DEMONS-tration Day (Part IV)

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the training field. Team Unknown stood ready, with Ember front and center, his stance radiating energy and authority. Despite the lingering bruises and the day's accumulated exhaustion, the soldiers had gathered once more, their expressions determined as they waited for the final challenge.

Dr. Lewis moved toward the front, a clipboard in hand, his expression caught somewhere between exasperation and approval. He glanced over at Ember, his eyebrows raised in a silent reminder to keep the intensity in check for the end of the day.

Ember noticed and grinned, his voice echoing across the field. "Alright, soldiers, you've survived so far—barely." He surveyed them with a glint of mock approval. "But before you think today's over, we're going to push things one last time. After all, if you're lucky, your enemy might let you catch your breath. But in our world…" Ember's eyes darkened, voice lowering with an ominous edge. "There are no guarantees."

The soldiers shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other, their bodies clearly exhausted but their faces resolute. Dr. Lewis's voice interrupted the silence.

"For this last drill, listen carefully. It'll involve endurance, quick thinking, and unity. This isn't a drill to 'show off' strength or precision—it's designed to challenge your limits as a unit." He cast a pointed glance toward Ember. "Make it tough, not torturous."

Ember shrugged with feigned innocence. "Light work."

Bo coughed to cover a laugh, muttering to Riggs, "Yeah, 'light work' as defined by a complete menace."

The corners of Ember's mouth twitched at the comment, and he called out, "Ready yourselves!"

The soldiers tensed, their shoulders set, faces steeled as they waited for what came next. Ember gave a signal, and Val stepped forward, his calm, unyielding presence enough to command silence across the field. 

"Team Unknown will be observing your response time and stamina during this last exercise," Val said, his voice steady and focused. "Do as you've been trained today. Move with intention, not hesitation."

The soldiers exchanged wary glances, clearly uncertain what exactly the drill entailed. 

Ember crossed his arms, surveying the field. "Let's see if you can keep up."

He motioned for Riggs to begin, and without warning, Riggs unleashed a powerful gust of wind, sending a swirl of dust and debris into the air. The soldiers shielded their eyes, immediately thrown off balance, their line broken as they attempted to regroup.

"Eyes on each other!" Ember barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Formation doesn't break for a little wind!"

The soldiers scrambled back into position, bracing themselves as Riggs continued to manipulate the wind, creating sudden gusts that forced them to brace harder, move faster. A few soldiers stumbled, one muttering a curse under his breath.

"Get used to it!" Ember's voice was sharp, commanding. "You're in for more than a little breeze."

Without missing a beat, Fon stepped forward, his arms raised as the ground began to rumble beneath their feet. The soldiers looked around, eyes wide as cracks split through the earth, upending their footing.

One soldier staggered, barely catching himself before tripping over a jagged mound of earth. "Is this… a demonstration or a natural disaster?!"

Ember shot him a glare. "Does it matter? The objective is to stay on your feet!" His voice dropped to a mock whisper. "Or have you forgotten what standing looks like?"

Val kept a close eye on the soldiers, watching as they adapted to the unpredictable terrain. A few more lost their balance, quickly pulling themselves back up, determination etched into their faces as they fought to maintain their formation.

Dr. Lewis observed from the sidelines, a faint smile crossing his face. Despite the grueling nature of the day, the soldiers were proving resilient. They stumbled, cursed, and struggled, but each time they fell, they rose again with renewed tenacity.

Finally, Ember signaled for the team to dial down the elements, allowing the soldiers a brief moment to catch their breath. But before they had a chance to regroup, Bo stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous edge.

"Nice job, everyone," Bo said, his tone deceptively light. "But if you think you're done, you're sorely mistaken."

With that, Bo summoned a sharp wall of ice that sprung up right in front of the soldiers, forcing them to come to an abrupt halt. They exchanged confused looks as Bo created a maze of ice walls and narrow corridors across the field, each path twisting and turning unpredictably.

"You've got one minute," Bo announced, "to navigate through the maze without breaking formation."

One soldier's face turned pale. "Are you serious?"

Ember smirked, crossing his arms. "What's the matter? A little ice got you cold-footed?"

The soldiers gritted their teeth, throwing each other determined looks as they plunged into the maze. The narrow corridors forced them to hunch down, pressing close together to avoid brushing against the jagged ice. Val watched as they stumbled and regrouped, one soldier muttering, "This isn't training—this is torture."

Another grunted in agreement, wiping sweat from his brow despite the chill. "If I survive this, I'm retiring early."

Over the Mind Link, Bo's voice rang with amusement. "That's the spirit."

Fon joined in, chuckling, "Guess they thought they'd signed up for a stroll in the park."

Ember's laughter echoed across the field, catching the soldiers' attention. "You think this is torture?" He shook his head, voice dripping with mock pity. "Hate to break it to you, but this is just a taste."

By the time they reached the end of the maze, the soldiers looked more than a little worn, but their stances were steady, their expressions more resolute than ever. Ember watched them with a glint of satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

"Not bad," he admitted, his tone uncharacteristically sincere. "Looks like you've got some fight in you after all."

The soldiers shared tired but prideful smiles, straightening as they braced for what came next. Ember glanced at Val, giving a small nod as if to signal that they were ready for the final phase.

Val stepped forward, his presence commanding as he addressed the soldiers one last time. "This is your last drill for today. It's about discipline and control. You've faced elemental distractions, unpredictable terrain, and tactical exercises. Now, it's time to show us your resilience. You'll spar in pairs—use everything you've learned today."

The soldiers split off into pairs, taking ready stances, each of them visibly exhausted but determined. As they sparred, Ember and Team Unknown observed, their keen eyes noting every movement, every flaw.

Some soldiers grunted and cursed as they struggled to keep up, but there was a newfound sharpness in their moves. Each strike was more calculated, their reactions faster. Ember's relentless drills had pushed them past their previous limits, forcing them to adapt and refine their techniques.

Bo leaned over to Riggs, a smirk playing at his lips. "Looks like they're actually improving. Maybe Ember's boot camp from hell wasn't such a bad idea."

Riggs chuckled. "Guess the terror tactics have their place."

By the time the sun was fully set, the soldiers were visibly battered but standing tall. Ember glanced over the field, pride evident in his eyes as he surveyed the soldiers' progress.

Dr. Lewis stepped forward, clapping his hands to signal the end of the day's demonstration. "Well done, all of you. I think today has shown exactly why complacency has no place in this line of work."

The soldiers, though exhausted, straightened at his words, a sense of accomplishment flickering in their tired eyes.

Dr. Lewis continued, "Tomorrow, we push even further. Get some rest tonight—you'll need it."

As the soldiers dispersed, murmuring among themselves, Team Unknown gathered together, each of them clearly pleased with the day's results.

Ember smirked, watching the soldiers retreat. "Think they'll be back for round two?"

Val shrugged, his tone calm. "If they know what's good for them."

With that, they turned back to HQ, leaving the soldiers to prepare for another grueling day under the merciless eyes of Team Unknown.