The biting morning wind struck Marin's face as she gazed at the entrance of the recruitment center. The gray, imposing building seemed to stare back at her brief hesitation, as if waiting for the chance to devour her whole.
But she would not retreat anymore.
Never again.
In the past months, the freedom she had gained by escaping had come at a steep price—constant fear, restless nights, and uncertainty about what was to come.
She had taken any honest work she could find, from packing goods in markets to cleaning shops and houses. There was a sense of dignity in working hard, knowing that every small achievement was the result of her own effort.
Through it all, one single image had remained firm in her mind: the sea. It was there, so close.
On certain days, she walked alone by the beach, recalling fragments of her childhood. She remembered her mother singing songs and melodies she had never heard anywhere else but from those familiar lips.
Even with the war underway—and with the reality that becoming a soldier meant standing on the front line—the prospect of pursuing a career that gave her the structure to live on her own, while being close to the ocean, felt like destiny. Nothing else around her stirred any true interest, except for the idea of crossing the seas and watching the sunset mirrored over blue waters.
That was why she knew she had to prepare for her new journey.
She studied on her own, in the few moments between exhausting shifts, absorbing whatever knowledge could help her pass the enlistment exams. She had never had access to formal education, thanks to her aunt's neglect, and had to take tests to earn her basic diplomas.
She built a routine of physical training and academic review to make up for what she lacked, all while paying rent for a damp room that smelled of mold.
Everything she had done had led her to this moment, standing before the place that would mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Was she afraid? Without a doubt. Yet what truly mattered was proving that she deserved to be there.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
She drew a deep breath and stepped through the door.
The hall was crowded. Men and women waited in lines, filling out forms and exchanging anxious glances.
She approached the enlistment desk and was received by a soldier.
"Name?" he asked, without lifting his eyes from the paper.
Her answer came steady. Marin completed the documents with precision.
Every word written there confirmed her choice.
Now, there was no turning back.
The aptitude test began.
It was draining.
Each question involving mathematics, mechanics, and military strategy pushed the limits of everything she had taught herself.
But failure was not an option.
The simple act of understanding and responding was already proof of her dedication.
At the end, she handed in the exam and waited.
Hours later, an officer returned with the general results.
The man announced, one by one, the names of those approved. Among them, was hers.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
She released a restrained breath.
She had done it.
But this was only the beginning.
After passing the medical exams and being officially admitted into the training program, Marin was led into a large room where dozens of other candidates were already waiting.
Tension hung in the air.
A heavy silence.
A high-ranking officer entered, his presence demanding immediate respect. He positioned himself at the front and raised his right hand.
"Repeat after me."
The new recruit and the others lifted their arms and recited the Oath of Enlistment.
Each phrase was a definitive mark upon their paths.
From that moment on, she belonged to the Navy.
The Blue Hell!
That was what the trainees called the place.
Training began before dawn.
Woken by shouts, recruits ran until their bodies burned with effort. All were pushed to the edge.
The instructors demanded the maximum—physically and mentally. Logic tests, battle simulations, and sleepless nights were part of the routine.
In the first months, Marin thought she would not endure. Yet she never showed regret. She revealed her strength in each session.
In the resistance pool, she overcame the physical challenges without faltering. In tactical exercises, she displayed agility and decision-making under pressure.
Some differences were visible. Others more subtle.
She was not the only woman there, but the environment was hostile.
Glances, murmurs, and comments made it clear that some did not want them present.
"Let's see how long you last."
"And there's even an immigrant here, huh? War makes them take anyone."
The young woman ignored them. She truly did not care about provocations. Perhaps it was because she had been insulted so many times by her aunt's family.
Now, however, she was not the same little girl as before.
Her goals consumed all space in her mind. Her body was growing more resilient, her strength increasing, her confidence solidifying. Each exercise shaped her muscles with practicality—no excess, only power and control.
But the real challenge was surviving the psychological pressure. At times, it was hard to even breathe under so much accumulated tension.
Marin did not seek acceptance.
She only needed to become strong.
And that was exactly what she was doing.
After months of intense preparation, the decisive moment came. The final phase of the course consisted of a naval combat simulation.
The tests involved navigation, survival in open sea, and combat aboard military vessels.
Simulated explosions...Shrieking alarms...Orders shouted...
The deck was a meticulously orchestrated chaos.
She ran alongside the team, carrying supplies, dodging obstacles, securing their strategic position.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
Her heart raced, though her mind remained sharp.
The recruit had also learned to handle emergency equipment, navigate by the stars, and endure days without drinking water.
She had swum in turbulent waters, escaped sinking vessels, and responded precisely in extreme situations.
She was included in close-combat training, where she learned defensive techniques and offensive protocols.
She knew how to face stronger opponents, stay calm in critical moments, and resist the constant feeling of imminent danger.
She observed everything with meticulous attention. She absorbed knowledge like someone who knew her life would depend on it—and deep down, she knew it would.
The simulation was not just a test. It was a glimpse of what awaited her.
The world was at war on a global scale.
And soon, she would be at the center of it all.
The atmosphere was oppressive, and for a moment, reality and simulation blurred in her mind.
The news of the war grew increasingly alarming.
When the final exercise ended, the recruits were assembled.
The instructor walked among them, scrutinizing each face with rigor.
His gaze rested on Marin.
Subtly, he gave her a nod, as if to congratulate her.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
After everything she had endured, something inside her had hardened for good.
From that moment on, nothing could stop her.
With the closing ceremony completed, the newly graduated recruit was summoned to Captain Sullever's office.
A man just past fifty, known for his strictness.
He stared at her for a few moments before speaking.
"You have potential."
She stood firm, avoiding his eyes as a sign of respect.
"Thank you, sir."
The captain, with a pensive expression, picked up a document from his desk.
"There's a complaint against you. Your relatives accused you of theft, assault, and fleeing."
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
Her body tensed.
I don't believe this... Those bastards!
It was clear. They would not let her go so easily.
It had been a year and two months since her escape.
I should have known it was strange they hadn't caused me trouble until now.
She clenched her teeth, trying to conceal any sign of revolt.
Sensing her reaction, the officer continued:
"I've settled this with the local police. You are now under the Navy's protection, so you can relax."
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
She blinked, incredulous.
"Your relatives had no proof, and nothing they said matched what we verified. The system is overwhelmed by the current chaos, so this nonsense took time to reach me. In less than a week, I resolved everything."
"T-thank you, sir... for helping me."
It was still hard to believe.
"I merely did what was necessary to keep someone who may be essential to our nation. You're not the first to arrive here with this kind of situation..."
He regarded her calmly.
"At least you had the courage to act. Your results are exceptional. Keep it that way. Don't waste this opportunity. I have high expectations for you."
Marin nodded, fighting against the impulse to cry.
It had been so long since anyone had offered her words of encouragement, since anyone had believed in her worth.
And because of that, she vowed she would always give her best.
To be continued...