COFFEE
Eleonor woke up with a sharp gasp, her chest rising fast, as if she had been running. The room was dark. The only light came from a small, high window with rusty bars. Moonlight passed through it in thin, silver lines. Dust floated in the air, glowing softly. The air was old and cold. Her body ached—her back, her legs, even her head. She felt like she hadn't eaten in days.
"Where the hell, am I, " she asked to herself, feeling the dizziness and heaviness of her head. Her voice cracked from dryness.
She slowly sat up on the creaky bed, her eyes scanning the room. The furniture was all old—it was broken, shattered mirrors and dusty surrounding Everything looked abandoned. Everything smelled like it had been forgotten.
She stood up, weakly, and looked for a lamp.She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stop the cold from sinking into her bones.
The door made a loud squeak as she opened it. She stepped out carefully, her bare feet pressing against wooden floorboards that creaked with every step. She found a staircase. It looked like it would fall apart any second, but she took it slowly—one hand on the railing, the other on the wall.
She saw a light coming from the room. The light was warm. Yellow. It was the only warm thing she had seen.
She followed it.
As she neared the room, she smelled something. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of how empty she felt.
She stepped into the room and froze.
There was a man in the kitchen, cooking something on the stove. His back was to her.
"Take a seat, Eleonor," the man said, not turning around. His voice was raspy and dry.
She didn't move. She didn't sit.
"SWho are you? Where is this place?."she asked with a trembling voice. Her hand gripped the doorframe.
"Levi," He answered.
"Levi?" she repeated. "Where am I?"
"This is your house, Eleonor," he said. He turned a little to look at her. His heart stopped for a second when he glance at her.
Her heart stopped.
His face—something about it hurt. It was familiar. Painfully familiar. She didn't know his name, didn't remember anything about him. But her body did. Her chest ached just by looking at him.
"My house? Am I broke? All the things her, seems old and broken," she said, slighty laughing. But it was a nervous laugh. Her voice was shaky. Her hands were colder now.
"You're not broke, you're just lazy. Way too lazy," the man answered, this time facing her completely.
She flinched.
Her heart clenched so hard she had to press a hand against her chest. Why does it hurt? she thought.
He looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, slowly trying to get near her.
She stepped back quickly, raising her hand as if to say stop. He paused mid-step, a flash of something like disappointment crossing his face.
"I am fine," she said, voice low, trying to sound strong. She fixed her posture, forced her face to stay still.
But she wasn't fine.
She was lost.
Everything around her was unfamiliar. Even her own name felt strange in her mouth. And this man—Levi—he claimed to know her, claimed this was her home, but nothing felt right.
There was a deep ache inside her, one that didn't come from hunger or cold. It came from forgetting. From something missing. From knowing, deep down, that someone had taken something from her—something important.
Was it him?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
"You must be hungry. Let's eat," he pulled a chair for her, making her flinched. She gulp as she distance herself from him. She don't want to be near him—at least not that near. He stepped back so she could sit. She sat down nervously, her body was shaking as she watch him serve the foods he cooked.
"These are your favorites," he said, smiling but with a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. Something heavy.
She wansted to asked the man about what happened, but she doenst have the courage, she feel like there's no need to asked.
"My favorites?," she repeated, She looked at the foods on the table. Pease-pudding, roast beef and oatcake. Her heart ache, she dont remember.
"Yes, you also love coffee after every meal," he smiled.
"Eat up," he said again. They eat silently, He seems tense, his hands are shaking but still flashed a smile whenever they locked eyes. He can't compose in his seat, he was agitated. He drank more water than actually eat the food he cooked.
The silence was not peaceful—it was thick. Heavy. He seemed tense. His hand slightly shook as he held his fork. He barely touched his food, only taking small bites, eyes darting toward her now and then. Each time their eyes met, he smiled—but it was a fragile smile, a smile trying too hard.
Despite her growling stomach, she didn't manage to eat the delightful feast in front of her. She feel---rather lost and empty. Each bite tasted strange. Or maybe it wasn't the food—it was the memory that refused to return. It was her own mind that betrayed her.
She placed her fork down.
"Who are you, really? Are you my relative?" finally Eleora gathered her strength to asked that question. She wants to know, she wants to undestand.
"I'm your friend, Eleonor," he answered quickly. She sat there silently. Accepting his answer.
"Can you tell me bout myself?"
"Sure,"he replied, straightening his back as if preparing for a lie that must sound like truth.
"You're Eleonor Celeste, you've always wanted to join the training field. You've always wanted to be like me," he smiled. She cant believe what he just said.
