Aria’s POV“Up again,” Captain Varron called out. “You fall, you rise. No breaks.”My arms burned as I pushed myself off the ground. Sweat ran down my back, and the dry dirt clung to my palms. The sixth day had begun just like the others—rough, loud, and endless.Beside me, Jace groaned. “You’d think he enjoys watching us suffer.”I managed a short laugh. “He probably does.”He smirked, shaking sweat from his hair. “You’re keeping up better than yesterday.”“Don’t sound so surprised,” I said, picking up my stance again. My body ached, but I wasn’t going to let him see that.Captain Varron’s voice boomed again. “Pairs—switch!”We trained in groups that morning, sparring until the ground shook with the sound of feet and fists. Every move demanded control. Every mistake earned a hit or a fall. The air smelled of dust and effort.By noon, the heat pressed down on us. I dropped to my knees when the captain called for a pause, my chest rising fast.“Water,” Lira said softly, handing me a fl
Last Updated : 2025-10-17 Read more