The Hidden War

By Tobias Djekic

Joel was tricked into joining an organization he knew little about. At the age of thirteen, he was taken to a school where he would train in martial arts, weapons handling, maintenance, and more. He trains for five years at the school where he also developed unbreakable binds, uneasy alliances, and powerful enemies. Joel must learn how to survive the school and all challenges thrown at him. At the end of each year, there are trials. Each form in the school must participate in their trial ranging from races against others, hiding, protecting, and escaping, but the core of every trial is the same—they must survive. Each year, Joel must make tough decisions that may benefit his friends or make the choices to please his masters. Each choice he makes causes a war to rage inside his body, leaving Joel disconnected from the rest of the world and sometimes himself. His years at the training school require both physical and mental strength. Can he make it through the next five years of his life? Or will his body and mind break from the high demands of his masters and friends?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Oct 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984501998

Tobias Djekic

Tobias Djekic was born and raised in the Blue Mountains NSW Australia. From a young age he developed a love of stories. Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi and an extreme love of horror. During the nights he would often create his own stories in his head. Each one just as outrageous as the last. While in high school he tries to write his first book. However, a short while after he scrapped the idea as he felt it was never his own. As time went on his dream of writing became an afterthought as work/study be forefront of his life. With the time he had with friends he quickly learned that there was a darker side to the world than what he thought. Wishing he could help he always tried to do his best but it was never enough. As time changed around him the main thing that remained was the stories in his head. He never had time to write until the middle of 2018. While working he was in an accident and required some time off. Considering this was during his probation period his boss decided to let him go. It came as a shock and Tobias was feeling depressed for a few weeks. After a short time and no luck with finding a new job he decided to write. From the moment he started he didn't rest and always strived to do the best he could.

Book preview

YEAR 1, MONTH 1

I t’s funny how everything can change in a week. Last week I was getting ready to start my new high school, but now I am at a place that feels like a university. I’m both excited and scared. Excited because it’s something new, something different. However, I am scared because the Grand Master told me that this won’t be easy. There will be blood, sweat, and tears on this journey. He told me though that it would be worth it. He told me I could be one of the best there has ever been. I guess that was enough for me to say yes in coming here.

Just over a week ago, I arrived home late afternoon to see both my parents and the Grand Master sitting at the table and talking to each other. I was confused because my parents didn’t tell me that they were having company over that day. I quickly joined them, eager to find out why he was here.

‘Afternoon, Joel,’ he said as he extended his hand to shake mine. I met his hand and shook it. The grip was firm and felt rough.

‘My name is Zeiro. I am here because I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity, and I think you will be perfect.’ I looked at him confusingly. ‘Allow me to explain. I represent one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Think of it like a university. We teach you all your basic classes that you would normally learn. However, we offer many more courses and activities within this school. I believe that this school will serve you in a way much better than any other school could.’ After this short explanation, I was getting excited, but I had to ask him something.

‘This seems amazing, but why would you want me to join this university? I’m not old enough to go. I’m only starting high school this year, and my grades are only average at best.’

With a smile across his face, he told me, ‘This place doesn’t worry about age or grades. There are many of us who go out and scout for who we believe would be a great fit for us. We have kept an eye on you since late last year. Some don’t agree with us, but most believe you are worth. I have had a chat with your parents already about what we are offering, and they agree with me. They think you should take this offer.’

I looked at my parents and saw them nodding in agreement with him. My dad started to speak. ‘From what Zeiro has told us, both your mother and I think this would be great for you. We want the best for you, and we believe this is better than what we could have hoped for.’

I nodded in agreement and asked, ‘If I was to agree to this, where would I go?’

‘A bus will arrive around here this time next week to pick you up and take you to the university. I must let you know about one other thing before I get you to sign the papers. You won’t be living at home any more. You will live on the grounds and only be able to see your parents and brothers once a week if you’re lucky.’

After being told this, I was starting to reconsider. I love my family and I’m used to seeing them every day. From every day to barely once a week—I would find it hard and miss them. I asked Zeiro to give me a few minutes so I could talk to my family one-to-one. He nodded in agreement and told me he would be outside waiting for me.

