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The Qualification Test
Weeks
of
relentless
training
had
honed
Aidan’s
body
and
mind,
each
grueling
session
pushing
him
closer
to
the
edge
of
his
limits.
The
constant
ache
in
his
muscles
was
a
familiar
reminder
of
how
far
he
had
come—and
how
much
further
he
had
to
go.
Today,
standing
in
the
expansive
training
hall,
he
felt
the
weight
of
the
moment
settle
heavily
on
his
shoulders.
This
wasn’t
another
drill.
This
was
his
qualification
test,
the
milestone
he
had
been
working
toward
since
he
first
arrived.
Commander
Ward
stood
at
the
edge
of
the
training
hall,
his
piercing
blue
eyes
sweeping
over
the
team.
His
gravelly
voice
cut
through
the
tense
silence
like
a
blade.
“This
isn’t
just
a
test,”
he
said,
his
tone
as
sharp
as
the
claw
marks
on
the
training
room’s
walls.
“This
is
a
simulated
mission.
Out
there,
failure
means
death.
Here,
it
means
I’ll
make
you
wish
you
were
dead.”
His
gaze
locked
onto
Aidan,
unyielding.
“Prove
you’ve
earned
your
place.”
Aidan
swallowed
hard,
nodding.
Around
him,
the
team
prepared
in
their
own
ways.
Damon
stretched
lazily,
but
the
faint
gleam
in
his
eyes
betrayed
his
focus.
Elena
methodically
tightened
her
gloves,
her
sharp
features
set
in
steely
determination.
Mia
adjusted
the
amber-powered
rig
on
her
back,
her
movements
calm
and
deliberate.
Ronan
loomed
in
the
corner,
his
silence
a
reminder
of
the
gravity
of
what
lay
ahead.
With
a
low
hum,
the
holographic
training
room
came
alive,
transforming
into
a
dense,
simulated
forest.
Towering
trees
swayed
in
a
phantom
breeze,
their
canopies
casting
shifting
shadows
over
the
uneven
ground.
The
simulated
air
felt
thick
with
humidity,
carrying
the
faint,
earthy
scent
of
decaying
vegetation.
In
the
heart
of
the
forest,
their
target
stood—a
rogue
Ceratosaurus.
The
creature
prowled
through
the
foliage,
its
scarred
hide
shimmering
in
the
dappled
light.
Its
muscular
frame
rippled
with
every
step,
and
its
yellow
eyes
gleamed
with
predatory
focus.
“Your
objective,”
Ward
continued,
his
voice
steady,
“is
to
neutralize
the
Ceratosaurus
before
it
crosses
the
red
flag.
Work
as
a
team.
Prove
you
belong.”
Aidan’s
heart
raced
as
he
nodded,
his
claws
flexing
involuntarily.
This
was
it.
The
team
moved
with
practiced
efficiency,
each
member
sliding
into
their
roles
like
parts
of
a
well-oiled
machine.
Damon
cracked
his
neck,
his
Carnotaurus
form
bulking
up
with
every
passing
second.
“Time
to
show
the
rookie
how
it’s
done,”
he
said,
his
voice
a
low
growl.
“Focus,
Damon,”
Elena
snapped,
her
Velociraptor-enhanced
frame
crouched
low.
Her
sharp
claws
scraped
faintly
against
the
ground
as
her
piercing
gaze
scanned
their
surroundings.
“Stick
to
the
plan,”
Mia
said,
hovering
just
above
the
group.
Her
amber-enhanced
wings
stirred
the
humid
air
as
her
sharp
eyes
flicked
between
the
shifting
shadows.
Ronan’s
voice
rumbled
through
the
comms.
“Stay
sharp.
Keep
to
your
positions.
We
move
as
one.”
Aidan
shifted,
the
familiarity
of
his
Dilophosaurus
form
enveloping
him.
His
orange-brown
scales
caught
the
flickering
light
filtering
through
the
canopy,
and
the
ridges
along
his
back
bristled
in
anticipation.
The
transformation
felt
natural,
but
the
faint
hum
of
instinct
at
the
edge
of
his
mind
reminded
him
of
the
constant
balance
he
had
to
maintain.
The
forest
seemed
alive,
every
creak
of
a
branch
or
rustle
of
leaves
amplifying
the
tension.
The
ground
was
uneven,
with
twisted
roots
reaching
up
like
skeletal
fingers
to
snare
unwary
feet.
Damon
forged
ahead,
his
bulk
crushing
undergrowth
with
each
step.
Elena
darted
through
the
shadows,
her
movements
silent
and
deliberate.
Mia
circled
above,
her
sharp
gaze
scanning
the
terrain
from
the
air.
