So a final test, huh? I figured there was a bit more to do, but they never mentioned what it would be. I guess the surprise is all part of it.
[Vasquez] "We'll go into a chamber just this way."
Commander Vasquez is leading us down a dimly lit hallway. We went through a few different paths to get here, but I can't really tell where we were in the building.
One more turn. Stairs. Is he leading us underground?
[Vasquez] "Down the stairs and we'll arrive."
Sure thing?
I just follow him.
Silva is keeping quiet. I don't know what she's thinking. I can't really get a read from her face. She's always had a bit of a resting stoicism.
Down the stairs we go and then a few more steps through a hall that we entered. Before us is a single door. This hall went nowhere else.
Commander Vasquez opens the doors and we follow. The room we enter is dark. I can just vaguely make out the walls. We are definitely in a larger room. Maybe 40 feet to the back wall. The walls on the side are about that same distance apart. Ceiling maybe fifteen feet?
My eyes slowly adjust to the darkness. I can make out a figure standing in the center of the room.
[Vasquez] "Silva, stand over by me, would you?"
The Commander calls over my cousin, who walks over to his side.
[Vasquez] "Ymir, I apologize for this. The final test right now is a bit of a hoax."
[Ymir] "A hoax? Hey, what's up, Commander?"
[Vasquez] "I guess you could call it hazing. I promise it wasn't my idea, though. My arm was twisted."
[Ymir] "What? Hazing? Who's idea, then?"
I feel my body getting pulled back. The Commander and Silva quickly reduce in size in my vision before the darkness of the room wipes them from my sight.
How the hell am I flying through the air so fast? What's pulling me?
I hit the ground.
Looking up, I meet a pair of eyes. Glowing red eyes.
[Ymir] "What the-"
I take a blow to the chest. My lungs seize. The air rushed out and I'm left on the floor coughing.
[Ymir] "Kueh! Fuck!"
I can't stop myself from doubling forward and wrapping my arms around my body.
What's happening? Who or what is assaulting me? I need to figure things out.
I look around me. Nothing. Just darkness. I lose my focus and my eyes are blurring with tears.
Smack! I feel a fist collide with the right side of my head. The pain rings out through part of me.
Ringing and static bounces around in my head.
Did my brain get injured from that? That easily?
I grip onto an arm. A strong arm, but lean. It felt hot and hard.
[Ymir] "Got you!"
I reel from the pain of being struck, but still swing my left leg up and hook it around the same arm.
Success! I get a purchase as I feel my foot securely planted against the shoulder joint. With a strong push of my right leg, I lift my body and rotate.
My goal to either break this arm or take this fight back to the ground.
[Ymir] "Kyaaah!"
I yell out with as much energy as I can on the push.
My body stops suddenly. I'm in the air, still holding onto the arm. I'm still locking my left leg on a shoulder.
Now I'm moving again.
It's obvious I'm holding onto a person now, but how the hell was this person running while my entire weight is on their arm!
Another impact.
My body is slammed against a wall. My lungs seize again. My muscles grow weak. I don't let go, though.
I'm lifted again. Another swing of my whole body against the wall.
Every part of me goes slack. I let go of the arm and slip to the floor. I can hear ringing in my ears. My eyes are leaking tears.
It takes every ounce of strength, but I get back up onto my feet.
My legs are shaking. I cough into my hand. A few specks of blood.
As I raise my head, I meet those eyes again. Red. Just like the hair on their head. I could begin to see that while my vision started to focus again.
[Ymir] "What the...? A-Auntie?"
Two claps. I hear them from across the room. It draws my gaze.
The lights in the ceiling panels kick on. It blinds me for a few seconds since I just started adjusting to the darkness.
[Vasquez] "Alright, Fireball! Not even I can watch this for any longer. Did you let out enough steam?"
[Harper] "Yeah, Vasquez. I hope my left a clear impression on my nephew, too."
Harper never turn her gaze away from me. I turn my head to meet her eyes. I saw a terrified look on Silva's face before I lost sight of her.
The only thing I can focus on was Harper. She really just beat my ass in the dark.
[Ymir] "Hey, Auntie. That was a fun fight, right?"
Blood drips from my nose and I wipe it on the back of my hand while grinning at my Auntie Harper.
[Harper] "Ymir, you're gonna be a Runner, right?"
She doesn't waste any time getting to her point. Just like her.
[Ymir] "Yeah, I am. I'm gonna be a Runner."
[Harper] "You saw how useless you were in trying to fight like that, right?"
[Ymir] "Fuck, yeah I know. Since when did you get that strong though?"
[Harper] "Shut off my limiter program. You had to see what Runners are like. There isn't a single one of us who doesn't have a ton of augments. It comes with the job."
Harper is famous for being as good at soloing Vaults as some of the heroes from the older generations. This strength that just pummeled me into the ground was what took her to the very top of the Vault Breakers.
[Harper] "You're going to eventually outfit yourself with tech. It's going to be painful. You'll need to be ready for Hell just to be able to do the basics."
[Ymir] "Yeah, I know. I'm still determined."
[Harper] "Then I'm making an executive decision. That fine with you, Vasquez?"
Harper turns around and takes her regular power stance. Arms crossed under her chest. Feet shoulder width apart. I swear I can also see heat lines radiating from her. Is that part of the cooldown from using her augments?
[Vasquez] "I'll go with whatever you say, Chief. You know best."
He seems relaxed about everything that just happened.
[Harper] "Then, Ymir Sorenson. Stand at attention!"
I snap into a proper posture. It doesn't matter how much my body is screaming at me for moving. Who knows what damage I actually had just sustained. But I still push my heels together then widen my stance just a bit. I fold my arms behind my back just above my waist. I hold my head high to look Chief Harper in the eyes.
[Ymir] "Yes, Chief!"
[Harper] "Ymir Sorenson, will you pledge to protect humanity!?"
[Ymir] "Yes, Chief! I will always fight on humanity's behalf!"
[Harper] "Ymir Sorenson, will you pledge to share all you learn in the Vaults!?"
[Ymir] "Yes Chief! My knowledge is for all of humanity! I will hold nothing back!"
[Harper] "Ymir Sorenson, will you risk life and limb for your fellow Vault Breakers!?"
[Ymir] "Yes Chief! Vault Breakers are family! Vault Breakers put all on the line for each other!"
[Harper] "I hereby welcome you, Ymir Sorenson. You are a brother-in-arms to us all. Fight well, live well, and die well."
[Ymir] "Yes Chief! I am honored to serve!"
[Harper] "You are henceforth a C-Rank Runner. Ymir Sorenson, you have spent more time studying Vaults than many Runners do before they die in service. You have precise and accurate knowledge, the only thing left is to train you and get you some experience. Commander Vasquez will take care of you from now on."
[Ymir] "Thank you, Chief! I will not disappoint!"