A spark of excitement lit up Aria’s eyes at the possibility of becoming an Operator.

But Lyla’s expression didn’t change. The sergeant leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, her tone firm.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Before you decide, you need to understand exactly what you’re signing up for. The O.D.S. isn’t just about skill, it’s about discipline, sacrifice, and living with the choices you make.”

Lyla’s gaze was steady as she began to explain. “The Odyssey is more than just a military group. It’s a coalition of humanity’s strongest minds and fighters, brought together to protect civilization from the Aberrant threat. We’re not just combating the enemy, we’re researching them, finding ways to contain and eliminate their core parasites. Without the O.D.S., what remains of the world would fall apart.”

Aria listened intently, staring at her intensely.

“The Aberrants have pushed humanity to the edge of extinction. They’ve destroyed ecosystems, turned vast stretches of the surface into uninhabitable wastelands, and traumatized entire generations. Aberrants are parasitic entities, engineered through horrific experiments decades ago. They exist solely to destroy, with no instinct for self-preservation. Their cores, the parasites, drive them to wipe out any life form not infected by them.”

Lyla paused, letting her words settle.

“The O.D.S. operates under one mission; to ensure humanity’s survival. We train in simulated combat zones that mimic the harsh wastelands, and every team is carefully structured to maximize efficiency. A standard team has close combatants, sharpshooters, analyzers, scouts, each playing a critical role. Missions can involve clearing infestations, gathering data, or neutralizing high-risk threats. And afterward, samples are analyzed to find weaknesses we can exploit, develop new technologies, and maybe one day-” Lyla’s tone grew softer but resolute, “-find a cure. Bring an end to this nightmare…”

Aria’s mind spun as she processed Lyla’s words. The gravity of the Aberrant threat was clearer now, but so was her determination to join the O.D.S.

Lyla studied her carefully. “I need to know if you’re truly ready for this. Understand that becoming an Operator isn’t just a title. It’s a responsibility, a big one. One that demands everything from you.”

Aria lowered her gaze, thinking deeply about the Aberrants, the destruction they’d caused, and the lives they’d stolen. Her fists clenched as she felt a surge of determination. Finally, she raised her head, meeting Lyla’s eyes with resolve.

“I understand what you’re saying,” Solen said firmly. “If you’re willing to teach me, I’ll do whatever it takes to be ready.”

Lyla’s expression softened, just slightly. “Very well,” she said. 

Sergeant Lyla’s mind lingered on her conversation with Aria. The young woman’s determination had surprised her. Lyla had expected hesitation or even fear when she’d described the Aberrants and the grim reality of the O.D.S. 

But Aria’s calm resolve unsettled her. Why had she seemed so sure of herself? No hesitation… Lyla’s years of experience told her to trust her instincts, but she couldn’t ignore the nagging doubt… Was Aria hiding something? Perhaps her composure came from experience, something Lyla wasn’t yet privy to. Or maybe, Lyla worried, her growing attachment to Aria was clouding her judgment.

A few days later, the day of the test arrived…

Aria stood alone in the sterile changing room, her fingers adjusting the seams of her brand new suit. She had spent the last day replaying Lyla’s words in her mind, reflecting on the O.D.S. and their fight against the Aberrants. Deep down, she felt a strange sense of responsibility, as though the need to fight alongside them was etched into her very being.

The speaker above her crackled to life. A monotone voice announced, “Report to the field in three minutes.”

Aria exhaled sharply, willing her nerves to settle. 

She had no idea what the test would entail, only that it was designed specifically for her. Isabelle had told her the day before that most recruits underwent a rigorous combination of physical and psychological evaluations before being tested. But Aria, once again, was different; they’d already gathered enough data during her time under surveillance. This was it, the final step.

As she approached the field, a murmur of voices reached her ears. She hesitated, stepping out into the bright light, and froze. Above her, a sea of faces gazed down from the observation platforms. Hundreds of people were watching.

Her heart pounded. Why are they all here?

Flashback, a few days before…

Cove, Max, and Krey, or S-024, stood before their division supervisor, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion.

