Chapter 5: Blood, Sweat and Shadows
1551 Words
The second day began before dawn.
A loud horn blasted through the barracks, jolting the recruits awake. Groggy and aching from the previous day’s trials, they scrambled to their feet as the academy enforcers banged on doors, shouting commands.
Selene—Silas—winced as she sat up, her muscles screaming in protest. Around her, Kenzie groaned, Raiche stretched stiffly, and Randolph scowled at the disturbance. Ronan, as usual, remained silent but was already dressed, his golden eyes sharp and alert.
“Move,” barked one of the enforcers. “The Masters are waiting.”
No breakfast. No water. Just pain and exhaustion pushing them forward as they ran to the training grounds.
The recruits were corralled into the center of the massive stone arena, a place usually reserved for pack duels and ranked fights. This time, however, there were no weapons, no rules—only a towering wooden structure with spikes, ropes, and a pit of jagged rocks below.
Master Zedrick stepped forward, his predatory grin sending a ripple of unease through the recruits.
“This is your next trial. Climb to the top. No magic. No wolf form. Just your body and your mind. Those who fail to reach the top in ten minutes… will fall.”
The recruits tensed. Some cast nervous glances at the pit beneath the structure, where the jagged rocks gleamed like the fangs of a waiting beast.
Randolph scoffed. “Tch. They won’t actually let us die.”
“They might,” Raiche muttered.
Selene’s fists clenched. There was no time for hesitation.
“Begin!”
The recruits launched themselves at the structure.
Some tried to scale the wooden beams with brute strength, only to slip and crash back down. Others attempted the ropes, but they were slick with oil, making them nearly impossible to grip.
Selene analyzed the structure, searching for the best route. That’s when she saw it—the faint indentations on the wooden beams, barely visible in the shadows.
Notches.
A path designed for those with precision rather than strength.
She moved fast, stepping lightly, using the notches as leverage while keeping her balance. Around her, recruits flailed and cursed.
Kenzie slipped, his fingers failing to find purchase.
Selene’s instincts kicked in. She grabbed his wrist. “Hold on!”
Kenzie panted, his eyes wide. “You should keep going—”
“No one gets left behind,” she gritted out, pulling him up.
Above them, Ronan had already reached the halfway point. His expression remained unreadable, but he stole a glance at Selene and Kenzie before continuing.
Randolph, ahead of them, clicked his tongue. “Hurry up, weaklings, or enjoy your fall.”
Raiche smirked. “Bet you don’t even make it to the top.”
Randolph growled but didn’t waste time arguing.
One by one, the recruits pushed forward. But just as Selene neared the top—
The structure shook.
The Masters had cut a rope, causing a section of the beams to collapse.
Screams filled the air as several recruits plummeted toward the jagged rocks.
Selene’s heart pounded. She reached for a nearby beam, swinging herself upward just in time.
Kenzie barely held on, his body dangling.
“Silas!” he gasped.
Selene didn’t hesitate. She lunged, grabbing his arm again and hauling him onto the last platform.
One second left.
The horn blared.
The trial was over.
The fallen recruits lay at the bottom of the pit, groaning in pain. Some had broken limbs. Others were too weak to move.
Master Torvald surveyed them with cold amusement. “Those who cannot stand, leave the academy now. You are unworthy.”
The enforcers moved swiftly, dragging the injured away. The remaining recruits—less than half their original number—stood in tense silence.
Kenzie collapsed to his knees, panting. “That was… that was insane.”
Randolph sneered. “You got lucky.”
Kenzie didn’t argue. He simply looked at Selene, gratitude in his eyes. “You saved me.”
Selene forced a smile. “I need someone to complain about training with, don’t I?”
Ronan, silent until now, finally spoke. “You think like a wolf.”
Selene stiffened. “What?”
Ronan turned his piercing gaze on her. “You didn’t climb alone. You ensured the survival of your pack.”
Selene swallowed hard. Did he suspect something?
But before she could respond, Lazarus spoke from the shadows.
“Enough. You’ve survived the trial. Barely.”
His golden eyes lingered on Selene.
“Tomorrow… will be worse.”
***
The academy was not a place for the weak.
