The news of Ember and Exeo's return had spread through HQ like wildfire. The only ones who knew the full truth of their prolonged absence were the higher-ups, and those few held their secrets tightly.

To most, the Bellator brothers' disappearance had been shrouded in half-truths and whispers, dismissed as a long-term mission or classified assignment.

And now, after years of speculation, they were back.

HQ's vast, labyrinthine corridors buzzed with an electric tension. Officers glanced at one another, their voices lowered to urgent whispers as they discussed the elusive Bellator brothers. Many of them had never met Ember and Exeo in person, only hearing stories of their exploits—the tales of fierce, redheaded legends whose presence alone had changed the course of missions. And while Valens, the youngest of the three, had carved his own name into HQ's history, the return of the elder Bellator brothers brought a new level of awe and fear to the halls.

The doors to the primary entrance hall slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing a stark, shadowed corridor bathed in dim light.

Striding side by side, their expressions unreadable, were the two redheaded legends themselves. Ember's gaze scanned the halls with a calm, almost lazy interest, a glint of mischief flickering in his eyes. Beside him, Exeo was the picture of unyielding focus, his gaze straight ahead, his movements sharp and purposeful.

Behind them trailed Dr. Lewis, looking a mixture of proud and resigned as he followed the two Bellator brothers. His steps were brisk, but his face betrayed a hint of weariness, as if he already anticipated the chaos that was about to unfold.

It didn't take long for HQ staff to notice the newcomers. Heads turned, conversations stopped mid-sentence, and eyes widened as they took in the sight of the two redheads making their way through the halls.

One officer, practically frozen in place, elbowed his colleague. "Is… is that…?"

"Ember and Exeo Bellator," the other murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "I thought they were—"

But before he could finish, Ember's gaze slid to them, his expression shifting into a faint, calculating grin that sent a shiver down their spines. He gave them a casual nod, as if greeting old friends. "What, did you miss us?" he drawled, his tone laced with a teasing edge that only heightened the stunned silence.

Exeo, catching Ember's grin, merely sighed, though a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Let's not scare everyone just yet," he murmured, his voice low, though his words seemed to carry through the corridor.

But Ember, ever the provocateur, simply shrugged, flashing a conspiratorial glance at Dr. Lewis. "What's the fun in that? They've missed out on years of our… charming presence."

Dr. Lewis gave him a withering look, though there was no real heat behind it. "Try to behave yourselves," he muttered, barely masking the exasperation in his tone. "HQ isn't ready for the full Bellator experience all at once."

Ember chuckled, his voice rich and unrestrained. "Oh, Doc, where's the fun in behaving?"

HQ staff continued to stare as the brothers made their way deeper into the halls, the sheer impact of their presence enough to stir a ripple of murmured excitement and hushed speculation. The rare few who had seen them in action knew what kind of power they wielded, the intensity of their teamwork, the way they moved as one unit with an unspoken connection.

One of the newer recruits, her gaze wide with a mix of awe and apprehension, watched them pass. She nudged her companion, whispering, "Are they really that good? I mean, they're just… standing there, and everyone's looking at them like they're… legends."

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The companion, a grizzled officer who had been around long enough to know the truth, merely nodded, his gaze never leaving the brothers. "They don't have to prove it. You can see it just by looking at them."

Ember, overhearing, flashed a wicked grin, tossing the officer a lazy salute. "Glad to know we're still memorable," he remarked with a wink, clearly enjoying the attention.

Exeo rolled his eyes but didn't try to suppress his own faint smile. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath, though his tone was fond, tinged with the patience of someone who had long accepted Ember's antics as an inevitable part of life.

The procession continued, the brothers moving with an ease and confidence that only legends could command. Each step they took seemed to mark their territory, reclaiming the halls they had once dominated. Every turn of a corner, every meeting with wide-eyed staff and startled officers, felt like a reminder of who they were—and what they were capable of.

Dr. Lewis caught sight of a familiar figure standing a few paces ahead, her expression a mixture of excitement and reverence. Commander Jessa, one of the highest-ranking officials at HQ, known for her no-nonsense demeanor, was staring at the Bellator brothers as if she had seen a ghost.

Dr. Lewis gave her a polite nod, stepping forward to bridge the silence. "Commander Jessa," he greeted, his tone respectful. "I take it you're familiar with Ember and Exeo Bellator."

Commander Jessa's eyes flicked to Dr. Lewis, then back to the brothers, a faint, almost nostalgic smile gracing her usually stoic face. "I've heard the stories," she murmured, her gaze lingering on Ember, who looked utterly unbothered by the scrutiny. "It's… good to see that the legends are true."

Ember chuckled, leaning slightly toward her. "True? We're better than the stories, Commander. But I suppose you'll see for yourself."

Exeo shot him a look, though his own smile betrayed his amusement. "Please, don't encourage him, Commander. He'll never stop."

Commander Jessa allowed herself a small laugh, clearly charmed by the dynamic between the brothers. "I see Val has inherited the same spirit," she commented, her gaze softening. "HQ has seen quite a bit of… change since you were last here."

Ember's expression softened slightly at the mention of Val, though his grin didn't fade. "We're here to catch up on it all," he said, a hint of seriousness threading through his playful tone. "And to make sure our little brother hasn't outshone us just yet."

Dr. Lewis shook his head, sighing as he led the brothers further down the hall, muttering under his breath. "Heaven help us all now that the three of you are reunited."

The brothers' arrival continued to ripple through HQ, each sighting sparking new murmurs, fresh waves of astonishment. Val had always been a presence that commanded respect, a force unto himself. But with Ember and Exeo back, it felt as if the entire HQ had been jolted into a new, heightened awareness, as if the very air had shifted with their return.

As they neared the main command center, the doors slid open, revealing a room bustling with staff, officers, and strategists, all of whom immediately fell silent at the sight of the two Bellator brothers stepping inside. The room seemed to hold its collective breath, the weight of awe and respect tangible in the air.

Ember, sensing the attention, gave the room a slow, almost theatrical nod, clearly savoring every second of it. "At ease, everyone. We're not here to cause trouble… yet."

Exeo crossed his arms, a faint, dry smile playing on his lips. "Don't listen to him. We're only here to assist, nothing more."

Dr. Lewis gave a short laugh, crossing his arms as he looked at the assembled staff, who were still staring at the Bellator brothers as if they were seeing legends come to life. "Well, consider yourselves lucky. The Bellator brothers have returned, and you're all about to witness why HQ has held them in such high regard."

The room was silent for a moment, then the officers exchanged glances, nodding in respect as they began to adjust to the presence of the legendary duo.

But Dr. Lewis's mind was already spinning, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead. Now that Ember and Exeo were back, it wouldn't be long before their skills would be tested, their loyalties called upon, and HQ's mission strengthened by their presence.

As Ember's gaze swept over the room, his usual smirk softened, and he cast a sidelong glance at Exeo, a glint of anticipation sparking in his eyes. "Guess it's time to show them what the Bellators can do," he murmured, his voice laced with a quiet intensity.

Exeo nodded, his gaze steady and determined. "For Val. For Clareo."

And with that, the Bellator brothers made their entrance, solidifying their place not just as legends, but as forces that would once again shape the fate of HQ.