Aryan paused as he flipped the calendar page. The days had bled together—drills, theory, physical training, and the occasional stolen moment to breathe. Four months had vanished like smoke. He ran a hand through his sweat-damp hair, the faint stubble on his jaw a reminder of how little time he'd had for anything beyond the academy's demands.
The training grounds buzzed with activity. Trainees sparred, scaled walls, and sprinted through obstacle courses. Aryan watched them, their movements sharper now, their faces hardened by the grind. They weren't the same wide-eyed recruits who'd stumbled through the gates months ago. Neither was he.
"You've been holding back."
He turned. Meera stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her gaze piercing. She didn't blink, didn't soften the accusation in her tone.
Aryan hesitated. "What makes you say that?"
She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "You finish drills twice as fast as anyone else. You don't tire. You don't falter. And don't think I haven't noticed how you pull your punches during sparring."
He looked away, the weight of her observation pressing on him. "I'm just trained well. Years of martial arts."
Meera's eyes narrowed. "That's not it. There's something else. Something you're not saying."
Aryan's jaw tightened. He glanced at Smith, who was leaning against a nearby wall, watching silently. "I don't know what you want me to say."
"The truth," Meera shot back. "We're supposed to be a team, Aryan. How can I trust you if you're keeping secrets?"
He let out a slow breath, the words forming reluctantly. "It's not intentional. I'm just… careful. I don't want to stand out more than I already do."
Meera studied him, her expression unreadable. "Careful or not, it's causing a rift. The others—they're starting to resent you. They can't keep up."
"I don't mean to—"
"I know you don't," she interrupted, her tone softening. "But you need to think about what that's doing to the group. We're all pushing ourselves to the limit, Aryan. If you're not, it makes the rest of us question why we're even trying."
Aryan's chest tightened. She was right. He'd been so focused on keeping his abilities in check, he hadn't considered the impact on the others. "What do you want me to do?"
"Push yourself," she said simply. "Don't hold back. Let's see what you're really capable of."
He nodded, the weight of her words settling over him. "Alright. I'll give it my all."
Meera's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Good. Because I'm not letting you off the hook that easily."
As she walked away, Aryan turned to Smith, who raised an eyebrow. "You're in deep now."
"I know," Aryan muttered. "But she's right. I've been holding back, and it's not fair to the others."
Smith clapped him on the shoulder. "Just don't blow the roof off the place. We still need to blend in."
Aryan managed a small grin. "No promises."
Later that day, Major Rajeev called him aside. The older man's gaze was steady, his voice calm but firm. "I've noticed your restraint in training."
Aryan tensed. "Sir, I—"
"I'm not here to reprimand you," Rajeev interrupted. "But I want you to understand something. When you're out in the field, holding back could cost lives—yours or someone else's. You need to know your limits, and you need to push them. Not just for yourself, but for the team."
Aryan nodded, the words hitting home. "Understood, sir."
Rajeev's expression softened. "Good. Now go out there and show me what you're really made of."
Aryan straightened, determination hardening in his chest. He'd been shielding himself for too long. It was time to break through.
Aryan stood in the center of the training grounds as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the field. His friends gathered around him. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that came before something important."Alright," Aryan began, his voice steady but carrying a weight of sincerity. "I've been holding back in training. Not because I wanted to, but because I didn't want to stand out too much. But Meera called me out on it, and she's right. We're a team, and I need to be honest with all of you."
Priya tilted her head, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Honest about what?"
Aryan took a deep breath. "I've trained in martial arts for years—Kalari and Tai Chi. I've also… picked up some things that have given me an edge, and i am strong,. I've been hesitant to show it, but I think it's time I stop hiding. I can teach you what I know. It might help us all improve."
Rohan grinned, clapping a hand on Aryan's shoulder. "About time you shared the secrets, man. I'm in."
"Same here," Akash chimed in, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. "If it'll make me half as good as you, I'm all for it."
Zaid nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's not just about physical strength. Discipline and focus matter too. I'm in."
Meera crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. "Glad you're finally catching up, Menon."
Smith, however, took a step back, shaking his head. "I'll pass. I've got my own thing going on."
Aryan shot him a look. "Protest is useless, Smith. You're part of this team, and you're joining us."
Smith groaned but didn't argue further. "Fine. But don't expect me to keep up."
As the group began their training, Aryan led them through the basics of Kalari, explaining the importance of balance, precision, and control. He moved fluidly, demonstrating each technique with a grace that made it look effortless. The others followed, their movements clumsy at first but gradually improving as they focused.
Priya, ever the perfectionist, drilled each move repeatedly until she got it right. Rohan and Akash sparred with each other, their competitive spirits driving them to push harder. Zaid and Vikram worked on their breathing techniques, while Meera observed, offering corrections where needed. Smith, though reluctant, eventually fell into the rhythm, his movements surprisingly sharp.
From a distance, Commandant Vikram and Major Rajeev watched the scene unfold. Rajeev crossed his arms, a satisfied smile on his face. "They're coming together," he remarked.
Vikram nodded, his gaze fixed on the group. "Aryan's leadership is making a difference. They're not just training; they're building trust."
Rajeev chuckled softly. "He's got a way of bringing people together. Let's see how far they can go."
The two men stood in silence for a moment, their pride evident as they watched the team push their limits, united by a shared goal.