After the second trial, tensions rose among the recruits. Those who had barely made it through were marked as liabilities—dead weight dragging their teams down. And no one was more of a target than Kenzie.
Randolph, Raiche, and Ronan made it clear: they wanted him gone.
Back in the dormitory, Randolph slammed his hand against the wall, scowling. “Kenzie is a useless burden.”
Kenzie flinched but said nothing.
Raiche crossed his arms. “If he stays, he’ll get us all expelled.”
Selene stood her ground. “You don’t get to decide that.”
Randolph turned on her, his sneer sharp. “He couldn’t even climb without your help. He’s slowing us down. If we fail as a team, we all suffer.”
Selene clenched her fists. “Then we make him stronger.”
Randolph laughed coldly. “Why are you protecting him? You think he’ll suddenly become a warrior overnight?”
Kenzie lowered his head, gripping the edge of his cot. “I can fight.”
Raiche scoffed. “We’ll see.”
Ronan, who had been silent, finally spoke. “If he can’t keep up in the next trial… he’s on his own.”
Selene’s gut twisted. She wanted to argue, but the truth was undeniable—this academy was brutal. No one waited for the weak to catch up.
And Kenzie… was drowning.
The next trial was different.
The recruits stood in the training yard, staring at the wooden weapons laid out before them.
Master Torvald smirked. “Today, we test combat.”
A murmur spread through the recruits. Fighting was inevitable, but this soon?
Master Zedrick strode forward. “Rules are simple. Defeat your opponent. Lose? You’re out.”
Selene’s pulse quickened. This is where I prove myself.
Names were called. One by one, recruits fought—some lasting only seconds, others locked in brutal duels.
Then—
“Silas Thorne versus Ronan Luthair.”
The world stilled.
Selene turned toward Ronan. His golden eyes met hers, unreadable.
She stepped forward. Ronan did the same.
Master Zedrick’s smirk widened. “Begin.”
Selene lunged first. She needed to strike fast.
Ronan dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid, controlled. He’s faster than I thought.
She adjusted, aiming lower—only for Ronan to sidestep and sweep her legs out from under her.
The impact knocked the breath from her lungs.
The crowd murmured.
Selene rolled away before he could strike again. Focus. Find an opening.
She feinted left—then right—then attacked. Her blade barely missed his ribs as he twisted out of reach.
Ronan smirked. “You’re holding back.”
Selene gritted her teeth. “You don’t know me.”
He moved faster than she expected—too fast.
Before she could react, his blade was at her throat.
Defeat.
The horn blared.
Selene’s vision blurred with frustration.
No.
She refused to accept this.
She pushed herself up, heart pounding. “Again.”
Master Torvald chuckled. “Determined, aren’t we?”
Master Zedrick nodded. “Let them fight.”
The second match began.
This time, Selene ignored everything except the rhythm of battle. Watch his feet. His shoulders. His grip.
She let him make the first move. Dodge. Counter.
Ronan attacked again—but she was ready.
She twisted at the last second, knocking his blade aside and sweeping behind him.
Strike.
The tip of her weapon stopped at his back.
The horn blared.
Selene had won.
The crowd murmured in shock. No one had expected Ronan to lose.
Ronan turned slowly, his golden eyes unreadable. Then—
He smirked. “Not bad.”
Selene exhaled, sweat dripping down her brow.
Randolph scoffed. “Lucky hit.”
Raiche shrugged. “He still won.”
Master Lazarus finally spoke. “Enough.”
The recruits fell silent.
Lazarus’s golden gaze lingered on both of them. “There is strength in victory… but greater strength in restraint.” His tone darkened. “Yet restraint is what you lack.”
Selene’s stomach twisted.
Did we go too far?
Lazarus continued, “Had you fought any harder, one of you might not be standing. Our enemies are much stronger, and there won't be time to waste!”
The words sank in.
They hadn’t just been training. They had been fighting to prove something.
Lazarus stepped closer. “I should expel you both for recklessness.”
Selene’s breath caught. No.
Ronan remained calm. “Then why don’t you?”
Lazarus smirked. “Because you amuse me.”
A heavy silence followed.
Then, Lazarus turned. “This is your warning. Next time… I won’t be so forgiving.”
The trial was over.
But the tension between Selene and Ronan was far from finished.
- Writer