"Coffee?"
"Sure"she answered, taking the cup. She took a small sip.
She paused.
"This tatses really familiar," she nervously chuckled and took another sip. Until she felt something strange. Her head felt heavy. It was aching,it was painfull like it was about to explode. Her breath is racing she feel like chocking. Sweats formed and she lacked of air. She cant breath. She can feel her body.
"What is happening to me?" she cried, gasping of air. With her blurry vision, she saw him walk towards her. She cant shout, all she can do is cry and knelt on the wooden floor.
She squat in front of her and softly held her. She cannot saw his expression, not his face, nothing.
He lowered his head and whispered something no one will remember--- something what will be kept hidden after bloodshed and war.
A week after that incident, Eleonor seems to have forgot everything. The only left in her mind is the dedication to join the military. To be part of the training field of Gleason. The exact date of ghe screening test, how to get to the Capitol and how to leave Rockhold Village, was all that is left in her memories.
Unlike Rockhold, Capitol is a vibrant place. Full of people, tall building and noisy environment. With a big bag on her back, she made her way to the Capitol.She road a carriage, costing her lots of coopers---she just found on the bedside table in her house.
She was lost in the crowd of the Capitol, but with her spirit---she still go on. Asking anyone she saw for directions. Until she reached a tall metal gate.There are lots of guards in the area.
They are wearing a high collar cream long sleeves- shirt with a cravat, a teal coat over their shoulder with gold decorative shoulder board. Along with a low-waisted trousers with belt strap, a knee-high black boots and waeraing a black gloves.
She walk pass them with awe and amusemnet. She admired the place, this is the Supreme Command Center, where all the high-ranking official stays and work. Her heart is beating fast as she look around, nothing seems familiar but it doesnt matter, all she want is to find the meeting place for all the trainee.
She was already at a lost when someone bump into her.
"Sorry," the woman stated, she was in a hurry. Panicking and like her she have a big bag on her back.
Without thinking, Eleonor followed her. She ran---followung her every steps. Then a massive garden, full of flowers appeared
"Is this the place?," she asked to herself and let out a deep sigh of relief. She smiled and look around, trying to find any familiar faces, but found none.
"This is making me really anxious,"
"My brother said it's difficult---more like hell inside,"
"It's a matter of luck, if you team up with asshole, you will be drag down by them,"
"I hope I won't team up with you," they both laugh at each other.
"Everyone, fall in line. Form 10 lines," a man wearing a military unifotm shouted from the stage.Despite not knowing what to do, they follow the command. Followed by loud murmuring of the crowd.Then a man, probably in his 50's walk up the stage. He's wearing the same uniform but more elegant, with lots of gold accessories and badges on his right chest and his shoulder board is different among the rest.
"Good morning aspiring trainees," he said, with firmness and authority in his loud and devilish voice.
"I am Lieutenant Hosea Carter from the Interior Police of Athena. I will be in-charged in the Training Field at Gleason. Today, the official trainee of Gleason will be assess through the screening test. It will be held today, right now. All high ranking official will be present here. So, do your best or go back to your hometown," his message made everyone anxious.
What? Screening Test?
As Lieutenant Hosea got down the stage, the crowd once again murmured.
"I will totally ace that," Eleonor heard a man whisper, which made her turn to look at him. He was tall and muscular—definitely someone who works out a lot.
"What?" he said, cocking an eyebrow mockingly. "You don't believe me?" he added with a smirk. She ignored the guy and let out a harsh sigh. Everyone here seems to know each other. They came with friends, while she's all alone—and still lost.
"Hi, you're the one I bumped into earlier, right? I'm really sorry. I thought I was already late," a woman approached her, accompanied by another woman and a man.
"No, it's okay. Because of you, I actually found this place. I was lost earlier, so I just followed you," Eleonor replied with a smile. Finally, someone she could talk to. She feel relieve.
"Really? I'm glad you made it here. I'm Eleora, by the way. These are my friends, Naomi and Elijah," she introduced herself with a bright smile.
"Hi," Eleonor greeted Eleora's friends. "I'm Eleonor," she added.
"You know what, Eleonor, it's kind of hot in your spot. Let's go to the benches while we wait for the announcement," Eleora suggested.
"We're all from Santaisis. What about you, which village are you from?" Eleora asked, still smiling.
"Rockhold Village." Eleonor answered as she place her heavy bag on the ground.
"I'm getting nervous about this screening. Is the training field really like this?" Naomi said and looked at the clear sky.
