The air in the Myth courtyard was tense with anticipation.
Aiden stood on the raised platform overlooking the hundred survivors lined up below him. They weren't the strongest people in the shelter. They weren't the most talented either. But each of them had passed the tests — grit, loyalty, and a willingness to step into the dark when others hid in the light.
"These are the hundred chosen," Tyrel muttered from beside him, arms crossed. His blonde hair gleamed faintly under the courtyard lights. "The first group of people to evolve in the college"
"That's the point," Aiden replied quietly. "If the Shadow Guards are to mean anything, it can't be about talent. It has to be about resolve."
He stepped forward, projecting his voice so that everyone could hear.
"Today," he said, "Myth takes its first step toward a future where we are not just survivors, but hunters. The world outside these walls is cruel, but we refuse to bow. From this day forward, you are no longer just survivors. You are the first generation of Shadow Guards — the hidden sword of Myth."
A hundred fists slammed into a hundred chests in perfect unison.
"FOR MYTH!"
The shout echoed across the courtyard like thunder.
Aiden nodded once, satisfied. "You'll undergo training over the next three days. You'll learn combat formations, survival tactics, and covert operations. When the next expedition leaves these walls, you'll be ready to move with them. You will be the ones leading the way through Null-infested territory."
Tyrel stepped forward, his presence sharp as lightning. "And remember this — you represent Myth. Out there, your actions decide whether people trust us or fear us. Never forget who you are."
The courtyard fell silent as the weight of their new duty sank in.
Three Days Later
The training yard was filled with dust and the sound of clashing weapons. The Shadow Guards moved in squads of ten, practising ambush drills, choke-point defence, and coordinated assaults.
"Keep formation!" one of the instructors barked.
Sweat ran down the trainees' faces as they executed another manoeuvre, their movements sharper than they had been just days before. They were far from perfect, but a unity was forming among them, a silent bond forged through shared exhaustion.
Aiden watched from the edge of the field with Tyrel.
"They're learning faster than I expected," Tyrel admitted.
"They have to," Aiden said. "The next expedition isn't just about rescuing survivors. It's about showing that Myth can keep people safe. If they fail…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
That evening, the hundred newly trained Shadow Guards assembled once more in the courtyard. This time, there was no uncertainty in their eyes.
Aiden stood before them, holding a small black flag bearing the emblem of Myth. "Kneel," he commanded.
One by one, the recruits dropped to one knee.
"Repeat after me," Aiden said, his voice quiet but heavy with authority.
They spoke together, their voices rising with each word."I swear to walk where others fear to tread. I swear to strike from the shadows, for Myth. I swear to protect the weak and punish the wicked. I swear to give my life, if need be, for the future of this shelter."
When the oath ended, Aiden drove the flag into the ground. "Rise, Shadow Guards."
The hundred stood, no longer mere survivors.
"You leave soon," Tyrel said, looking over the group with approval. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, you begin your first real mission."
The courtyard was silent for a heartbeat — and then erupted in cheers.
As the crowd dispersed, Aiden remained on the platform, gazing at the dark sky above.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered.
Tyrel shot him a sideways glance. "You sound worried."
"I am," Aiden admitted. "We've made our move. Sooner or later, the world out there is going to answer."
****
Morning came quietly, almost deceptively peaceful.
Aiden sat at the central command room's table, staring at the holographic map projected in front of him. Red dots marked Null clusters. Green dots marked known survivor locations. The map looked like a war board — and in a way, it was.
Tyrel entered without knocking, throwing a datapad onto the table. "Final inventory. Weapons calibrated, rations packed, routes planned."
"Good," Aiden said, but his voice lacked relief.
Tyrel narrowed his eyes. "You look like someone who just got bad news."
Before Aiden could reply, the system notification flickered in the corner of his vision.
[System Notification: New Faction Detected – Hollow Tusk]
[Description: Hollow Tusk has been formed]
[Leader: ???]
[Core Members: 7]
[Current Influence: Growing]
[Incoming Message from Faction Leader: Hollow Tusk]
["Greetings, Leader of Myth.
We are Hollow Tusk, and we seek to restore order to this broken world. Your faction is recognised as a promising force, and we extend an invitation for you to join the cause of the gods. Together, we can bring civilisation back from the ashes. Refusal, however, will leave your faction vulnerable in the days to come.
