Chapter 2: Trials in the Ruins
The sun barely pierced through the thick ash clouds hanging over the ruined city. Crumbling skyscrapers, skeletal and broken, towered like silent sentinels guarding secrets long forgotten. The air was heavy—filled with dust, echoes, and a restless tension.
The six recruits stepped cautiously among the debris, their boots crunching on shattered glass and scattered rubble. The Interstellar Defense Force had chosen this forsaken place as their testing ground—a perfect simulation of the unknown dangers awaiting them.
Izan Shadowmere moved ahead with smooth confidence. His eyes scanned every alley, every broken doorway, calculating risks that no one else seemed to notice.
"Stay sharp," he said quietly, fingers brushing the cool metal of his weapon. "This isn't just an exam."
Zion Bixen, never one to waste time, grinned and darted toward a collapsed building. "Come on, this is what we signed up for! Let's see what this ghost town has prepared."
Xena took a moment to catch her breath, her gaze lingering on the shadowed remnants of a once-bustling street. She adjusted her gear silently, measuring every step carefully.
Rhys followed steadily, eyes flicking to every movement, every sound. Miya Royun's keen glances made it clear she was tracking them all, waiting for the right moment to act.
And then there was Elara Zede—sharp, loud, impossible to ignore even here. She pushed past Zion, her voice sharp as she barked orders. "Focus! If we waste time arguing, we're dead before nightfall."
Xena met Elara's glare but said nothing.
Their exams had only just begun, with the ruined city itself turning into a restless arena.