ACE

01

The first day of initiation was always a blend of chaos and exhilaration. As I stood on the edge of the Dauntless pit, I watched the initiates gather below, their faces a mixture of fear and excitement. They were just like I had been a year ago—wide-eyed and nervous, eager to prove themselves. My heart raced with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation.

"Are you ready?" Tina asked, her voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. She stood beside me, her dark hair whipping in the wind, eyes alight with enthusiasm.

I nodded, my heart pounding. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Good," she said, a sly smile crossing her lips. "Let's show them what it means to be Dauntless."

As we prepared to jump, I took a moment to reflect on how far I'd come. I was no longer the timid girl burdened by the weight of my past as an Erudite. I had shed the expectations of my former faction and embraced the thrill of Dauntless. It was a fresh start, a chance to redefine myself, and now, I was part of the team that would help these new initiates discover their own strengths.

The first jump was always the most important. It set the tone for the rest of their training, a test of courage that separated the true Dauntless from the pretenders. I exchanged a glance with Tina, who nodded confidently.

"On three," she said, holding up her fingers. "One... two... three!"

We leaped into the air, the world below us falling away in a blur of color and sound. I felt the rush of adrenaline as we soared through the air, and for a fleeting moment, I was weightless, free from the past that had haunted me for so long.

When we landed, cheers erupted from the crowd of initiates, and the ground shook beneath our feet. The sound of clapping and shouts filled the air, and I felt a surge of pride wash over me. We had done it. We were Dauntless, and we would show them what it truly meant to belong to this faction.

"Welcome to Dauntless!" I shouted, my voice ringing out over the din. "You've made the first step. But don't get too comfortable. This is only the beginning."

As I scanned the faces of the initiates, I caught sight of Four standing off to the side, his presence commanding attention. He was the epitome of what it meant to be Dauntless—strong, confident, and a little intimidating. His dark eyes met mine, and I felt a spark of connection, a reminder of the journey we had both taken to get here.

Four stepped forward, his voice steady and authoritative. "You've made the choice to join us, to embrace your fears and push beyond your limits. But this path is not easy. You will face challenges that will test you in ways you cannot imagine."

He paced in front of the group, his eyes scanning each initiate, assessing their determination. "Some of you will succeed, and some of you will falter. But it's not about how many times you fall; it's about how many times you get back up."

The initiates shifted nervously, absorbing his words. I could see the flicker of doubt in some of their eyes, the weight of reality beginning to settle in. I stepped forward to reinforce his message, eager to instill confidence in them.

"Remember, fear is not your enemy. It's your ally if you let it be. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your strength."

I could see a few heads nodding, the fire of determination igniting within them. It was an exhilarating feeling, knowing that I was part of something bigger—something that could change their lives forever.

"Now, let's get started," Four said, gesturing toward the training area. "Your first challenge will test your ability to confront your fears head-on. We'll begin with the fear simulations."

The initiates exchanged anxious glances, some clearly uncertain about what lay ahead. I remembered my own first experiences with the fear simulations—the terror that had threatened to consume me, but also the exhilaration of overcoming those fears.

As the group moved toward the training area, I caught up with Four. "Do you think they're ready?" I asked, my voice low enough that only he could hear.

He shrugged, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "They will be. They just need a push in the right direction."

We stood side by side, watching as the initiates lined up, awaiting instructions. I admired how he exuded confidence and authority, commanding respect without uttering a single word. There was a calmness to him that I hoped would inspire the initiates to dig deep and find their courage.

"Let's show them how it's done," I said, my heart racing with anticipation.

As the first initiate stepped forward for the simulation, I felt a rush of adrenaline. This was what we were here for—to guide them, challenge them, and help them grow.

"Remember," I called out, my voice steady. "You're not alone. We're here to help you face whatever fears await."

Four nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on the initiate. "This is your moment. Make it count."

As the simulation began, I felt a swell of pride. This was just the beginning for all of us. Each initiate would have their own journey, their own battles to face.

But for now, we stood united as Dauntless, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.

Little did we know, the shadows of our pasts would soon catch up with us, and the choices we made would shape not only our future but the fate of everyone we cared about.

In this moment, surrounded by the energy and determination of the initiates, I felt alive for the first time in years. The weight of my past was still there, but it no longer defined me. I was Ace Gonzales Lopez, a child of Erudite turned Dauntless, standing alongside Four, ready to embrace the challenges of tomorrow.

And together, we would forge a new destiny.