The Disciple — James Clay

A group of mage martial artists gave Zed a choice: indentured servitude or death. They belong to a military sect whose whole purpose is to kill invaders like Zed and the Earthlings that are coming in a year and a half. The group's leader spares Zed for unclear reasons. Still, he forces Zed to steal, destroy, and kill for him. Zed desperately wants to return to the refuge he was creating for humanity with his friends. He slowly realizes, though, that if he wants to escape his captors and save a portion of humanity, he may have to let go of his own.