Steeling Ourselves

The days bled into each other within the confines of the virtual training arena. Gibbard, the commander of ELITE Guard, began visiting our training sessions regularly. His first unexpected visit caught us off guard while Liam and I were engaged in a fierce arm-wrestling match. It all started when Karun teased me, saying, "With that strength, I doubt you'll score more than ten points in the next level."

"Don't mock me," I retorted. "I've been getting stronger since the training started. I'm not who I used to be. I might even take you out now."

Liam laughed, and my ego peaked. "Why, don't you think I can?" I challenged, settling down for the arm-wrestling contest, with Aiden stepping in to calm me down. As Daisy, Ryan, and their team were busy setting up controls, giving us some time before entering the game. The match was set, and I was on the verge of winning when Gibbard entered the camp, though only Damian seemed to notice him.

And when I won, I jumped up from my chair and taunting Karun, who was actually a head taller than me. Astrid, the second to notice Gibbard, quickly pulled me down. The room fell silent as everyone turned to face him. I braced myself for a scolding, but instead, Gibbard patted my shoulder. "Good job, Kathy. You've done well."

Cheers erupted around me. Ryan, having finished setting up the controls, called us over. "Come on now, let's start the training."

The training continued with Aiden, Astrid, Liam, Karun, Damian, and Gibbard entering the game. Honestly, I didn't expect Gibbard, the old man, to be that good, but he single-handedly wiped out all the assassins, proving why he was the commander. When we exited the game, he offered suggestions for improvement. "You have good intuition, Kathy, but you need to move quicker to match it."

As the days of training continued, Gibbard's presence was a mix of intimidation and inspiration. Sometimes he joined us in the game; other times, he stayed at the camp, assessing our performance. Under his watchful eye, we maneuvered through the dense virtual foliage, dodging obstacles and engaging in strategic maneuvers.

Damian, always at the forefront with his precision and tactical acumen, guided Karun and me through the finer points of combat. "Watch closely," Damian instructed, demonstrating how to utilize the small device at the violet button. "This device decodes the cheat code swiftly when connected here. It's like unlocking a puzzle under pressure."

Karun and I took turns connecting the device and decoding the cheat code under Damian's guidance. The holographic interface hummed to life, displaying intricate symbols and scrolling codes that demanded swift decoding. Each successful attempt brought a surge of satisfaction and an edge in our virtual battles.

Meanwhile, Aiden's admiration for Astrid was evident in his subtle gestures. It was amusing to watch his unwavering affection for Astrid, who always snapped at him. Despite this, Aiden's combat skills were nearly a match for Damian's, making him a formidable ally in battle.

Daisy, the meticulous organizer, maintained order during breaks, ensuring we rested enough to maintain peak performance. "Short break, team," she declared, monitoring our hydration levels and offering quick but nutritious snacks to fuel our bodies. Daisy also played a crucial role in mediating any differences within Ryan's team. While Ryan was as stern and strict as old man Gibbard, Daisy's influence over Damian was apparent to anyone paying attention. Damian, the ever-commanding figure, bent at every word Daisy said. I chuckled to myself, careful not to dwell too much on dynamics that were delicate and unspoken.

As we trained, the structure of the game became clearer. Damian elaborated during one of our debriefings, "Level 1 mirrors the forest environment, testing our ability to navigate and engage. Level 2, however, is rumored to be a shattered urban landscape—unpredictable but rich in challenges."

The points accumulated from our missions weren't just numbers; they dictated our choices for upgrading weapons and gear for the upcoming levels. "Choose wisely," Damian emphasized, his gaze sweeping over the team. "Each decision affects our survival and success."

At the end of each grueling day, we returned to the villa exhausted yet determined. Aiden would lead us back, his presence a steady reassurance amid the challenges we faced. "Rest up," he advised us with a supportive smile. "Tomorrow awaits."

Though I often felt too exhausted to eat, Hemma practically forced us to have dinner, insisting we needed the energy for the next day's harsh training. After dinner, we headed straight to our rooms, dead tired. Nothing comforts you like finding yourself on a fluffy bed after a long, exhausting day of work. As soon as I hit the mattress, I fell into a deep slumber.

Luckily, I didn't have any nightmares of the mysterious visitor, so I could sleep well and be ready to train well the next day. The sea view from my room, with its calming sight, helped me drift into peaceful sleep, waking up with the sunrise as the curtains drew open. Karun, always ready, would join me for a run along the beach path, a routine that kept us grounded amid the intense training.

Thus, the days of training continued, with Gibbard's presence a constant reminder of the seriousness of our mission. Under his guidance, we honed our skills, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.