Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The Journey Begins: First Stage of Orientation
It has been three hours since Navar, Miri, and Jax set out from Wellfort. With each passing minute, Navar's foot tapping grows louder and more frantic as he grows restless from the long ride. "Ugh, I'm so bored. Can't we just get there already?"
With a light shove, Jax sends the chessboard skidding across the seat toward Navar. "How about another chess match to pass some time?"
"No, because every time we play it, I get beaten in less than five moves."
"You get beaten in less than five moves cause you're an idiot, and you keep falling for the same trap," says Miri.
"Shut the hell up, Miri; I'd like to see you try!"
"Hey, kid, be quiet! People are trying to sleep here!" says the bus driver over the speaker.
"My bad," Navar leans his head against the cool glass of the bus window and closed his eyes. "I'm gonna take a nap. As Navar sleeps, a crowd's applause fills his ears as he pictures himself atop a hill. "Navar! Navar! Navar!" says the group several times. Unbeknownst to Navar, he doesn't realize it's Jax and Miri trying to wake him. Miri slaps him across his cheek, the sting of her hand waking him from his slumber. "Ow, Miri, that hurt!"
"You wouldn't wake up. I had no choice."
"Mean slaps aside, where in the world are we?"
"We're passing through a tunnel, and we are a few minutes from the capital. That's why we tried to wake you up," says Jax.
As the bus passes through the dark tunnel, Navar, Miri, and Jax are captivated by the breathtaking view of the capital city's illuminated nighttime lights. "Wow!" they say in unison.
The bus driver turns on the P.A button. "We'll be there shortly, everyone. Get your luggage ready so we can have a steady transition for the next ride."
Once the bus reaches its stop, the passengers grab their luggage and exit the vehicle. As Navar, Jax, and Miri step out into the street, the cacophony of car horns, shouting, and bustling echoes around them, overwhelming them. "So umm. Where to?" asks Miri.
They scour the area for a hint until Jax sees a screen mounted on a wooden sign that says 'Draftees' "I think we're supposed to go there..."
When they reach the sign, it plays a computerized female robotic voice message. "Greetings, Ozania Draftees. We hope your travel was safe and worth your time. Because of the time being late, we suggest you all get some rest. If you are a draftee, you can use your ticket or registration form to get a room in a nearby hotel. Thank you for deciding to become a proud fighter for Ozania, and we'll be glad to see you at the orientation in the morning."
The message finishes, and the screen beeps as it releases maps for each draftee. "Let's find a hotel," Jax unfolds the map and runs his fingers across it, searching for the closest hotel.
While Miri and Jax discuss where to spend the night, Navar spots a gift shop and points it out. "Oh, look, a gift shop! Let's go there!"
"Navar, we just got off a long train ride. We can go another time," says Miri.
"You're no fun, Miri; you're always such a buzzkill! Must you always ruin the fun in everything?"
"Oh, right, I'm such a "buzzkill" for trying to make sure we don't show up to the orientation all tired. Yeah, that makes sense. Why do you have to be such an annoying idiot all the time?"
Navar's lips curve into a snarl as he grits his teeth. "Why you!"
"Can't you two go one day without gettin' into an argument, jeez? Let's go to the hotel and get some sleep, Capiche?" asks Jax.
"Capiche," says Miri and Navar.
They follow the map's directions and enter a hotel named Ozania Capital Suites, the plush red carpet cushioning their feet with every step. They stroll to the front counter and see a middle-aged woman with bright red lipstick, noisily chomping on gum while leaning over a brown desk. "What type of room would you guys like?"
"Two beds, One Room," says Navar.
"Do you guys have the money to pay?"
"We're drafted into the Ozanian Army, so they'll pay all expenses."
"I'm gonna need proof of that."
Jax presents the desk lady with their draft tickets, and she uses the scanner to confirm their authenticity. Upon scanning the card, it reads 'valid,' She presents them with a red and white room card with a scannable barcode on the back. "Ok, here is the room pass. It's on the 8th floor, and the room is 2321."
The desk lady hands Navar the barcode card, the ink on its surface glimmering in the light. "Thank you!"
As soon as they open their hotel room door, a feeling of grandeur fills the air as they unveil the lavish suite. "Wow," they say together.
