The sound of clashing metal and heavy grunts of exertion echoed through the training grounds, but it was Dmitri's calm, measured breaths that dominated the air. Standing in the center of the arena, his body was drenched in sweat, the result of hours of relentless training. His muscles, now honed to near perfection, pulsed with power, and his senses were sharper than ever. The physical limits of his human form had long since been surpassed—Dmitri had evolved into something greater, something built for war.
With one final exertion, Dmitri brought down his training blade, splitting the reinforced practice dummy in half. He stood still for a moment, his chest heaving, then straightened up and wiped the sweat from his brow. The training had served its purpose, but now it was time to focus on his command and the soldiers under his charge. The war against Tel-Nu was fast approaching, and every second mattered.
Dmitri sheathed his blade and strode out of the training grounds, heading back toward his lodge, the command center for the 5th ring. His lodge was larger than the others in Corintopia, befitting the position of the warrior responsible for the defense of the inner gates. As he walked, Dmitri's mind began to shift from the physical to the strategic. It wasn't just his own strength that needed to be ready—his soldiers, especially the elite warriors of the Inner Gauntlet, had to be prepared for the impossible.
When he arrived at the lodge, his advisors were already gathered, waiting for him in the war room. The long table was covered in maps, reports, and documents detailing the operations and readiness of the 5th ring. As Dmitri entered, the advisors stood in respect, offering a slight bow.
Vaska, his chief advisor and long-time second-in-command, stepped forward. "Commander Dmitri," Vaska greeted, his voice firm. "We've prepared the reports you requested. It covers the daily operations of the ring as well as the current status of our soldiers and the elite squad of the Inner Gauntlet."
Dmitri nodded and motioned for them to sit. He walked to the head of the table, standing tall as his advisors quickly seated themselves, their attention solely on him.
"Let's get started," Dmitri said, his voice low and commanding. "Begin with the status of the 5th ring's soldiers. I want to know if they're ready for what's coming."
Vaska gestured to one of the reports on the table. "The soldiers are in top shape, Commander. We've increased the intensity of their training over the last few weeks, and they've been responding well. Morale is high, but there have been some concerns about the growing rumors of Tel-Nu. The men are starting to talk about the dark figure, and while they trust in your leadership, the uncertainty is weighing on them."
Dmitri's jaw tightened slightly as he flipped through the report. "Let them talk. Fear is natural, but it can also be a motivator. As long as they're prepared, they'll overcome it when the time comes. Keep pushing them—make sure their training doesn't slacken. I want them ready for anything."
Vaska nodded, jotting down notes. "Understood, Commander. We've also doubled the patrols along the outer walls. We've had a few minor disturbances, but nothing that suggests a major threat. Still, we're keeping a close watch on all activity."
Dmitri moved on to the next set of documents, his gaze sharpening. "What about the Inner Gauntlet? These are the soldiers who will be on the front lines if Tel-Nu breaks through. I need them to be more than ready. I need them to be unbeatable."
Vaska exchanged a glance with Oris, another advisor who was in charge of the elite squad. Oris cleared his throat before speaking. "The Inner Gauntlet is progressing well, Commander. We've been running them through advanced combat simulations, testing both their physical endurance and their tactical coordination. Their bio-mech suits have been fine-tuned, and they're showing remarkable improvements. They're still adjusting to the enhanced suits, but I have no doubt they'll be ready."
Dmitri glanced over the data, seeing the progress laid out before him. His elite soldiers—the Inner Gauntlet—were being pushed to their limits, but it wasn't enough. Not yet. "Push them harder," he ordered. "Increase the simulation difficulty. Make them fight impossible odds. I don't want any weaknesses. Tel-Nu won't fight fair, and neither should we."
Oris nodded, making a note of Dmitri's orders. "We'll start immediately. The Inner Gauntlet will be ready, Commander."
Dmitri's eyes flickered over the maps of the 5th ring, his mind turning to defense strategies. "We have the best soldiers in Corintopia, but it's not enough to have strength. We need strategy. Vaska, I want daily updates on every squad. We'll be implementing new rotations—none of our soldiers should be out of action for more than a day. They need constant practice."
Vaska inclined his head. "I'll make sure it's done."
Satisfied with the reports, Dmitri stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Good. We're running out of time. Make sure everything is prepared for when we start the final stage of our preparations."
The weight of the reports and the looming threat of Tel-Nu clung to Dmitri's thoughts as he left the war room, but there was little time for reflection. His body, though capable of withstanding nearly anything after his evolution, was still sore from the intensity of his training. He needed to refresh himself before taking on the next wave of preparations.
As Dmitri made his way through the halls of his lodge, the cold air met the warmth radiating off his skin, making him all the more aware of his need for a hot shower. His muscles ached, but the pain was something he had grown used to—a reminder that even with his god-like strength, he needed to push himself further. There was no room for complacency.
Arriving in his private quarters, Dmitri quickly removed his training gear, tossing it aside as he stepped into the adjoining washroom. The sound of water cascading from the showerhead filled the space, and Dmitri closed his eyes as the hot water poured over him. It was a rare moment of solitude, one he hadn't had since his training began.
The heat of the shower eased the tension in his muscles, and for a few moments, he allowed himself to simply stand under the water, letting it wash away the fatigue of the day. His mind briefly wandered to his fellow members of the Core Seven—each of them, like him, pushing their limits. Soon, they would come together, stronger than ever, to face the battle that would decide the fate of humanity.
But for now, Dmitri focused on the present. He rinsed the last of the sweat and grime from his body before stepping out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry off. As he dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, he noticed that fresh linens had been laid out on his bed, along with a hot meal waiting for him at the table.
The smell of the food—freshly roasted meat, warm bread, and a hearty stew—was inviting, and Dmitri realized just how hungry he was. The rigorous training had burned through his energy reserves, and though his mind was sharp, his body craved sustenance.
He sat at the small table, pulling the plate toward him. For a moment, Dmitri allowed himself to enjoy the quiet, the warmth of the meal, and the comfort of the fresh linens on his bed. It wasn't often that he took the time to rest, but tonight, he knew that even the strongest warrior needed to recover.
As he ate, his thoughts briefly drifted back to his soldiers. They, too, were pushing themselves to their limits—each man and woman under his command prepared to fight for Corintopia, to defend their home. Dmitri knew that the coming days would demand everything from them. And from him.
When he finished his meal, Dmitri stood, feeling the weariness in his body slowly recede. Tomorrow, the preparations would continue. But for now, he would allow himself this brief moment of peace, knowing that when the time came, he would be ready.