Leaving Home – A New Path

The journey through space feels endless, but it's only a matter of hours before the Vulkris training planet comes into view. We're close now—so close I can feel the pulse of the ship as it readies itself for atmospheric entry.

The Vanguard dropship descends through the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere, and I feel the slight hum of turbulence against the hull. The viewscreen fills with the swirling patterns of clouds, dark greens, browns, and rocky reds—a stark contrast to the sleek technology surrounding us.

Vulkris is a world carved by storms and raw, jagged terrain—a desolate, unforgiving environment. This isn't a place for anything soft. And that's exactly why it's perfect for what we're about to endure.

The dropship's engines roar, the thrusters firing as we break through the final layers of atmosphere, a controlled descent. Gravity pulls at me, but there's no time to think about it. We're going in.

The planet's surface appears below—barren wastelands of rocks and dust. No cities, no signs of civilization—just the raw, hostile terrain. This is where we'll learn to either become stronger or fade into nothingness. A reminder of the stakes.

With a sharp jolt, the dropship lands, its engines settling into a low hum as the landing gear makes contact with the rocky soil. The massive rear ramp lowers with a hiss, and the cold, dusty air of the planet rushes in.

The planet feels alive, hostile, and untamed. A world where weakness won't survive.

We're greeted by a dozen or so Vanguard officers, their dark, formidable armor gleaming under the harsh sunlight. They stand in formation, arms crossed, waiting for us to step off the ship.

"Get off the ship. Now." A voice booms over the comms, sharp and commanding, immediately stripping away any remaining semblance of comfort.

I don't hesitate, stepping out onto the foreign soil. The air is thick, heavy, and the wind cuts like a blade. The ground beneath my boots is uneven, rocky. Vulkris is unforgiving. I can already feel the weight of its presence pressing on me.

Once we've all gathered outside, the officers line us up. Their eyes, cold and calculating, sweep across us—measuring us, judging us.

A senior officer steps forward, a tall figure with a jagged scar across his face. His voice is as hard as the planet beneath our feet.

"Welcome to Vulkris. You've made it this far. That means you've passed the first round. But now the real test begins. And let me make something perfectly clear—this planet doesn't give a damn if you succeed or fail. It doesn't care if you're tired, or scared, or hungry. This planet will break you. If you don't have what it takes, you won't make it off this rock."

His words are a punch to the gut, but I don't flinch. We're here now. There's no going back.

He continues, his eyes never leaving us. "You think you've been through the worst? That was nothing compared to what we're about to put you through. Here, you will push beyond your limits—physically, mentally. The only thing you can rely on is the strength you have inside you. And if you can't hack it, you'll be left behind. Failure isn't an option."

The wind picks up, and I can feel the harsh sting of the dust against my skin. But I don't move. I don't show any weakness. Not here.

The officer steps back and motions to the others.

"This isn't a vacation. Don't expect easy. Don't expect comfort. Expect pain. Expect suffering. Expect nothing but the will to survive. And if you do survive, you might just earn your place among the Vanguard."

He pauses, letting his words sink in, before giving a grim nod.

"Your training begins now. Get in formation and follow your instructors. The next 48 hours are going to push you past everything you thought you knew about your body, your mind, and your limits. Make no mistake—if you fail, you'll be left out here. Alone. On Vulkris. You won't be coming back to the ship. Understand?"

The other recruits nod, stiffly, their faces set in determination. A couple of them are visibly shaken, but they hold it together. They've all made the same choice, and now there's no turning back.

"Good. Now, form up. We move out immediately."

We fall into line, single file. The officers begin barking orders as we march into the heart of Vulkris, the harsh reality setting in with each step. The atmosphere here is thick with the weight of the planet and the challenge ahead.

The officer's voice comes over the comms again, cold and relentless:

"This is it. No more games. You either make it through, or you die trying. This is Vulkris, and we're not here to coddle you. Get ready, because your training starts now."

As I move forward, the reality of what lies ahead hits me hard. The life I knew—the home I came from—seems like a distant memory. I can't help but glance back at the dropship, still standing on the planet's rocky surface. My old life feels far away. And I wonder, for the briefest moment, if I'll ever return.

But before I can dwell on it, the officer's voice cuts through the silence once more, sharp and direct:

"Eyes front. Keep moving. We don't have time for weakness."

And so, we march forward, toward whatever awaits us in the unforgiving heart of Vulkris.