Under the Moonlight

"Let's move out, worms!" the male lieutenant shouted, waving his hand in the air before starting to follow the dirt path, illuminated by a full moon hanging in the vast, dark sky.

The only company it had were the numerous little stars and a cloud here and there.

"Hey, do you need any help?" Liam held out his hand, helping Ava to get up. They had rested for thirty more minutes, but he was afraid it wasn't enough for her. She had hit her head pretty badly.

"I can do it on my own, but thanks," Ava replied. She had started to feel better ten minutes ago after the world stopped spinning around her, but she was still nauseous.

"You sure?"

"Oh, will you give her some room to breathe already?" Linx approached the two and pushed Liam aside after noticing what was going on.

It was nice to see this idiot caring about someone, but enough was enough.

"Who are you to—"

"Liam." Ava's voice cut through Liam's sentence as she called out his name, sending daggers into his soul. The last thing she wanted was him causing another scene.

"I'll be fine," she started, picking up her large, olive green bag just to prove a point, "so you can go back to your new friend, Luka."

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her. Some female company won't harm her," Linx added, placing her arm around Ava's shoulders and pulling her closer with a smile.

Liam gave her a side-eye. He knew that what Linx was saying was true, but he wanted to be the one beside Ava, not some stranger she had met a few hours ago.

He was about to say something but turned around after hearing heavy breathing coming from behind.

It was Luka, carrying Liam's belongings before he had a chance to issue an order. Luckily for Liam, his little runner boy had a lot of experience with those things, so he didn't have to be told twice.

"Here, I brought you your stuff," the boy said. For the first time, he wasn't doing this because he was forced or threatened, but because he wanted to.

Watching Liam stand up for himself, swiftly navigating through dangers and saving his sister, there was no fear—only strength and determination.

"Let's go to the back of the line," Liam said, taking his backpack and travel bag, allowing Luka to quickly rush to pick up his belongings before returning to Liam's side.

"What's his problem anyway?" Linx asked, letting go of Ava so they could walk right behind the lieutenants.

"Don't mind him, he has... special circumstances."

"What do you mean?" Linx raised an eyebrow, wondering what Ava meant by that, but before she could say anything, an annoying voice came from behind them.

"Yo girls, if this isn't destiny, then I don't know what is," Griff said, placing his arms on their shoulders as he walked behind them, not giving up on them. He was still angry at that stupid Liam for ruining the moment.

"Are you sure you have the right to talk to us after almost peeing your pants?" Linx asked him, rolling her eyes.

Ava groaned at hearing Griff's disgusting voice. She really didn't want to deal with him right now.

So, when he dared to get closer, Ava clenched her fist and landed an explosive punch below his chin.

Griff stumbled backward, clutching his jaw as he let out a pained yelp. His eyes widened in disbelief, and for a moment, he was too stunned to speak, but that was soon replaced by a fire that ignited inside his body.

He was getting ready to retaliate. This was the second time she had decided to punch him and humiliate him like this. The problem was... he couldn't put her in her place with the lieutenants in front.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What was that for?" Griff exclaimed, rubbing his chin after finally regaining his composure.

'She's like a more tame version of Liam...' Linx thought after seeing her act like this. She couldn't deny that they weren't siblings, but then, why did they look so different?

Mayla, the female lieutenant, sighed after hearing the commotion happening right behind them. But punishment would have to wait since they were already behind schedule. At least the academy was in sight.

"I hope they will learn to work together, Mark..." she commented, looking up at the sky. If they continued to act like this, then all that the previous generation fought for would fall into water.

"They have to if they want to survive," Mark commented with a stern, flat voice, marching onward, but that might be hard to achieve, as bickering from the end of the line could be heard.

"Well, excuse me, but you're the one who threw me in front of a fucking spider!" Liam raised his voice, arguing with Ray, who was in front of him.

"Yeah, because where were you when we needed you?" Ray questioned, having had enough of Liam's attitude for some time now. He acted like the universe revolved around him.

"Surviving," Liam snapped, his voice cutting through the dark like a whip, "and what about when I had to save Ava from that worm?"

"Yeah, and would you do the same for the guy next to you?"

"Absolutely not! Why should I care for someone else?" he replied, looking aside. It wasn't his problem if someone was too weak to defend themselves. It was a harsh world—survival of the fittest.

Luka's gaze fell to the ground after hearing Liam's words... His hopes of finally finding someone decent shattered into a million pieces like a broken mirror. For a moment, he thought he had found someone who might treat him as an ordinary human being, but he was wrong once more... He was nothing more than a tool for others to exploit.

"That's what I thought. It's a shame that rotten trash like you is still playing soldier."

"Rotten trash that can beat you at any moment now. I don't mind doing another hundred push-ups to teach you a lesson," Liam threatened, ready to attack the moment Ray dared to speak another word.

"Try me," Ray challenged, the skin around his fists and forearms turning into a light gray, rocky substance. This time, he was ready to take him on.

"With pleasure," Liam cracked his knuckles, ready for a fight even if it wasn't the time nor place.

But as he raised his hand and got ready to smash Ray's nose into a million pieces, the male lieutenant's voice could be heard as he announced that they had finally arrived.

"Attention!" He stomped the ground, turning around with his hands behind his back, a giant metal gate in the background surrounded by a green bioenergy shield.

"The moment you step a foot inside this academy, you will be considered adults. Train well to survive what's about to come," Mark said, his final words. He wasn't interested in dwelling on this any longer. The cadets would find out what it means to be a soldier soon enough.

"For now, we will escort you to your dorms, and tomorrow, at 5 AM, there will be a sergeant waiting for you outside with the rest of the instructions. Make sure not to be late," Mayla gave the rest of the instructions to the group right before the giant double doors behind her started to creak open, revealing the academy. One might mistake it as a city if not for a massive wall lined with turrets, soldiers, energy shields, and anti-air equipment.

'Looks like no more beauty sleep for me...' Liam thought, puckering his lips. Considering that he would probably go to sleep early, it wasn't that big of a deal, but a shame nevertheless.

The group started to follow the lieutenants inside, marching into the battle of their lifetimes, with huge, ominous buildings towering above them.