Lightning led the JATA class throughout the rubbled ruins with Thunder following up in the rear, keeping a pace that was barely more than a brisk walk for the wolves but was slightly faster than a jog for the students. Taking a brief leave from their classes, with the encouragement and enthusiastic permission from their instructors, Ella and Tim also jogged along with the crowd, easily keeping pace thanks to their already arduous training. While most of the students panted, huffed, groaned, and ached, a handful had found their way to Tim’s side where they asked dozens of questions about the LDPA (los duellos player academy) and more discretely, about his elder brother. Ella chimed in, bragging with the brightest of glows, talking about how their elder brother was the absolute best person she’d ever known. She blabbed about their past, sharing how their parents had been killed, and how Jack had stepped up, putting everything in his own life on hold to care for them three. She told stories of all of Jack’s greatness. Tim listened and smiled as she spoke. He’d never heard her say so many words defending, supporting, and idolizing their brother, but he agreed with all of them.

As Lightning turned through the still-rubbled city, the sun breached the horizon and bathed the sky in beautiful pinks, reds, and blues. With the end of the morning run in sight, she picked up her pace, looking over her shoulder only once to make sure the students had not fallen too far behind. The students groaned as their bodies creaked, but the crowd managed to keep up. They had done almost nothing except physical training for their first two weeks of classes.

Basic Schedule:

4:30: Pre-morning run

5:30: Flexibility training

6:00: Basic combat training

7:00: Breakfast

Free Time

9:00: Weapons training

Noon: Lunch

Free Time

2:30: Water Exercises

3:30: Strength training

5:00: Pre-dinner run

6:30: Dinner

10:00: Curfew

At first glance, the schedule had terrified the students. None of them believed that they would survive such an intensive regimen. And, they probably wouldn’t’ve, had it not been for Jack’s watchful eye and graceful healing energies. During the first few days of training, Jack had watched every step, every motion, and every breath of his students. He looked for those who faltered and those who began to show signs of strain, injury, and exhaustion. And, as seamlessly as breathing, he guided his energy into their bodies, giving them the slightest of aids. While he could heal them to their ideal states, fix their bodies, and remove their fatigues, he wanted to train their determination and will. So, he mended what needed to be mended. Supported what needed to be supported. And ensured that no student would fail simply because their body refused to keep up. While the training seemed to be a test of the body, it was covertly a trial for their minds. And, after the first week, he no longer needed to provide immediate intervention. Instead, as the students returned to their rooms for the mandatory curfew, he bathed the living halls with his energy and provided the smallest of adjustments as needed. The students all whispered about their progress. They knew something had to be up. There was no way that they could all improve so much in such a short time. They sang quiet praises for Jack. And, best of all, they began to trust not only his every word, but also Robin’s, Dr. Johansson’s, and each of the other instructors. Doubt, worry, fear, and anxiety faded from their minds.

Their entire focus shifted to their training.

And then, after four weeks of the identical routine, the students rose and gathered on the field outside their dorms just as they always had. They looked for Thunder and Lightning, but the wolves were not there. A whisper grew among them.

“Are we early?”

“It’s 4:27.”

“They’re never late.”

“Do you think something happened?”

“Should we start our run?”

“Congratulations,” Jack’s voice boomed over them and silenced the crowd of one-hundred-and-one. He fell from the sky like a meteor and landed gracefully before them without kicking up an ounce of dirt. “You’ve all done exceptionally well to make it to this point. Thank you for sticking with us, for enduring, and for trusting this process. I admit, we are not yet experts in this, and you all do happen to be our ‘guinea pigs’ so-to-speak. However, your determination was exactly what we had been hoping for. Relentless determination to carry on regardless of the struggle. Today, you have earned your rest.”

The students looked with almost disappointed expressions, having come to enjoy their routine.

