{Armia}
Dawn broke over the training grounds.
Armia stood in formation with her squad, her breath misting in the cold morning air. Her muscles ached from yesterday's drills. The scales on her wrists and thighs itched where sweat had dried during the night.
Captain Narim emerged from the barracks, her grey hair catching the early light.
"Morning run. Full gear. Fifteen laps. Move."
No preamble. No warmup. Just orders.
The squad grabbed their packs and started running.
Garrett pushed to the front immediately, his competitive streak showing. Elena maintained steady pace beside him. Kyle wheezed but kept going. Dara ran like a machine, her breathing controlled. Finn struggled in the back.
Armia settled into the middle, her long legs eating up distance.
[Don't show off. Don't fall behind. Just run.]
On lap three, Garrett slowed deliberately as Armia approached, forcing her to either break pace or navigate around him. She went wide, maintaining rhythm.
