The skimmer descended slowly, its Resonance stabilizers humming as the terrain rose to meet it.
Outside the viewing panels, the land stretched in uneven layers—stone flats broken by low forests and shallow ravines. Settlements dotted the distance, modest but reinforced, their foundations threaded with older Resonance plating.
"This sector recognizes royal authority," the pilot announced. "Local governance remains autonomous."
Instructor Darian Holt stood near the exit hatch, arms folded, his presence alone steadying the compartment.
"That means," Darian said, voice firm, "they follow Crown law, but we don't manage their daily affairs. When something exceeds local capacity, the Academy intervenes."
A third-year student adjusted the strap on his shield. "Like now, sir?"
"Yes," Darian replied. "This is field jurisdiction."
The skimmer touched down.
As the doors opened, the air shifted—not unstable, but unregulated. Resonance flowed freely here, unconstrained by dense arrays or capital dampeners.
Several students flexed instinctively, letting the energy reinforce bone and muscle.
Mark Renver stepped out first, greatblade resting across his shoulder. "You feel that?" he said calmly. "That's baseline flow. The capital isn't normal. It's engineered."
Liria King followed, twin short-spears humming faintly with Resonance coating. "Out here, power responds to awareness, not authority."
Maren Sol knelt immediately, releasing a construct from her wrist. It unfolded into a lattice of floating sigils, thin filaments spreading outward like a net.
"Trail's active," she said. "Beast-class. Large."
A third-year striker leaned closer. "How can you tell already?"
Maren didn't look up. "Because human Resonance is clean. We draw it, shape it, release it."
She expanded the projection between them—clouded streaks bleeding unevenly into stone and soil.
"Beasts absorb Resonance and store it," she continued. "It condenses into a core. No refinement. No control. The larger the core, the stronger the creature—and the more it leaks."
Darian nodded. "That leak is what we follow."
Mark adjusted his grip. "And it doesn't know it's leaving one."
They moved out in formation.
Third-year protocol snapped into place automatically.
Frontline tanks raised reinforced shields, Resonance thickening their frames. Strikers fanned out with blades and polearms. Ranged units loaded Resonance-charged bolts. Support stayed central—Maren among them.
"This is a live hunt," Darian said as they advanced. "You've all passed simulation thresholds. Now you apply discipline."
A student murmured, "Weapons ready."
"Remember," Darian continued, "third year is engagement, not heroics. You survive by coordination."
Liria glanced back at the students. "Fourth year is where you learn how not to die when things go wrong."
That earned a few grim smiles.
The trail deepened as they entered the ravine—crushed vegetation, fractured stone, vibration humming faintly underfoot.
Maren slowed. "It doubled back."
A tank frowned. "How can you tell?"
She rotated the projection. "Overlap. Humans track deliberately. Beasts react. When threatened, they circle territory."
A low rumble echoed ahead.
Darian raised a hand. "Positions."
The beast emerged slowly.
Quadrupedal. Massive. Mineral growth layered its hide, Resonance veins pulsing beneath the surface. A dull glow throbbed from its chest—its core.
"Shield line," Darian ordered.
Three tanks locked formation, Resonance barriers interlocking.
"Notice the output," Darian said evenly. "Unstable. Excessive."
"Meaning?" a striker asked.
"It burns power without efficiency," Mark replied. "That's your opening."
The beast charged.
"Hold!" Darian barked.
Impact slammed into the shield line. Stone cracked beneath their feet, but the formation held.
A tank cried out as the force carried through.
"Stabilizing," Maren said instantly.
Her construct flared, threads of Resonance weaving around the injured student's arm. Bone realigned. Pain dulled.
"He can stay in formation," she said. "Reduced output for two minutes."
"Good," Darian said. "Advance."
Mark moved first—not striking, but redirecting. His reinforced body met the beast's shoulder, Resonance dispersing force sideways instead of absorbing it.
"Don't fight its strength," he called. "Communicate with the flow."
Liria followed, her spears coated in Resonance, striking joints—not to cut, but to disrupt balance.
"Strikers, rotate!" Darian commanded.
Blades flashed. Bolts struck exposed veins. The beast roared, slamming the ground, cracks racing outward.
A support unit faltered as debris struck his leg.
"I've got him," Maren said, already moving.
She knelt, palm pressed to the ground, Resonance pulsing steadily. "Breathe. Let it settle."
The student's breathing slowed as the pain faded.
"Back in thirty seconds," she said. "You're not done yet."
The beast staggered under coordinated pressure, Resonance bleeding visibly into the air.
It turned and fled deeper into the ravine.
Silence followed.
A striker exhaled hard. "Why didn't we finish it?"
Darian didn't hesitate. "Because this wasn't a lone beast."
Maren recalibrated her sensors, tracking the thickening trail. "Core output was too developed. That was territorial defense."
Mark looked ahead. "Which means a nest."
"Or something worse," Liria added.
Darian straightened. "We pursue. Controlled pace."
The students adjusted grips, formations tightening—not fearful now, but focused.
As they moved deeper into the ravine, the Resonance grew heavier.
Murky.
Dense.
And whatever waited ahead was no longer reacting.
It was preparing.