Necrocephalus

The days passed in a blur as Jack immersed himself in his strenuous training. He pushed himself to the limit, driven by the determination to succeed this time. Every morning, he woke up early to run through the streets of Llandoria, his muscles burning with the effort but his mind sharp and focused. He spent hours at the training grounds, working on his strength, speed, and agility, determined to leave no weakness unaddressed.

Jack had turned in his application for the Special Forces exam and was anxiously waiting for a response. Each day he trained harder, knowing that the stakes were higher than ever. The ominous news about the Abomorphs in Seveden lingered in his mind, adding urgency to his preparation.

The morning of the exam day arrived, and Jack’s heart pounded as he checked his messages. His breath caught when he saw the notification. It was the answer he had been waiting for. With trembling hands, he opened the message, feeling a mixture of hope and dread.

Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the Special Forces exam. Please report to the designated training grounds this afternoon for the first phase.

Jack exhaled, relief flooding through him. He had made it to the exam. This was his chance. He steeled his resolve, determined to pass the exam this time. He would not let his past failures define him. Today was a new beginning.

The first phase of the exam was focused on physical fitness and would be held in the afternoon. Jack knew that this would be one of the toughest parts, testing every aspect of his physical endurance and strength. He had trained hard, but he couldn’t afford to be overconfident. He needed to be at his best.

Jack spent the morning preparing himself, both physically and emotionally. He did a series of warm-up exercises, stretching his muscles and getting his body ready for the challenge ahead. He took deep, steady breaths, calming his mind and focusing on the task before him. His thoughts drifted to the faces of those he cared about—his lost family, Jeff, Rosie, and Stefanie. They were his motivation, the reason he pushed himself so hard.

As the time for the exam drew closer, Jack felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. He knew that the competition would be fierce, and the challenges would be brutal. But he also knew that he had prepared as best he could. This was his chance to prove himself, to show that he had what it took to fight against the Abomorphs and protect those he loved.

With a final deep breath, Jack left his house, his footsteps firm and steady as he made his way to the training grounds. The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows over the city. The streets were busy with people, but Jack’s focus was entirely on the exam.

Today was the day he would change his fate. Today, he would begin the journey to becoming part of the Special Forces. And no matter what happened, he was ready to give it everything he had.

Jack arrived at the Grand Building, the imposing headquarters of the Llandorian National Defense Force. It was an impressive structure, with towering walls of polished stone and large, intricately designed pillars that seemed to reach the sky. Jack had been here multiple times before, but the sight never ceased to amaze him. The building radiated a sense of power and security, a true symbol of peace, as the people of Llandoria called it. It represented everything he aspired to—strength, protection, and hope.

He paused for a moment at the entrance, taking in the grandeur before pushing himself forward. This was not the time to stand in awe. He was here for a purpose, and today was his chance to prove himself.

Jack made his way through the parking area, glancing at the rows of cars neatly lined up. There were a lot more vehicles than he expected—cars of all shapes and sizes, most belonging to participants eager to prove themselves just like him. Jack knew this meant one thing: the batch of participants this time was going to be large. The thought made his heart beat a little faster. More competition meant the stakes were higher, but he was ready for it.

He tightened his grip on the small duffle bag slung over his shoulder, filled with the essentials he’d need for the day. As he walked towards the entrance, he could already see other hopefuls gathering, some stretching, others talking nervously among themselves. Jack recognized the expressions on their faces—the same mix of excitement, determination, and anxiety that he himself felt.

Jack joined the line of participants entering the building. The guards at the entrance checked their identifications, directing each person towards the large courtyard where the physical fitness exam would take place. Jack handed over his ID, his gaze wandering over the courtyard that stretched ahead, filled with various obstacles, training equipment, and targets.

"Jack Cramwell," the guard called out after scanning his ID. "Proceed to the courtyard. Good luck."

Jack nodded, offering a quick "Thank you," before moving forward. He took in the sight of the training grounds, a space he was already familiar with from his previous attempts. This place had seen his failures before, but today it was going to witness something different. He could feel it in his bones.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was tense. The participants were all gathered in clusters, some whispering to each other while others stood alone, staring ahead with steely focus. Jack looked around, taking in the scene. He wasn’t the only one here with something to prove, each person had their own reasons for being here, their own motivations and stories. But Jack knew that today, no matter what, he would do whatever it took to pass.

He spotted a familiar face, a trainer he’d worked with during one of his past attempts. The trainer gave him a brief nod, and Jack returned it, feeling a small surge of confidence. He knew he had grown stronger since the last time he was here. He had trained harder, pushed himself beyond his limits, and learned from every mistake he had made before.

The loud blare of a whistle interrupted his thoughts, signaling the beginning of the exam. Jack took a deep breath, centering himself, his eyes fixed on the obstacle course ahead. This was it, the first step towards achieving his goal.

Jack felt the adrenaline begin to course through his veins. The courtyard seemed to blur for a moment, his vision narrowing to focus solely on the challenge in front of him. He could do this. He had to.

He stepped up with the others, ready to face the physical tests that awaited him. The journey ahead was uncertain, but Jack was prepared to face whatever came his way. Today, he was determined not to fail.

As Jack walked through the training grounds, he saw people of all shapes and sizes. As he had expected, there were far more participants this time compared to his previous attempts at the exam. The energy in the air was charged with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Jack's eyes swept over the crowd, noticing the variety of determined faces—some hardened, others nervous, but all focused.