"Didn't your brother mention anything about it?"Eleora asked her.
"I never asked, though. We don't talk anymore, remember?"
"Even just a clue would've helped, so we're not stumbling around like this."
Moments later, a loud drumbeat echoed. Lieutenant Hosea returned to the stage.
"The screening test will now commence," he announced. Chaos erupted among the trainees. High-ranking soldiers surrounded the area, and guards began blindfolding each of them one by one.
Eleonor's heart raced. She couldn't see anything but shadows. The surroundings were loud. A hand grabbed her arm and led her somewhere. She swallowed hard, fear and anxiety rising in her chest. She heard a door open and close. They went up some stairs, then another door opened—and she was released before it shut again.
She was left there—blindfolded, terrified. She didn't know what to do. No one said what was supposed to happen. The noise from outside was gone. Only her heavy breathing remained. After a few seconds, the door opened again, and she wanted to take off her blindfold.
She heard something fall to the floor—a heavy sound, like metal.
She knelt down to feel what it was. She backed away when she realized it was a person. Unsure if she should remove the blindfold, she hesitated. But despite her doubts, she took it off.
There was an unconscious trainee in front of her, hands cuffed. A key lay on the floor beside a rope. The woman was blindfolded with blue cloth—while Eleonor's was red.
Why are our blindfolds different colors? Is this the test? Is she my enemy? Why is there a key and a rope?
She took a step back, unsure of what to do. She scanned the white room. No windows. Only one door. No instructions. Nothing else. It was as if she was being asked to choose—help the girl or tie her up even more.
She let out a shaky breath and knelt before the unconscious woman. She picked up the key and unlocked the handcuffs. Then she removed her blindfold and tried to wake her up. A few seconds later, the woman stirred.
"Thank you," she said with a smile. The door opened and a guard escorted both of them back to the garden. One by one, the trainees returned, their faces showing the confusion of what just happened. But there was no time to dwell on it—the second test was about to begin.
The second and final screening test.
They were instructed to line up. It was said to be just a one-question test. Most thought it would be easy and felt confident. But Eleonor didn't feel calm at all. She was tense, her body colder than before, overcome with anxiety and fear.
The first person to take the test exited with a smile, as if it was easy. That only made Eleonor more anxious. She waited in line, and it took almost an hour to reach her turn.
Some in the line were loud, others quiet and nervous, most were confident. When only one person remained before Eleonor, her body began to shake. No prayer could calm her down. Every part of her screamed run, but her feet stayed put. Her knees nearly buckled when she heard the doorknob turn. It was her turn.
She was already here.
She slowly grabbed the cold doorknob, turned it weakly, and stepped into the room. Her feet were cold and shaky. The room was dark, eerie, frightening. She carefully walked toward the chair meant for trainees. She sat down. There was no table, no paper, no pen.
What kind of test is this? she wondered, fidgeting with her hands.
"What will you do if your teammate disobeys orders and risks the mission?" a voice spoke from the darkness. She blinked twice, trying to see who it was. Her heart pounded when she saw a man standing there. She was speechless.
"What will you do if your teammate disobeys orders and risks the mission?" the man repeated after a few seconds.
She cleared her throat, trying to think of an answer.
"I'll stop them and make them remember the priorities of the mission. But I won't abandon or throw my teammates under the bus in front of command. Once the mission is over, I'll beat the sense out of them. But during the battle? No, I won't leave or betray them. That's not the deed of a real comrade," she replied, pausing between sentences, unable to look him in the eye.
"The screening is over," Hosea announced.
"You have all been evaluated—not only for your strength and speed, but for your mind, instinct, and integrity." Behind him stood high-ranking officers. One man stood out—tall, uniformed, exuding authority and elegance.
He slowly opened a scroll and scanned the names before looking up.
"We will only read aloud the names of those who are moving on to Gleason Training Field. If your name is not called—return to your hometown. This is not your time."
Lieutenant Hosea began calling names. The garden was filled with cheers from those who passed. Eleonor stood frozen, nerves consuming her. She didn't know why—but she wanted to be chosen.
"Eleora Wolfhart,"
"Addie Sapphirus."
"Leonardo Desai."
"Naomi Steiner."
"Abigail Moser."
"Elijah Martini."
"Hilda Priestly"
They were all called.
"Eleonor Celeste"—her ears rang.
Her knees nearly gave out. She blinked rapidly. Eleora clapped and pulled her into a quick hug.
"You made it," she whispered, beaming.
"We're all going to Gleason."
And with that, the man on the stage smirked—devilishly.