Once he walked out and I heard the door close, I quickly asked my parents, ‘Are you all right with me doing this?’

‘We both agree it will be a hard change for you and for us. But we want you to take this because this is offering you something we could have only dreamed of as kids.’ My mother seemed a bit enthusiastic as she spoke to me.

‘I understand, but what about my brothers? They’re both better than me at everything, so why doesn’t he choose one of them instead of me?’

My dad chimed in. ‘Don’t say that about yourself! You are just as good as your brothers. Zeiro obviously sees something in you that isn’t in any of your brothers. So please take this opportunity whilst it’s here. Your mother and I believe this can really bring out the best in you.’

There was silence for a few minutes after that. I took a big breath in and told my parents I would take this chance. I told them I loved them then went outside to talk to Zeiro. Once outside I didn’t see him straight away. I looked around for him only to see him sitting on the roof of my house and holding something in his hand.

I asked, ‘What are you doing up there?’

He quickly looked at me and dropped down, seemingly fearless of the height. Once he was on the ground, he put away what I saw was a knife. He caught me looking at it and slowly brought it back out.

‘Would you like to look at it?’ he asked.

I told him I would. I don’t know why, but knives have interested me for a while. However, the only ones I have ever held were the knives my father uses to cook with.

Zeiro spun the blade so the handle was facing me, and I slowly raised my hands and held it tightly. I was surprised at how light it was. I looked over it multiple times, and it was amazing.

While my eyes were still on the blade, he proceeded to ask, ‘How would you like to learn how to use it?’ I looked up in shock as he continued, ‘We teach more than just your basic subjects. We will teach you how to be a free runner; how to defend yourself in fights; how to maintain weapons ranging from knives, staffs, swords, and guns; how to be silent; and so much more.’

I noticed a grin forming on his face as he was telling me this.

‘No, we are not a military school. We are more than that. We teach, show, and help you to understand what we are and what we do. It will all become clear in time. If things ever become too uncomfortable, then you’re welcome to leave the place at any time. However, you will be sworn to secrecy if you choose this. I know this seems scary. I know I was afraid when I started. Trust me though. By the end of it, you’ll be thankful for taking the opportunity.’

A million thoughts were rushing through my head now. Free running? Defending? Maintaining weapons? All I was able to ask though was ‘Why me?’

He responded as he took the knife from me, ‘I have already told you I see potential in you. There are only thirty students for each year, and you fit this criteria that we are looking for. So what will it be? Will you join us? Or decline? Don’t worry, you don’t have to say yes. Not everyone does after I tell them what I have told you.’

I felt a little bit better knowing that if said no, I wouldn’t be the only one. Yet I told my family I would do this, and I will. I told him yes. He extended his hand out. With a smile on my face, I shook it again.

‘Very good,’ he said. ‘Here is something that you have to sign.’

After Zeiro handed me the paper and a pen, I quickly looked over what it said. The basic of it was that the university was going to take full responsibility for me, take care of me. It told me that upon signing it, I was sworn to secrecy. It all seemed pretty straightforward to me, so I signed it. Once I did, Zeiro told me to keep the pen, and he would see me in one week. He quickly up and left after that.

Nothing really happened leading up to the week I left. On the day, I packed some final items. I said goodbye to my family. It was harder than I thought it would be. I told them I would be back; there were still tears running down their faces, and I did shed a few tears myself. The bus pulled up, and I got on, picked a seat, and waved my last goodbye.

There were already some other people on. I think there was around ten all up, including me. Everyone was sitting on their own, but as we picked up more people, some started to join others. Conversations soon took hold on the bus. We had a few more stops to make. One of the stops picked up a boy named Miles. He looked bigger than the average person our age and seemed much more confident. Not the bad sort of confidence but the kind of confidence you would want to have. He ended up sitting next to me, and we instantly hit it off—started talking about our families, which school we went to, what we liked to do. Our second-to-the-last stop picked up a girl. I couldn’t really see much of her, considering she had herself covered from head to toe in clothes that seemed a few sizes too big. They were torn in a few areas as well. I don’t know why, but I felt as if she needed someone to talk to.

