Sky

Sky stood at attention, his chest heaving with the rhythm of his breath, his muscles sore from hours of intense drills. The bright sun beat down on the military training field, casting long shadows as he and the other recruits lined up for inspection. His uniform was slightly wrinkled, his hair a mess from the constant exertion, but there was a certain proud gleam in his eyes. Today marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.

For the past four years, Sky had endured the harshest military training Celestine’s royal army had to offer. From combat tactics to strategic planning, from endurance tests to stealth missions, he had excelled in every aspect. No one had ever doubted that Sky would rise to the top.

And so, as he stood there, drenched in sweat and dirt, he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. Today was the day. The day he would finally be promoted to Captain. The day he would be assigned to lead a squad of elite soldiers and, maybe, even serve in the frontlines. It was a role he had worked for, dreamed of, and earned.

At least, that’s what he thought.

"Sky," General Malcom’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension in the air. "Step forward."

Sky took a deep breath and walked toward the towering figure of his commanding officer. Malcom was a seasoned veteran, known for his no-nonsense approach to leadership, and his eyes, though cold, held a deep respect for Sky’s abilities. He had watched Sky rise through the ranks and had always considered him a fine soldier. Sky stood tall before him, his posture straight and unwavering.

"Yes, sir?" Sky said, his voice steady despite the fluttering excitement in his chest.

"You've done well," General Malcom began, his voice gruff. "Your performance throughout the training has been exemplary. You've passed every test, outperformed every expectation, and shown remarkable leadership potential."

Sky’s heart swelled with pride. He had earned the general’s praise, and it felt like the first step toward his ultimate goal.

"Thank you, sir," Sky said, trying to keep his voice even, though his grin couldn’t be contained.

Malcom gave him a curt nod. "That’s why you’re being assigned a special mission."

Sky’s smile faltered. A special mission? He had expected to be given the Captaincy, a responsibility that would challenge him, push him, and allow him to finally lead others. This was not what he had imagined.

"Special mission?" Sky repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Sir, I thought—"

"You’ve been chosen for a different role," Malcom interrupted, his tone stern but not unkind. "A role that requires a different kind of skill set. One that we believe you are more than capable of handling."

Sky’s brow furrowed in confusion. "What role, sir?"

Malcom handed him a small envelope. "You’ve been selected to serve as the personal bodyguard for Prince Nani."

Sky blinked, processing the words slowly. "Bodyguard? Prince Nani?" His heart dropped. "But, sir, I—I’ve trained for years to be a leader, to command troops. I thought... I thought I’d be made Captain."

Malcom’s expression softened ever so slightly. "You have the potential to be a Captain, Sky. But this assignment is crucial. It’s not about your ability to command men on a battlefield. This is about loyalty, protection, and trust. Prince Nani needs someone who can keep him safe. Someone who can think on their feet, stay calm under pressure, and adapt to any situation."

Sky’s shoulders slumped as he took the envelope in his hands. The excitement that had filled him just moments ago now felt distant. He had never imagined himself as a bodyguard, especially not to someone as... as spoiled and high-maintenance as a prince.

“I don’t understand, sir,” Sky said, his voice more quiet now. “I’ve spent years training to fight, to lead, not to... babysit a prince.”

Malcom’s eyes narrowed. "This isn’t about babysitting. It’s about protecting the future of the kingdom. Prince Nani is a target, and we need someone who can keep him safe, someone who can do what others can’t." He paused for a moment, his gaze hardening. "And I believe that someone is you."

Sky stared at the envelope in his hand, his mind whirling. The thought of being a bodyguard felt like a waste of all the hard work he had put in. But there was something about Malcom’s words that lingered. Loyalty. Protection. Trust.

“Is this... is this a punishment, sir?” Sky asked, his voice unsure.

Malcom chuckled, though it was not unkind. "No, Sky. This is an opportunity. Don’t think of it as a setback. Think of it as an honor. You’ll learn a different kind of strength, one that doesn’t rely on physical power, but on patience, understanding, and resilience. And maybe... just maybe, you’ll make a difference in someone’s life."

Sky wasn’t sure about the whole “making a difference” part, but the last thing Malcom said stuck with him. An opportunity.

Sky nodded reluctantly, but with respect. “Understood, sir.”

---

Now, sitting in the royal palace, observing the way Nani moved with such grace and ease, Sky couldn’t help but feel that his life had taken a strange turn. He had spent years working his way up, trying to prove himself as a capable soldier, and yet, here he was, not in a high-ranking position, but as the prince’s bodyguard.

The irony wasn’t lost on him. He had spent so much of his life focused on strength and discipline, trying to be the kind of person who was always in control. But Nani had already proved that life was never that simple. The prince was stubborn, yes, and a little too full of himself at times, but Sky could see the layers underneath. There was a reason Nani acted the way he did—it was a defense mechanism, something to keep people at arm’s length.

As Sky observed the prince from across the room, he wondered how long it would take before Nani began to trust him. And how long it would take before Sky realized that there was more to this assignment than just protecting the prince.

With his heart pounding and his mind racing, Sky knew one thing for certain—he wasn’t going to let the prince face the dangers that lurked in the shadows alone. And maybe, just maybe, he’d find a way to peel back those walls Nani had built around himself.

The job had just started, but Sky had a feeling it was going to be a wild ride.