Zyra awoke the next morning to the noise of a few other girls waking up.
Some were already getting ready for their first day of combat training.
Half-asleep she wanted nothing more than to go back to bed and curl up under the sheets.
It wouldn't do for her to be late on the first day and disappoint her team.
That's right, stroke of luck or not they managed to form a team with one hour to spare before midnight.
She was thankful that the men were separated from the women and she thankfully didn't have to see their sixth member, Leon.
Then Zyra remembered how flustered she had been after reading the last name that Nyla wrote for the team.
She stood at the notice board for how long with her mouth gaping wide open like a fish.
Leon's non-stop laughing at her shocked expression didn't help much.
Just how had Nyla managed to convince Leon to join their team.
As she was pretty sure that glory hog would have wanted to form a team of his own.
Due to the imposed curfew, it was late when they returned to their room last night and reached just in time for lights out in their dorm.
So she didn't get to ask Nyla about it and risk disturbing the other's sleep.
She hoped to be partnered with Nyla so she could ask her about it while they did their training.
Surprisingly the three that were disqualified were all males, so Zyra knew that she would still be facing down Leon's harem in the future.
Zyra hopped out of bed and rushed past the others to get first dibs on the showers.
The other girls could be a bit untidy, leaving their hair behind or not rinsing out the shower after they had their bath.
Zyra never considered herself a germaphobe but living with Kayle she got used to a certain level of cleanliness.
That was lacking in girls on the ship that might not have had a mother figure like Kayle, in their life to teach them about hygiene and showing consideration for others.
It was going to be another hot and humid day.
The sun was out and they would be training on top of the ship's deck.
For some reason they weren't allowed off the ship yet.
It was like the General was awaiting a consensus from the other powers that be.
Not that there was anywhere to go, she didn't see an island anywhere in sight so how could the Agualians say that they were home.
She hadn't seen Lord Carnelian either since she last spoke to him.
Zyra guessed that he was finally getting an audience like he wanted along and would be busy below deck.
She walked past the guards with their massive tridents, she had never seen them used before in real life.
Zyra only read about those weapons in books and wondered briefly how effective those weapons were against swords.
Most weapons that relied on ammunition had been destroyed during The Great War.
The rare finds left behind were expensive.
No one would want it to be public knowledge that they owned such weapons as it would put a target on the owner's back.
Underground markets for weapons meant big money and being an assassin never went out of business.
Even though Zyra was young, rumors about the occasional find would make its way to the outskirts. It would have been the hot topic of conversation for weeks to come.
Slowly other girls began joining her on deck waiting for the trainer to make an appearance.
Nyla and Verity still hadn't arrived yet and she didn't have to ask.
She knew Verity was the cause of that because she always took extra time to get dolled up and look her best no matter what.
She saw Crystal and her crew of five staring right back at her, doing their best to make her feel uncomfortable, but she merely grinned back at them.
Crystal was pretty but there was a nameless raven haired one who was naturally gorgeous with flawless skin.
Zyra wouldn't have been surprised if she was the topic of conversation as those women never hid their dislike of her.
Lord Carnelian had been really harsh on them at Fuegolian Island and she was looking forward to letting off some steam and knocking a few of them senseless.
Finally everyone was gathered inclusive of the trainer who spoke first, "Okay, everyone. Today your combat partners have been assigned. When I call your name please line up beside your partner at the front."
She hoped to exchange with someone for Nyla but the trainer said no switching when another couple asked.
When the trainer called Crystal's name along with hers Zyra felt a chill run down her spine.
She knew she shouldn't have been shocked but it still came as a mild surprise.
Zyra figured a reckoning was coming with her nemesis but why did it have to be today.
They were doing mixed martial arts as part of their combat training and the trainer said anything goes.
As much as she was confident in her fighting skills, she knew that Crystal had it in for her and would probably not fight fair.
Since she would not want to lose face in front of her friends.
Zyra would have to be preemptive in watching for any tells that Crystal might unintentionally give.
Her palms were already starting to sweat from her anxiety.
She heard Nyla and Verity cheering her on and it gave her a respite from her trepidation.
Especially, when she was about to do a move that was dangerous or forbidden.
Crystal probably wouldn't think twice about breaking her neck so it was all up to her.
Zyra knew better than to let her guard down around her.
They circled each other while sparring and Zyra saw her first opening and took it, her left hook clipped Crystal's chin as she was too slow to dodge the blow in time.
She gave Zyra an ugly unpleasant look of surprise as her head snapped back.
Crystal's eyes darkened with a look of fury.
She then spat out blood and the anger she was emanating made Zyra wish she had gone a little easier on her.
Zyra reflexively hunched every time she drew nearer.
Her brow had started to perspire from all the straining she was doing.
The trainer tossed them both some kendo sticks and Crystal didn't wait for the trainer's cue to start; she reflexively caught the stick and instantly lashed out at Zyra's legs.
It caught Zyra off guard and hurt like hell but she wasn't going down alone she would be taking Crystal with her.
Seizing her chance she flung her full body weight unto Crystal and both of them tumbled to the floor in the most unladylike sprawl.
Crystal freaking bit her like a rabid dog, now the two of them were grappling like wrestlers and everyone was watching them.
Egging and cheering on them both as neither wanted to concede the fight too early.
After the bite, it was like a flip in Zyra switched and she became oblivious to the noise of others around her.
It was just her and Crystal alone and the intensity with her punches, kicks and knee jooks increased and left her exhilarated.
She was volleying jabs back and forth and she could see that Crystal was spent but she didn't care and she didn't stop.
By now Crystal was unconscious and she knew it somewhere in her consciousness but still she did not halt her blows.
Zyra felt inhuman, reveling in her aggression and lashing out with all her strength at her enemy just felt right.
Even when Nyla pulled her off of Crystal her hands were still wildly flailing and punching air.