"Focus more, Emily."
The underground gym of Umbra Division was silent, save for the dull thud of blows that echoed like thunder in the air. Niel and Emily moved so fast that their bodies seemed to blur, as if they were shadows dancing in eternal darkness. The other Resonants watched from the improvised stands, some with admiration, others with envy, but all aware that they were witnessing something extraordinary.
Emily threw a punch directly at Niel's face, but he didn't block it. Instead, he tilted his head just a few millimeters, dodging the blow with superhuman precision. Before she could retreat, Niel was already inside her guard, launching an uppercut that seemed to vibrate through the air. Emily blocked it with her forearm, but the force of the impact made her body tremble as though struck by an invisible hammer.
"Don't get distracted," Niel murmured, his voice cold and distant, as he took advantage of the moment to launch a spinning kick that cut through the air like a sharp blade.
Emily jumped back, but the edge of the attack grazed her side, leaving a red mark on her uniform. Though the blow wasn't fatal, its speed and power were undeniable. However, Emily showed no pain or frustration. Instead, her expression remained impassive, almost as if she were analyzing every move Niel made.
"You still have weaknesses," Emily said, her tone as cold as Niel's, as she unleashed a series of rapid punches that seemed invisible to the naked eye. Each strike targeted specific points on Niel's body: the neck, the joints, the abdomen.
Niel blocked most of the attacks, but one managed to connect with his shoulder. Despite the impact, he showed no reaction. Instead, he countered with a movement that seemed impossible—his arm extended beyond what should have been physically possible, hitting Emily in the chest and sending her flying several meters backward.
Emily rolled over upon landing, regaining her balance instantly. Her eyes shone with intensity as she prepared for the next assault. She launched a low kick that seemed to split the air in two, forcing Niel to jump back. But before he could land, Emily was already airborne, spinning like a whirlwind and delivering a downward kick that would have crushed any ordinary person.
Niel raised his arms to block the attack, but the force of the impact pushed him back a few steps. Seizing the moment, Emily attempted a final blow with both hands together, as if trying to break a rock. But Niel saw it coming before she even finished the motion. He spun around, avoiding the attack, and countered with an elbow strike that connected directly with Emily's side.
She fell to the ground but didn't give up. With one last burst of energy, she launched a roundhouse kick that caught Niel off guard, making him step back. However, before she could capitalize on the advantage, Niel was already on her, grabbing her ankle and pushing her back with enough force to bring her to her knees.
Emily raised her hands in surrender, breathing deeply as she looked at Niel with a small smile.
"Well done," she said, her tone calm but sincere. "I lasted longer this time than the last, didn't I?"
Niel nodded briefly, extending a hand to help her up. Though both were cold and indifferent during the fight, there was an unspoken camaraderie between them. They knew they weren't fighting to hurt each other but to improve. They were the strongest Resonants in the program, two survivors of incidents related to the mist who had developed extraordinary abilities. They were called Resonants because, according to Umbra Division's scientists, their bodies "resonated" with the unknown energy emanating from the mist. Some said they were mutations; others believed they were failed experiments of nature. The only certainty was that no one like them existed before the appearance of the mist.
Emily was thirteen years old, and Niel was about to turn thirteen as well. Both had been recruited by Umbra Division after surviving separate incidents. Emily had been in a town near the perimeter when the mist emerged, and although she lost her family, she developed incredible agility and superhuman reflexes. Niel, on the other hand, had survived Silver Ridge, where his adoptive parents died before his eyes. His physical strength and ability to anticipate movements made him practically unstoppable.
After the fight, Niel and Emily sat in a corner of the gym, drinking water and wiping sweat from their faces with towels. The atmosphere was calm, but there was palpable tension in the air. Emily broke the silence first.
"Soon we'll become agents," she said, her tone low but firm. "Umbra Division has trained us for this. They know we're ready."
Niel nodded but said nothing. His gaze was fixed on the floor, as if he were thinking about something bigger than the conversation.
"What's wrong?" Emily asked, noticing his silence. "Don't tell me you have doubts. After everything we've been through, I thought you'd be excited."
"It's not that," Niel replied, his voice cold but controlled. "I'm just thinking about what comes next. The missions won't be like these fights. They'll be... different."
Emily looked at him curiously. She knew Niel wasn't the type to share his thoughts easily, but this time felt different.
"I know," Emily said, her tone equally serious. "It won't be easy. But we've come this far. If we can face ourselves in this gym, we can face anything out there."
Niel looked at her for the first time since they sat down. There was something in his expression that suggested he agreed, but he still had doubts.
"Do you think we're ready?" he finally asked.
Emily smiled faintly, though her smile held no warmth.
"It doesn't matter if we're ready or not. They need us. Umbra Division won't let us rest until we do what they've planned for us. So, we might as well be prepared."
Niel didn't respond. Instead, he looked toward the empty stands, where the other Resonants usually gathered.
As the two friends talked, a group of scientists entered the gym accompanied by Harlan, one of the leaders of Umbra Division. His presence was imposing, and everyone present, including Niel and Emily, stood up immediately.
"Excellent work today," Harlan said, his tone neutral but laced with authority. "Keep training. You'll soon receive your official assignments."
Then, he stopped in front of Niel and Emily, looking at them intently.
"The two of you have proven to be the most capable among the Resonants. It's time for you to move to the next level."
Emily looked at him seriously, her posture straight and attentive.
"What do you mean by 'the next level'?"
Harlan gave a half-smile, though there was no warmth in it.
"We've successfully cloned a controlled version of the creatures that emerge from the mist. They're less dangerous than the originals but equally useful for evaluating your skills. Tomorrow, you'll face one of them."
Niel frowned.
"Controlled? How controlled?"
Harlan looked him directly in the eyes.
"Enough so they don't kill you, but dangerous enough to test you. Remember, this isn't a game. If you fail, there won't be a second chance."
Emily crossed her arms, her expression serious but determined.
"Understood. A cloned monster. Just what we needed to spice things up."
Harlan ignored her comment and walked away, leaving the two friends alone.
When they were gone, Emily turned to Niel.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice low but firm.
Niel looked into her eyes, his expression resolute.
"I don't know. But it doesn't matter. There's no turning back."
Emily nodded, perfectly understanding what he meant.