I asked Miles to excuse me for a few minutes, as I got up from my seat. He moved out of the way and told me he would wait for me to come back. I started to approach her and noticed one of her hands was showing. My stomach dropped, and I was filled with dread. From what I saw, there were some big bruises just above her wrist. She looked back and quickly noticed where my eyes were looking. In a bit of a panic, she quickly moved her hand back into the sleeve and folded her arms. I kept walking towards her, and as I arrived, I asked, ‘May I have a seat?’

She looked up at me with these piercing brown eyes, as if she was silently telling me to go away. Once she realised I wasn’t going anywhere, she quietly told me that she just wanted to be left alone. I nodded and told her I was sorry. I don’t know why I said that. Maybe it was the only thing I was able to think of at the time.

After I had returned to Miles, he asked me what happened. He was eager to hear what I had to say. I told him, ‘She just wanted to be left alone, and I respect that. After all, this is a big thing we are all doing.’ Miles laughed and agreed with me. I never told him what I saw in her that made me feel so bad. I guessed it wouldn’t be the last time I will have to keep something to myself.

On the final stop before heading to the university, some guy jumped on, acting all cocky. It seemed he thought he is the best thing to happen to anyone or anything. Greeting people as he started walking down the bus, he stopped at the girl, tried to get a good look at her, but he didn’t seem to succeed. Quickly without asking, he moved in and sat right next to her, leaving no space between them. I saw that she was starting to get uncomfortable and wanted to leave but couldn’t. She had nowhere to move, and this guy wasn’t going to let her leave. I was only able to take another five minutes of this before having to do something. I told Miles that I would be back again, and he nodded and let me past him.

Without hesitation I started walking towards the girl again, intending to help her. Once I got there, I started talking to the guy. ‘Afternoon,’ I said. He ignored me. ‘Excuse me, but I think she just wants to be left alone.’

This caught his attention, and he quickly turned to me. ‘No, she doesn’t. We are having a conversation here. Now leave us alone.’

He turned back to her and kept on talking as if nothing happened. I was still standing there, about to tell him to leave her alone, when she finally spoke. ‘He is right. Please, I just want to be left alone.’

The guy never left and kept on going. I was getting angry and grabbed him by the shoulder, ready to let him know that he wasn’t wanted next to her. Quickly he got up, and we were staring at each other. He told me to leave him be or he was going to hit me. Seeing his fists clenching, ready to swing at me, I didn’t hesitate and tried to hit first. He blocked it with his left hand as he swung with his right and hit me right in the face. I fell flat on the floor. He started to tower over me, ready to strike again. Bracing myself for another hit, I saw Miles run at him and tackled the guy out of the way. Miles then stood between the three of us and said to stop. The guy didn’t care and started get up to run, but others on the bus quickly grabbed a hold of him.

Miles helped me up and said, ‘Stop what’s happening. We haven’t even arrived yet, and you’re already fighting. Now let’s sit down, and we can all ignore what just happened.’

I agreed with him, but this guy just grunted and proceeded to sit down next to the girl. I moved in the way quickly. I could tell he wanted to hit me again. After a long gaze, he just moved on and sat next to a few other people, talking to them as if nothing happened. I looked at the girl, told her I was sorry for what happened, and moved back to my seat. She never responded to me.

On the day we arrived at the university, we were introduced by Grand Master Zeiro. Everyone eagerly jumped off the bus and stood around him. It seemed as if he was taking this moment in. ‘Afternoon, everyone. It is good to see all of you here today, and I would like to welcome you to your new home.’

He turned around slowly and started walking, gesturing us to follow him before placing his hands behind his back. ‘This is where you will study, play, eat, fight, sleep, and survive.’

Many of the students started to whisper in wonder. Miles and I just exchanged glances as we kept walking. Whilst walking around, my eyes kept darting from place to place, from person to person. I was trying to gather as much detail as I could about this place, trying to see what I was really getting myself into here. As the older students walked by, holding their books, I started to notice a pattern emerging. The older they got, the more focussed they seemed, as if they all had a mission to complete, and failure didn’t seem to cross their mind.

