I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, looking to see what had changed. It was subtle. Not much. The chain was gone. Inside however....
It was the hardest milestone in the Elite Program. It took men, and made them something else entirely. Perfect. Invulnerable. And I had done it.
The chain had been there, hanging from my neck, just heavy enough for it's weight to be felt. Serving as a reminder to myself, and a sign to other clan soldiers. "Danger. Unstable." That's what it said. Unfit to be around others, prone to extremes of emotion and violence. Uncontrolled. That was what every soldier shooting for Elite status goes through. It's required. You have to be broken to be fixed.
At the end though... The end is what matters. Surrounded by my brothers, sure that it was the time, I grabbed the chain. "This is the end for me. This is Graduation day." And I pulled.
The chain snapped, slinging around in my hand. I didn't need the weight anymore, didn't need the reminder. I was completely controlled. Able to monitor my own health, mental and physical. I am the first. The pilot of the Elite Program. More will follow in my steps. Meanwhile, I move on to the third, and final stage.
I will grow stronger. Faster. Better. But for now, it is enough.








I have graduated. I am the first. I am the best.