The clang of steel against steel filled the air, a constant reminder that war was never far from their thoughts. Each day, the training grounds were alive with the harsh sounds of combat, the thud of wooden swords against shields, the scrape of steel across armor, and the occasional grunted curse. For Valen, it was becoming routine. The soreness in his muscles, the rawness of his palms, the tightness in his shoulders,.it all felt like it belonged to him now. It had been two months since his arrival, and though the pain was constant, it was starting to feel like a part of him. He was adapting.
But more than just the physical changes were taking place. The men around him had become more than mere companions in this shared struggle. They were becoming friends, mentors, and sometimes even rivals. Some offered advice, others merely camaraderie, but each interaction left its mark.
One morning, after another brutal round of sparring with Dorin, Valen collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air. His sword felt like it weighed a hundred pounds now, his arms trembling with exhaustion.
"You doing alright, Valen?" Dorin asked, his voice laced with concern as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He sat down beside him, stretching his legs.
Valen laughed weakly, pulling at the straps of his chest plate. "I'm alive. Barely."
Dorin chuckled. "Well, that's progress, right?"
Valen shot him a look. "I don't know if I'll survive Malric's training. The man is relentless."
"The man's a walking mountain," Dorin replied. "I've seen him carry two recruits in each arm without breaking a sweat. But you're stronger than you think, Valen. You've got the heart for this, just need the muscle to back it up."
Valen winced at the truth in Dorin's words. He wasn't strong like Malric, or even like the recruits who'd been training for years. But he was learning. The routine of it had become familiar, the endless repetition of strikes, the never-ending drills. Yet, there was always someone there to push him further, to demand more. And he knew that it would be this way until he could no longer stand.
The evening came, and Valen found himself near the edge of the camp, gazing out over the horizon. The sky was painted with the fading colors of sunset, the horizon stretching far beyond where the eye could see. It reminded him of home,.of the rolling hills around Draymoor, the fields where he'd spent his youth. But that world felt distant now, a memory growing fainter with each passing day.
"Earth to Valen," a voice called, breaking his reverie. He turned to find Aris standing behind him, her posture relaxed, though her eyes were sharp. She leaned on the tree beside him, folding her arms over her chest.
Valen didn't smile immediately, but he could feel the bond growing between them. She wasn't like the others. She didn't treat him like an inexperienced fool. Instead, she pushed him, challenged him, and in a strange way, made him want to be better. But there was something more to her, something that intrigued him, though he hadn't quite put it into words yet.
"What's up?" she asked, her voice easy and calm.
Valen shrugged. "Just thinking about the future. About what we're training for."
She raised an eyebrow, glancing at him with curiosity. "The war?"
Valen nodded. "Yeah. It's coming soon, right?"
Aris didn't answer right away. Instead, she took a few steps forward, examining the distance between the camp and the darkening forest beyond. "The war's not just about fighting," she said after a moment. "It's about surviving. There's going to be a lot of noise, a lot of blood, and most of us are going to be asked to do things we can't even imagine yet."
Valen's stomach tightened at her words, but he didn't shy away. "I know. It feels like it's all getting real. The drills, the training… it's not just practice anymore. It's preparation."
"Good," Aris said, turning back to face him. "Because out there, it's not about being fast or strong. It's about keeping your head when everyone else loses theirs. If you can do that, you'll survive."
Valen nodded, taking in her words. "I'll remember that."
She gave him a small, approving smile. "Good. Just don't forget it when the real fight starts. And if you ever need someone to back you up... I'll be there."
Valen wasn't sure what to make of her offer. Something about her was different from the others. But for now, he just nodded, letting the conversation drift into the evening air.
As the weeks passed, Valen's training continued to push him to his limits. But it wasn't just physical strength that was growing inside him. His mind was sharpening, his instincts becoming more attuned to the movements around him. In battle, that could make all the difference.
By the end of the fourth month, Valen was a different person. His body had changed too,.muscles that had once felt soft were now firm and well-defined. His arms were stronger, his posture more confident. He wasn't the same boy who had stepped onto the training fields all those months ago. He was becoming a soldier.
Seven Months Later
The camp had changed as well. The once-sparse tents now stood in tight rows, the men of the army becoming more disciplined with each passing day. The tension in the air was palpable. They were all aware that the war was drawing closer, and the silence between drills was filled with the murmurs of soldiers discussing their fears, their hopes, and what lay ahead.
Valen stood at the center of the camp, his uniform now fitted perfectly to his body, his sword at his side. The sun beat down on the training grounds, but there was no discomfort in him now. He was prepared. Or at least, he felt like he was.
Dorin stood next to him, adjusting the straps on his armor. "It's almost time, huh?"
Valen nodded, his gaze hardening. "The war is coming. There's no more pretending."
"You ready?" Dorin asked, turning to meet his eyes.
Valen exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. His face was leaner now, his jaw set with determination. The man who had once floundered in training was gone, replaced by someone who had learned to survive, to fight, and to stand firm in the face of adversity.
"I'm ready," Valen said, his voice low but sure.
But as the sound of horns echoed from the edge of camp, signaling the arrival of their commanders, Valen's chest tightened. He was ready in body, but there was no preparing for the chaos that war would bring. And soon, he would face it head-on.