Volume 1 – Chapter 9
Bonds Forged in Steel
The first rays of dawn finally pierced the clouds over the Royal Fortress.
For the first time since arriving, the atmosphere felt…
peaceful.
The recruits gathered in the central training grounds, where rows of wooden dummies, archery targets, and obstacle courses stretched across the massive courtyard.
Commander Varick stood before them, hands clasped behind his back.
“Today’s trial isn’t about survival.”
A few recruits sighed in relief.
“It’s about discipline.”
“The battlefield isn’t won by the strongest warrior.
It’s won by the squad that trusts one another.”
Raimer exchanged glances with his teammates.
Alyra folded her arms, wearing her usual calm expression.
Kael grinned.
“Finally, something that doesn’t involve giant monsters trying to eat us.”
Finn laughed loudly.
“I almost miss them.”
“You miss getting thrown into a tree?” Mira asked with a raised eyebrow.
“…Maybe not.”
The five burst into laughter.
It was the first genuine laugh they had shared since entering the army.
The morning began with endurance.
They climbed steep stone walls, crossed rope bridges suspended over deep ravines, and carried heavy logs together.
Whenever one teammate slowed down, another stepped in to help.
At one point, Finn slipped while crossing a narrow beam.
Before he could fall, Raimer grabbed his wrist.
“Got you.”
Finn smiled sheepishly.
“I owe you one.”
“You already owe me three,” Raimer replied with a grin.
Even Alyra chuckled quietly.
The second trial tested teamwork.
Each squad had to retrieve five colored banners hidden throughout the fortress without being caught by instructors acting as enemy scouts.
Instead of rushing in, Raimer suggested splitting into pairs while Mira stayed hidden to observe patrol routes.
Kael distracted the instructors with loud footsteps while Alyra silently slipped behind them to recover two banners.
Finn climbed onto the rooftops, spotting the remaining flags from above.
Within half an hour…
Their squad returned with every banner.
Commander Varick nodded.
“Excellent.”
“You relied on each other’s strengths instead of competing.”
“That is what makes a squad.”
By sunset, the results were announced.
Only eight squads had passed the basic military trials.
Raimer’s team ranked second overall.
The five looked at one another before smiling.
They had done it.
Not through luck.
But together.
That evening, the fortress kitchen served an actual feast to celebrate the successful recruits.
Roasted chicken, fresh bread, vegetable stew, fruit, and warm soup covered the long wooden tables.
Finn’s eyes widened.
“Is…
is all of this really for us?”
Kael was already filling his plate.
“Stop talking and start eating.”
Within minutes, everyone was laughing.
Finn somehow managed to spill soup on himself.
Mira couldn’t stop laughing.
Even Alyra, who normally remained expressionless, let out a small laugh that caught everyone by surprise.
Raimer stared at his friends.
Months ago…
He had been a lonely orphan stealing bread just to survive.
Now…
He had people he could call family.
For the first time in years…
His heart felt light.
The city below glowed with thousands of lanterns.
A cool breeze drifted through the air.
Kael leaned back.
“When this war ends…”
“I’m opening a tavern.”
Finn laughed.
“You’d drink all the profits.”
“I’d still be happy.”
Mira smiled.
“I want to travel the world.”
Alyra remained silent for a moment before speaking softly.
“I want to see my homeland again…
if anything remains.”
The group fell quiet.
Then Finn looked at Raimer.
“What about you?”
Raimer gazed toward the distant mountains.
“I have someone to find.”
“My sister.”
“And until I find her…”
“I won’t stop moving forward.”
None of them spoke.
Instead, Kael held out his fist.
“To our squad.”
Finn placed his hand on top.
Mira followed.
Alyra hesitated for a second before joining.
Finally, Raimer placed his hand above theirs.
“Together.”
“No matter what.”
The five smiled beneath the moonlight, unaware that destiny was already preparing their next mission—one that would take them far beyond the safety of the fortress.
End of Chapter 9