Chapter 13 – Pushing Limits

Scavenger Clan Training Grounds – Underground Base, Xyphora (Volaris System, Sector 7-42D)

Rei gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face as he barely managed to parry the incoming attack.

Too slow!

The impact of the strike sent him stumbling back, his arms screaming in protest.

Tarek, his sparring partner for the session, didn't let up.

The veteran scavenger lunged forward, baton flashing in a downward arc.

Rei tried to block—but his grip faltered.

A sharp crack echoed through the room as the baton slammed against his shoulder.

Pain flared up his arm.

He hit the ground—hard.

Damn it!

Tarek sighed, lowering his weapon. "You hesitated."

Rei groaned, rolling onto his side. "Yeah… figured that out already."

The other scavengers watching the session murmured among themselves. Some smirked, others shook their heads.

He was still the weakest one here.

And everyone knew it.

 Two Days of Relentless Training,

Since the briefing, since being left behind while the others went on a supply mission, Rei had pushed himself harder than ever.

His routine was brutal:

Dawn → Wake up, weapons drills.

Morning → Sparring, getting his ass kicked.

Midday → Strength training.

Afternoon → More sparring. More bruises.

Evening → Tactical lessons with Garek.

He was exhausted.

But he refused to stop.

If I don't get stronger, I'll never be more than a liability.

Seyra, watching from the sidelines, finally spoke. "You're trying too hard."

Rei, still on the ground, gave her a flat look. "You're supposed to be encouraging."

Seyra smirked. "I'm supposed to tell you the truth."

She crouched next to him, tapping his baton with her spear. "You're fighting against the weapon instead of with it. That's why you keep losing."

Rei exhaled, frustrated. "Okay, and how do I fix that?"

Seyra straightened. "You stop forcing it. You adapt. Watch, learn, then react."

Rei sighed. Easier said than done.

Still…

She wasn't wrong.

-Scavenger Clan Common Area – Later That Night

Rei sat alone, his back against the cold metal wall, arms resting on his knees.

His body ached, but his mind was too restless to sleep.

The underground base was quieter at night—only a few scavengers moved through the dimly lit corridors. Some were on patrol, others tending to supplies.

A voice broke the silence.

"Still awake?"

Rei looked up.

Keven stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching him with his usual calm expression.

Rei shrugged. "Can't sleep."

Keven nodded, walking over. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

Rei frowned. "That's what everyone keeps saying."

Keven studied him for a moment. "You want to prove yourself. I get that."

Rei looked away. "Yeah? And what if I do?"

Keven sighed, sitting down across from him. "Let me tell you something, kid. People here? They don't respect strength alone. They respect survivors."

Rei blinked. "What's the difference?"

Keven smirked. "Strength fades. A survivor? They endure. They learn, they adapt, and when everything falls apart, they're still standing."

Rei thought about that.

For three days, he had been trying to be strong.

But maybe… that wasn't enough.

Maybe he needed to learn how to last.

Keven stood up. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

Rei hesitated. "For what?"

Keven chuckled. "Tomorrow's training will be different."

He turned and walked off, leaving Rei alone with his thoughts.

What does that mean?

What's he planning?

--Meanwhile… Nearing Xyphora, Volaris System--

A lone starship hovered just outside Xyphora's orbit, its pilot scanning the planet's surface.

The ship's AI assistant beeped.

[Gravitational distortions detected. Scans remain inconclusive.]

The pilot exhaled, leaning back in their chair.

So much interference. No wonder this place was abandoned.

The radiation, the debris fields, the unstable planetary conditions—it all made tracking anything nearly impossible.

But that didn't mean they were going to stop.

They had come too far.

Adjusting the controls, the ship's thrusters ignited.

They were going in.