I noticed more. This was what concerned me though: again as they got older, I noticed more bruising on them. It ranged from small bruises to big welts and cuts. No one seemed to care about this, it looked as if it was just the norm for people around here. I’m not used to pain or bruises. My brothers and I would fight, but there wouldn’t be much pain involved. My dad would always break it up before things escalated.

Everyone kept following Master Zeiro as he led us to a building near the border of the main. We all entered one after the other. It was empty. Master Zeiro turned to face us, extending his arms as if to show us all a massive prize.

‘This is all yours. To your left and to your right will be rooms for everyone. All of you here will be living under this one roof. Behind me, there is a common room, a place to relax and talk. The room on your far left is the training room. I do advise that you use any and all objects you see in there. Just behind our main building, which we passed, is a field where you can run. On the edge of that is an obstacle course where you will learn to free run. Or as some of you might say, parkour.’

As I looked around, everything felt a bit old, as if this place had been neglected over the years. There was a thick layer of dust over everything, and the paint on the walls has started peeling. There were holes in the walls and even in the roof. I was shocked to see all of this. How could they expect us to live here in the old rundown building? I looked around, and I could tell everyone was thinking the same, We can’t stay here.

One of the students asked, ‘Why are we staying here and not in one of the nicer buildings we saw? This place is disgusting.’

Grand Master Zeiro dropped his arms and looked at who asked the question. He started to grin and responded to us, ‘If you believe you can’t sleep here, then I suggest you leave now and don’t come back. Soon you will see this as a bit of luxury. However, every house you walked by was once like this. The damage you see has been made from those who graduated two years ago and one year of neglect.’

‘Why do the Senior students do this?’ asked Miles whilst looking around the room and down the hallways.

Master Zeiro continued, almost as if he was used to hearing that question. ‘This building, this house, is your home.’

Upon hearing those words, everything started to slowly sink in. This is it for me. I will be living here, and I’m not sure when I will be seeing my family again. It made me sad to think this, but I took a deep breath to try to stay focussed on what Master Zeiro was saying.

‘Everything here represents each and every single one of you. The way it looks now is old and rundown. It is your job to rebuild this, to make it worth a place of living. Have this place reflect who you all are. You can rebuild it however you want. Or you can leave it. The choice is yours.’

Everyone started to get excited, not due to the work that they will have to do, but because they had a house of their own with no parents telling them what to do. It’s basically every child’s dream.

‘All the materials and tools you need, we have in the shed directly behind the main building. It is always unlocked, so you can work whenever you please. I will now leave you here, as I have a class to teach. If you want to see what is in store for you, then I suggest you come and take a look.’

With that, Master Zeiro left, and we all stood around the common room for a minute in silence, soaking it all in. Shortly after, we quickly started to pick our rooms. One by one, everyone had their own. As I entered mine on the far left, I started placing everything in the right corner. Looking around, I noticed my room was much the same as the rest of this decaying building—holes in the walls, roof, and even the floor. I couldn’t stand it, so I immediately left.

I walked out of my room, out of the building, and went straight to the main to find Master Zeiro. I arrived and pushed open the big double doors. The doors were heavy and thick. As I entered the building, I noticed it was big and seemed like a maze. Corridors were leading one way and suddenly the other. A couple of people, probably around the age of sixteen or so, came rushing past me. One of them turned around quickly and faced me. He asked where I was heading, so I told him.

‘Grand Master Zeiro told me he was teaching a class and that I should go if I wanted to know what was ahead of me.’

He smiled and nodded, gesturing for me to follow him. He started running, and I tried to keep up with him as we made our way to where Master Zeiro was. I would have lost him in this place if we had to go any further, but as we went around the final corner, there was just one door. We entered, and the area was packed. People everywhere, all standing, chatting with everyone. I made my way through and arrived at the front. There stood the Master, in the centre of this pit. He looked up and absorbed the roars erupting from all the students. In his right hand, he held a sword. Slowly he raised it, and the room fell quiet.

