The corridors of HQ buzzed with an unusual energy as news of Clareo's narrow but decisive victory spread.

Footage of the ARM user's devastating display of power had reached not only every corner of the nation but also allied nations and even hostile territories. Conversations buzzed in hushed whispers, awe mixed with unease as soldiers recounted the moments Val had turned the tide.

But not everything was so tense.

A few hours after the battle concluded, the remaining members of Team Unknown arrived at HQ. The team looked like they had walked through hell itself—which, given the battlefield they left behind, wasn't far from the truth.

Their masks remained on, battered and scratched, their cloaks torn and dusted with ash. Despite their exhaustion, there was an air of triumph around them as they trudged through the halls, drawing salutes and wide-eyed stares from passing personnel.

Two soldiers whispered by the corridor.

"Is that them? The team that held the border before the ARM user arrived?"

"I heard they killed thousands—before reinforcements even showed up," the other muttered, awestruck.

Bo, overhearing the exchange, muttered under his breath, "Damn straight we did."

Fon, too tired to even smirk, groaned, "If they know what we went through, they'd shut up and get me a chair."

"Or coffee," Riggs added, wiping the soot from his visor. "A chair and coffee. Hell, make it a damn throne. We earned it."

They marched into HQ Command like war veterans returning from the front, their presence commanding attention.

Ember, leading the pack, radiated a fiery intensity that kept everyone from lingering too close. Exeo followed close behind, his posture rigid with irritation, as if he was already done with the dramatics that were surely coming.

"Don't even think of stopping us," Ember growled at a startled guard, who quickly stepped aside, almost tripping over his own feet.

Riggs snorted. "You'd think we'd get a parade. Where's the gratitude?"

Inside a smaller room just off HQ Command, Val leaned casually against a desk, mask off, listening to Dr. Lewis drone on about battlefield damage reports and aftermath logistics.

"We'll need to reallocate resources to the southern hills for cleanup. Not to mention repairs for the defensive lines. And the titans—don't even get me started on the psychological toll those things have left on the reinforcements—"

Val's eyes flickered faintly, though his attention was divided. His heightened senses twitched as familiar voices reached his ears, faint but unmistakable.

"I'm just saying," Riggs's muffled voice echoed through the walls, "if Val tries to lecture us for being late, I'll use the last of my strength to throw him into the Void myself."

Fon chuckled. "As if Ember would let him live long enough to lecture anyone."

That one made Val's eyebrow twitch. He straightened slightly, tuning his ears.

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And there it was—the unmistakable rumble of Ember's voice. Even through the thick walls, Val could hear the fiery irritation in his brother's tone.

"Where the hell is he?" Ember growled, a hint of menace in his voice. "If he thinks he can pull this shit and get away with it—"

Val stiffened, pushing off the desk. "...Oh no."

"What?" Dr. Lewis asked, looking up from his data pad. "What's wrong?"

Val's head turned toward the door, his eyes narrowing as he focused. The voices grew louder, closer.

"They're here," he muttered, his voice low and strained.

Dr. Lewis frowned. "That's good, isn't it? Your team's back—"

The muffled voices became clearer.

"If Val thinks I'm done with him, he's got another thing coming," Ember's voice snapped, brimming with fury.

Val's eyes widened. "Nope." Without another word, shadows began coiling around his feet.

"Wait—what are you doing?" Dr. Lewis started, stepping forward.

Val didn't answer. The shadows surged, wrapping around him as he vanished into thin air just as the door swung open.

Ember stormed in first, his cloak billowing behind him like a raging inferno despite its tattered state. His mask hid his face, but the fiery tension in his posture spoke volumes.

"Dr. Lewis," he barked, his voice sharp enough to make a nearby operator flinch. "Where is Val?"

Dr. Lewis, startled but recovering quickly, glanced around the room. "He, uh…" His gaze flicked to the spot where Val had been standing moments ago. "He was here."

An operator hesitantly raised a hand, pointing at the surveillance feed on their screen. "He… teleported. Right before you came in, sir."

Ember's hands clenched into fists, and his voice rose to a roar. "Fucking HELL! VALENS BELLATOR!" His words echoed through HQ Command, loud enough to rattle a few nearby monitors. "I'LL KILL YOU ONCE I FIND YOU!"

Fon ducked his head, muttering under his breath, "Here we go…he used Val's full name now."

Bo, leaning against a console, quipped, "He could be anywhere, Ember. You know he's got like fifty hiding spots."

Riggs snorted. "Fifty's generous. More like a hundred."

Exeo, who had been rubbing his temples since they entered, let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Enough. Both of you," he said, pointing at Ember and the invisible Val. "I'm too damn tired for this family drama. Dr. Lewis, where's the higher-ups? I need to report back and deal with the Reyes situation."

Dr. Lewis blinked, still thrown by Ember's outburst. "Uh… they're in the command briefing room. Down the hall."

"Perfect," Exeo muttered, already heading toward the door. "If you need me, don't."

As Exeo exited, Ember turned his fiery gaze to Dr. Lewis, jabbing a finger in his direction. "When you find Val," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "tell him I'm not done with him. Not by a long shot."

Dr. Lewis gave a small, resigned sigh. "Of course, Ember."

Fon dropped into a nearby chair with a groan. "You'd think saving Clareo would be enough for one day, but no. Now we've got Ember on a warpath."

Bo slid to the floor, lying flat on his back with his arms spread wide. "Wake me when he calms down. Or when Val turns himself in. Whichever comes first."

Riggs perched on the edge of a console, kicking his feet idly. "My money's on Val staying hidden until Ember gets distracted."

"Not likely," Bo replied. "Ember holds a grudge like nobody else."

Val materialized in an isolated storage room, leaning heavily against the wall as he caught his breath. The shadows around him dissipated, and he let out a long sigh.

"Of all the enemies I've faced," he muttered to himself, pulling off his mask briefly to rub his temple, "Ember's wrath is by far the scariest."

His Mind Link crackled, and Dr. Lewis's voice came through, dry and faintly amused. You know, for someone who just annihilated an army, you're awfully skittish about your brother.

Val groaned, sliding down to sit on the floor. You don't understand. He's going to lecture me for hours. HOURS, doctor. And Exeo's going to join in with that disappointed older-brother vibe. It's a nightmare.

Dr. Lewis chuckled softly, shaking his head. Some things never change.

Don't you dare tell them where I am, Val added quickly.

Oh, I wouldn't dream of it, Dr. Lewis replied with mock innocence.

In the distance, Ember's shout echoed faintly through the halls: "VAL! YOU BETTER PRAY I DON'T FIND YOU!"

Val winced. "Yeah, no shit… I'm staying here for a while."

And so, the mighty ARM Rank Umbra, feared by nations and revered as a hero, sat hiding in a storage room, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation with his brothers. Because even the most powerful warriors in the world couldn't escape family.