The year had been long and difficult, but somehow, Team Unknown had endured.

The past year without Ember and Exeo had left Val, Bo, and Riggs navigating a world darker than any battlefield.

It was a quiet day at HQ, and the team was gathered in their training room, with a new member by their side: young Fon, who had become their shadow, eagerly absorbing every skill they could teach him.

Despite the void left by their fallen leaders, Val, Bo, and Riggs had formed a strong bond, one that included their energetic trainee. Though just shy of eleven, Fon's dedication was unshakable, his youthful spirit often bringing out the team's lighter sides.

The day's training session began early, with Val leading Fon through hand-to-hand drills.

"Remember, balance isn't just about standing steady," Val said, nudging Fon's foot with his own. "It's about knowing when to move."

Fon scrunched his face, repeating the move and taking exaggerated steps to find his footing. Riggs, watching from nearby, couldn't help but snicker.

"Kid's got balance alright—like a dizzy rooster," Riggs said, shaking his head. "Val, you sure he's ready for these moves?"

"Not a chance," Val replied with a smirk, but his tone was light. "He just needs a little… correction."

Bo chimed in, grinning, "If you keep tripping over your own feet, Fon, Dr. Lewis will have to run out of bandages. We'd better order extra."

Fon rolled his eyes but grinned, determined not to let them see him stumble. As he adjusted his stance and followed Val's example, the intensity of his focus made the three men pause for a moment.

"Alright, alright, let's get moving," Riggs said, clapping his hands to refocus them. "Today's the closed-training session, remember? Which means—" he nodded toward the door, which was ominously closed— "no distractions, right?"

Just as he said that, a faint, familiar voice came from the other side of the door.

"What do you mean no distractions?!" Dr. Lewis' voice was nearly shrill with frustration as he hammered on the door. "You three have been hoarding the training room all morning, with no clearance! And don't think I haven't heard about the last time you tried a 'closed-training session.'"

Bo chuckled, leaning back against the wall. "Doc, come on. We'll clean up everything this time, I promise."

"That's what you said last time! And the time before that," Dr. Lewis huffed from the other side of the door. "You're going to get yourselves injured or worse, and HQ will have to pay for the damages."

Val shook his head, a rare smile on his face. "Last warning, Doc—we've got important training to do in here. Fon, you ready?"

Fon's face lit up. "Yes, sir! I've been practicing my defense drills all week."

"Good. Now, don't think I'll go easy just because you're the new guy," Val replied, folding his arms with a mock-stern expression.

Fon grinned and squared up, trying his best to mimic Val's stance. But Bo couldn't help but burst out laughing, doubling over as he watched Fon's serious face.

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"Kid, you're about as intimidating as a lost puppy," he laughed, playfully shoving Fon back into position. "Don't take it too hard, though—you're probably still scarier than Riggs here."

Riggs gave Bo a light punch on the shoulder. "Oh yeah? At least I don't scream every time I spar with Val!"

Fon laughed along, emboldened by the banter and the rare lightheartedness.

As Val led Fon through a series of close-quarters combat drills, he gave tips between each move, pointing out areas for improvement. Bo and Riggs jumped in with exaggerated commentary every now and then.

"Remember, kid, you're not just blocking, you're redirecting," Riggs said, nodding with mock gravity. "Like… like… a leaf in the wind, you know?"

Bo rolled his eyes. "Oh, sure, Riggs—because you know all about being a leaf."

Riggs shrugged. "Hey, I can be light on my feet when I want to be. Watch."

Riggs performed a dramatic cartwheel, only to land slightly off-balance, eliciting another fit of laughter from Fon.

But it wasn't long before Dr. Lewis' patience wore thin, and he returned, hammering on the door with greater force. "This is a training facility, not your personal playground!" he shouted.

"Relax, Doc, we're keeping Fon out of trouble," Bo called back, laughing.

Dr. Lewis grumbled, muttering something about "reckless amateurs" and stomped off, finally leaving the team in peace.

Val turned back to Fon, shaking his head with a grin. "Alright, where were we? And try not to laugh too much when you're fighting—takes away from the intimidation factor."

Fon straightened up, nodding solemnly. "Yes, sir!"

After an intense hour of drills, they moved to weapons training. Fon was given a lightweight wooden staff to start, much to his disappointment.

"A staff?" he asked, his face scrunching in confusion. "I thought I'd be getting, you know… something cooler."

"Patience," Val said. "Mastering the basics is how you earn the rest."

Bo grinned, taking up his own staff with a flourish. "Besides, don't underestimate the staff. I once beat Riggs with one."

Riggs snorted. "Please, you tripped over your own foot and whacked me in the face. Doesn't count as 'beating' me."

Fon laughed again, relaxing more as he watched the camaraderie among the three.

The training carried on, each session building on the last until Fon was breathless, grinning through sweat, and exhausted.

After the final drill, Val stood back, observing him with approval. "Not bad, Fon. You'll be running circles around us soon enough."

"Yeah," Bo added with a smirk, "just as soon as you stop tripping over your own feet."

Fon groaned but smiled, too tired to protest.

As the team wrapped up their training, Dr. Lewis, once more, stomped into the room. "All this… noise!" he snapped, glancing around at the faintly scuffed walls. "Every time I check this room, it's worse than before."

Val shrugged. "Doc, come on. What's a few extra marks on the wall?"

But as Dr. Lewis spluttered indignantly, the three assassins quickly ushered Fon out before the doctor could respond.

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When the base had quieted, Val slipped away from his quarters, taking only the essentials and a small, unassuming satchel.

His destination: the remote island where he and his brothers had trained those years ago, preparing to form Team Unknown, preparing for the relentless mission that had ultimately claimed his brothers.

The journey felt both endless and too short as he approached the familiar shores. His boots left faint imprints on the sand as he walked up to the cliffs, where he and his brothers used to spar under the open sky.

Everywhere he looked, memories emerged like ghosts from the mist. There, under the tall tree, Ember had shown him the proper form for a throwing knife. On that outcrop, Exeo had drilled him, critiquing his footwork with his steady, meticulous tone. The rocks were still chipped and scarred from where their weapons had clashed.

For a long time, Val stood on the cliff, gazing out at the ocean. He could almost hear Ember's easy laughter, Exeo's quiet words of advice. Their voices echoed in his mind as the memories surged, sharp and clear.

Kneeling down, Val closed his eyes, and for a moment, he was back there with them, three brothers side by side. He clenched his fists, letting the memories flood over him, letting himself feel the weight of their absence.

"I'm still here," he whispered to the empty night, his voice breaking. "I'll keep fighting for both of you."

The night grew colder, and as Val stood, he took a final, deep breath, solidifying his resolve. With one last look at the island, he turned, his steps carrying the weight of his brothers' memory and the unyielding resolve to live up to the legacy they'd left behind.