The third day dawned cold and gray, a stark contrast to the fiery trials that awaited the Aurum soldiers. A dense mist hung over the training grounds, muffling sound and distorting shapes in the distance.

The soldiers, already battered and exhausted, stood in a loose formation, their breath visible in the chill morning air. Dark circles underscored their eyes, and their limbs trembled—not from the cold but from the lingering strain of the past two days.

Team Unknown stood at the edge of the field, their imposing figures masked and silent. No commands, no drills, no warnings. Only their watchful presence.

Ember broke the silence, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "Today, the training changes. No obstacles. No simulations. This time, you fight each other."

The soldiers exchanged wary glances. Faint murmurs rose among them, uncertainty lacing their voices.

Dr. Lewis stepped forward, his clipboard absent for once. "This is your first true test as a unit. Survival in battle isn't about following orders—it's about adapting, leading, and deciding when to act. You've been pushed to your limits. Now let's see if you can push each other beyond them."

Riggs smirked, leaning against a nearby tree. "Here's the deal: we're not stepping in. You screw up, you fix it. You fall, you get back up. Or you stay down—it's your choice."

Fon nodded, his piercing gaze scanning the soldiers. "No stun rounds. No safety nets. Today, we'll see who rises and who breaks."

Val's eyes glinted from behind his mask. "There's no lesson in survival without pain."

A tension thicker than the morning fog settled over the group.

The soldiers were split into two teams. The battlefield stretched before them, an expanse of uneven terrain littered with abandoned structures, trenches, and jagged cliffs. Mist obscured visibility, turning the environment into a labyrinth of shifting shadows and hidden threats.

At the far edge of the field, Ember and the rest of Team Unknown took their positions on an elevated platform, where they could observe every move. Their presence loomed, a silent reminder that every action was being judged.

"Team One, to the east. Team Two, to the west," Ember commanded.

The soldiers shuffled into position, some gripping their weapons with trembling hands, others setting their jaws in grim determination.

"Rules are simple," Riggs announced from the platform. "There aren't any. Take down the other team, however you can. You've got one hour. Clock starts now."

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

Team One moved cautiously, their leader—a sharp-eyed woman named Serra—gesturing for silence as they wove through the mist. She crouched low near a cluster of jagged rocks, her team fanning out behind her. "Keep your movements tight. Don't let them split us up."

On the opposite side, Team Two's leader, a broad-shouldered man named Kieran, barked orders. "Cover every angle! Find high ground, and pick them off!" His voice was steady, but the tension in his grip betrayed his nerves.

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The first clash came swiftly. A soldier from Team Two stumbled into a trench, unaware of the silent figure waiting in the shadows. With a sharp strike, he was disarmed and tackled to the ground.

Serra's voice rang out. "One down! Move!"

The call spurred Team One forward, but their triumph was short-lived. Hidden in the mist, a soldier from Team Two fired a well-aimed shot, striking one of Serra's teammates in the shoulder. The soldier cried out, dropping their weapon as they fell to the ground.

Kieran's laugh echoed through the fog. "Keep them guessing! Make them second-guess every step!"

As the battle raged on, the initial chaos gave way to strategy. Team One used the terrain to their advantage, forcing Team Two into ambushes and bottlenecks.

Meanwhile, Team Two countered with brute force, overwhelming their opponents with coordinated strikes.

The green-eyed soldier from previous days found herself cornered by two opponents. Her heart pounded as she recalled Val's cutting words: "If this is all you've got, you shouldn't be here."

Her grip on her weapon tightened. She ducked low, using the uneven ground to her advantage, and struck out with precision. Her first opponent went down, but the second was quicker, pinning her against a crumbling wall. She struggled, her vision blurring as fatigue threatened to overtake her.

A voice cut through her haze—familiar, cold, and unrelenting. "Prove it."

With a guttural growl, she shifted her weight and drove her elbow into her opponent's ribs, sending them sprawling. She snatched their weapon and pressed forward, her resolve burning like a flame in the mist.

On the platform, Team Unknown observed in silence. Ember's eyes tracked every movement, his gaze sharp. "Serra's team has better coordination, but they're too cautious. Kieran's team is faster, but they're reckless."

Riggs leaned back, his smirk widening. "Recklessness has its place. If he learns to rein it in, he might actually be dangerous."

Bo crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "A few of them are starting to think under pressure. That's a good sign."

Val's eyes lingered on the green-eyed soldier as she moved through the battlefield with renewed focus. "Some are fighting to survive. Others are fighting to win. The difference will decide who makes it through this."

Fon simply nodded, his gaze distant. "Pain is the best teacher."

With minutes left on the clock, both teams were battered and scattered. The mist hung heavier now, mingling with the sounds of ragged breathing and the occasional clash of weapons.

Serra and Kieran found themselves in a standoff, their remaining teammates too far to assist.

"You're outnumbered," Serra said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion etched into her features.

Kieran chuckled, wiping blood from his brow. "And you're too tired to take the shot."

They circled each other warily, the tension between them palpable.

Unseen by both, the green-eyed soldier crouched in the shadows. Her focus narrowed, every ounce of her strength channeling into the moment. With a calculated leap, she struck—disarming Kieran and forcing him to his knees.

Serra didn't hesitate. She pressed her weapon against his chest, her voice cold. "Yield."

Kieran glared up at her, defiance flickering in his eyes. But the weight of exhaustion finally broke him. "Fine. I yield."

The whistle signaling the end of the match cut through the air, and the battlefield fell silent. The soldiers stood where they were, their bodies trembling, their faces pale.

Team Unknown descended from their platform, their presence an unspoken command for the soldiers to fall into formation.

Ember stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the battered group. "Some of you fought like survivors. Some of you fought like leaders. And some of you barely fought at all."

Riggs's smirk returned as he gestured toward the green-eyed soldier. "Looks like someone learned to stop hesitating."

The soldier didn't react, her expression blank with exhaustion, but a faint spark of pride flickered in her eyes.

Val's voice cut through the silence. "Today was progress. Tomorrow will be worse."

Dr. Lewis sighed, rubbing his temples. "At this rate, they'll barely be alive by the end of the week."

"That's the point," Ember replied, his tone unyielding.

The soldiers staggered off the field, their bodies broken but their spirits burning brighter than ever. Day Three had left its mark—on their flesh, their minds, and their resolve.

As the sky turned dark, one thought lingered in their minds: they were still standing. For now.