(Seto's POV)

A beam of sunlight hits my face, and I groan in annoyance. I really don't want to get up. Today is my training exam. A bunch of sword fighting and combat. Everybody, once they turn 18, have to go fight in King Notch's army for a year. No one knows exactly when I was born, but Aunt Lucy found me 16 years ago, and she said I looked about two. She has me call her Aunt Lucy because she doesn't want me to think of her as a replacement mom. No one would guess I'm 18, because about 5'3, and have no muscle whatsoever. I don't know how I'm suppose to make it through a year of training. Maybe Notch will have a little mercy.

I stand up and put on my cloak. It's really old and a little burnt, but it's one of the few things I have from my parents. Along with a golden box in one of the pockets. I never figured out how to open it, though. I walk down the stairs and into the living room. "SETOOOO", my little sister squeals before jumping onto me. "Oooff, Abigail! Why are you so jumpy today?", I laugh. I lift her up on my shoulders and walk into the kitchen. Abigail is only 10, and even if we aren't related, she will always be my little sister. "I'm never leaving you today! Because the scary guards are going to take you with them tomorrow. Promise you'll come back?", She says. "Don't worry, I-I promise", I'm not gonna tell her that I could die before I get the chance to come back.

We walk into the kitchen, to see Aunt Lucy cooking breakfast. "Mom! Mommy please make Seto stay here! Please?", Abigail whines. "Honey, you know Seto has to go. He'll be back before you know it", Aunt Lucy says. She walks over and lifts Abigail off my shoulders for breakfast. "And how are you this morning, Seto?", Aunt Lucy asks. "Besides dreading every waking moment, I'm good", I reply. "Oh Seto, it won't be that bad! The army hasn't been in any dangerous battles in almost two decades. Especially since all the mages are gone", she says. I still wonder how an entire race could have been killed off. I mean they couldn't of all been in one place. But it's against the law to discuss mages, and the only way you could find information on them is through the few books that haven't been burned. People say the mages were cruel tyrants, but I find it hard to believe they all were like that.

We finish breakfast, and I give Abigail a piggy back ride outside. We both have a few chores to do before the day starts. And Abigail will have to do all of them once I leave. We first go to the chickens to collect the eggs, and then go feed the cows. Last, we watered the garden. Not much, but they need to be done everyday. Abigail goes back inside to put away the eggs, and I take the chance to slip away into town. It's not that I don't want to spend time with my family, it's just that I'd like to get a last look at everything. Tomorrow I'll leave at dawn with the other new recruits.

I walk through town and look at all the things that I'll miss. I brought a little money with me, that way could get something to remember this place by. I walk past a few stores, before stopping at one that I visit often. It has all kinds of cool stuff that always seems to change daily. I walk in to hear the sound of a little bell. "Ah, Seto. Good to see you today", Mr. Merfy says, "What are you looking for today?", he asks. "Not anything in particular really, just something to remember this place by", I respond. "So it is true? You are going to get shipped off to the army! I didn't believe it when I heard!". "Unfortunately it's true. My exam is tonight". "In that case, maybe I can find something special for you". Mr Merfy then goes over to a closed cabinet behinds the counter. He takes out a black box covered in silver spirals.

He sets it on the counter, before looking strait into my brown eyes. His ice blue eyes cone t with mine, before he says, "Now Seto, listen to me. You may never understand why, but I want you to never take this off, you got it? Don't ask any questions, you just need to trust me. I can't say anymore so just take it". I swear I see his eyes flash green, but it must of been my imagination. He opens the box and pulls out an iron arm band. He grabs my arm and slips it on. It fits perfectly. The metal is a deep purple color. Spirals swirl around the frame, with a..... bat? The purple bat sits at the top of the spirals, with tiny emeralds for eyes. It's beautiful.

"How much?", I ask. "No, No, Seto. This is yours. You were ment to have it", Mr. Merfy says. "What do you mean? You said not to take it off , why?". "No questions, now go, and don't come back till your done with your year". I give him a confused look before leaving the store. My cloak covers up the armband from the other people on the street. What is it? All these questions give me a head ache. I've known Mr. Merfy since I was five, and he's like a father too me. If he says not to take it off, I won't.