“You three are being assigned to a recruitment test,” the supervisor began. “As a substitute team.”

Max furrowed his brow. “A recruitment test? At this time of year?”

The supervisor clasped his hands behind her back. “This is an unusual case,” he explained. “The individual in question is the one recovered from the Pit. The one you were instructed to remain silent about.”

The three exchanged glances.

Max broke the silence first, turning to Cove with a smirk. “You know, at first, I couldn’t believe it, this frail-looking girl taking down a class three Aberrant without any equipment? Even after the drone thing, I wasn’t convinced.” He clapped a hand on Cove’s shoulder. “Maybe your eyesight’s better than I thought.”

Cove swatted Max’s hand away, muttering something under his breath.

Krey, quiet until now, addressed the supervisor. “What will our role be in this test?”

The supervisor’s response was deliberate. “Your objective will be explained fully during the pre-test briefing. For now, understand that your task will evaluate the recruit’s ability to handle combat and teamwork.” She glanced at her datapad. “The test is scheduled to commence in eight days.”

A passing teammate overheard the time and location, raising an eyebrow but saying nothing. The details spread quickly among the ranks, and by the time the day arrived, the field was packed with curious onlookers.

Present…

Aria’s pulse quickened as she forced herself to step forward, her eyes fixed on the center of the training field. The weight of so many eyes made her skin crawl, but she shoved the feeling aside.

Sergeant Lyla waited for her in the middle of the field, her expression neutral but watchful.

“The test is straightforward,” Lyla began. “You’ll be judged on how you handle the equipment provided to you.” She gestured to a table on Aria’s right, where an assortment of weapons lay neatly arranged. “You’re free to use anything here.”

Aria nodded, her mouth suddenly dry.

“The first phase of the test,” Lyla continued, “is field combat. A class two Aberrant will be introduced to the field. Your task is to neutralize it.”

A chill ran down Aria’s spine as she remembered her first encounter with an Aberrant. Her fingers twitched involuntarily, but she steadied herself. She wouldn’t back down.

Lyla’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’ll have support. Your VitalLink will connect you to an analyzer who will provide guidance and intel. The analyzer assigned to you will introduce themselves now.”

Her VitalLink chimed, and a familiar voice came through, calm and professional.

“Operator C-37, Jayce Wilst, here to assist.” He sighed, “Dronebuster, please make this quick.”

She froze at the nickname he’d just given her. That guy, Max, had even dragged Wilst into his nonsense. Still, despite the tension, she felt a flicker of relief. Of all the people she could have been assigned to, she was glad it was Wilst.

Lyla continued. “Additionally, two scooters and one long-distance shooter are positioned on the field. You will be assessed on your ability to coordinate with them and make tactical decisions under pressure.”

Aria straightened, “Understood,” she said quietly.

Lyla gave her a long look, then saluted. “Good luck, Aria.” With that, the sergeant turned and left the field.

Aria glanced at the weapons to her right, then at the empty stretch of the training field ahead. The murmur of the crowd faded into the background as her focus narrowed.

The countdown ticked down, each second stretching longer than the last. Aria stood just behind the red line, waiting for the signal to move. Her body was tense, her senses sharpened. A small table sat in front of her, weapons carefully laid out in a neat row.

Her eyes scanned the selection, searching for something that felt right. But nothing did. A strange feeling settled deep in her gut, whispering that a weapon would only slow her down. The thought was irrational, reckless even, yet it clung to her, unwavering.

Three… Two… One…

The starting alarm blared. Across the field, another countdown began above the massive metal doors, a red warning light flashing ominously. Whatever was about to be released, she didn’t have time to hesitate.

She sprinted to the table, hands hovering over the weapons as her mind raced through the possibilities. Just then, her VitalLink came online with a soft click.

"Aria," Jayce’s voice was sharp, professional, far more formal than she was used to. "Have you ever handled a firearm before?"

His tone caught her off guard. Gone was the casual sarcasm she had come to expect. For a split second, she hesitated before answering.

"I don’t think so. Not really, no."

"Then pick something easy. Small and fast, but effective. Taking unnecessary risks will only lower your chances of success."

