The sharp blare of a bugle tore through the dawn, jolting Alex from his sleep. Disoriented, he sat up, blinking against the dim light filtering into the barracks. Around him, other recruits were scrambling to their feet, throwing on uniforms and lacing up boots with the frantic energy of those who were just as unprepared as he was.
"Up and at it!" a booming voice commanded, cutting through the noise. Sergeant Kasper, a wiry man with a severe expression and a voice that carried like thunder, strode down the row of beds, eyeing the recruits as though daring them to falter on their first day. Alex recognized his type immediately—a man who had probably seen decades of service, who took no nonsense and expected nothing less than absolute obedience.
Alex hurried to dress, every movement punctuated by a surge of adrenaline. His hands shook slightly as he laced up his boots, the reality of the situation settling over him like a heavy weight. This wasn't just a pledge to serve—it was a life built on routines, challenges, and expectations he hadn't yet faced.
"Outside in formation!" Sergeant Kasper barked. "You have sixty seconds to show me what you're made of!"
Lukas, standing next to him, muttered, "Nothing like a friendly wake-up call."
Alex stifled a laugh, but he could see the same tension on Lukas's face. They were in this together, and that knowledge gave him a faint sense of reassurance. Together, they joined the line of recruits heading out to the training yard, where the early morning chill bit through the thin fabric of their uniforms.
The training ground sprawled out before them, a mix of dirt paths, obstacle courses, and equipment scattered across the open field. Alex took a steadying breath, squaring his shoulders. This was what he had come here for, and he couldn't afford to falter now.
"Listen up!" Sergeant Kasper's voice thundered through the air, his eyes narrowed as he looked each recruit up and down. "You may think you're here to serve Zalovnia, to make your families proud. But let me tell you this—you're here to become soldiers. That means discipline, endurance, and grit. You'll be pushed to your limits. Some of you will break, and those who can't keep up have no place here."
Alex felt a pang of fear, but he shoved it down, focusing on the sergeant's words. He'd known this wouldn't be easy, but hearing the raw truth left him uneasy. He glanced at Lukas, who offered a slight nod of encouragement. They both knew this was the life they'd chosen, no matter how intense the training might be.
"First exercise—laps around the training yard," the sergeant barked. "I want to see who has the endurance to keep up. Start running. Now!"
Without hesitation, Alex and the other recruits set off, their feet pounding against the uneven ground. The first few laps were manageable, with Lukas staying at his side, his easygoing demeanor making the task seem almost enjoyable. But as the minutes wore on, the relentless pace began to wear on him. His breathing grew labored, his legs heavy, and his mind drifted to Rostov, to the fields he used to wander in peace, so far from this harsh reality.
By the time they reached the sixth lap, Alex was struggling to keep up, his lungs burning with each breath. He could feel his resolve slipping, his steps slowing despite every ounce of willpower he could summon. Just when he thought he couldn't push himself any further, a sharp voice cut through the fog of exhaustion.
"Come on, Von Muller!" Sergeant Kasper shouted, his gaze locking onto Alex with a mixture of impatience and challenge. "If you can't even handle a few laps, you're wasting my time and yours."
The harsh words ignited a spark of defiance in Alex. Wasting time? The idea was almost offensive—he hadn't left his family, his village, and the comfort of his home to fail on the first day. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to pick up the pace, pushing through the pain until he fell back into rhythm, determined not to be left behind.
After what felt like an eternity, the sergeant called an end to the laps, and Alex staggered to a stop, gasping for breath. His muscles screamed, and his vision blurred slightly, but he managed to stay upright. Beside him, Lukas gave him a breathless grin. "Not bad for day one, huh?"
Alex laughed weakly, feeling a faint flicker of pride despite his exhaustion. "Yeah…not bad at all."
But the reprieve was short-lived. Sergeant Kasper quickly led them to the next exercise, a grueling obstacle course designed to test not only their physical abilities but also their mental resilience. They climbed ropes, crawled under barbed wire, scaled walls, and waded through mud pits, each challenge wearing away at whatever strength they had left.
Time blurred as Alex forced himself through each obstacle, his mind a steady chant of reminders—of his family, of his father's memory, of the purpose that had led him here. Every cut, every bruise, every drop of sweat became a testament to his commitment. He had no intention of failing.
At one point, he came to a wall too high to climb alone. He paused, breathless, staring up at it in frustration, when a hand appeared beside him. Lukas had doubled back, grinning as he held out his arm. "Need a boost?"
Alex took it without hesitation, and together they scaled the wall, dropping to the other side with a grunt of exhaustion. It was a small moment of victory, but in that instant, it felt monumental.
Finally, hours later, Sergeant Kasper called the recruits to gather around, his expression one of grudging approval. "Not bad," he muttered, pacing before them. "Some of you might just make it, after all."
Alex felt a surge of pride, tempered only by the lingering exhaustion that weighed down every part of him. He caught Lukas's eye, and they exchanged a look of relief. The first day had been brutal, but they had survived it.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the recruits were dismissed, dragging themselves back to the barracks in silence. Alex barely had the energy to eat the meager meal provided, but as he lay down on his cot, his body aching and his mind heavy with the day's challenges, he felt a strange sense of peace.
The path he had chosen was filled with obstacles, tests he'd never imagined he'd have to face. But for the first time, he felt a hint of confidence that he could overcome them. Because he was not alone—he had allies, and he had a purpose greater than himself. It was no longer just about honoring his father or fulfilling a duty; it was about finding the strength to protect the life he cherished.
As exhaustion claimed him and his eyes drifted shut, Alex made a silent promise. No matter what trials awaited him in the days to come, he would rise to meet them. For Zalovnia, for his family, and for the unyielding resolve that had been forged within him today.