The first day of conditioning was hell. Already, two recruits had fallen and were left behind. The Instructor Sergeant hadn't even stopped to check on them, he just kept running.

The recruits followed him up the single, well worn trail on the side of the mountain, the jungle on both sides pressing in closer and closer, until they were leaping over logs and avoiding pits. Spirit Tiger, easily the most physically fit cub in his clan, felt like he was about to pass out, but the Instructor Sergeant had not yet broken a sweat.

Spirit Tiger could feel the rage and hatred building up within him, could feel the urge to destroy the man deep inside his heart. He turned his hatred into energy, pushing himself to live, to run. He didn't realize his brother had fallen behind until he heard a sharp yell of pain. He turned around and saw him sitting on the ground, his leg bleeding. Spirit Tiger ran back to him and knelt beside his brother.

"Steel Eyes, what happened?"

Steel Eyes grimaced and moved his hand away from the wound, exposing the place where he had broken one of the bones in his leg. A white shard was sticking out of the wound, and Spirit Tiger gagged. He looked back towards the others, but they were already out of sight around a bend in the "path". Spirit Tiger turned around and said, "Get on my back, brother. I will carry you."

Steel Eyes shook his head and replied, "No, we will both die out here if you carry me. Besides, I'm not cut out for this life. Go on, brother."

Spirit Tiger groaned and lifted his twin onto his back, then got back onto the path and followed it.

The next three hours were the worst in Spirit Tiger's life. He pushed himself further than he had thought possible, but it was all worth it. When they arrived at the end of the path, they were greeted by a majestic sight. It was a complex, built into the side of the mountain, colored a deep blue with orange engravings. Standing outside of it was the Instructor Sergeant, a smile on his face. Beside him stood a Marine in white armor, and the Marine quickly rushed forward to take Steel Eyes. When the Marine had Steel Eyes settled easily in his massive arms, he extracted a blood sample with a tool attached to his left wrist.

"Instructor Sergeant, the wound is beginning to get infected, but it is not serious as of yet. It will be several days before he will be ready for more training."

The Instructor Sergeant nodded and replied, "Fine, just take care of him Makaz. Brother Captain Felis would have my head if I let his son die of a mere infection. And you, young Spirit Tiger."

Spirit Tiger cringed at the mention of his name.

"You will make a great Captain someday, like your father."

The Instructor Sergeant turned and left before Spirit Tiger could ask him what he meant, and Spirit Tiger found himself alone. He stood there for a minute thinking until a roar from the jungle brought him back to his senses, and he rushed inside the barracks complex.