Roommates

The walls in the women's quarters were thick. The air felt damp and cool. 

Aella guided me to my room, giving me a quick tour.

Her words "Welcome to hell" echoed in my mind. But I wasn't afraid. I had just come from one hell, I could handle another. 

"This is the common room," Aella mentioned as she entered a large, dimly lit room. "Here, the women gather at the end of every day, to eat and just do what women do," Aella grinned as she spoke. 

"Even though we are soldiers, we're still women," she winked at me and continued leading the way.

She pushed open a heavy double door, revealing a long hallway lined with rolls of door on each side. 

We walked until she reached what seemed like the middle of the corridor. 

She opened a door at the left and stepped inside. 

As we entered, I saw five girls who hurried to stand.

"Ma'am," they saluted Aella in unison. 

"At ease," she told them, but they remained standing.

"This is your new bunkmate and our fresh recruit," she indicated toward me. "You need to treat her respectfully as she is under the commander's supervision," 

"Yes, ma'am," they responded together.

"Ember," she addressed a girl. "You are the same build as her, give her one of your training outfits and a boot, then guide her to the washroom," she instructed the girl. 

"Yes ma'am," she replied with a serious tone. 

"Alright, we're set here," Aella stated as she turned and left. 

"Welcome," the girl named Ember addressed me with a gentle expression, radiating a sense of innocence. 

What could have brought a girl like her to a place like this?

"I'm Ember. It's lovely to have a new roommate. Where do you hail from?" She said, beaming. 

"Let the girl rest a bit before bombarding her with chatter, Ember," another girl interjected. She seemed the oldest, exuding a tough yet striking beauty like Aella. 

"I'm Zara," she introduced herself. "This is Nyx," she gestured towards a girl.

"Hello," Nyx waved at me.

"This is Gaia," Zara continued the introductions. 

"Pleasure to meet you," Gaia nodded politely. 

"And this is Raven," she pointed to the last girl.

I glanced at Raven, who sat quietly at the corner of the room.

Turning back to the girls, I said, "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. I'm Seraphina," 

"Welcome, Seraphina. Ember, fetch her your training outfit and a boot," she instructed Ember, who hurried off. 

"This will be your bunk," she indicated to a bed. "You'll take the top spot," she directed, and I acknowledged with a nod. 

Ember returned with the clothing and handed them to me.

"Thank you," I expressed my gratitude as I took them. 

"Come, I'll guide you to the washroom," she offered as she led the way, and I followed suit. 

"What pack are you from?" She inquired once more as we strolled down the hall. 

"Umbra Howl," I reluctantly disclosed, though I wasn't keen on sharing. 

Sensing my reticent, Ember refrained from further questioning, and we proceeded in silence. 

"This is the washroom," she points towards a door at the hall's end. "Will you be able to find your way back to the room?" 

"Yes, thank you," I replied as I entered the washroom.

The chill of the room enveloped me upon entry, a welcome sensation. 

The washroom resounded with the splashing of water and the clicking of metal against porcelain.

Selecting a bucket, I filled it with water and retreated to a far corner for privacy. 

I took my time washing myself, relishing the opportunity after days without a proper wash.

Changing into the outfit provided by Ember, slightly loose but fitting well, I discarded my old clothes in what seemed like a makeshift bin. 

Returning to the room feeling refreshed, I easily found my way back by counting the doors during our walk to the washroom. 

As I entered, all eyes turned towards me. "The clothes suit you," Ember remarked, observing me.

"Thank you," I acknowledged as I headed towards my bed, but paused in my tracks upon catching sight of my reflection.

I approached the tiny mirror nestled between two bunks, and the reflection that stared back at me left me stunned. 

It had been four long years since I'd seen my own face. 

The once vibrant golden strands of my hair, still damp from the bath, now appeared lackluster. My once lively blue eyes seemed devoid of any spark, as if drained of life itself.

My cheeks, now dry and hollow, bore a small scar on the lower left side. A scar gifted to me by a soldier, using his claw to mark me, ensuring he could always track me down whenever he pleases. 

Tears ran down my cheeks as I locked eyes with the girl in the mirror. 

The girl staring back at me was dead. She was still breathing but she was dead. 

In that moment, any hope of ever finding joy or smiling again seemed to perish. 

Retracting to my bed, I wrapped myself in a coarse woolen blanket, seeking solace in its warmth.

Alone in my sorrow, I wept silently. 

Eventually, exhaustion and grief led me into a fitful slumber. 

                                    *********

"Training starts today," Ember mentioned to me as I tidied my bed.

I responded with a gentle nod. 

Each of us attended to our personal tasks before exiting the room, and I trailed behind. 

We made our way to the bustling common room, a stark contrast to the quiet of the previous day.

The space was abuzz with women, seated in groups, and engaged in conversations over their morning meal.

We queued up at the food station, selecting our portion. The offering of bread, soup, and a small portion of meat felt like a feast compared to my past meals. 

Finding an empty table, our group settled in. While the girls chatted, I savored my meal in silence. 

Once we finished eating, we ventured outside to the training ground. 

My pulse quickened as I crossed the threshold into the crowded space, witnessing men and women engaged in sparring and weapon drills.

A soft hand on my shoulder made me turn around to meet Ember's gaze, her eyes conveying understanding.

"I'm in my second month here," she shared softly. "I vividly remember the nerves of my first day. Training is brutal, but the growth you'll experience is invaluable. It's a challenging part, Seraphina, but one that leads to strength." 

Her words offer me a sense of calm amidst the uncertainty. "Thank you, Ember," I expressed with a tight smile. 

She smiled back as she strolled away. 

Anticipating Alpha Kaelen's presence at the training, I was taken aback by the entrance of a towering figure who commanded attention with a resounding, "Attention, soldiers," 

The once bustling soldiers halted their activities, turning towards the imposing figure at the center of the field. 

"Welcome back soldiers," he commenced. "You've faced the fires of war and emerged, forged in the crucible of war. But the cost...the cost was heavy." He paused, letting the silence speak volumes. 

"Some of you," he continued. "Carried brothers and sisters back from the battlefield, only to leave them behind in the cold embrace of the earth. We honor them today. We honor their sacrifice, their courage, their unwavering spirit. We carry their memory with me, not as a burden, but as a beacon, guiding us through the darkness." 

"May the god of the underworld welcome their souls," he raised his hand, a silent salute to the fallen.

"May the god of the underworld welcome their souls," echoed the entire battalion, hands raised in unison. 

"This training," he pressed on, "is not about the drills and tactics. It's about rebuilding. This is a journey, brothers and sisters. A journey back from the abyss, a journey back from yourselves. And I will be your guide, your support, every step of the way." 

"We have new recruits among us," his voice thundered, and my heart sank. 

"Step forth, new recruits." He commanded, and any remnants of my courage dissipated.