The afternoon sun bore down on the academy grounds, casting elongated shadows over the lined-up recruits. The air was heavy with anticipation, thick with the unspoken fears of the trainees who stood at attention, awaiting further instruction.
It had only been a few hours since the morning parade when the letter from the Alpha King arrived. The instructors had left immediately after, huddling together in whispered discussions behind closed doors. Now, they had returned, their expressions grim as they faced the gathered recruits.
"Listen well," the head instructor's voice rang out, carrying through the silent assembly. "There has been an emergency."
A ripple of tension spread through the ranks. The academy was not meant to send recruits into real battle until their training was complete,
