Morning arrived before anyone was ready for it.
Dorm 1 stirred earlier than usual, the quiet hum of the academy waking long before the sun fully rose. Lights along the hallway brightened gradually from night-cycle dim to early-cycle glow, casting soft illumination across the polished floors.
David was already awake.
He sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees, hands loosely clasped together. The room felt quieter than usual, heavier somehow. Outside the window, the sky was still dark blue, the first hint of sunrise barely visible beyond the academy towers.
Across the room, Castiel sat upright, pulling on his jacket slowly, testing his shoulders as he moved.
David watched him for a moment.
"How's it feel?"
Castiel rolled one shoulder carefully.
"Better."
David tilted his head slightly.
"That's not what I asked."
Castiel gave a faint breath.
"Still tight when I move too fast."
David nodded.
"You'll manage."
Castiel looked at him.
"You always say that."
David shrugged.
"You always do."
Castiel stood and adjusted his sleeve.
"You ready, D?"
David exhaled slowly.
"Yeah."
Castiel studied him.
"You don't sound convinced."
David stood.
"I'm ready."
Castiel nodded once.
"Good."
The door slid open behind them.
June leaned in, already dressed in his combat attire.
"Okay. Quick question."
Castiel glanced at him.
"That's never good."
June ignored him.
"Why does it feel like I didn't sleep at all?"
David walked past him into the hallway.
"Because you didn't."
June followed.
"I slept."
Castiel stepped out behind them.
"You stared at the ceiling for two hours."
June pointed at him.
"That counts."
Nyra stepped out from down the hall, fully dressed, her expression calm but focused.
"You were pacing."
June looked offended.
"I was thinking."
Mira stepped out beside her.
"You were pacing."
Lucian emerged last, already composed, his posture straight.
"We leave in five minutes."
June sighed.
"Of course we do."
The walk to the arena complex felt different from any other morning.
Cadets moved in quiet clusters across the academy grounds. Conversations stayed low. Some walked alone, reviewing mental strategies. Others stretched as they walked, loosening tension before the first match.
The sun rose slowly behind the towers, casting pale gold light across the academy grounds. The morning air remained cool, but the tension made it feel sharper.
The arena complex stood ahead.
Massive.
Circular.
Dominant.
Its exterior panels reflected the rising sunlight, the structure towering above the surrounding training fields. Observation platforms wrapped around the upper levels, already filling with instructors and academy officials.
June let out a slow breath.
"…Okay. This is bigger than I expected."
Nyra nodded.
"They want everyone watching."
Mira studied the structure.
"Pressure."
Lucian nodded.
"Exactly."
They entered through the lower access corridor.
Inside, the arena opened into a massive circular chamber.
Rows of seating surrounded the central combat ring. Transparent barrier emitters lined the edges of the arena floor, faint energy flickering across their surfaces as systems warmed up.
Cadets filled the stands.
Voices murmured.
Excitement.
Nervousness.
Expectation.
Commander Vance stood near the center platform.
The room quieted as she stepped forward.
"Cadets."
Her voice carried clearly across the arena.
"Today marks Phase Two of your final examinations."
The barrier emitters activated fully, forming a shimmering field around the arena floor.
"This phase will evaluate your individual combat capability."
June shifted slightly beside David.
"No pressure."
Nyra smirked faintly.
Vance continued.
"Matches will proceed in randomized order."
The screens above the arena flickered to life.
Rows of names scrolled across the massive display, then slowed, organizing themselves into the first match bracket. The arena lighting dimmed slightly around the seating area, while the combat ring below brightened — a clean circle of reinforced flooring surrounded by shimmering barrier emitters.
A low murmur spread through the stands.
Cadets leaned forward.
Some crossed their arms.
Others watched in complete silence.
The first two names locked into place.
Elyra Duskryn
Tomas Vale
June leaned forward slightly.
"Good opening fight."
Nyra nodded faintly.
"They're both fast."
The two cadets stepped into the arena from opposite entrances.
Elyra Duskryn moved with quiet precision, her posture relaxed but balanced. Her weapon formed in her hand — a thin, curved blade that shimmered faintly with phase energy, its edge flickering in and out of solid form.
Across from her, Tomas Vale rolled his shoulders and activated his gauntlets. Reinforced plates shifted into place along his forearms, faint energy nodes glowing as the system powered up.
The barrier hummed softly as it sealed.
The arena fell silent.
Commander Vance's voice echoed through the chamber.
"Begin."
Tomas moved first.
He stepped forward aggressively, closing distance quickly. His gauntlet snapped forward in a heavy strike aimed toward Elyra's shoulder.
Elyra didn't retreat.
She stepped sideways.
Her blade flickered.
The strike passed through where she had been half a second earlier.
Gasps rippled through the stands.
June leaned forward.
"Phase shifting."
Nyra nodded.
"She's fast."
Tomas adjusted instantly, pivoting into a second strike. His gauntlet swept low, forcing Elyra to move again.
This time she didn't phase completely.
She ducked under the strike and countered.
Her blade flashed toward his ribs.
Tomas blocked, gauntlet intercepting the strike with a sharp metallic crack.
The sound echoed across the arena.
They separated briefly.
Then Tomas surged forward again.
He drove into her space with heavier momentum this time, forcing Elyra backward. His strikes came faster now — left, right, downward — each one forcing her to adjust.
Elyra pivoted, phased partially through a strike, then reappeared at his flank.
Her blade stopped just short of his side.
The crowd reacted immediately.
June nodded.
"She almost had him."
Lucian spoke quietly.
"She's testing him."
Tomas stepped back, breathing slightly heavier now.
Then he smiled faintly.
And rushed again.
This time he feinted high, then drove low, forcing Elyra to react. She phased to avoid the strike—
But Tomas anticipated it.
He pivoted mid-motion, turning as she reappeared.
His gauntlet struck her guard.
The impact forced Elyra back several steps.
The crowd leaned forward.
Nyra's eyes narrowed.
"He adapted."
Tomas pressed.
He moved aggressively now, forcing Elyra to give ground. His strikes came heavier, forcing her to defend instead of counter.
Elyra stepped sideways, blade flashing—
Tomas caught her wrist.
Gasps rippled through the arena.
Elyra twisted free, but Tomas had already stepped forward, closing distance completely.
His gauntlet stopped inches from her chest.
The barrier flashed.
Match over.
Commander Vance's voice followed.
"Winner — Tomas Vale."
The crowd reacted immediately.
June leaned back slightly.
"That was a good fight."
Nyra nodded.
"He adjusted fast."
Lucian agreed.
"Yes."
Elyra stepped back, nodding once before exiting the arena.
Tomas followed.
The screen shifted again.
New names appeared.
Another pair entered.
The fights continued.
Each match different.
Some ended quickly.
Others stretched longer, fighters pushing harder as the tension grew.
The arena energy built with each fight.
Cadets leaned forward more.
Voices lowered.
The atmosphere tightened.
Then—
The screen flickered again.
New names appeared.
June straightened slightly.
"…Alright."
Nyra crossed her arms.
"It's starting."
David focused forward.
Because now—
Gamma Squad names were about to appear.
And Phase Two—
Had truly begun.