**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**
**Chapter 137: Can You Hang in There?**
The dawn of a new day marked the beginning of Thora’s rigorous training regimen. As the sun broke through the horizon, casting golden rays across the training grounds, anticipation hung thick in the air.
When the recruits received their meticulously crafted training plans, a profound silence enveloped them. They exchanged glances filled with disbelief and newfound admiration for Thora. The precision with which she had tailored drills to fit each individual’s unique strengths was nothing short of remarkable.
“Starting today, I’ll be training alongside you,” Thora announced, her voice firm and unwavering. “We’ll divide into two groups—veterans on one side, rookies on the other.”
She paused, her icy gaze sweeping over the assembled recruits, each of whom felt the weight of her scrutiny. “In one month, I’ll evaluate your progress. Fail to meet my standards, and you’re out!”
A palpable tension gripped the group, but it was quickly dispelled as they responded in unison, fists clenched in determination, “Yes, Commander Green!”
With that, they transitioned seamlessly into training mode, adrenaline coursing through their veins.
Luke, identified as a tech soldier, found himself grappling with the physical demands of the program. While he was accustomed to basic strength and endurance drills, he had always preferred the comfort of his desk. The intensity of the training was a brutal wake-up call, and even the initial conditioning sessions left him gasping for breath.
Thora had calibrated his training to be challenging yet manageable, pushing him to his limits without crossing the line into exhaustion.
As the veterans engaged in their routines, they began to view the special recruits through a new lens, learning more about their backgrounds. Besides Ashton and Harvey, Luke and Shirley were already being heralded as prodigies, coveted by multiple states eager to recruit their talents.
The realization struck the veterans hard, igniting a wave of self-doubt. If those two were considered underperformers, then what did that make them?
Harvey and Ashton, while not possessing the same standout abilities, gradually shed their “rookie” labels as the training progressed. Their true strengths began to surface: Harvey excelled in solo operations and suppressing enemy fire, while Ashton demonstrated an uncanny knack for making quick, tactical decisions.
And then there was Thora—her skill set left them utterly speechless. She was a master of close combat, a sharpshooter with pinpoint accuracy, and her ability to command the battlefield with strategic layouts was unparalleled. How could one individual be so proficient in every aspect of warfare?
“The final drill for today is a 1,200-mile weighted run,” Thora declared, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. “Finish last, and you’ll be responsible for everyone’s laundry!”
“Yes, Commander Green!” they shouted in unison, a mix of excitement and trepidation coursing through them.
With that, they launched into a sprint, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the ground. A fleeting smile graced Thora’s lips as she joined in, her own pace steady and determined.
At first, she lingered at the back, but soon, she surged ahead, leaving Ashton and Luke trailing behind.
Barely twenty minutes into the run, Luke was already feeling the toll it was taking on his body. He stumbled back, his stamina depleted. Years of sitting behind a desk had left him unprepared for this kind of physical challenge.
Up front, Tristan and Harvey were locked in a fierce battle of wills, pushing each other to their limits.
Tristan’s eyes widened in surprise as Harvey caught up to him, a grin breaking across his sharp features. “Guess I underestimated you,” he admitted, the competitive spirit igniting between them.
Harvey snorted in response, “You underestimate a lot of things.”

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