A Warrior's Right-Chapter 1-Post 1

Chapter 1

"My congratulations go out to you all. Making it through such vigorous academic and military training is a feat that should give you and your families great pride. However, do not think you have earned your place in society or that you have gained your honor. No! You gain them through your Right of Passage! You have trained with a passion and an intensity that would match the almighty Aat' Naii Usur himself. As such, you have been ranked according to your martial and intellectual prowess. You know this. Now I will begin calling out where you will be assigned in the armory until you are briefed on your Right. Let us begin with graduate number five hundred..."

Foro' Utue, a tall, grey-skinned male stood at the front of a line of five hundred fifteen year old Usai who had just barely graduated from the his academy in the bustling city of Nasur. He wore a green-silver robe that had been custom fitted to his incredibly strong body.

At eight feet three inches tall, he was a little above the average height for a nearly full grown male. He had a barrel chest which had been developed from ten years of nearly non-stop training and enormous hands that could fit around a small tree. His head was angular with strong cheekbones, a pronounced brow, and sunken alert eyes. His mouth was wide and was filled three rows of deadly sharp teeth. His face, normally a dull grey, had been painted a dark red in an intimidating manner. His arms were large and toned, as were his legs.

A few strides to his left the headmaster of the academy, Varus' Itne, was speaking to an audience made up of relatives of the graduates who stood rigidly on stage. They had just come of age to embark upon their own Rights of Passage in which they would be flown off planet and would individually be sent on an incredibly difficult task. The purpose of their Right was to earn their place in society and their honor. It was also meant to seperate the courageous from the cowards.

"Deluh' Uun, report to the armory's east wing," Varus Itnes told him, beginning the long process of giving out each individual assignment to the graduates.

Utue and his fellow graduates turned in a ninety degree angle to the left and beat their chests as graduate number five hundred, Deluh' Uun, who was at the back of the line, stepped forward and faced the audience. He opened his mouth wide and released a roar while simultaneously smashing his fists against his chest. The others, including Utue, echoed his call in respect to him. Uun nodded, snapped his jaw shut, and left underneath a large arch way at the back of the auditorium.

The headmaster then began to belt out more assignments, and the ritual call response between the graduates continued on for two more hours. Utue tried attempted to remain dignified throughout the ritual, but as time passed, his gargantuan shoulders began to slouch and his back began to ache. Finally the two top ranked graduates, Foro' Utue and Ornmos' Khal, remained on the stage.

"Ornmos' Khal, you shall report to the east wing of the armory. That is, after you have completed the ceremony with Foro' Utue," said Itne as he swept his hand in their direction, indicating that Khal begin.

Khal nodded slightly, stepped in front of Utue, and faced him. He was an enormous Usai at eight feet nine inches tall and weighing approximately four hundred pounds. His grey body rippled with highly developed muscle as he lifted his arm in front of him. Utue slightly inclined his head and grabbed hold of his wrist with his right hand. Khal opened his mouth wide and let loose a tremendous roar. Utue didn't even flinch as he roared back then grabbed hold of Khal's shoulder. Khal mirrored his movement and grabbed hold of Utue's shoulder. The pair leaned in and spoke softly as the ritual demanded.

"As you travel into the beyond, may your blades be ever swift and your mind be ever quick," Khal began. "May you fight ferociously on your Right and may you come home having fullfiled your task courageously." He paused and shifted his hand. "Or, should you fail, may you die having slain as many of your enemies as was possible."

"The duty is mine then," Utue told him, ending the ceremoney. Then he added. "I wish the same upon you Khal."

Khal blinked and made a distinct clicking noise with his tongue indicating that Utue release his wrist. He did so. Pulling back his wrist, Khal bore his teeth and turned around swiftly, heading towards the exit. Utue cocked his head in confusion and dropped his arms to his sides. While he and Khal had never quite been friends, or even aquaintances, he was unaware that Khal had held any ill will towards him. That is, if that was what he had shown after the ceremony.

Now that he was the only graduate remaining onstage, Utue was eager to receive his assignment from the headmaster. The highest ranking graduate always recieved the most difficult -and yet most prestegious- Right, and if they survived, great glory. Of course, death was all too common among among his rank as he had learned from his instructors. They had been arrogant and had paid for it with their lives.

It was for that reason Utue was unsure whether or not he would see his homeland again after he had left on his Right. It was a rather discomforting thought to him, and he had spent many nights pondering it. However, he did take comfort in the fact that if he died honorably, his family would be honored because of his sacrifice.

Varus Itne glanced at him, then back at the audience.

"As custom dictates I will be speak with our top student privately. Please disperse immediately and return to your duties," Itne said.

Utue continued to stand as still as a statue as the mob of Usai took its time to disperse from the academy's auditorium. Many conversed quietly, creating a low hum that droned on for several minutes. Finally the only people that remained were Itne, Utue and his father Foro' Onue. Itne stretched out his thick plated hands and motioned for Onue and his son to come forward. The two of them made their way to his position.

"Bravo young Foro'," said Itne, his face sincere. "Your accomplishments within the academy are very impressive."

Utue nodded graciously. "I live only to prove myself headmaster," he said, his deep voice reverberating throughout his chest.

Itne smiled lightly and put a firm hand on the shoulder of the graduate.

"You shall have that chance soon enough Utue. Your Right is soon at hand," Itne told him.

"I know this headmaster," Utue responded. "Where am I to go?"
"You are to report to the east wing of the armory where you will be escorted to the briefing and preparation room."

"Then I will depart immediately," Utue said turning and motioning for his father to follow.

"Hold," Itne commanded. The pair turned and gazed at him. He walked over to Utue, his expression almost apologetic. "I must inform you, before you leave, that you will not be alone on your Right. Others will be accompanying you."

Utue's face soured. He curled his hands into fists and subconsciously began violently opening and closing his jaw.

"This is an outrage! No top ranking  Usai has been paired with a lower rank in the history of the academy!" he fumed.

Onue shot Utue the angriest look he had ever seen in the entirety of his life, indicating that he be silent.
"Continue," said Onue, his skinny face devoid of emotion.

"I understand your anger Foro' Utue, but we have paired you with them because no graduate could undertake this task alone. No four graduates could-" Itne said, but was cut off mid-sentence.

"The council insults my honor!" Utue roared.

"Silence!" Onue hissed. "You have no honor until you have earned it. Listen, then speak when allowed."
Utue bowed his head angrily and listened intently. He tapped his inscisors together slowly as he let his anger brew.

"As I was going to say, four graduates could not fullfil this task. It is unlikely that even five could accomplish it. However, with you leading a group of five, your chances increase ten fold. And if you do, their is an immense amount of glory and prestige that will be placed upon your collective shoulders. At least... for those of you that survive,"

Utue remained silent as he pondered this.

"If this is what you and the council wish of me, then I will go without question," Utue said quietly, his stomach in a knot. He was still angry, but his father had made it perfectly clear that he should be quiet.

"We are in agreement," Itne assured him.

"Very well then," Utue turned is head and muttered, attempting to hide his contempt for the decision.

"Am I dismissed?"

Itne nodded. "You are Foro' Utue. May the Gods watch over you as you embark upon you Right... and may your blades be swift..."

"Many thanks headmaster. I shall take my leave now," Utue stated.