As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Rose had her eyes fixed on a particular recruit. It wasn’t the first time she had noticed her—this girl stood out from the very beginning. While most recruits struggled to keep pace, this one seemed to fly through every challenge as if it were second nature.
The girl’s striking appearance didn’t hurt either. She had short, wild hair with patterns of black spots in her tawny fur, typical of the Leopard Tribe. Her movements were fluid and graceful, every step deliberate, every strike calculated. She wore leather armor that looked well-worn but well-kept, and her eyes—those fierce, amber eyes—had a hunger in them that Rose couldn’t shake.
The trials were grueling. They started with a 10-kilometer run around the outskirts of the city, meant to weed out the weak. Many lagged behind, gasping for breath, but this girl had barely broken a sweat by the end, maintaining a steady pace. She even had the nerve to finish first, a subtle smirk on her lips.
Then came the combat drills. First, sword fighting. Most recruits had trouble keeping up with Rose’s rapid and unpredictable attacks, but this leopard girl met every strike with precision. She didn’t fight with brute force, but with speed and intelligence, dodging, parrying, and countering with a level of skill that even impressed Rose.
Next was hand-to-hand combat. Rose paired the girl with one of the larger recruits, a burly man who looked like he could crush boulders with his fists. But it didn’t matter. The girl moved like the wind, dodging every punch, slipping around him, and then delivering lightning-fast strikes that brought the giant to his knees.
After witnessing her performance in every single trial, Rose couldn’t help but be drawn to her. She wasn’t just good—she was exceptional, better than most seasoned fighters Rose had seen. There was something about her, something dangerous and wild. Rose liked that.
The recruits stood in formation, shoulders squared, trying to stand tall despite their fatigue. Rose, hands on her hips, surveyed them with a commanding presence. She enjoyed these moments, seeing who would rise and who would break. But today, her attention was firmly fixed on the leopard girl, whose posture remained calm, confident, and poised.
Rose stopped in front of the line of recruits and cleared her throat, her voice loud and sharp. “Listen up!” she called out. The recruits stiffened, straightening their backs as her voice cut through the thick air. “You’ve all pushed yourselves today. Some of you showed real promise. Others… well, you’ve got a lot of work to do.”
She began walking slowly down the line, her eyes scanning the faces of each recruit. “This isn’t a game. We’re building an army here—a force to protect the City of Wolves. And I need fighters who can handle themselves. No weak links, no dead weight. You either have what it takes, or you don’t.”
Her footsteps echoed as she moved from one end of the line to the other. Finally, she stopped in front of the leopard girl, locking eyes with her. There was a moment of silence, the tension thickening as Rose studied her with narrowed eyes.
“What’s your name?” Rose asked, her tone sharp but not unkind.
The girl looked straight into Rose’s eyes, unflinching and calm. “Elize,” she answered clearly. “I’m from the Leopard Tribe.”
Rose raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “The Leopard Tribe, huh? No wonder you’re faster than the rest of these recruits.” She gave a small nod of approval. “You’ve exceeded my expectations in every trial today, Elize. You didn’t just survive—you thrived. You think you’re ready to be part of this army?”
Elize met her gaze with unwavering determination. “I’m ready,” she said simply, her voice steady. “I came here to fight.”
Rose smirked, crossing her arms as she looked the girl over. “You’ve got the skills, that’s for sure. But it’s not just about fighting. What drives you? Why are you really here?”
For a moment, Elize hesitated, her amber eyes darkening as she considered the question. “My tribe was destroyed,” she said, her voice quieter now but laced with bitterness. “We were caught in the crossfire of a war we didn’t start, and now they’re all gone. I survived, but was sold as a slave to Ox fort city I won’t sit back and wait for the same thing to happen again. If this city is rising, I want to be part of it. I want to fight for something that matters.”
Rose’s expression softened slightly, and for the first time, there was a flicker of understanding. She knew that pain all too well—the loss, the need for purpose. “You’re not just looking for a fight,” Rose said quietly, her voice thoughtful. “You’re looking for a cause.”
Elize nodded once, resolute. “Yes. I need something to believe in. If the City of Wolves can give me that, then I’ll fight for it with everything I have.”
For a moment, Rose just stood there, silently appraising the girl. She saw the fire in Elize’s eyes, the same fire that had driven her through her own battles. This girl wasn’t just another recruit. She was something more—a weapon waiting to be sharpened, a warrior with a purpose.
Rose clapped her hand on Elize’s shoulder, a gesture of approval. “You’ve got a place here, Elize. You’re more than ready. Welcome to the pack.”
Elize’s eyes softened just a bit, a flicker of gratitude showing through her otherwise stoic expression. “Thank you.”
As Rose moved on down the line, the knot of anticipation in her chest loosened. The City of Wolves wasn’t just gathering an army—they were building a force unlike any other. And with fighters like Elize at their side, they were ready for whatever came next.
After the end of the first day of the trials the recruits headed back to there quarters to rest.
Kai approached, his steps measured and quiet as he stood next to her. His eyes, too, followed the recruits as they departed, but he was as focused as ever on the bigger picture.
