In the depths of Clareo's underground HQ, the lights dimmed as Val's team dispersed, each member heading out on their respective missions. Bo, Riggs, and Fon had departed with quiet resolve, each assigned to dismantle key elements of Black Lotus operations on solo missions.

But for Val, the orders were different. While his teammates were in the field, Val was stationed back at HQ.

His task was twofold: contain the ruin stone's energy and ensure the stone didn't attract unwanted attention from Black Lotus. And, much to his bemusement, he'd been instructed to watch over Corporal Reyes.

As Val settled into the near silence of HQ, he closed his eyes, letting the familiar presence of Deleo rise in his mind.

In an instant, the space around him transformed, pulling him into the vast expanse of his inner consciousness. There, Deleo awaited, his form cloaked in shadows yet radiating a calm authority. Despite the intense power that surrounded him, Deleo's gaze held a kind of steady patience, as though anticipating Val's questions.

Val didn't waste time. "Deleo," he began, his tone focused and determined. "When will I be ready to unlock the final magic seal on my eye?"

Deleo regarded him with a thoughtful expression, his voice resonant yet steady. "Val, unlocking the fifth seal requires more than raw power or determination. This final layer binds you to the Void itself—it's both the gateway to greater strength and the barrier against losing control."

Val's eyes narrowed, taking in Deleo's words. "So it's not just another boost in power?"

"No," Deleo said firmly, his tone almost paternal. "This seal contains the most potent aspect of the Void, the core essence that gives it form and purpose. Unlocking it is an irreversible step. You need a foundation—a balance—strong enough to handle what lies within. Until that balance is secure, the seal remains for your protection."

Val processed this, a flicker of understanding dawning. "So you're saying the final seal will tie me even closer to the Void. If I'm not ready… it could control me?"

Deleo nodded. "Precisely. Each seal you've broken has strengthened your connection to the Void, but it has also brought you closer to its core, where power and control blur. If you can find that balance, then yes, you'll be ready."

A shadow of resolve crossed Val's face. "Then I'll prepare. I won't risk losing control when there's still so much at stake."

A faint smile appeared on Deleo's face. "Spoken like a true guardian. Remember, Val, it's not only your strength that will carry you, but your awareness of those who stand with you."

As Val returned to consciousness, he couldn't shake Deleo's words. The balance wasn't just about strength; it was about the bonds that kept him grounded. He had a team, allies who would keep him steady when the Void threatened to pull him under. And then there was his brothers' connection—a safeguard of its own.

Just as he settled back into reality, Val caught sight of Corporal Reyes approaching, his face a mix of determination and mild apprehension. It was clear he'd been sent to assist Val during his HQ duties, though he seemed less than thrilled by the assignment.

"Sir," Reyes stammered, a slight tremor in his voice, "reporting for… uh, whatever needs doing."

Val raised an eyebrow, struggling to keep a straight face underneath the mask.

The memory of their previous encounters—the chaos in the vehicle, Reyes's fainting episode—made it difficult to keep a serious demeanor.

"Corporal," Val began, barely holding back a smirk, "we're in for an easy day. Just some routine monitoring and a little training."

Reyes's face paled at the word "training." "R-right… routine training. Got it," he muttered, glancing around as if expecting something to explode.

Val chuckled, waving him over. "Relax. Nothing explosive this time."

Moments later, Val led Reyes into Team Unknown's exclusive gym, a room fitted with high-tech combat simulators and weighted training equipment. The corporal glanced around, wide-eyed and visibly nervous.

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"So, sir," Reyes said, trying to keep his voice steady, "what kind of training… are we, uh, talking about?"

"Just a warm-up," Val replied smoothly, setting up the combat simulator to a low difficulty setting. "Nothing too complicated."

Reyes gave a shaky nod and approached the simulator, positioning himself with exaggerated caution. The first target popped up, and he managed to land a hit, though he flinched as if expecting it to fight back.

