Prologue: O, Say Does that Blood Streaked Banner Still Wave?
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Dear Prospective Student,
We would like to happily inform you of your acceptance into Unity Academy. Your interest has in turn sparked our interest, as we wish to include only the best and brightest into our fold. Tuition is not a problem in the first year of your education here. Come spring, you will all be asked by your personal school counselor if you wish to continue courses here, and if so, which courses you will take.
We cannot wait to meet you, and wish you a good rest of the summer.
Signed,
Unity Academy Administrative Team
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Carlos awoke in a dimmed auditorium, sitting on a stage. The last thing he remembered prior to awakening was setting foot inside Unity Academy. The auditorium looked barely used and looked relatively new, but at the same time held a certain layer of fakeness about it. As if it was a parody of what a school auditorium was supposed to be.
Looking around him, the golden-tongued teen noticed fifteen other teenagers surrounding him. One dressed in religious garb, one in cosplay, one in camouflage, and others with more subtle quirks that told more than they probably knew.
"...What happened?" The normally smooth-talking man finally spat out.
~
"...What happened?" That was the prime question in Ryan's mind. He thought maybe he slipped when he entered the academy and blacked out, but he felt no oah whatsoever. He just felt tired and groggy if anything. He ran a hand through his blonde hair before standing up and staring out at the auditorium.
....Cardboard cut-outs lined the chairs of their "audience". It gave a semblance of cuteness but had the presence of an uncanny valley. Like something didn't just feel right. He knew at least a few of the other fifteen students felt the same.
Was this real? It felt real. But it seemed like a dream.
"Permission to ask if anyone knows what is going on here?" His mannerisms as a cadet did not falter too much.