"Quite a turnout," he remarked, his voice low. "More than we expected. Some real talent, too. I checked in with Luna earlier she said she saw some talent to while undergoing the recruitment for strategists. So... that leopard girl caught your attention?"
Rose crossed her arms, nodding slightly. "Elize. She’s from the Leopard Tribe. You should’ve seen her during the trials—she didn’t just keep up, she excelled. She’s got something to prove, something personal. I can feel it."
Kai raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rose with interest. "Think she’ll be trouble?"
"Not the kind we need to worry about," Rose replied with a shrug. "She’s got that drive, the kind that makes someone a dangerous enemy or a powerful ally. She’ll push herself to the limit and beyond. We need people like her, and I want to test that limit."
Kai’s expression hardened. "What do you mean by that?"
Rose began to smile from excitement "You'll see"
The following day, the recruits gathered early for their morning drills, the sun barely rising above the horizon. A slight chill hung in the air, but the mood was charged with excitement. Whispers spread through the ranks about an unexpected event planned for the morning—a sparring match between Commander Rose and the leopard girl, Elize. The idea of watching their fierce leader take on one of the most promising recruits had everyone’s curiosity piqued.
Kai stood nearby, shaking his head with an amused smile. “You sure you want to do this in front of everyone? No pressure if you lose.”
Rose shot him a look, smirking. “I don’t plan on losing. Besides, it’s good for morale. Let them see their commander isn’t afraid of a little challenge.”
At that moment, Elize approached, wearing light sparring gear and her usual serious expression. Her eyes flicked toward the crowd briefly before settling on Rose. Despite the attention, she seemed focused, almost eager for the fight.
“You wanted to spar, General?” Elize said, her tone respectful but steady. “I hope you’re not holding back.”
Rose smiled, appreciating the girl’s confidence. “No holding back. Let’s see what you’ve really got, Elize.”
With that, Rose stepped forward, drawing her training sword—a blunt weapon used for practice, but still capable of delivering powerful blows. Elize followed suit, gripping her own training blade with ease. The recruits formed a large circle around them, giving the two warriors plenty of space while watching intently.
The sparring match began without ceremony. Elize moved first, darting in with lightning speed, her leopard instincts evident in her quick, agile movements. She swung her sword low, aiming for Rose’s legs, but Rose deflected it effortlessly, using her experience to predict the move. Their swords clashed, a sharp metallic sound echoing through the field.
For the first few exchanges, Rose held back slightly, gauging Elize’s strategy. The girl was fast, no doubt about it, but her technique was also solid, each movement precise and calculated. Rose noticed how Elize’s eyes never wavered, constantly watching, analyzing.
“You’ve got good instincts,” Rose said, parrying another strike before sidestepping a follow-up thrust. “But instincts can only take you so far.”
Elize smirked, a hint of challenge in her eyes. “Then I guess I’ll have to use more than just instincts.”
The match intensified. Elize became more aggressive, her strikes faster and more unpredictable. Rose found herself impressed—not many could push her like this. But the more Elize pressed, the more Rose’s own battle-hardened experience came into play. She began countering with fluid precision, using her superior strength and timing to shift the momentum in her favor.
The recruits around them watched in awe. Some whispered to each other, betting on how long Elize could hold her own against Rose. Others simply marveled at the sheer skill on display.
As the sparring continued, Elize made a bold move. She feinted to the left, drawing Rose’s guard, then spun and aimed a strike at her exposed right side. It was a clever maneuver—one that might have worked against a less experienced opponent. But Rose was ready.
In a swift motion, Rose pivoted on her heel, dodging the strike and sweeping Elize’s legs out from under her with a well-placed kick. Elize hit the ground hard, but before she could recover, Rose’s sword was at her throat, the match over.
There was a brief silence. The crowd held their breath, waiting to see how Elize would react. But instead of frustration, Elize smiled—an honest, fierce grin of respect.
“I can see why the Patriarch appointed you a General in his army,” she admitted, still lying on the ground, her chest rising and falling with exertion. "I won’t make the same mistakes twice next time around.”
Rose offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. “Good. You shouldn’t.” She turned to the gathered recruits, raising her voice so they could all hear. “This is what we need in this army. Not just strength, not just speed, but the ability to learn, adapt, and grow. Elize pushed herself hard today, and I expect all of you to do the same.”
The recruits erupted into cheers, clearly energized by the match. Elize, despite losing, stood tall beside Rose, her head held high. The respect between the two warriors was evident.
Kai, leaning casually against a nearby post, clapped slowly. “Well, that was something. You didn’t go easy on her.”
“I never go easy,” Rose replied, though there was a hint of pride in her voice. She glanced at Elize, who was still catching her breath. “She’s got what it takes, Kai. She just needs time.”
And as Rose walked away, she couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, Elize might make a good general one of these days and be a force to be reckoned with.
______________________________________
-To be Continued
P.S. Check back to chapter 1 if you don't remember who Elize is :3
ns 15.158.61.5da2
