Back Among the Vanguard

The gates of the Vanguard base groaned open, revealing the bustling courtyard within. The fortress was alive with the sounds of clashing weapons, shouted orders, and the rhythmic hum of machinery. For Elara and Oran, the sight was both familiar and comforting, a sharp contrast to the chaos they'd endured on their last mission.

"This," Oran said, exhaling dramatically, "is what I call home. You smell that? Fresh steel, old sweat, and a hint of burnt rations. Nothing beats it."

Elara smirked as they stepped inside. "It smells like work."

"Exactly!" Oran said, grinning.

Soldiers and trainees moved with purpose, their movements weaving a symphony of discipline and efficiency. Sparring sessions filled the training rings, squads prepared for missions, and mechanics worked on a line of armored vehicles near the barracks.

"Back so soon?" a voice called out.

Elara turned to see Alyss, her friend and sparring partner, approaching with an easy smile. Her short red hair caught the light as she crossed the courtyard, her posture relaxed but her green eyes sharp.

"Wasn't my choice," Elara said. "Lyra and Kael had other plans."

"Of course they did," Alyss replied. "Rumor has it you two have been rubbing shoulders with the legends. Save any of the glory for the rest of us?"

Oran laughed, slinging an arm around Elara. "Oh, you know us. Always keeping things humble."

Alyss rolled her eyes. "Sure, you do."

Back in the trainee quarters, the tension of the past few days seemed to melt away. Rows of bunks lined the walls, and the familiar clutter of armor, weapons, and personal belongings filled the space with life.

Elara dropped her pack onto her bunk with a sigh, running a hand through her hair. Oran flopped onto his own bed across the room, his boots still on.

"Missed this," Oran said, closing his eyes. "No flaming monsters. No Convergence Points. Just good old-fashioned exhaustion."

"Don't get too comfortable," Derren's voice cut in.

The tall trainee leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed. His gaze lingered on Elara and Oran, a mix of curiosity and challenge in his eyes.

"So," Derren continued, "what's it like having Kael and Lyra as your babysitters? Bet they didn't let you do much while they handled the real work."

Oran sat up, grinning. "Oh, we did plenty. But if you want a first-hand account, maybe next time you can come with us."

Derren scoffed, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Maybe I will."

"Enough," Alyss said, stepping between them. "Save the idiocy for the sparring ring. Oran, you still owe me a match, by the way."

"Let me guess," Oran said. "Winner gets my dessert again?"

Alyss grinned. "You catch on quick."

For the first time in weeks, life felt ordinary. The morning passed in a blur of routine: sparring matches in the training rings, shooting drills at the range, and the occasional round of banter in the mess hall.

Elara found herself settling back into the rhythm of the base, her focus shifting from survival to self-improvement. She trained alongside her peers, sharpening her skills and learning new techniques under the watchful eyes of the instructors.

Oran, meanwhile, basked in the camaraderie, his quick wit and easy charm earning him as much teasing as praise. Whether he was sparring with Derren or haggling for extra rations, he seemed to thrive in the lively chaos of the Vanguard.

In the afternoon, Elara joined Alyss and a few others for a series of tactical drills in the simulation room. The holographic projectors cast lifelike battlefields across the chamber, forcing the trainees to work as a team to overcome shifting scenarios.

"Cover the left!" Alyss shouted as simulated enemies closed in.

"On it!" Elara replied, her dagger flashing as she moved to intercept.

The session ended in a mix of triumph and exhaustion, the group collapsing onto the benches outside the chamber.

"You're getting better," Alyss said, nudging Elara. "A few more weeks, and you might actually win our next sparring match."

Elara smirked. "You wish."

The following day, Elara and Oran were summoned to the briefing hall. Unlike the large-scale operations Kael and Lyra handled, this mission was smaller.

Captain Ryna, a no-nonsense instructor with a reputation for turning rookies into soldiers, stood at the front of the room. Her sharp features and steely gaze left little room for argument.

"We've received reports of supply thefts from an outpost east of here," Ryna began. "Nothing major, but it's disrupting operations. You'll investigate, secure the area, and deal with any threats."

She gestured to a map projected on the wall, highlighting the outpost's location. "Elara, Oran—you'll lead a squad of trainees. Keep it simple, keep it clean."

"Understood, ma'am," Elara said, her tone steady.

"Try not to lose the supplies this time," Ryna added, her lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile.

That evening, Elara sat outside the barracks, the cool breeze carrying the faint hum of activity from the training grounds. She stared at the distant mountains, their dark outlines framed by the setting sun.

Oran joined her, a steaming mug of tea in hand. "Big day tomorrow," he said, offering her the mug.

"Small mission," Elara replied, taking the tea. "Big enough for us, though."

"Think we'll be ready for something bigger?" Oran asked after a pause.

Elara thought about the Convergence Point, the battles they'd survived, and the people they'd lost. "We will be. Just not yet."

Oran grinned, his usual confidence shining through. "Well, don't worry. When the time comes, I'll be right there. Probably saving your life. Again."

Elara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Sure you will."