– Hollow Tusk"]
Aiden's fingers curled into a fist.
"Hollow Tusk," he muttered aloud.
Tyrel leaned against the table, curious. "Another faction? Could be allies."
"Maybe," Aiden said grimly, "but they sent this."
He forwarded the message to Tyrel, who read it in silence before clicking his tongue. "That doesn't sound like an invitation. That sounds like a warning."
"Exactly. Whoever they are, they already think they have the right to dictate order."
Tyrel smirked, though there was no humour in it. "Well, we'll see who decides the order of things."
By mid-afternoon, preparations were well underway.
The Shadow Guards moved through the courtyard with purpose, checking weapons, testing radios, adjusting armour straps. They had been quiet yesterday, solemn in their oath, but today a low current of excitement pulsed through them.
"This is it," one whispered. "First mission outside the walls."
"First mission where we're the ones keeping people alive," another replied.
Aiden moved among them, speaking briefly with squad leaders, correcting sloppy gear placement, and offering nods of encouragement. He wasn't just sending them into danger; he was sending them into a world that had already taken so much from them.
They didn't have much time to train, but within three days, they had learnt a lot, and it was time to put what they had learnt to practical use.
And yet, none hesitated.
Inside the strategy room, the teams gathered for their briefing.
"Team One," Aiden said, looking at the first group, "Isara, Darian, you lead. Your route takes you northeast, through Sector Seven. We've had scattered survivor signals in that region. Your goal is to locate them and bring them back alive, if they're willing to return."
Isara's expression was calm, focused. She simply nodded. Darian twirled his axe in one hand, frowning slightly.
'Sector seven...' Darian thought, '...I hope she's okay.
"Team Two," Aiden continued, turning to the next group, "Amara, Valeria, you take the west route. There's a warehouse complex about eight klicks from here that still shows active power signatures. It could be survivors. It could be something worse. Your job is to find out which."
Amara's eyes glinted beneath her hood. Valeria gave a short, sharp nod.
"You'll each take two squads of Shadow Guards," Aiden said. "You are not to engage large Null clusters unless necessary. The priority is survival, yours and the people you're trying to save."
Tyrel stepped forward, projecting a 3D map of both routes. "We've identified choke points here, here, and here," he said, pointing to narrow alleys and collapsed highways. "Nulls like to nest in these spots. If you have to fight, force them into these bottlenecks. Makes cleanup easier."
When the briefing ended, the room remained still for a moment. Everyone understood what was being asked of them.
"This expedition isn't just about bringing people back," Aiden said finally, his voice quiet but carrying. "It's about proving that Myth can protect them. It's about proving that we are worth following."
He let the words hang in the air before nodding. "Gear up. You leave at first light."
That night, the base was strangely alive.
Shadow Guards triple-checked their gear, some sharpening blades, others scribbling notes or tying good-luck charms to their armour. Some prayed quietly in corners. Others sat together and laughed softly, the kind of laughter that came from nervous energy rather than true joy.
Aiden stood on the watchtower, looking out at the ruined cityscape beyond the dome.
Olympus.
The name weighed heavily in his mind. Another faction, one strong enough to send system-wide notifications, meant Myth was no longer alone in trying to rebuild order. And the message they'd sent… it hadn't been hostile, but it hadn't been friendly either.
Tyrel joined him on the tower. "You're overthinking again."
Aiden didn't look at him. "You saw their message."
"Yeah. And we'll deal with them when we have to. Right now, you have two teams about to walk into the dark for you. Worry about them first."
Aiden exhaled slowly. "You're right."
"Of course I am." Tyrel grinned faintly, then turned to leave. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be messy."
But Aiden didn't move. He stayed on the tower long after the camp quieted, watching the stars and wondering what kind of world they were really stepping into.
Dawn broke red.
Both teams assembled at the gate. The Shadow Guards stood in two long lines, weapons at the ready, eyes hard. The air was sharp with anticipation.
Aiden stepped forward, his coat snapping in the early wind.
"This is your first step," he told them. "Don't forget what you swore."
Then he nodded to the gate operator.
The massive steel doors groaned as they rolled open, revealing the broken city beyond — a graveyard of twisted steel and shattered concrete bathed in morning light.
"Move out!" Tyrel barked.
Team One headed northeast. Team Two turned west.