Edwin woke up aching. The bunk mattress beneath him had clearly seen better days thin, lumpy, and unforgiving. He sat up slowly, rubbing his back, and gnced around the room. It was rge, clearly repurposed from some old business building. Rows of bunk beds lined the walls, enough to house the entire militia.

  He dressed quickly, stomach growling like thunder, and made his way to the mess hall.

  Inside, the energy was electric. Soldiers suited and booted, dressed in bck and brown tactical gear. Badges glinted on some uniforms, stripes on others. Sophie sat among them, already dressed, no stripes on her sleeve but her smile said it didn't matter. She was part of something that mattered. And so was Edwin.

  He slid into a seat beside Bze, Ice, and Sophie. The pte in front of him held eggs and grits simple, but heavenly.

  "This might be the best meal I've ever had," Edwin said between bites.

  Bze chuckled. "Eat up. We moved in at fifteen. Pack your gear."

  The room responded in unison: "Yes, sir!"

  Edwin groaned. "Damn. Can't even enjoy this properly."

  Bze grinned. "Don't worry. There'll be more."

  Edwin didn't need convincing. He devoured his pte, leaving Bze, Ice, and Sophie staring in amused disbelief.

  Bze stood. "Edwin, Sophie, you start training today. Edwin, you're with Ice. Sophie, you'll be with one of our finest Sergeant Eve."

  He called her over.

  Eve approached with quiet authority. Stoic. Sharp-eyed. Her beauty wasn't in softness, it was in strength. She didn't smile, but her presence was magnetic.

  "Meet Sophie," Bze said.

  Eve nodded. "How are you doing?"

  Sophie responded with warmth. They clicked instantly.

  "And this is Edwin," Bze added.

  Eve turned to him. "Nice to meet you."

  She gave a faint smile.

  Edwin's heart nearly exploded. He stammered something unintelligible, nerves short-circuiting his brain.

  Bze and Ice exchanged puzzled gnces.

  Bze raised his voice. "Alright, soldiers of truth let's move out!"

  The room rose as one. Marching orders. Purpose.

  Ice turned to Edwin. "Follow me."

  They descended into the basement dark, steep, seemingly endless. Edwin felt like they were walking into the earth's core.

  At the bottom, his eyes widened.

  A full training center. State-of-the-art gym. Cages. Boxing rings. Armory.

  "This is insane," Edwin whispered.

  He turned to Ice. "Aren't guns useless against demons?"

  Ice nodded. "They are. But we found a way."

  Edwin leaned in. "How?

  Ice walked to a weapons rack and pulled out a katana. Its bde shimmered with engravings. Dried blood stained the tip.

  "Holy weapons," Ice said.

  Edwin blinked. "Like… crafted by God?"

  Ice chuckled. "I wish. But no. These are forged with sacred metals, rituals, and sacrifice and all you need to make them special is if you know how to engrave them that me and a few others know how. We lost good people trying to figure it out. Their deaths weren't in vain."

  Edwin felt the weight of it. These weren't just fighters. They were believers. Warriors of conviction.

  Ice handed him the sword.

  "Let's see what you've got."