The following morning, before dawn had fully broken, the Phoenix Legion was already hard at work upon the training grounds behind the palace. The clang of steel, the bark of orders, and the rhythmic thud of boots striking packed earth filled the cool air. Mist still clung to the grass, curling around armored shins as men and women pushed their bodies to the limits.
Netser Rimim, a soldier of Alpha Team, strained through a set of push-ups, his muscles burning, sweat dripping from his brow to darken the soil beneath him. The Norse brothers had drilled this exercise into them—something their sister had sworn by—and now it was part of Alpha's regimen. Gritting his teeth, Netser lifted his head for breath and froze.
