Falling Behind

Elara's arms ached. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest, but the day's training was far from over. She tightened her grip on the wooden sword, trying to keep her stance steady.

Across from her, Kai looked just as exhausted, his breathing ragged. They had been paired together for a set of drills focused on form and endurance, and neither of them was doing particularly well.

"Again," the instructor barked.

Elara barely had time to brace herself before Kai swung. She blocked, but the force of his strike sent her stumbling back. A few recruits chuckled under their breath. Her face burned with frustration.

She wasn't good enough. Not yet.

Under Damien's Watchful Eye

From the edge of the training grounds, Commander Damien observed the recruits, his expression unreadable. His sharp gaze flickered to Elara as she adjusted her stance, trying to recover from her misstep.

She hated that he was watching.

"Your footwork is sloppy," his voice rang out, sending a shiver down her spine. "You hesitate too much. That's why you keep losing."

Elara swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. He wasn't wrong. But hearing it from him—cold, dismissive, and absolutely unimpressed—stung more than she expected.

She nodded stiffly. "Yes, Commander."

"Again," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Kai looked at her apologetically before raising his sword.

Elara exhaled and lifted hers.

By the time training ended, Elara could barely lift her arms. She trudged toward the barracks, her legs threatening to give out beneath her.

"You alright?" Kai asked, catching up beside her.

"I think my arms have stopped working," she muttered.

Kai laughed, but she could hear the exhaustion in his voice too. "At least we survived."

Elara managed a weak smile, but deep down, doubt gnawed at her.

Surviving wasn't enough. If she wanted to prove herself, if she wanted to stay here, she needed to be better.

And tomorrow, she would be.