Thalora

Chapter Seven: Heat of Battle

The clang of metal echoed through the training arena as the recruits of Thalora Academy engaged in their latest combat drill. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and adrenaline, the hum of energy blades and the rapid-fire shots of blasters filling the cavernous space. Recruits moved in synchronized chaos, their combat suits gleaming under the harsh lights of the arena.

Alyssa stood near the back, her hands gripping the hilt of an advanced training sword. The weight of it was unfamiliar, and despite the hours of drills, she still wasn't comfortable with it. Around her, the other recruits moved with practiced ease—blades flashing, exoskeletons enhancing their speed and strength, blasters firing in rapid bursts. The entire scene felt like something out of a simulation, and yet, Alyssa couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong.

She was an outsider here. Always had been.

As the drill continued, Alyssa noticed the fluidity with which the other recruits moved, especially Jaylah Ra. The girl was a blur of motion, her combat suit gleaming as she weaved through the other recruits, deflecting strikes with effortless grace. Her blaster was slung casually over one shoulder. Still, she didn't even need it—she was dominating the arena with her sword alone.

Alyssa watched as Jaylah blocked a strike from one of the male recruits, then effortlessly swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. A triumphant smirk tugged at Jaylah's lips as she flicked her dark red hair over her shoulder, glancing at Kai, who stood on the other side of the arena.

Jaylah's gaze slid to Alyssa, her smirk turning into something colder, sharper. "Hey, Tan," Jaylah called, her voice dripping with mockery. "You planning on joining us, or are you just here for the entertainment?"

Alyssa's jaw clenched, but she said nothing. She had gotten used to the barbs, the casual taunts that followed her everywhere at the Academy. But Jaylah's words always seemed to sting more than the others'.

Jaylah laughed mockingly. "What's wrong, Alyssa? Still trying to figure out which end of the sword is which?"

A few other recruits snickered, their eyes turning to Alyssa with thinly veiled amusement. Kai, who had been practicing a series of blaster shots with his back to the group, glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.

"Back off, Jaylah," Lucas muttered from beside Alyssa, his voice barely loud enough to be heard. He was holding his own blaster, but the tension in his posture made it clear he was just as uncomfortable as Alyssa in these situations.

Jaylah ignored him, her eyes locked on Alyssa. "Come on, Tan. Show us what you've got."

Alyssa swallowed hard, gripping her sword tighter. She could feel the weight of their stares, the pressure building in her chest. She didn't want to give Jaylah the satisfaction, but she couldn't stand on the sidelines either.

With a deep breath, she stepped forward, raising her sword as she entered the sparring ring.

The other recruits backed away, giving Alyssa and Jaylah plenty of space. Jaylah's smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

The next thing Alyssa knew, Jaylah lunged at her, her sword flashing. Alyssa barely managed to block the strike, the force of the blow rattling up her arms. Jaylah was strong—stronger than Alyssa had expected. The power behind each strike pushed Alyssa back, forcing her to defend rather than attack.

Jaylah wasn't holding back, and it was painfully clear.

The sound of clashing blades filled the arena as Jaylah pressed the assault. Alyssa struggled to keep up, her footwork sloppy compared to Jaylah's precision. Every time she tried to counter, Jaylah was already two steps ahead, deflecting her attack easily and delivering another punishing blow.