the ancient

Elarion — Old King’s Road
08:17 | Clear Skies
MVS Training Mission 01

The convoy rolled steadily along the ancient highway, six matte-white armored transport vehicles humming almost silently as they cut through the endless emerald forest. The road itself was older than recorded history, built long before the disappearance of the First God. Moss clung to cracked stone, while glowing blue flowers bloomed through the gaps without disturbing the pavement.

Above the treetops, a pair of dragons glided lazily through the morning sky.

Inside the lead transport…

Captain Rowan Voss, a veteran officer in his early forties, rested one armored arm on the window frame. His silver-trimmed MVS uniform bore countless medals, though he rarely spoke about how he’d earned them.

His sharp amber eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said calmly, “this is a training exercise. Stay alert anyway. The world doesn’t care what’s written on your assignment.”

A few nervous laughs answered him.

Across from him sat Sergeant Mira Kael, second-in-command. Calm, composed, and carrying a tablet glowing with magical holograms, she looked over the recruits one by one.

“If you panic,” she said evenly, “panic quietly.”

That earned a louder laugh.

⸻

The recruits were still getting used to wearing full MVS combat armor.

Noah Mercer, eighteen, couldn’t stop bouncing one knee.

“So…” he muttered. “Anyone else hoping we don’t actually find anything?”

“You’ve been saying that for an hour,” sighed Darius Holt, the tallest recruit in the squad. “If you’re scared, just say you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared.”

“You checked your rifle safety six times.”

“…Seven.”

A smirk spread across the face of Kira Solis, whose boots rested casually against her seat despite repeated warnings not to.

“If something attacks us,” she grinned, “I’m blaming Noah.”

“You’d run first.”

“I’d run strategically.”

Several recruits chuckled.