From what Jack could see, the first part of the exam would be the physical assessment, something he was more than familiar with. He caught sight of the instructor, a stern figure whose voice had barked orders at him in previous attempts. Next to the instructor stood someone Jack recognized: John Krell, a name that brought back memories of his past try at the exam. John had participated alongside him, and Jack knew the smugness of the man's smile before John even approached.

John caught a glimpse of Jack and immediately began striding over, his confident swagger apparent from afar. As he reached Jack, his lips curled into a smirk. “Well, look who’s back,” John said, his voice dripping with mockery. “I thought they stopped letting half-wits in here after last time. Seems I was wrong.”

Jack remained silent, his face expressionless. He knew better than to engage with someone like John. Words wouldn’t change anything, and Jack had long since decided that he would let his actions speak for him. Without a word, Jack turned his gaze away from John, dismissing him entirely, and focused instead on the course ahead. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and blocked out the noise, both from John and from the bustling crowd around them. Today was about him, and nothing—not even John’s taunts—would break his focus.

John, however, wasn't ready to let it go. He followed Jack, his mocking words trailing behind, taunting Jack with every step. Jack kept his head down, refusing to give John the satisfaction of a response. It wasn't until the instructor's voice boomed across the training grounds that John finally stopped.

"Krell! Enough!" the instructor barked, his eyes narrowing at John. John scowled, clearly annoyed, but he fell silent, stepping back reluctantly. Jack allowed himself the faintest sigh of relief, his focus still unwavering.

The instructor took a few steps forward, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present. "Attention!" he yelled, his voice sharp and authoritative. The murmurs and shuffling stopped instantly, every participant turning to face him.

The instructor's gaze swept over the gathered recruits, his eyes hard and assessing. "Listen up," he began, his voice carrying across the training grounds. "The situation on the frontlines is dire. Many of our soldiers have fallen, and things are getting worse out there. You need to understand that this is not a game. Despite being fresh recruits, you could be sent to the frontlines at any moment. If you think this is some kind of child's play, you're in the wrong place."

He paused, letting his words sink in, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of hesitation. "If anyone here does not agree to these terms, speak up now."

A heavy silence fell over the training grounds. Jack stood still, his heart pounding, his resolve solidifying with every passing second. Not a single participant moved or spoke, the weight of the instructor's words settling over them all.

After a long moment, the instructor nodded, a grim satisfaction on his face. "Good," he said. "Now, line up. We're starting with a run. I want to see what you're made of." He held up a stopwatch, the metal glinting in the sunlight. "No more talking. Move!"

Jack moved into position, his eyes fixed ahead. The time for words was over. It was time to prove himself.

One after another, the participants ran, their speeds tested by the instructor. Jack watched as each recruit took their turn, some struggling, others impressing with their speed. Finally, it was Jack's turn. He stepped forward, taking his place at the starting line. As he readied himself, he caught sight of John in the crowd, a mocking grin plastered across his face.

Jack ignored him, closing his eyes for a moment and focusing all his energy on what lay ahead. He blocked out everything else—the noise, the crowd, John's taunts. All that mattered now was the run.

The instructor raised his pistol into the air, and with a sharp crack, fired the signal to start. Jack exploded off the line, his feet pounding against the ground as he pushed himself to his limit. The wind rushed past his face, and the world around him blurred. To Jack, it felt like only a second had passed before he crossed the finish line, his heart pounding but his determination unwavering.

He looked towards the instructor, who gave him an approving nod. Jack allowed himself a small smile. This was only the beginning, but it was a start, a sign that his hard work was paying off.

John came up to Jack, noticing the smile on Jack's face. "Don't get cocky, Cramwell," John sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. Jack turned his head slightly, his smile fading as he regarded John with a calm expression. It was then that Jack noticed the badge on John's chest, a Squad Captain's badge, identical to the one Captain Aldric wore. The realization hit Jack hard. John was now a Special Forces Captain, the top recruit from their previous batch.

Jack couldn't hide his surprise. He knew John was talented, but to rise to the rank of Squad Captain in such a short time was remarkable. John truly was a prodigy, and Jack couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and determination. He knew the path ahead would be difficult, but seeing John's success only fueled his desire to prove himself even more.

Jack watched as a few more participants got their speeds tested by the instructor, most of them running faster than he had. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration, but he reminded himself that his journey was his own, and he needed to stay focused.

Once all the participants had completed the speed test, the instructor rounded everyone up again. His eyes scanned the group, and a rare smile touched his lips. "I have to say," he began, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "this is one of the most talented batches I've seen in a long time. You all should be proud of yourselves for making it this far. This is the best batch we've ever had."

A murmur of excitement ran through the crowd, and Jack felt the energy around him intensify. John, standing nearby, crossed his arms with a confident grin. "I've got high hopes for this batch," John added, his voice carrying across the group. "Those of you who make it will be joining my squad—the best squad in the Special Forces."

A cheer erupted from the participants, the enthusiasm palpable. Jack, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed ahead. He knew that words meant little without action. He wasn't here to cheer; he was here to prove himself.

The instructor nodded in agreement, his expression stern once more. "John and his squad are among the best in the Special Forces, and they don't accept just anyone. If you want to join them, you'll need to show me what you're made of. Now, enough talk. Get ready for the next phase."