The tunnel spat them out like a broken machine coughing its last breath.
Ashen stumbled forward, shielding his eyes from the sudden glare. The world beyond was a blur of gold and red. Heat slapped him in the face. Grit clogged his throat. When his vision cleared, he froze.
A desert.
Vast, scorched, and silent.
Not the rolling golden kind sung in songs or drawn in books. No—this was a grave of a world. The sand was cracked and rust-colored, like dried blood. Shards of obsidian jutted from the ground like broken teeth. In the distance, jagged rock spires stood like forgotten monuments, their tips lost in heatwaves.
The air shimmered, but it wasn't just the heat. It felt... wrong. Like the land itself was breathing.
Ashen took a slow step forward, the sand shifting under his feet like it didn't want to hold his weight.
Then Elira spoke beside him, quiet and uncertain. "What... is this place?"
Ashen glanced at her. Sweat already glistened on her forehead, her eyes scanning the horizon.
He frowned. "Aren't you from a military family?" His voice was flat, not accusing—just tired. "Shouldn't you recognize this?"
She shook her head slowly. "This isn't standard training. Not even the restricted simulations."
That answer sent a chill down his spine despite the blistering heat.
Before he could respond, a sharp voice cut through the heavy silence.
"Oh, this is rich." Reynar strode forward, brushing imaginary dust from his pristine uniform. His voice carried arrogance like a crown. "Look at you all—staring at sand like it's your first time out of a city."
He turned, eyes locking on Ashen.
"And you," he sneered. "Did you forget how to walk? Or are you trying to blend in with the dirt you were born from?"
Ashen didn't respond. He stood still, jaw tightening.
Reynar smirk widened. "What's the matter, Ash-boy? Nothing to say? No tragic monologue? Don't tell me you're scared. Or worse—useless."
Rett shifted beside Ashen, murmuring, "Ignore him..."
But Raynar wasn't finished. He turned his venom next toward Kerr, who had just stepped down from the tunnel, eyes wide as he stared at the desert.
"And look—our little sunshine peasant finally sees the world." Raynar mocked a gasp. "Scared already, Kerr? Or are you praying your mommy packed extra courage in your lunchbox?"
Kerr's cheeks flushed red, his fists clenched, but he said nothing.
Raynar scoffed. "This squad's pathetic. I'm surprised they even bothered assigning me here. You know what I think?" He stepped forward, raising his voice. "This section—they're not expecting us to succeed. This is a discard zone. A test to burn off the weak and the unworthy."
His eyes swept over them. "And without me, you'll all die before the sun sets."
"Enough," Ashen finally said, voice low.
Reynar turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Oh? The ash pile speaks?"
Ashen didn't move. "You talk like you've won already."
"I have," reynar said with a mocking grin. "I was born with bloodline strength. With status. With purpose. You? You crawled in here from some gutter. You think grit makes you special?" He leaned in, voice quiet and cruel. "You should be grateful they even gave you a uniform."
Ashen's hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Beside him, Elira shifted, glancing between them. lin stood frozen, chewing her lip. Kerr had his head down, trembling with shame.
The heat wasn't the only thing making blood boil.
Then—
A hand landed on Raynar's shoulder.
Firm. Sharp.
Sera.
Her eyes—calm, unreadable, yet cold—stared straight into his.
"Shut up."
The silence was instant.
Reynar scoffed and opened his mouth, but her hand tightened. Not painfully. Just enough to remind him that she could make it hurt if she wanted to.
She spoke again. "We're here for the drill. You want to play noble? Do it after we survive."
For a moment, no one breathed.
Then reynor snorted, brushing her hand off. "Tch. Fine. Waste your time playing team games."
He walked ahead into the sand without another word.
Elira let out a quiet sigh. Kerr finally looked up. lin nudged him gently.
Ashen watched Sera. She met his gaze for a second—and then turned away.
No one knew what this trial really was. No one knew what lay beyond those dunes.
But one thing was clear now.
It wasn't just the heat that will test them