Fort Veridion buzzed with frantic energy. The once measured routines of daily drills and shift rotations had been overtaken by urgent shouts, tactical reviews, and sparring sessions that shook the reinforced training halls. The Aegis corp's annual Trials were looming, and Unit Valiant historically the underdogs were determined not to be humiliated again.
But in the quieter corners of the barracks, beneath the roar of kinetic platforms, another kind of preparation was taking place.
Leon stood in the observation deck overlooking the simulated combat grounds, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the holographic figures moving in perfect sync below. His own reflection looked back at him—older, wearier, but sharper. Two weeks of immersive training had changed him. He had learned to channel Aether more naturally, his link with the energy having grown through relentless focus, pain, and moments of surprising clarity.
"Don't space out on me now," came a voice from behind.
Leon turned to see Cael approaching, towel slung around his neck, sweat glistening from a just-finished session. "You ready for your last prep run?"
Leon exhaled. "As ready as I'll ever be."
In the training arena, Echo reviewed their final strategy. A rotating holographic map displayed key zones where each division would be deployed. The Trials were not just combat contests…they were tactical simulations on a massive scale, blending capture-the-point objectives, sabotage, survival, and live opposition from other units.
Unit Valiant stood in a semi-circle, each member focused, silent.
"Phase One will be reconnaissance and zone control," Echo said, eyes scanning the map. "Our primary rivals: Division 3—and Division 6. Both specialize in advanced movement and field disruption."
"Lovely," muttered Kestra, adjusting her gloves. "Nothing like trying to outrun teleporters and wind assassins."
"Who else should I be worried about?" Leon asked.
Cael leaned forward. "Of the ten divisions. Some you won't need to worry about…others are nightmares in uniform."
"Go down the list," Echo said. "Leon needs context."
Division 1:
The elite. Commanded directly under Supreme Commander Voss. Every member is a master of both Aether combat and strategic operations. They rarely participate directly but often observe the Trials. Their presence alone shapes the politics of Orion.
"They're the reason we have structure," Thorne added. "But they won't get their hands dirty here."
Division 2
Fortified defense specialists. Shield generators, fortresses on legs. Designed to hold territory no matter the cost.
"If they take a zone, it's a siege to get it back," said Kestra. "Best to avoid."
Division 3
Assassins and infiltrators. Tech-enhanced stealth suits, advanced cloaking, and Aether silence fields.
"They can drop your vitals before you even notice them," Ryn noted grimly. "They target support first."
Division 4
Heavy firepower. Flame-based Aether manipulation. Like walking artillery.
"I hate their leader," Kestra muttered. "He called me 'background noise' last year."
Division 5
Healers and sustainment operatives. Low offense, high survivability.
"Smart teams protect their Core members," said Echo. "The dumb ones lose them early and fall apart."
Division 6:
Lightning-fast operatives. Literal speedsters with Aether boosting.
"They'll outmaneuver you every time," Cael said. "Unless you cage them in."
Division 7
Cryo-Aether tacticians. Slows, snares, field control.
"Annoying," Ryn said. "They play the long game and stall for attrition."
Division 8
Brutal melee experts. No finesse, just raw power and relentless charge tactics.
"They broke my collarbone last year," grumbled Aros.
Division 9
Aether harmonics specialists. Use sound, resonance, and pressure waves.
"They're…strange," Leon said.
Echo nodded. "Unpredictable. Stay away from them when the singing starts."
"We've lost every Trial for five cycles," Echo said bluntly. "This year, we change that."
As night fell, Fort Veridion quieted. Leon walked the outer wall alone, mind spinning with the team's strategies and the scope of what they were about to face. Despite his growth, doubts still crept in.
Could he measure up to divisions with years of experience and powers refined since youth? Could he protect the team if it came down to a final clash?
Footsteps joined his. Thorne.
"Thought I'd find you here," he said, leaning on the railing.
"You worried?" Leon asked.
Thorne gave a small chuckle. "Worried is waking up in a jungle with half a map and a broken Aether core. This? This is tradition."
Leon didn't respond.
Thorne continued, "You've come far. Don't let the noise inside you drown that out."
After a pause, he added, "Just remember…this unit, this family, fights for each other. You're not alone out there."
Leon nodded. "Thanks, Thorne."
The next morning, alarms signaled the mobilization of all ten divisions. Dropships rose like flocks of mechanical birds from each base, carrying their teams to randomized deployment zones across the massive simulation continent.
Inside Valiant's transport, everyone was silent. Focused.
Echo stood, armored and ready, her silver visor gleaming in the early sun.
"Today," she said, voice firm, "we earn our place. Not for validation. Not for pride. But because we are damn good. And no one sees it but us."
She turned to Leon and grinned. "Time to show them what the 'anomaly' can do."
Unit Valiant touched down in a forested zone marked as "Sector Epsilon." Cael deployed surveillance drones. Kestra spread mist for concealment. Leon extended his Aether sense outward, forming a mental map of life signatures.
Thorne and Echo secured perimeter points while coordinating the sync cycle of their Aether harmonics…Valiant's key advantage.
Minutes in, their first challenge came. Division 4,launched a barrage of long-range fire. The sky lit up with arcs of burning plasma.
"Scatter and flank," Echo ordered.
Leon, drawing on his recent training, siphoned Aether into a temporal shift and vanished behind cover. Ryn intercepted an incoming scout with a mist clone, while Aros bulldozed forward with a riot-shield charge.
Leon reappeared behind a heavy gunner, releasing a burst of compressed kinetic Aether…enough to knock the armored figure off his feet.
Valiant's coordination…while chaotic…began to work. They broke the push and claimed a relay point.
It was the first time in five years that Division 10 held a zone past the first hour.
As the first phase continued, Valiant defended their territory against two more skirmishes, including a brutal standoff with Division 7's freezing field traps.
Leon's improvisation…funneling heat-based Aether through ryn's mist..thawed the ice shields and allowed Echo to shatter them with pinpoint strikes. Cheers erupted in comms.
But while the team celebrated small victories, shadows moved behind the curtains.
On the highest floor of the Trials command center, cloaked observers watched the feeds…one of them bearing the insignia of Novais Dynamics.
"Unit 10 is evolving," one muttered.
Another voice, colder and older, replied through a secure line.
"Let them evolve. Every piece must move before we strike. Keep watching the anomaly."
Below, Leon stood at the center of the relay tower, unaware of the eyes upon him…only knowing that, for the first time, they were…they were winning?