Episode 7: A new start

The forest road was silent except for the slow creaking of wooden wheels.

A chariot moved steadily through the wilderness, cutting across dense forests, narrow mountain paths, quiet villages, and bustling markets. People glanced at it as it passed, unaware of the three prisoners inside.

Inside the chariot, Vihaan, Eryx, and Liorin sat quietly.

None of them spoke.

The air was heavy with uncertainty.

After hours of travel, the chariot finally slowed down.

Ahead of them stood a massive wooden gate surrounded by tall watchtowers — the Thornvyl Central Training Camp.

The chariot stopped.

One of the soldiers stepped down and handed a set of papers to the guard at the gate.

The guard carefully examined them, his eyes moving from the documents to the chariot and back again.

After a moment, he nodded.

The gate slowly opened.

The chariot rolled inside.

It stopped in front of a wooden building.

A soldier opened the door of the chariot and gestured.

“Get down.”

The trio stepped out.

For the first time, they could see the training camp clearly — soldiers training, weapons clashing, commanders giving orders, and teams moving with discipline.

This place was completely different from the prison camp.

The soldier led them inside the building.

Inside the room, a woman sat behind a large wooden table.

Papers were spread neatly before her.

Her posture was straight, calm, and authoritative.

On the table, a small metal nameplate read:

Central Commander Sue

The guard handed her the documents.

She began reading them carefully.

The room fell silent.

After a few moments, she spoke.

“Vihaan Zayne.”

Vihaan raised his hand slightly.

“Here.”

“Eryx Kuro.”

Eryx lifted his hand.

“Here.”

“Liorin Vale.”

Liorin nodded calmly.

Sue looked at all three of them for a moment.

Her eyes were sharp, observant.

“You three have bypassed death twice.”

The trio looked at each other.

She continued.

“Once from Kael.”

“And once from Thornvyl soldiers.”

A faint pause filled the room.

Sue placed the papers on the table.

“Your potential will not be wasted.”

The trio straightened slightly.

“You are no longer prisoners.”

She leaned back slightly in her chair.

“From this moment onward, you are Volunteers.”

Eryx blinked.

Liorin raised an eyebrow.

Vihaan remained calm.

Sue continued.

“You are assigned as Team Number 111.”

A guard stepped forward and handed a small card to Vihaan.

It had an address written on it:

House No. 102

Sue spoke again.

“This will be your residence from today.”

“You will meet your master soon.”

She paused briefly.

“You may leave.”

The trio bowed slightly.

“Thank you, Commander.”

They turned and walked out of the room.

The moment they stepped outside, Eryx whispered excitedly,

“What does volunteer mean?”

Liorin answered calmly while walking.

“One team consists of three volunteers led by a master.”

“Several masters are then commanded by a central commander.”

Eryx nodded slowly.

“So… we are basically the lowest rank.”

Liorin smiled slightly.

“Yes.”

Eryx suddenly grinned.

“That still sounds better than being prisoners.”

Vihaan looked at the card again.

House No. 102.

A new beginning.

Without saying anything, he started walking faster.

Eryx followed.

Liorin followed calmly behind them.

Soon, the three of them were running across the training camp grounds — not as prisoners anymore…

But as something new.

Something unknown.

And perhaps…

Something dangerous.

A new phase of their lives had begun.

Surviving the battlefield was easy — surviving what comes next will decide their destiny.

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