Anon turned the handle to proceed inside and as he entered the classroom he closed the door behind him. The room was like that of a university, with Anon in the center of the room and the class spread out in front of him, higher so they could all see.
"Good Evening class and let me begin by saying that Ercreia is in danger. The whole reason I started this class is to let my students learn what real combat is like but also to prepare of the dangers that are coming. I have it on good authority that there will be an attack soon and you will be the first, last and only line of defense. If you fail, you will die. Now, any question?" None of the dark figures in the room raised a hand.
"Good, now we'll be working as a whole unit. Your need to trust your companions and they need to trust you. Starting from the right, introduce yourself, how you ended up here and your specialty."
The first person was leaning against the right wall. He wore a simple traditional gown that was common in Japan 400 years ago, with armor in key places like his shoulder and legs. Anon couldn't see his face because of the straw hat covering it.
"Kenji Okuda. I've been traveling for a while now but I could see this town is in danger and will need my skills before the end. I follow the code of honor and wish to test my sword against these monsters. Other than that, I'm a swordsman."
The next person was next to Kenji, leaning against the wall. He had dark Armor and pauldrons with big spikes made from a black metal. Again his hat covered his face, a modified Fedora.
"D. Hunter. Don't talk unless in combat." D went silent so Anon moved on.
The person sitting a few seats down from them was playing with a small kitten. Anon thought he had seen it before, the black stripes and light blue fur almost looked like... Then the girl raised her head.
"Sedna? Figure I'd see you here." She gave a smile and it was obvious that it was still the same girl from before.
"I'm Sedna, daughter of the Aurora. This is Sila, my eternal companion and friend." Sila rubbed against Sedna's hand and she stroked Sila with affection.
"I've been sent to help with the town. The Gods have determined it is of importance and I am to help in any way I can." Sedna put a serious tone in her voice.
"I abhor killing, as I see all life as precious but these daemons must be elimated and I'll do what is necessary. I use the light of the Aurora to heal your bodies and souls..." Sedna cupped her hands together and a small flickering green light formed. The rest of the group peered into the light and a wash of peace waved over the room. She let the light dissipate and went back to patting Sila.
The next person was seated straight in the middle, surrounded by books and a few wooden sticks carved intricately. The person reading the books put down his current book and pushed up his glasses, reflecting his blue eyes. His desk had a single candle and his backpack looked more like a traveling bag than something you would take into battle.
"My name is Lucius and I come from nowhere in particular. I was wonder around, like Kenji but I have experience in saving small towns like this. I've been a priest of many churches but they are always to hard-line. Luckily, I learned or stole all their secrets before I was tossed out so I can basically bless anything and banish anything. Now if you excuse me, I'm trying to wrap my head around this particularly banishing spell." Lucius went back to his reading.
Anon coughed when he realized the room was half-filled with smoke. Kenji and D opened a few windows and Anon drew his eyes to the source of the smoke, right at the back of the room. A woman, blonde hair and red jumpsuit, put out her last cigarette.
"Let me guess, the Russian." The woman gave a creepy smile and hopped off the table she was sitting on.
"Da, they call me Natasha and this here is Sergei. He's helped me more than any other human has." Anon looked at the way she stroked the weapon and thought it was a little creepy.
"My Grandmother was a sniper in Stalingrad and Grandfather was in Leningrad in WW2. Mother was the one that thought me to shoot, Father was too much caught up in the politics..."
"Wait, Natasha?" Inquired Kenji. Lucius looked up from his book and everyone paid attention to their conversation.
"As in the Red Ghost? The one you never see?"
"Correct, young man." She replied with a heavy accent.
"Somehow Father messed up out lives and we defected to America before the Fall. That's how I ended up here, I was out hunting when I saw strange activity. I investigated and here I am." Anon seemed satisfied with the answer but Natasha wasn't finished.
"I'm only here for the money, Anon. Make no mistake about that, I'll work with all of you but I expect a higher cut." There was some grumbling must most seemed to do this for the reason rather than the money.
Moving on, Anon spotted the next student. Bulging with muscles, he cracked his knuckles as he leaned back on his chair on the left side of the room. Wearing only a red singlet and jeans, Anon didn't know what to make of him.
"I'm Duke. Just Duke. This here.." He pointed to a pile of armor next to him that was arranged in a backpack neatly.
"This here is the reason I'm here. I want to find the biggest monster and take it down. That's it." Anon thought that as long as he fed Duke violence, he would at least follow orders.
"Wait, that's only six. The number of people who registered for this class was seven."
"Correct..." The voice came from Anon's left and in the shadows. The woman stepped out and Anon couldn't believe his eyes. She was identical to him, same hood, armor even boots. He scanned her wrist and spotted a hidden blade. She was even better at blending with shadows than he was. She removed her hood and revealed the most beautiful face, green eyes and black hair.
"I'm Serena. I raised myself in Ercreia after my parents disappeared. I'm not about to let my home be destroyed and I'll do all in my power to protect it." Even the way she spoke was beautiful. Anon thought he had a crush on her.
"Umm... sure, welcome. Everyone! We head out right now, gather you equipment and meet me at the entrance in half an hour." The various members of the group started to exit but Anon caught up to Serena.
"Serena, could you please stick with me for a while, I have somethings to ask you." She gave a small smile and raised her hood again.
"I'd be honored."
Everyone dispersed out of the class, Kenji and D sticking together as well as Sedna and Lucius. Duke and Natasha were arguing over the most efficient way to kill a person with a stick. Either way, they would all soon make their way to the undergrounds.