Chapter 59

ELIZA’S POV The morning sun had barely come up when we were led into the training grounds. The soldiers were already deep in their drills. Today marked the beginning of our official training for the war. I stood in line with Vivi, Cynthia, Rod, and Boone. Each of us was dressed in fitted combat gear. The head guards circled the new recruits like hawks searching for weakness. They wouldn’t find any in us. "We’ll start with basic combat drills," one of the lead trainers barked with his arms crossed over his chest. "Pair up. I want to see what you can do." I turned to my partner who was a broad-shouldered soldier with a cocky grin. He clearly thought this was going to be easy. I had no intention of making it so. The head guard, Captain Harlan, stepped beside us, looking at me. "Watch closely," he instructed. He then demonstrated a swift takedown maneuver. It was meant to disarm and pin an opponent in a fluid motion. "Now, try it." Before my partner could react, I executed the move immedia