A TEST OF ENDURANCE

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged training grounds. The scent of damp earth from the previous challenge still clung to the air, a reminder of their grueling climb just days before. Ari, Isla, and Rory stood before Anastasia once again, their bodies still sore from their previous ordeal.

Anastasia surveyed them with her usual unreadable expression. Her stance was firm, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Now that you've learned how to properly climb, it's time to test your endurance," she said.

The three recruits exchanged weary glances. If their first challenge had been this brutal, what lay ahead?

"For this exercise," Anastasia continued, "you'll be traveling along one of our training routes to reach a specific checkpoint. Normally, it would take a full day to reach the location and return to the colony."

Isla sighed in relief. "That doesn't sound so bad."

Anastasia's sharp gaze flickered toward her. "Except you won't just be running."

Isla's face fell.

"You'll be pushing boulders the entire way," Anastasia finished, her tone unwavering.

A tense silence followed.

"Wait," Rory said, narrowing his eyes, "you want us to push giant rocks all the way there and back?"

"Yes," Anastasia said simply. "This exercise is designed to build stamina and strength, two things that every military ant needs. If you can't maintain your endurance while carrying heavy loads, you'll be useless in real combat."

Ari frowned slightly. "How heavy are these boulders?"

Anastasia motioned to her side, where several large, round stones rested against the dirt. Each one was at least twice their size.

"You'll be assigned boulders based on your current strength levels," Anastasia explained. "Isla, yours will be the smallest. Rory, yours is medium-sized. Ari, since you've shown exceptional speed but lack the muscle endurance, you'll be pushing the heaviest one."

Ari didn't react, though he was already calculating how much strain this would put on his body.

"I assume we'll be timed?" Rory asked.

Anastasia smirked. "It's not about speed this time. It's about maintaining your pace and surviving the journey. However, I will be monitoring your progress."

Isla groaned. "This is going to be awful."

Anastasia ignored her complaints. "The goal is simple: reach the checkpoint and return to the colony while pushing your boulders. You'll be on your own for most of the journey, so don't expect assistance. This test will last several days, and you'll have to fend for yourselves at night. That means finding food, staying alert for threats, and managing your exhaustion."

The mention of nighttime sent a chill through Isla. She swallowed hard, her mind flashing back to the termite attack that had nearly cost them their lives.

Anastasia's eyes softened slightly, as if sensing Isla's fear. "You will need to overcome both physical and mental challenges. This training is designed to prepare you for the battlefield. If you can't handle the wilderness, you won't last in a real war."

The weight of her words settled over them. Isla clenched her fists, her hesitation warring with her determination.

Ari simply nodded. "Let's do this."

Rory exhaled deeply before positioning himself behind his assigned boulder. "Might as well get started."

Isla hesitated but followed suit.

Anastasia watched as the three braced themselves. Then, with a firm nod, she said, "Begin."

The moment Ari pressed against his boulder, he realized just how much heavier it was than he expected. His muscles protested immediately, but he dug his feet into the earth and pushed with all his strength.

Rory gritted his teeth as he strained against his own rock, his movements slow but steady.

Isla barely moved hers at first. She whimpered under her breath but finally managed to get it rolling forward, though it took every ounce of effort she had.

They trudged forward at an agonizing pace, the sun beating down on them as the weight of their burden drained their energy.

After the first few hours, Isla was already sobbing. "I can't… I can't do this!" she wailed.

Rory, though exhausted himself, forced a response through his heavy breathing. "Keep moving. You'll get used to it."

"I won't!" Isla shouted, her voice cracking. "I'm not strong like you two! I was a worker ant, not a soldier! I was never meant to do things like this!"

Ari, who had been quiet so far, finally spoke. "Complaining won't make the boulder lighter."

Isla shot him a glare, but he wasn't looking at her. He was still focused on his task, his expression neutral.

"Every second you spend crying is another second you could be using to push forward," Ari continued. "You're already behind."

Isla bit her lip, furious but unable to argue. He was right.

They pressed on for hours, their bodies aching, their movements sluggish. The terrain was uneven, making every push even harder.

By nightfall, they collapsed in exhaustion. Ari had pulled ahead of the group due to his natural speed, but even he felt the strain. His body screamed in protest, but he knew stopping too long would only make it worse.

As they set up a makeshift resting spot, Isla's hands trembled. The darkness pressed around them, bringing with it an eerie silence. Every rustle in the distance made her jump.

"…What if termites attack again?" she whispered.

Rory, barely able to keep his eyes open, grunted. "They won't."

"You don't know that," Isla said, her voice small.

Rory sighed, forcing himself to sit up despite the exhaustion weighing him down. "Listen… If they do, we'll handle it. You're not alone."

Isla's breath hitched, but she nodded. She wasn't entirely convinced, but Rory's words helped ease her nerves slightly.

Meanwhile, Ari sat a distance away, staring up at the night sky. Even as an ant, the stars still looked the same as they did when he was human. He let out a slow breath before closing his eyes.

The next morning, they resumed their brutal trek.

The pattern repeated—hours of pushing, moments of rest, then pushing again.

By the time Ari reached the checkpoint, a day and a half had passed. His legs barely functioned, his muscles burned, and his mind was hazy with exhaustion. But he had made it.

Collapsing beside his boulder, he let out a shaky breath.

Back along the path, Rory was making steady progress, though he was clearly fatigued. Isla lagged behind, her body trembling with every push, but she hadn't stopped.

Ari allowed himself only a few minutes of rest before preparing for the return trip.

By the time he arrived back at the colony, he had been pushing for nearly three full days. His vision blurred as he collapsed near the entrance.

Anastasia stood over him, nodding in approval. "Not bad."

Ari barely had the strength to respond. "Not only did he have the heaviest boulder but he also managed to reach back first, this ant is truly special". "You can rest up until the other are back" said Anastasia as she walked off.

By the end of the fourth day, Rory finally returned, his body visibly worn out but his expression determined. "I won't pass out, the training I had as a warden made me strong" he said determined not to fall. Isla came back last, barely managing to stand, her face streaked with tears and dirt.

As she collapsed at the finish line, she sobbed, overwhelmed with relief. "I did it… I actually did it…"

Anastasia stepped forward, watching them closely. "You've all proven something over these past few days. That you can endure pain, exhaustion, and fear. But don't think this is the end of your trials."

Isla groaned. "You're joking…"

Anastasia smirked. "Welcome to military training. Lesson number two: Pain is temporary. Strength is forever."

Ari let out a dry chuckle. Somehow, I doubt that.