Undorn: The Beginning

Part Four

Beo, Region of Lufe

Location: Home

For a part of their training, Beo's instructor had said, he was to go back home for a certain "test." It was said to be the final lesson a trainee learned before he was able to become an enforcer. All Beo cared about was going home. He missed his mother, he missed his sister, and he especially missed the dry meadows of Lufe that just happened to be in his backyard. Beo hated Orrosta. Everything was wet and broken and dreadful. The excitement of seeing his family again was practically uncontrollable.

As soon as the car stopped, Beo jumped out of the back seat and sprinted for his front door. He could practically already smell his mother cooking dinner at the stove. He could already see his sister doing her lessons at the kitchen table. It felt so good to be home.

"Mom!"

The front door was open and the home looked just as Beo remembered it; after all, he had only been gone for five months. There were freshly cut flowers on the table, the oven was beeping, and dog hair dusted the front mat.

"Biondi? Is that you?" Beo couldn't help the smile that formed on his face as his mother emerged from the washroom around the corner, her eyes wide from the sound of his voice. She dropped the dishrag in her hand as soon as she saw him, running forward and meeting him in a bone-crushing embrace.

She kissed his forehead, pulling away from his body to see his face. "Why are you here? Has something happened?"

He smiled, shaking his head no. "No, my final test to be an Enforcer is in Lufe. I've come to say hello."

She closed the embrace again, hugging him tighter. "God, we miss you Beo." She looked him up and down with a soft smile. "And wow, how handsome you look!"

Beo looked down at himself in the stark black uniform of the Enforcers. He had just gotten this today; it was supposed to encourage him to perform well on his final test. He looked back up at his mother who was staring at the outfit with a teary-eyed small smile. He pulled his mother in for another hug, hoping to ease her heart. Beo's father had died in a mining accident, and the last memory his mother has of him is an Enforcer coming to the front door, relaying the news of his death.

It was his father's death that caused Beo to enlist. The family had received a small settlement after the accident, but it wasn't enough to live off. So, Beo enrolled. The money he earned would be sent home, and after Beo was discharged he could go to graduate university for free.

Someone cleared their throat behind Beo's back. He turned around to see the older Enforcer who had been assigned to Beo's final test. Today was the first time Beo had met the man, and he really was not too fond of him. He barked orders at Beo like he was a servant instead of a trainee, and his gruff voice sent shivers down Beo's spine.

Beo turned to face him. "Is my time up already?"

"No. On the contrary. Your final test will be initiated here."

Beo was confused. He figured the test would be fitness related, like the courses he had been running through day in and day out at Camp. What could possibly be tested here at home?

"BIONDI!"

Beo was momentarily distracted by the sight of his sister sprinting through the house's back door, followed by two prancing hounds. Scarlett jumped into her brothers' arms, allowing him to pick her off the wooden floor and spin her around. He kissed her forehead, letting her down.

"You're here!" Scarlett was never quiet. Beo laughed.

"I'm here." The two dogs whined at Biondi's feet, begging for him to give them the same attention. Beo let go of his sister, promptly falling to the floor and allowing the giant fluffs to attack him.