His words were blunt, cutting through her momentary uncertainty.

She hesitated. The urge to reject the weapons entirely still gnawed at her, an instinctual refusal she couldn't explain.

"I don’t feel like using a weapon."

Silence. Then, Wilst’s response came like a slap.

"Then you’ll die."

Aria flinched at the coldness in his voice.

"You’re up against an Aberrant, not a sparring partner. If you’re not armed, you might as well walk out now."

It was harsh, far harsher than anything he’d ever said to her before. But now, she understood what Sergeant Lyla had meant when she warned her about brutal honesty.

Swallowing back her frustration, she exhaled sharply. Fine.

"What’s the best option?" she asked.

Wilst’s response was immediate. "For efficiency? A compact firearm with rapid fire. Without intel on the Aberrant’s type, that’s your safest bet."

A sharp pang ran through her chest. She had known this test wouldn’t be easy, but now the reality hit her like a hammer. She would be fighting one of them.

The memory of her first encounter surged forward, flashes of clawed limbs, the echo of its distorted screech, the sheer terror that had gripped her back then.

Her fingers twitched.

The countdown reached the last five seconds.

"Pick something. Now." Wilst’s urgency cut through the haze of her thoughts.

Then, as if on impulse, the words slipped from her lips.

"I’ll take the small gun… and a knife."

There was a brief pause before Wilst responded. "Fine. That’ll work for now. But weapon swaps happen every ten minutes, so you’ll need to adjust-"

"It won’t take that long."

Wilst went silent.

Aria tightened her grip around the gun and the knife, stepping into position.

The final second ticked away.

The countdown reached zero.

A robotic voice echoed across the training field.

"Doors opening. Stand by."

Above her, the audience erupted into cheers and applause. The weight of hundreds of eyes pressed down on her, but Solen didn’t acknowledge them. She wasn’t here to put on a show.

She was here to fight.

A guttural growl rumbled from the dark corridor beyond the entrance. The sound was deep, unnatural, something heavy was moving inside, dragging itself forward with a slow, menacing rhythm.

Yet, she wasn’t afraid.

Her stance remained steady, eyes locked on the widening gap between the doors. Instead of retreating, she stepped forward, planting herself directly in its path.

"Aria." Wilst’s voice crackled in her ear, edged with irritation. "Get to cover. Use the obstacles, find its weak spots, then strike. Don’t just stand there."

She didn’t move.

"Aria-!"

"It won’t be necessary."

Wilst let out an exasperated huff. His patience was already running thin.

"Reckless behavior will get you killed. Acting like this isn’t just dangerous, it’s unacceptable in the O.D.S."

Aria’s response came quick, sharp, and with a coldness that startled even herself.

"You’re one to talk."

Silence.

For the first time since the test began, Wilst had no immediate comeback.

His fingers hovered over the control panel, monitoring her vitals, analyzing her stance, trying to understand.

Something was off.

The girl standing in that arena, the one staring down an Aberrant without a trace of fear… This wasn’t the same Aria he had spoken to before.

She felt entirely different.

Sergeant Lyla stood on an elevated observation deck, overlooking the training field. From this vantage point, she could monitor every movement, every breath, and every mistake Aria made.

She tried to keep her worry hidden, standing with the other sergeants and the base’s main captain, but deep down, she was petrified.

The test was safe. If anything went wrong, backup would be deployed within seconds. That’s what she kept telling herself.

Yet, she couldn’t shake the unease crawling up her spine.

To her right, Cove knelt beside his sniper rifle, scope trained on Aria. His hands were steady, but his expression mirrored Lyla’s own. He was just as rattled by Aria’s behavior.

Aria, the girl Lyla had grown to know over the past few weeks, was not the one standing in that arena.

That person, the one standing in the direct path of an approaching Aberrant, was someone else entirely.

And for a fleeting second, Lyla felt something she hadn’t expected. A sliver of fear.

Not for Aria. Of… her?

Aria’s heart pounded. Her mind raced in circles.

The countdown hit zero.

A robotic voice echoed through the arena. 

"Begin."