was a little morbid, but what came next was even more so. A ceremonial knife, having to be sterilized in between each Recruit, was presented to the student. They would draw it across their palm and take their weapon of choice, thus symbolizing it was their weapon. It was gross, but no one else was going to use your gun, so it wasn't that big of a deal. 

Ariella held her breath as Nau called her name last. She approached the stage, making her way to him. He smiled at her and asked for her to raise her right hand. She repeated the oath to him, the words rolling off her tongue with ease and passion, and she was handed the knife at her conclusion. She drew the sharp blade of her palm, sucking in a breath at the sudden pain, but she quickly grabbed the hilt and holster of a 76th Grande Pistol, her most favored laser weapon. Wearing a dress, she would not be able to put it on her waist until she began wearing her Guard uniform normally. 

Walking back down the stairs, she took her seat once more, looking up to the stage. Nau took his place once more at the microphone and said, "Now for the partner selection. There is no ceremony for this, so you may remain where you are. First pair... Ashes and Fox." Nau continued through, until finally Ariella heard, "Ariella and Noah." 

That couldn't be right. Ariella stared at the stage in shock as Nau continued. He finished only two more after that before saying, "Those people will be your partners for the first year. After the first year, you will have your choice. Now stand up and let's have some fun! It's a celebration!" Everyone stood up and immediately the tables were swept away by volunteers and music began playing. 

Ariella didn't dance. She didn't want to. Out of all the people he could have chosen, how did she get stuck with Noah?! The one who doesn't even know his last name?! Moping, she leaned up against the wall and began watching the dance, keeping an eye out for her new "partner".