Avalon Boot Camp
The morning mist hung heavy among the silver-barked trees of Avalon Forest as six figures stood at rigid attention. Dawn had barely broken, yet they had already been standing in formation for over an hour. Their pristine black uniforms from graduation day were gone, replaced by simple gray training fatigues that were already soaked with dew.
Aurelia Pendragon kept her silver hair pulled back in a tight braid, her posture perfect despite the fatigue setting into her muscles. As valedictorian, she had positioned herself at the front of the line, determined to set an example. The Elven princess had expected challenges at boot camp, but nothing like this. Father had warned them it would be different from the Dungeon training, but standing motionless for hours while being berated by instructors seemed pointless.
"Is this really how humans trained for war?" she whispered to Leonidas, who stood beside her.
"Silence in formation!" barked Instructor Grimm, a grizzled Dwarf who had been personally selected by Father to run the boot camp. "Another word, Princess, and everyone does fifty laps around the field!"
Leonidas DaVinci suppressed a smirk. The stocky Dwarf inventor had spent the previous night tinkering with his custom Golem Armor, making adjustments to the mana flow regulators. He'd smuggled in components despite strict orders to bring only essentials. If Grimm found his contraband tools, they'd all pay the price, but Leonidas couldn't help himself. His mind was always working on improvements, even as his body stood at attention.
Behind them, Julian shifted his weight imperceptibly. The Shangri-la Jungle Elf's darker skin and golden hair stood out among the predominantly pale Forest Elves of Avalon. He was analyzing everything; the terrain, the instructors' patterns, the most efficient ways to complete each task. Survival was his specialty, and he intended to approach boot camp the same way he approached Dungeon battles; with careful observation and strategic planning.
"At ease!" Grimm finally shouted. "Today begins your transformation from pampered Academy graduates to officers worthy of leading Father's army. The humans you'll face aren't Dungeon simulations. They're ruthless, cunning, and they've been fighting wars for their entire existence."
Lucius glanced sideways, searching the tree line for Silver. His dire wolf companion had been banned from formal formations but never strayed far. He caught a glimpse of gray fur between the trees and felt reassured. Father had ultimately approved Silver's presence at boot camp, though with restrictions. The bond between them was too valuable to break, especially with war approaching.
"First exercise!" Grimm shouted. "Ten-mile run through the forest obstacle course. Full gear. Anyone who falls behind carries double weight tomorrow!"
Damian, the Dwelf, felt his heart sink. Physical endurance was his weakest area. His hybrid physique gave him neither the strength of Dwarves nor the agility of Elves. As they collected their packs, each weighing nearly half their body weight, he caught Julian's eye.
"Pace yourself," Julian murmured. "It's not about being first. It's about finishing."
Iris adjusted the MR1 strapped across her back. The Desert Dwarf felt out of place among the towering trees of Avalon, so different from the sand dunes of Erebus. Her weapon was a comfort, though they hadn't yet been allowed to practice marksmanship. She'd spent the previous night cleaning it meticulously, preparing for when they would finally be permitted to demonstrate their combat specialties.
"Move out!" Grimm shouted, and the six officers fell into line behind him.
They hadn't gone half a mile before the challenges began. The "obstacle course" wasn't a clear path but a grueling route through dense underbrush, across frigid streams, and up steep inclines. Aurelia took the lead, her Elven agility allowing her to navigate the terrain with grace despite the heavy pack.
Leonidas followed, his stocky frame powering through by sheer determination. "This is nothing compared to the forges of El Dorado," he muttered, though his breath was already coming in heavy gasps.
Julian moved efficiently, conserving energy where others wasted it. He noticed how Damian struggled behind them, the Dwelf's face contorted with effort as he pushed himself to keep pace.
"Adjust your pack straps," Julian said quietly as he fell back beside him. "Distribute the weight across your shoulders, not your lower back."
Damian nodded gratefully, making the adjustment. "Thanks," he managed between breaths.
Lucius had taken a different approach, moving with the fluid grace of a swordsman, treating the forest itself as an opponent to be read and countered. Silver kept pace alongside him, occasionally darting ahead to scout the path.
At the rear, Iris maintained a steady rhythm. Desert Dwarves were built for endurance, not speed, and she knew her limits. The forest terrain was unfamiliar, but she adapted, using her lower center of gravity to advantage on the steeper slopes.
Two hours into the run, they reached a ravine with a single rope bridge spanning its width. Grimm stood waiting, arms crossed.
"Cross one at a time," he ordered. "If the bridge breaks, you all fail."
Aurelia stepped forward first, testing the ropes. The bridge swayed alarmingly beneath her weight.
"Wait," Leonidas called. He approached the anchor points, examining the knots. "These won't hold all six of us in succession. The tension is wrong."
Grimm's expression remained impassive. "Then I suggest you figure something out, inventor. The clock is ticking."
Leonidas frowned, mind racing through calculations. "We need to redistribute the tension. Julian, your survival skills, any ideas?"
Julian studied the ravine. "We could ford it downstream where it's narrower, but that would take too long." He examined the bridge. "If we cross two at a time from opposite ends, the tension balances."
"That's not how the bridge is designed," Iris observed, pointing to the anchors.
"No," Leonidas agreed, "but it's physics. The opposing forces will actually stabilize the structure."
Aurelia nodded. "I'll take the far side. Leonidas, you're with me. We're the heaviest and lightest. Julian and Damian next, then Lucius and Iris."
Without waiting for agreement, she began crossing. Leonidas hurried to the opposite side, and they began moving toward each other. The bridge swayed but held as they passed at the midpoint.
"It's working," Damian said with surprise.
Julian nodded. "Let's go."
As they crossed, Father appeared on the ridge above, watching silently. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes missed nothing as his officers tackled their first real challenge as a team.
By nightfall, they had completed only half of the planned exercises. Exhausted, they collapsed around a small campfire, permitted only after they had successfully constructed shelters from forest materials.
"This is nothing like the Academy," Iris said, massaging her blistered feet.
"It's not meant to be," Julian replied. "The Academy taught us theory. This is application."
Aurelia stared into the flames. "Father wants us to understand how humans fight. Their endurance, their resourcefulness."
"Their cruelty," Leonidas added, wincing as he stretched his aching muscles. "Making us stand at attention for hours serves no purpose except to break our spirits."
"Maybe that's the point," Lucius said quietly, stroking Silver's fur. "Humans broke each other before they ever faced an enemy. Father is teaching us their methods."
Damian looked up at the stars visible through the canopy. "Do you really think we can defeat them? Humans, I mean. If they're as ruthless as Father says..."
"We have to," Aurelia said firmly. "Father has prepared us for this moment for centuries. We won't fail him."
As they spoke, none of them noticed the shadow observing from beyond the firelight. Father watched his officers, his expression a mixture of pride and sorrow. They were learning quickly, adapting to the harsh training methods he had designed based on his memories of human military discipline. But seeing his peaceful Fae children transformed into soldiers pained him deeply.
"They're doing well," Grimm said quietly, appearing beside Father.
"Too well," Father replied. "I had hoped they would struggle more with the concept of war."
"They're young. Adaptable."
"Yes," Father sighed. "That's what I'm afraid of."
As he turned to leave, Father cast one last glance at his chosen officers. Week one was just beginning, and already he could see them changing. The real test would come when they faced Alexander's humans; not in a Dungeon simulation, but in the flesh. Would they still retain their Fae nature then, or would they become something else entirely?
Only time would tell.