He started to speak, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, here we are again.’ Everyone started to clap and shout. This went on for about half a minute before it started to quiet down. Once everyone was silent, the Master started to speak again.

‘As most of you know, each year our new Seniors go through a trial by combat to see how far they’ve come in their skills. I must warn you, blood will be shed today, but as this Trial happens, I encourage you to study both sides and see how they work. Remember, our Seniors don’t have to work together, but they have one objective and that is the same each year: to defeat Master Kane. For our younger family who has just joined us …’ He gestured towards the group that had now formed around me. All were people from the bus, my housemates. Miles stood next to me with a smile on his face. The crowd started to cheer and clap, welcoming us with open arms. ‘You can relax!’ He said over the top of the cheers. ‘This will not happen to you in the next five years. As you are new, I shall explain what this is.’

Everyone in the group leaned on the edge of the rail, not wanting to miss a thing and ready to take in every word that was to be said and to see every action that was to be made. Our breathing slowed and became quiet, as if someone were controlling what we were doing and how we were acting. The crowd around us just stood there and looked on. Those who were older seemed less interested in what was about to happen. They must have heard this before, when it was their first time.

Master Zeiro kept talking, ‘At the start of every year, our new Seniors go through this trial, the Pit. The Pit is fairly straightforward. Everyone from the year will come and join when ready. This could be a few seconds all the way to a few hours before everyone is in. Master Kane, whom you will meet yourselves in time, will be standing where I am. The goal for the Seniors is easy. Get a kill shot on Master Kane, and you win. Whoever lands the shot or even hit gets an advantage for later on in the year. Now Master Kane can work alone as many of us graduates do. However, there have been some years where he has had additional help from someone. No one knows if Master Kane has help or not until the end of the match. This may seem unfair, but trust me.’ Everyone was leaning over each other. Hanging on every word the Grand Master was speaking ‘The odds are still in the Master’s favour.’

I was shocked and confused. I could not understand what Master Zeiro meant. If there are as many Seniors as there are in my year, then the odds are clearly in favour of the Seniors. It seems virtually unwinnable for Master Kane. Whilst I was thinking about all this, Master Zeiro left the Pit, and a cloaked figure slowly entered.

Miles turned to me. ‘That has to be Master Kane. I don’t know how he is going to win though.’

‘I was just thinking the same thing,’ I replied.

Once the Master was in the centre of the Pit, a bell rang out, signalling the start of what was about to be the most intense fight I have ever seen. Everyone around started roaring and cheering, clapping their hands and shouting.

The first minute went by, and nothing happened. Master Kane just stayed in the centre of the Pit, only turning his head from left to right on occasion. A loud shot rang out violently, piercing the air harshly to the point I jumped a bit and started breathing rapidly. Looking around everywhere I could, I was unable to find where it came from. However, during this confusion, I didn’t notice that Master Kane was now lying down, not moving and with what looked like blood accumulating next to his head. It slowly seeped out, and as it did, someone dropped from a beam which was suspended across the Pit. The person, wearing clothing which obviously helped him blend into the beam, slowly started to approach Master Kane with what looked like a rifle pointing directly at him. I was speechless. I was breathless. There was nothing in me. Did I just witness someone being murdered?

As this Senior arrived at the body, he knelt down to inspect his handiwork. Whilst doing so, more people began revealing themselves from places where there was once no one. All came closer. All wanted to see. I leaned in, trying to get a better look—a better understanding as to what was happening. Nothing was happening. The Seniors were all dressed differently, some in nothing but pants and others fully clothed and covered. All brandished different weapons, different ways to kill. Everyone in the crowd started murmuring to each other.

The one who made the shot stood up, elevating both arms into the air, and exclaimed in an excited voice, ‘I have done it! I am the one who killed the Master with a single shot!’

Everyone went quiet. It seemed as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing—almost as if this had never happened before.

I leaned over to Miles. ‘What the hell is going on here?’

As he was about to respond, a strange voice echoed, ‘You missed.’

