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The sky was still ink-dark, stars twinkling faintly as the moon loomed high. A cold wind swept through the training dome like a warning. Yet, the silence was broken by footsteps—six pairs of feet pattering lightly across the steel floor. Unit 06 was already awake. Again.
For three weeks, this had become a tradition. Waking up by 2AM, ahead of every other unit, to train their bodies, to push their minds, to grind harder than anyone else. It was tough, sometimes unbearable. But they had learned something: growth doesn't come with comfort.
Henry, ever the comic relief of the team, stretched his arms dramatically and smirked.
"Caden," he called out to the tall, broad-shouldered warrior walking in front, "you and I, powerlifting. Right now."
Caden turned slowly, raising a brow. "You? Powerlifting with me?"
"Yeah! I've been hiding my strength all these weeks. Today, the beast is unleashed!"
The others chuckled. Even Devin, who was usually focused on adjusting his metal gauntlets, cracked a grin. Kira folded her arms and watched with her usual calm confidence.
Caden, amused, nodded. "Alright then. Let's lift."
They both walked to the weights. Henry selected a huge one just to prove a point. He squatted, screamed theatrically, and managed to raise it halfway—before crashing backward into the mats.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Elliot had been on his early run around the dome's circular track. Beads of sweat ran down his cheek as he jogged to a stop near the scene. He leaned on the railing, breathing hard, watching his teammates laugh and cheer. The laughter echoed off the metallic walls and rang into his ears.
For a moment, everything went still.
His eyes lingered on their faces. Kayden laughing from the chest, Devin wiping a tear from laughing too hard, Kira shaking her head with a subtle smile, Zane making fun of Henry's fall, and Henry theatrically groaning like he'd been struck down in a war.
Elliot's heart did something strange. It… warmed.
That feeling. That flicker of joy… He hadn't felt it since that day. The day his father died. The day blood spilled, and everything inside him cracked apart.
He thought he was devoid of happiness—just a shadow forged for revenge.
But here… in this dome… among these people…
He felt it again. Warmth.
Something like… family.
He looked up at the sky through the glass roof of the dome. "I swear…" he whispered to himself, gripping his chest tightly. "No matter what happens… even if I have to break myself for it… Nothing will happen to you guys. I'll protect this family."
Just then, the dome's lights flickered as the massive side doors opened. Inspector Liu stepped in.
"All right, Unit 06," he called out. "It's time."
The mood shifted instantly. The laughter stopped. They stood, shoulders square.
"Today, you begin your journey into the real Vanguard world," Liu said. "Today, we begin your Soul Energy Awakening."
He looked each of them in the eye before continuing.
"You've all shown potential. Physical strength is good, but physical strength without soul energy is a blade without a wielder. A warrior who cannot wield their soul… is already dead. A true warrior lives through the soul. Becomes it."
They nodded.
"Now," Liu said, stepping aside, "come forward, one by one."
Kayden stepped up first. As he focused, a spark jumped off his shoulders—then a brilliant storm of lightning erupted around him, wild and raw, but focused. The dome flickered from the surge.
"Lightning," Liu whispered. "Fierce and fast."
Henry stepped forward, slapping his chest. "Let's see what I got!"
Suddenly, a soft whirlwind swirled around him, spinning gently like a breeze that carried laughter.
"Wind," Liu said. "Unpredictable. Energetic."
Kira moved with quiet grace. She closed her eyes. Frost spread across the floor under her feet. Then droplets of water floated mid-air, glowing blue.
"Ice and Water," Liu confirmed. "Precision and serenity."
Zane cracked his neck, flames already igniting around his fists before he even moved. He let out a roar, and fire engulfed him.
"Fire," Liu said. "Untamed. Powerful."
Devin stepped forward calmly. Metal fragments floated toward him from the training tools. They wrapped around his body, forming armor, shaped by will.
"Metal," Liu said, impressed. "Control and construction."
Then it was Elliot's turn.
He hesitated.
As he stepped forward, the dome darkened slightly. He reached into himself, trying to summon something he didn't fully understand.
And then… shadows spilled from his skin.
The dome grew cold. Not like Kira's ice. This was different—like standing in a void. Whispering winds swirled around him, voices echoing from some faraway place. His eyes glowed dark purple. A shadow formed wings behind him for a split second before fading.
Inspector Liu took a step back.
"What… is this?" Liu muttered, concerned. "It's not just shadow. There's… something inside it."
He approached Elliot slowly.
"Your soul… It's special. But it's unstable. Whatever lies inside of you—it's powerful, but it's feeding on you. Boy, you must learn to control it. Or it will consume you."
Elliot, breathing heavily, nodded.
He knew what it was.
Bloodform.
But he wouldn't tell.
Not yet.
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