Part 1

Boom, boom, boom.

Those sounds never ceased, the hellcannons constantly unleashing destruction onto my town. Well today, I have decided to do something about this threat. Already my two brothers had gone to war, and my mother begged me to stay out of the fight, but my mind was set. I would join the fight against Chaos for the Empire, to end this constant threat. My father had been a great witch hunter, his career ending only because of a lucky arrow that immobilized his leg. I hoped to relieve his great actions and push back the forces of Chaos to their borders. Nearing the encampment of the army, I stopped and took a deep breath. At that moment, I felt a twinge of hesitation. Shaking my head, I pushed that thought away, knowing that I had to do this. For the people of the Empire, for the townspeople, for my family.

As I walked towards Commander Klaus Teber, I checked to see that I was prepared for his initial inspection. Pistol, check. Sword, check. Armour, check. His eyes caught mine and recognition suddenly glimmered in them.

"You're Tom's son aren't you?" he questioned immediately, as I came within earshot.

"Yes, Australias Blake reporting for duty sir," I replied, saluting sharply, just like my father had taught me.

"No need for such formalities here Australias. Just call me Klaus."

"Okay, si...Klaus," I replied, the name sounding out odd without the added title.

"This is Cassandra. She will teach you all you need to know about becoming a great witch hunter like your father," Klaus continued. I nodded quickly, looking towards Cassandra. She had a pretty face, but there was a hint of danger there, probably from the years she had spent in the war. "I'll leave you to together to get acquainted, I have some matters to attend to." I began to bow, but remembering his words, I just nodded quickly. He left us, chuckling to himself as he disappeared into his tent. Cassandra turned to me, the jovial air that Klaus had left vanishing as I met her gaze.

"The rules are not as lax when you are with me. Refer to me as Lieutenant Cassandra, and do not speak until spoken too," Lieutenant Cassandra ordered. I shrunk back a little, realizing just what it would be like to be in the military.

"Witch hunters use both a pistol and sword in unison to fight. The pistol injures the opponent, the sword kills them. Watch closely." Turning quickly, Lieutenant Cassandra whipped out her pistol and sword and ran towards a wooden dummy behind her. She moved like lightning, the pistol shot taking out one of the wooden dummy's arms and the sword piercing the chest a second later. "Speed is everything with witch hunters, hit first and hit hard. Now, I have heard reports of a couple Marauders pillaging some of the villager's farms. Go find them and eliminate them," Lieutenant Cassandra instructed.

"But..."

"No buts, soldier. If you come back alive, I will train you further, if I have to go get your body, then you were probably not cut out for this. Dismissed." I saluted and left quickly, afraid to anger the Lieutenant any further. That little thought came back again and this time I gave it a little heed. Was I really cut out for this?