The years had passed slowly yet paradoxically fast. The years of training slowly turned into a blur as I and my guard trained, lived, and killed day after day. At first, it wasn't that difficult for me nor the veteran guards. We met up after the 3 months had passed for the first training segment. My guards each had broken armour and chipped weapons. Their ranged weapons had long since run out of ammo and had instead been fashioned into makeshift weapons.

My guards had formed the foundations as hunters and stalkers. They had learned multiple ways to hide themselves from the many ways that the beasts in the forest could detect them. They also learned to track and stay hidden. They knew of stealth as they couldn't yet face off against the more dangerous predators in the forest. Even so, they had set the foundation to become deadly hunters and silent stalkers.

I had also set my foundation at using my UE and skills very stealthily from even the most perceptive beast. Still, I had yet to perfect it but I had plenty of time to do so. I had also been able to shift my body into a mist quickly and effectively. It was becoming fluid and would soon become like second nature. I had also increased my use of my senses and how to filter out some things, so as to not become overwhelmed with the sensory data incoming.

Once everyone had returned I let them take a break for a couple of days as I started to design their armour. The armour was going to be a work of art and very useful. The wrist guards would contain small guns that would shoot out concentrated UE and energy. The armour would also have shield projectors on the arms as well as having a full-body shield. The helmet would be able to scan the area and give feedback about what is happening while also protecting the wearer's sight and hearing.

The armour would also help filter out toxins and other dangerous gasses. The suit as a whole would help increase the physical abilities of the wearer. The back of the armour would help contain the weapons of its wearer. The armour would also be extremely hard to penetrate with anything but the most advanced weapons or sheer concentrated fire upon one spot. They would all also be lined with runes and infused with UE to make it even tougher and lighter. It would also help protect the wearer from UE.

Once I had finished with the designs it was time to begin the new training. I had them replace their gear with new sets and weapons. Once they finished with that I had them carry a bag that would contain their extra ammo. After they had gotten ready I then had them all follow me as we trekked through the forest. I got to see what skills they had developed and how well they could use them. I also got a feel about how well they worked together. Once we moved through a couple of miles of the forest I then had the squads mix up the team members.

The new training was to have them all go out in new squads and have them go around the forest like that. They would come back every month and switch around the teams. While this was happening I would have Erendial and Aldion feed them information about a lot of things. They would have to focus on both their surroundings and the information being given to them. They would also have to answer a test about what they learned and if they didn't have satisfactory results would have to suffer the consequences.

This type of training would last until I had deemed them adequate. I was also doing the same thing. I would accompany one squad and get a feel for how they operate and how the people did. This would take many years to finally get a good enough team synergy between all of them. During this time they would also have to fight against any of the beasts that they could. They would still have to avoid those that they couldn't win against.

This part of the training took about 3 years before each of them had gotten accustomed to everyone else and had performed very well on their tests. The knowledge they were being taught was about everything they didn't already know. From art and history to war and technology. Once this part of the training had been complete I moved on to the next bit. We would travel all over the island in groups of a hundred. We would train in all sorts of biomes and fight against all sorts of beasts.

Before this, I would give them a prototype of their armour. Once the schematic of it had been completed the forges on the Indomitable would produce them. I took everyone back to the main base and had them suit up in their new armour and weapons. The aesthetic is very plain as I would improve the functions of it throughout the training. Once the end of the training had come about I would then create the uniform of my Eternal Guards.

Once they had been suited up and ready we set out. I also gave them transports that contained building materials so that they could make their own fortresses and use the vehicles that they would use too. They set out shortly thereafter. I did not go with them this time. I would go on my own and face the toughest and craftiest beasts on the island. Some of these beasts had the intelligence of a normal human. Some had even greater intelligence.

This part of the training took about 5 years before I called it to an end. The guards now knew how to fight in the many types of environmental conditions that would be present. They could also fortify their positions with the proper types of defenses. They had also been steadily accruing a vast amount of knowledge. From there I had decided to move deeper into the Sub-Space. They needed more of a challenge and so did I.

While flying deeper into the space I had them also increase their skills as pilots of the various flying crafts of the ship. I also had them work on their mechanical skills if repairing and altering their armour. They also worked on fixing the ship as well. In about a month of slow and careful travel deeper into the Sub-Space, we had arrived at a suitable location.

We arrived at a chain of interconnected islands each a large continent in size. We quickly departed and set up a main base on the most connected island. Here we set up a heavily defensible base that would be the center of our training while at these islands. From there I had them conduct missions from this location. The Indomitable had scanned the islands for any precious materials and plants. They would set out on missions to recover these materials. They would also set out to discover new types of beasts and their behavior.

These men and women had turned into seasoned hunters and stalkers and would continue to give these skills. At the base, they would continue to hone their combat skills against each other to gain some experience in fighting against sentient beings. They also trained their marksmanship during this time as well. Slowly but surely they were becoming individuals capable of killing many elites on their own. Together they would be a vast killing machine.

I was also training their minds to resist outside influences. This would also help them harden their willpower and become extremely resistant to shock. Their minds would become vast fortresses to protect the knowledge that they contained inside. Their skills in using UE would also be developed extensively. I was training them to be Jack of trades and masters of all.

Once one part was finished we would begin another. Over and over this would happen in different places with different enemies. They became hardened and nearly inexcusable warriors. After 50 years had passed during the training they could go on for weeks on end without sleep. They would stay focused on their task without fail. They had become masters in a variety of weapons and had learned to use all types of vehicles.

Their armour had been developed and changed over and over to have some features increased while some removed. All of them could be assassins or diplomats. Each one a scientist of their own. They were able to split their focus between multiple things at once. They were my guards. Time slowly contained onwards.

We had traveled deep into the Sub-Space as our capabilities had increased. I had also been developing my own set of armour that I would use in the crusade and onwards. I had revised it over and over again. By the time that the 92 years had passed the capability of my guards and myself had increased by manifold. The Indomitable travel back to the entrance of the Sub-Space as my guard each wore their armour. Each armed with a spear and a rifle. They stood on the deck vigilant and focused. These were my Eternal Guards