A
sudden
stillness
fell
over
the
forest.
Elena
froze
mid-step,
her
head
snapping
toward
a
faint
rustling
in
the
underbrush.
Her
claws
flexed
as
she
whispered,
“It’s
close.”
A
shadow
shifted
in
the
foliage.
Slowly,
the
Ceratosaurus
emerged,
its
massive
frame
slicing
through
the
underbrush
with
an
almost
regal
menace.
Its
scarred
hide
was
mottled
with
shades
of
green
and
brown,
perfect
for
blending
into
the
dense
jungle.
Each
step
it
took
was
deliberate,
its
sharp
claws
sinking
into
the
soil.
It
tilted
its
head,
nostrils
flaring
as
it
caught
their
scent.
Then,
it
roared.
The
sound
was
guttural,
primal—reverberating
through
the
forest
and
sending
a
flock
of
simulated
birds
scattering
into
the
canopy.
“Damon,
flank
left.
Mia,
keep
overhead,”
Ronan
barked.
“Elena,
Aidan,
with
me.”
The
Ceratosaurus
charged,
its
massive
jaws
snapping
inches
from
Damon’s
flank.
Damon
retaliated
with
a
thunderous
headbutt,
his
horns
slamming
into
the
creature’s
side.
The
impact
sent
shockwaves
through
the
ground,
but
the
beast
barely
stumbled,
its
golden
eyes
narrowing
with
fury.
“Come
on,
big
guy!”
Damon
taunted,
circling
for
another
strike.
“You’ll
have
to
do
better
than
that!”
Elena
darted
in
next,
her
movements
a
blur
of
precision.
Her
claws
slashed
at
the
Ceratosaurus’
legs,
drawing
blood.
The
beast
let
out
a
furious
snarl,
its
focus
shifting
to
her.
Aidan
hesitated,
his
heart
pounding
as
he
watched
the
ferocity
of
the
battle
unfold.
“Move,
Aidan!”
Ronan’s
voice
jolted
him
into
action.
Aidan
lunged,
his
claws
catching
the
Ceratosaurus’
side.
The
creature
roared
in
pain,
whipping
its
tail
in
a
wide
arc.
Aidan
was
too
slow
to
dodge.
The
tail
struck
him,
sending
him
tumbling
into
the
underbrush.
His
vision
blurred
as
he
scrambled
to
his
feet,
his
breath
ragged.
Above,
Mia
swooped
down,
her
talons
raking
across
the
Ceratosaurus’
back.
The
beast
twisted,
snapping
at
her,
but
she
veered
away
with
practiced
ease.
“Stay
in
the
fight,
Aidan!”
she
called.
Ronan
seized
the
opening,
his
massive
frame
slamming
into
the
Ceratosaurus
with
unrelenting
force.
The
creature
staggered,
its
claws
raking
deep
gouges
into
the
earth
as
it
struggled
to
regain
balance.
“Finish
it!”
Ronan
growled.
Aidan’s
body
ached,
but
he
forced
himself
to
move.
The
primal
instincts
within
him
surged,
guiding
his
claws
to
strike
with
deadly
precision.
He
leapt,
aiming
for
the
creature’s
throat.
His
claws
tore
through
flesh,
and
the
Ceratosaurus
let
out
a
deafening
roar
before
disintegrating
into
a
cascade
of
holographic
particles.
The
simulation
ended
abruptly,
the
dense
jungle
fading
into
the
sterile
walls
of
the
training
hall.
Aidan
stood
amidst
his
team,
his
chest
heaving
as
the
adrenaline
ebbed
away.
Damon
clapped
him
on
the
back,
his
grin
as
wide
as
ever.
“Not
bad,
rookie.
You
might
actually
survive
out
there.”
Elena’s
sharp
gaze
softened
just
enough
to
show
a
hint
of
approval.
“You’ve
got
potential.
Just
don’t
hesitate
next
time.”
Mia
folded
her
wings
neatly,
a
small
smile
tugging
at
her
lips.
“You’re
learning.
That’s
what
matters.”
Ronan’s
voice
was
steady,
his
gaze
heavy
with
expectation.
“You
passed.
But
the
real
thing
won’t
be
so
forgiving.”
As
the
team
dispersed,
Aidan
lingered,
staring
at
his
reflection
in
the
polished
floor.
His
green
eyes,
faintly
glowing
with
the
amber
coursing
through
him,
stared
back.
The
weight
of
the
journey
ahead
loomed
large,
but
for
the
first
time,
a
spark
of
pride
flickered
within
him.
He
was
no
longer
just
surviving.
He
was
beginning
to
thrive.
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