After a few minutes of exploring the palatial suite, Jax walks toward the bathroom. "I got dibs on the bathroom! I was the one who found the room on the map, so I sh-"
"Too slow," Miri enters the bathroom before Jax can react.
"Ugh, the same as always. You guys beat me at everything," Jax leaps onto the bed and sinks into the pillows, his shoulders sagging with defeat. Once Miri exits the bathroom, she notices Jax sprawled out face down on the bed. "Hey, whiny, do you want anything to eat?"
"Pick up some pizza!" says Navar.
"Pizza is fine," says Jax.
"Ok, but who will get it?" asks Miri.
"Rock Paper Scissors! Loser grabs it," says Navar.
"Fine."
"Rock Paper Scissors, Shoot!" says Navar and Miri.
Miri uses Scissors, while Navar uses Rock.
"Ok, I'll get it, but I don't know my way around this city, so it might take me a while.."
A few hours later, Miri returns with a box of steaming hot pizza. Miri surveys the room and notices Jax asleep and Navar's gaze fixed out the hotel window. "Navar, I got pizza."
"…"
"Are you alright? Usually, you are the first one to go for the box?" Miri strides to the window and perches beside him.
"Sorry, Miri, I'm so excited."
Miri lets out a gentle chuckle. "You haven't stopped saying that since we left Wellfort."
"I'm sorry, I just can't help it."
Navar and Miri become speechless as they peer out the window, the city lights radiating a warm, inviting glow.
"I never thought we would see this while living at Wellfort. It's so beautiful," Navar lets out a joyous giggle, taken aback by the breathtaking view. "I thought all of us would just grow up there and live that same boring life Mom and Dad do."
"Yeah, me too. And honestly, I still have a hard time believing this is real," Miri hands Navar a snow globe with lettering of Wellfort across it. "Here, this is for us not going to that gift shop, and I know how much you like those."
Navar reaches out and grabs the globe, his face lighting up as he shakes it. "Wow, this looks amazing."
"In case I die, you can remember me by that."
"Hey, don't say stuff like that, Miri!"
"Relax, I'm just k-" The sound of Jax snoring interrupts Miri. "Just like always, snoring loud as hell," Miri pats Navar's shoulder reassuringly, then nestles into her bed. "Get some sleep, Navar; tomorrow will be a long day."
Navar strolls to his black suitcase and removes gold and white noise-canceling headphones. "This should help quiet his snoring," He places on the headphones and submerges himself under the bedsheets.
"Goodnight, Miri."
"Goodnight, Navar."
After seven hours, Navar, Jax, and Miri are awakened by the shrill ringing of an alarm. They take turns tidying up in the bathroom and exit wearing casual clothing. The last one to leave the bathroom is Jax, who tucks his map into his pocket. "Everybody ready to go?"
Navar and Miri shift restlessly against the wall, their arms crossed, as they waited a lengthy amount of time for Jax to emerge from the bathroom. "It's about time, Jax. What were you doing in there, were you-?" asks Miri.
"No, no! Why would you even think that?"
"Relax, I was joking."
"Now that we're all ready, let's go to the orientation! And Don't worry, I already found it on the map while I was in the bathroom," says Jax.
Navar, Jax, and Miri leave the hotel and enter their destination after a ten-minute walk, a crowded building with countless machines, vendors, and other advanced attractions. Miri and the others scour the area, looking for a clue, until they spot a line of people queuing up in front of a red booth. The sign above it reads "Draftee Orientation." "Hey, look over there. I think that's where we're supposed to go," said Miri.
Navar, Miri, and Jax make their way to the end of the lengthy line and wait for their turn. A middle-aged woman in a red booth holds out a scanner. "Tickets, please," Navar shows her their draft tickets, then she scans them. The machine emits a shrill beep, indicating the tickets are valid. "You can enter."
As they enter the room, the four-legged blue seats are arranged in horizontal rows, making it a checkered appearance. In the front of the room, a young adult female instructor with bright purple pigtails stands at the podium, her hands gripping the smooth, deep brown wood.
"Sit down, you all. And you may sit anywhere you like!" says the instructor. She dims the lights as everyone sits, and the projector display illuminates the room.
"Welcome to the draftee orientation, everyone. My name is Asai. For today, I will be your first instructor for orientation. So please, direct your attention to the screen for my presentation."
