SINS OF FROST AND HEAT

MISSION

The training hall was a battlefield of nerves, the tension so thick that even the buzz of machinery felt quieter, as if the entire space were holding its breath. Group Four stood in formation, eyes straight ahead, each of them aware that this wasn't just another routine drill. The stakes had risen, and each test was becoming more intense, more demanding.

Liam's eyes flicked to Calypso, who, despite the tension in the room, was grinning like a cat who had found a mouse. She leaned over to Peter and whispered something that made his scowl deepen. Liam's suspicion gnawed at him Calypso's cheerful, ever-present nature was too convenient. He couldn't shake the feeling that she might have been sent by his father to monitor him, her bubbly persona merely a disguise. It left him frustrated and wary, making it hard for him to know who to trust.

Instructor Sayid, this group's instructor rolled to the front of the room, her metallic frame reflecting the harsh lights above. Her voice, cold and mechanical, filled the hall. "Group Four, today's mission will test your adaptability, coordination, and resilience. You will be entering a simulation to track and capture a venomous creature the Scyther Snake. Its toxin is lethal, and it is your job to capture it intact. The team that retrieves the snake first will be rewarded with a one-day reprieve from training."

The announcement rippled through the group like an electric shock. A day off was rare a coveted prize in the grueling environment where every hour felt like a battle against exhaustion and pain.

"You will be paired for this mission," Sayid continued, her eyes scanning the line. "Ruby Kaba and Liam Kunene."

Liam's heart thumped as Ruby gave him a brief nod. Her expression was all business, no nonsense. He had seen that look before a laser focus that demanded precision.

"Peter Mensah and Calypso Ayodele." Peter's face soured, and he visibly stiffened as Calypso shot him a cheerful wave. "Looks like we're going to have fun, partner!" she said brightly, earning a glare from him.

"Focus, Calypso!" snapped Peter. "This isn't a game."

Calypso rolled her eyes. "Oh, lighten up, Peter. It's not like we're fighting real snakes, right?" She winked, which only made his scowl deepen.

Instructor Sayid's voice cut through again. "Remember this is a competition, and only one team will win. Failure will result in consequences."

As the robotic overseer's words echoed through the room, the other pairs were called, but Liam's mind was already in mission mode. He felt Ruby's presence beside him steady, reliable. "We can do this," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Stick with me."

He nodded. "Got it."

"Enter the simulation chamber, and prepare yourselves," Sayid instructed. "And remember, eliminations will begin next month. Weakness will not be tolerated."

Liam's stomach twisted as murmurs spread through the group. So the rumors were true. The camp was gearing up for eliminations. The intensity of the situation was palpable. They weren't just fighting for a day off they were fighting for their place in the camp.

The simulation pods hissed open, and Ruby and Liam stepped inside. The metallic doors sealed shut with a hiss, and the world around them blurred as the technology booted up. The chamber dissolved into a dense, humid jungle alive with sounds. The air was thick, carrying the scent of wet earth and moss. Giant, ancient trees loomed overhead, their branches knitting together to create a shadowy canopy that blocked out the light.

Ruby crouched, spear in hand, her eyes scanning the area with sharp precision. "Stay low and follow my lead. The snake could be anywhere, and if we're not careful, it'll find us first."