"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The hammering on the doors startled Orin awake. The warden's voice bellowed through the corridor, "Get up, you brats!"
Groaning, Orin forced himself out of bed, his muscles screaming in protest. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stumbled to the bathroom, dodging the rush of children who didn't want to be late either. He splashed cold water on his face, the shock jolting him awake.
The training ground loomed in the dim pre-dawn light, the air brisk against his skin. He lined up with the others, trying to ignore the ache in his legs. As the clock struck five, Ezek's voice thundered through the courtyard.
"You plebs, start running! Don't stop until I say so," the hulking man barked. Then, hearing the shuffle of tardy footsteps behind him, he turned, cracking his knuckles. "And you latecomers, special training for you today."
Ezek's grin was the stuff of nightmares. Orin suppressed a shiver, thankful he wasn't among the unlucky few today.
---
Orin ran. The rhythmic pounding of feet on the dirt filled his ears as he pushed his body forward. He hated this part of the routine—running until Ezek finally let them stop. Half an hour later, when his turn finally came, he stumbled to a corner to catch his breath, his chest heaving.
Just as he lowered himself to the ground, a forceful shove sent him sprawling.
"Come on, sleepyhead! Didn't wake up yet?" a mocking voice jeered.
Laughter erupted around him. Orin pushed himself up, brushing dirt off his palms, and turned to see Nobu—a tall, wiry eleven-year-old with a smug smirk plastered across his face.
Nobu's grin widened. "What're you staring at, huh? Wanna go?"
Orin shook his head and stepped aside, choosing not to escalate things. He'd learned early on that fights off the mat only made things worse. Still, the sting of humiliation lingered as he sat down to rest.
---
The respite was brief. Ezek's voice boomed across the courtyard again. "What are you loafing around for, you little shits? Get up and practice! Lyon, Ramos—you're up first. Let's see what you've got."
Orin joined the others, practicing the strikes they were drilled on every day. Punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbows—everything brutal and efficient. The martial art resembled Muay Thai, though Ezek never called it that.
He gave it his all, beads of sweat rolling down his face, until Ezek called his name.
"Nobu and Orin. Get to the mat!"
Orin's stomach twisted. Of course, Ezek had seen Nobu shove him earlier. The man never missed an opportunity to stir the pot.
Nobu's smirk returned as they squared off on the mat. "This'll be over quick," he sneered.
"Fight!" Ezek shouted.
Nobu wasted no time, lunging forward with a swift punch. Orin ducked low, trying to close the distance, but Nobu spun, landing a roundhouse kick to Orin's thigh. Pain shot through his leg, but Orin gritted his teeth, using the momentary pause to kick at Nobu's supporting leg.
Nobu stumbled, his balance faltering. Seizing the opportunity, Orin leapt and brought his elbow down in a sharp tomahawk strike to Nobu's head. The blow sent the older boy sprawling.
Nobu tried to stand, but his legs wobbled beneath him. Orin, chest heaving, knew the fight was over.
Silence fell over the courtyard. The other trainees stared, surprised that the new kid had won.
Ezek's voice cut through the quiet. "That kind of sacrificial play won't take you far, kid."
Orin, still catching his breath, looked up. "What should I do, then?"
Ezek's grin turned teasing. "Get better so you don't get hit."
Orin rolled his eyes, the adrenaline fading as the ache in his thigh set in.
---
Later, as Orin stretched his sore muscles in the corner, a shadow loomed over him.
"What are you doing?" a voice asked.
Orin glanced up to see a brunette boy, maybe ten years old, looking down at him.
"Stretches," Orin replied simply, continuing his routine.
The boy grinned. "I'm Jake. You were good out there." He held out a hand.
Orin paused, eyeing the boy's expression. Seeing no malice, he shook the offered hand. "Orin."
Jake's grin widened. "Let's spar sometime. I could use the practice."
Orin nodded faintly. For the first time since arriving, he felt like he might not have to fight every battle alone.
---