"It all began over 800 years ago during a period known as 'The Great Migration,' when countless civilizations finally learned space travel. This led to the conquering of worlds throughout the universe. At the same time, there were people conquering with great intentions and forming pacts with other worlds. Others were doing the opposite. Performing various acts of carnage and taking over worlds by force."
Asai clicks the mouse to the next slide, continuing her lecture.
"When the evil had reached a point where it became seemingly unstoppable, a man with heroism rose above all of it. His name was Ozan King, The First Grand Emperor of Ozania. Ozan and the many worlds he helped liberate joined to form Ozania, and they divided it into three major branches."
Asai clicks the mouse to move on to the next slide.
"The Army, a group of soldiers and Warriors, aka Supernaturals, who fight for the greater good of Ozania."
"The Academy, a group of people who specialize in battles in the skies, space, hacking, engineering, inventing, you name it! All these fields make it the broadest career field for someone to get into."
"Last, the Republic, a group of people which create and ensure various laws to direct the way of life we live now."
"Since you all have decided to join The Army or The Academy. You'll have to take a test to see if you are a Supernatural or not. You may proceed to the warrior room if you pass the Supernatural test. If you aren't a Supernatural, you'll take a second examination test to decide if you are fitter for The Academy or Army.
Asai turns off the projector and the lights, and she walks to a wooden door in the upper right-hand corner of the room. "We need everyone to come up here to test if they are a Supernatural or a regular creature. You will get a swab test, and the results will determine whether you're a Supernatural."
After Asai's announcement, most draftees who go through the line are classified as regular creatures, so they are sent to the second examination test.
Navar steps into the room, and the nurse motions for him to sit in the cushioned chair. The nurse gently runs the swab across the inside of Navar's mouth. "Please..." Navar's voice trembles as he looks up, his eyes wide with anticipation as the paper prints, hoping he will be a Supernatural.
Once the paper prints, the nurse directs a satisfied smirk in Navar's direction. "Wow! A Supernatural! It's been a long while!" says the Nurse.
"Yes! I'm a Supernatural!" Navar's face lights up with joy as he jumps up and down.
"I don't mean to interrupt your celebration, but we have over fifty more testers in line. Can you move along so others can come in?"
"Oop. Sorry! Thanks!"
Miri enters the room after Navar, following the same process as he did. After getting swabbed in her mouth and having the sample placed on a computer, her results are printed. "Wow! Another Supernatural! Normally, there are only two per class every five years!"
As Miri exits the room, she sees Navar's anxiety manifest in his rapid stride as he paces back and forth.
"What happened? What were your results?" asks Navar.
"I'm a Supernatural. How about you?"
"Me too."
Navar and Miri high-five each other. Jax steps out of the room, his head bowed in disappointment and the test results clutched in his hand. "What's wrong, Jax?" asks Navar.
"I'm not a Supernatural like you guys," says Jax.
"All hope ain't lost, kiddo; you can join The Academy. That requires you to use your mind more than strength and weapons. The catch is that you need a 110 plus IQ to get in."
"Well, since I ain't a Supernatural, being on the front lines ain't the best idea. I'll take my chances as a cadet," says Jax.
30 Minutes Later, Jax steps out of the room, his face beaming with delight, and the red 'Passed' scrawled across his test paper.
"Nice Job, Jax!" says Navar.
"We knew when it comes to brains, you won't fail," says Miri.
"How nice. I need to keep files of all your records. May you hand them to me?" asks Asai.
Asai departs, her hands full of the Okayasu siblings' papers, and she can't help but pause to admire Jax's test results. "A 170 IQ at 12 is unheard of. This is unbelievable. I'll tell the Emperor for sure," Asai thinks to herself.
Two brick buildings with distinct paths of red brick appear before the Okayasu trio - one track labeled 'Entries' and one labeled 'Cadets.' "Looks like we're goin our separate ways, guys," says Jax.
"Will you be alright without us? We know how angsty you can get alone?" asks Miri.
"I'll be fine. You two don't argue too much while I'm gone."
"Will do. Good luck, Jax," says Navar.
"You too, guys! See you guys later!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Daniel_Lane_4048
Daniel_Lane_4048 Wow, can you believe it!? Navar and Miri are both Supernaturals. That's incredible if I can say so myself. But poor Jax, he's only going to be in The Academy, how sad. Or is it? Let Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone