Winds of Ackaria, Chapter 4

  Worn out from today's "vigorous" sword training, Viridi walked into her quarters after getting some dinner; served on silver platters and with gigantic proportions. The food was thick and delicious, filling her stomach within a few bites. Looking around (she still wasn't used to the surroundings.) Viridi noticed a door she could've sworn wasn't there before. Walking towards it, she clasped her hand around it and twisted, pulling open the white door. This revealed a full wardrobe complete with armor, sleepwear, and even casual clothes.
  "Didn't expect that, did you?" The voice startled Viridi and she whipped around, stunned to see her mentor.
  "My gosh, Rush! You can't just walk in on people like that!" Rush chuckled playfully, turning away.
  "Respect your elders, young lady."
  "Elders? How old are you, anyway?" Rush's stare went blank, as if he had forgotten. Honestly, Viridi wouldn't be surprised if he had.
  "I'm... 21, at least. My mind just went blank there for a second." Viridi doubted it was just that simple description. Heck, she doubted all of this.
  "Why do I doubt that?" ... Silence. "Rush, how long have you been here exactly?"
  "As long as I can remember. We've gathered kids like you for centuries-"
  "Centuries?! Are you insane?!" Viridi's hand was brought to her mouth in astonishment. The man looked not a day over 19! Rush sighed, a sign that usually meant that a large explanation was about to occur. Fine with Viridi; that was just what she wanted.
  "We've gathered kids like you for centuries. This war has been going on for around fifty years." Seeing Viridi's flabbergasted expression, Rush continued. "Everytime a chosen one is killed, everything is reset. Our ages, the war, everything. I've never seen the end of this. They've all failed. If it ever ends, then all of us would carry on with our lives, but no; some kind of paradox occurred so that if they died, they started over. Need more of an explanation?"
  Viridi could do nothing but stare. All muscles had frozen up, and all she could do was stare open mouthed at Rush. Pushing a strand of indigo hair from his gaze, Rush nodded and turned to leave.
  "Wait, Rush!" Viridi spat out, without even being aware of the words sputtering out. He turned back around, blue eyes meeting her brown ones. "D-do you think... Do you think I'll make it?" He was quiet for a moment, as if pondering what to say.
  "... I honestly don't know, Viridi," he replied, then turning to leave. Viridi could swear she heard something mumbled after he had left. Wondering what he had said, another thought seeped into her mind. 'He's so... pretty.' Wait, what? She bit her tongue to keep the words from actually coming out from her lips audibly. Thankfully, there was nobody to hear if she had, but still... Where did that even come from? She sighed and grabbed some bright red pajamas, throwing them on and hopping into bed. Today had been a strange day in Ackaria... if there was even such a place.

~~

Viridi woke to the frantic cries of many people. The  door to her room burst open like an explosion. 'Good morning, Viridi,' she thought to herself.
"Viridi!" Stone outburst. "The castle's under attack! Get yourself ready, your 'vigorous and laboring' training is about to pay off!"