Suddenly, the once lifeless body of Master Kane sprang up. He was quickly on his feet, wrapping his arms around the one who was standing in front of him. His left arm was around the neck tightly, and his right arm reached for the rifle which was still in the hands of the Senior. Hoisting it up, he pulled the trigger, and a deathly noise soon rang from the gun.

All who were in the Pit tried to move out of the way from the hail of bullets. Some managed to dodge, yet others couldn’t. People were being hit in the legs, arms, chest, and head as a fury was pouring out. As this happened, others came up from behind. They were about to jab the Master with their weapons, but he turned around in time to use the Senior he had as a human shield. Letting go and dropping both the body and rifle, he quickly removed his cloak, revealing himself to the world and, in the same action, two short swords. They looked like ones the ancient Japanese would use. Once his swords were drawn and out in the open, he screamed both loud and aggressively. He charged at those who were in front of him now, with arms down low and blades pointed at their targets. The sound of clashing metal soon broke out. Master Kane was flowing past every strike made by the others with ease, blocking, bending, and jumping in ways I have never seen before. Impressive as he was though, the numbers were still against him. It was a six-on-one situation. I thought he might be able to get two or three before being hit, but I was proven wrong. With lightning speed, he quickly ducked under someone’s lunge and planted a blade in the attacker’s foot. Screaming started; however, it soon fell quiet when the attack was followed with a single slash running from the foot to the attacker’s chest. Master Kane’s attackers fell down quietly.

Five to go. The others kept pressing forward and tried harder and harder to land something on him. This was all in vain because soon after the first one, the second one fell. A cut was made through his arm, causing a river of red to flow and the weapon to be dropped from his hand. He fell to his knees and looked up, only to see Master Kane’s knee being planted in his face. I could have sworn if I was close enough, I would have heard bones breaking.

Four to go. Master Kane was backing away from the attackers. All were snarling at him. They were enraged by what they just saw. Backing Master Kane into a wall, three of them attacked at the same time. All blades were blocked and being held there by the pressure both parties were exerting. The blades were right above Master Kane’s head. If he moved the wrong way, one was definitely going to hit. The fourth person swung his weapon—what looked like a hatchet—from left to right. Whilst he was doing so, Master Kane extended his leg and kicked the arm away. The hatchet went off in one direction, but because of what Master Kane did, his stance slipped and one of the blades grazed his right shoulder. Still holding the other two blades with his own and now with an arm free, he quickly punched the attacker who grazed his shoulder. This caused the Senior to stagger away, and now Master Kane had room to escape. Pushing the two blades with his own now, he managed to remove the pressure of the attack and disarmed them. As their blades went flying, their bodies started to fall.

Now there were two. It was unbelievable. My mind couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing. How could one man take on over fifteen people and still be standing with only a scratch on his shoulder? With the last two standing next to each other, Master Kane dropped his weapons and stood firm. With his arms up, he was ready to defend himself. Again it was another strange sight for me. Master Kane clearly had an upper hand with his weapons. From the way he was performing, he could easily finish this trial within the next couple of seconds. The crowd was also confused. As this caused a break in the fight, I had a chance to look around and see everyone else. They too had a confused look.

Miles leaned in and said, ‘This Master has to be a bloody idiot to drop his weapons. He isn’t gaining anything from it. Just a higher chance to die.’ He smiled and quietly chucked.

I blurted out, ‘No.’ Miles stopped chuckling and looked at me with both eyebrows raised. I continued, pointing, ‘Look at how he has been fighting. It feels as if every action he has made has created a better outcome for him. There were too many Seniors to fight from the start. He had to confuse them. As the numbers quickly went down, he slowed himself. Gave himself time to breath. He is scaring the Seniors.’

Miles laughed loudly at what I just said. Once calm from the outburst and after a deep breath, he sarcastically said, ‘Really, Joel? What makes you think that?’

Nervously I responded with, ‘My brothers and I watch a lot of fighting movies together. It only just clicked in my head that I have seen something similar to this. Master Kane is toying with them, displaying his power without even striking.’

Again Miles laughed. I was stung a bit by this. I thought we were going to be friends,