Jack smiled, seeing himself in each and every one of them. And then, he raised his hand to the darkened sky and continued. “In thirty minutes, five transport helicopters will land in this field. For those who wish, you may head to Los Duellos for the day. You will each be given a card pre-loaded with an ample supply of money. Enjoy the food, the shops, the events, the parks, the people, and whatever else your indulgences you desire. The choppers will be available to shuttle you back and forth all day with the final lift-offs leaving Los Duellos at 10pm. For those who wish to remain here, the grounds are open to you. Perhaps a quiet day of reading is what you prefer. As many of you may have seen, the JATA library has finished its construction and is filled with hundreds of my own creations.”

Jack paused and the crowd murmured.

“Tonight, when you return to your dorms, you will find new schedules in each of your rooms. Enjoy this time, you have all earned it.” Jack paused, nodding slowly to the students as he met their gazes. And then, he opened the floor, asking, “Any questions?”

The first question popped up from somewhere in the middle. “How much money will be loaded onto the cards?”

Jack grinned through the faces at Simon, the cheeky and always smiling Brit. “Enough that you shouldn’t need to worry. But not enough to buy one of those rings you’ve been eyeing for your soon-to-be fiancée. Use what you need. And, if somehow you do manage to run out, each of you will be given a school-issued phone as you leave. It’ll be loaded with a few important numbers. Give a ring to the one titled JATA Student Helpline. They’ll sort you out.”

“Will we be able to visit the player academy there? I’ve always wanted to see it,” Rhian piped up next, one of the bolder students in the group.

“Of course. Your id cards will allow you entry on all of the transit as well as entry into the player academy.”

After a few more questions, Jack dismissed the students who hurried back into the dorms, all except one. Marissa stepped up to Jack shyly and asked. “Do you know what kind of outfits Tim likes?” She blushed. She had lost nearly everything well-before the Universal Games and the little that remained had been taken by the games themselves. Nearly homeless and without a penny to her name, she’d applied for JATA assuming she had no chance of getting in. Jack immediately recognized her resilience, her determination, and her unbreakable character and admitted her without a single doubt. “I want to—”

Jack’s smile grew to a monstrous grin.

Marissa blushed further until she’d completely transformed into a tomato.

Tim had asked Jack about Marissa from day one. So, Jack did the only thing he could imagine. He reached out in his mind, checking on Robin, and then raised his hand to recall her to his location. Robin appeared. She looked to the blushing Marissa and then to Jack. Her eyes opened and her smile also grew.

“Yeah?” Robin asked, speaking volumes with her one word.

“Yup,” Jack nodded to her.

“Really?” Robin confirmed, looking back to Marissa.

“You should take her shopping. Buy her whatever she wants.”

Robin nodded, understanding her mission entirely. Her harsh instructor demeanor dropped and her warmth and angelic nature broke free as she stepped up and clutched Marissa’s hands in her own. “Is there anything you need to grab? We can take the private chopper.”

“I’m sure Ella would love to join,” Jack added.

Robin turned and smiled even greater, loving the idea.

“Really?” Marissa chirped, shifting from feeling nervous to enjoying the strange warmth that she had forgotten.

“Let’s go!” Robin said excitedly. “It’ll be fastest if we run.”

“I’ll let the chopper know you’re on the way.”

Robin smiled, threw her hands around Jack’s neck, and planted the strongest of kisses on his lips, exploring his mouth with her tongue. “I love you,” she giggled.

“I love you,” Jack said back. “Have fun. Don’t hover. Enjoy the day with Ella,” Jack winked.

“Always the nag,” Robin jeered lovingly. “Be safe in there,” she added. “If you do run into anything you can’t—” Robin shook her head. “Never mind. Just make it quick.”

Jack watched as the two women jogged across the field. And then, as they disappeared, he called open the system and eyed the flashing red warning that had appeared one week earlier and the countdown clock that had only fifteen minutes remaining.

He picked up his phone and dialed Leonidas.

“Ready?” Leonidas asked.

“Ready.” Jack said.