Val bit back a grin and watched as Reyes swatted at the second target, missing entirely.

"You'll want to keep your eyes on the target, Corporal," Val said, amused.

Reyes nodded, focusing as another target swung towards him. This time, he swung wide, missing by a mile and nearly hitting himself in the process.

"Ah, damn it!" Reyes cursed, rubbing his arm as if trying to shake off the embarrassment.

Val chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched. "It's not about strength. Try using your reflexes."

Reyes nodded, attempting to look serious but still resembling a cat trying to swat at a laser pointer. Another target swung toward him, and he swiped at it, missing yet again.

Inside his mind, Deleo's laughter rang out, almost childlike in its mirth. "Val, I don't know if I've ever seen a mortal flail quite like that. Are you sure he's not here to entertain you?"

Val stifled his own laugh, giving Reyes a pointed look. "Maybe stick to basics, Corporal."

Reyes huffed, wiping sweat from his brow. "Right, sir… basics. Like… not missing?"

"That would help," Val said dryly.

After a few rounds, Val decided to switch gears. "Alright, Corporal, let's try something different."

He tossed Reyes a set of weighted training gloves, which Reyes caught with a yelp. "Uh… these are heavier than they look…"

"They're meant to build endurance," Val replied casually, slipping on his own pair. "Put them on. Let's spar."

Reyes gulped, his gaze shifting from the gloves to Val's calm, masked face. "S-spar with you, sir? Just… us?"

Val nodded, his tone light. "Don't worry, Corporal. I'll go easy."

Reyes mumbled something unintelligible and put the gloves on.

As Val raised his fists, Reyes looked more than a little horrified, as though the gloves had suddenly gained sentience and were conspiring against him.

"Alright, come at me," Val instructed, giving Reyes a small nod.

Reyes swung, his movement clumsy but earnest. Val sidestepped effortlessly, deflecting the punch and tapping Reyes lightly on the shoulder, just enough to throw him off balance. Reyes stumbled, arms flailing, but managed to stay upright.

"Good effort," Val remarked, fighting the urge to laugh. "Try again. Maybe with a little… accuracy."

Reyes grumbled, bracing himself for another attempt. He swung again, this time missing by a hair as Val ducked, leaving Reyes momentarily confused by the empty air he was swiping at.

Deleo's voice echoed in Val's mind, his laughter bright and thoroughly entertained. "At this rate, Val, the poor soul's going to knock himself out before you get the chance."

Suppressing a smirk, Val gave Reyes a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "It's alright, Corporal. You're… getting there."

Reyes huffed, leaning over to catch his breath. "If by 'there' you mean almost getting hit by my own punches, then yes, I'm definitely getting there…"

Val's faint smile was hidden behind his mask, though he could feel Deleo's amused laugh continuing to radiate through him.

As the training session came to a close, the gym doors slid open, and several passing soldiers glanced in, drawn by the commotion.

They did a double-take, stifling laughter as they spotted Reyes, panting and red-faced, while Val remained utterly unruffled.

One of the soldiers raised an eyebrow, whispering to his companion, "Isn't that Corporal Reyes with… the ARM user?"

Another shook his head, trying not to laugh. "I thought they assigned him as a… decoy. Didn't realize it was a… physical requirement."

Reyes noticed them, his cheeks flushing. He cast a sheepish look toward Val, who merely patted him on the back.

"Don't worry, Corporal," Val said with a smirk. "Your form is… memorable."

Reyes mumbled under his breath, "Yeah, that's one word for it."

Val straightened, a hint of laughter in his tone. "I think you're ready for a break."

The following day, Val and Reyes found themselves in the observation room, keeping an eye on the ruin stone's containment unit. Reyes, still looking somewhat dazed from the previous day's "warm-up," seemed to tense every time the stone pulsed, its aura faint but unmistakable.

"S-so… do we just… watch it?" Reyes asked, his tone a mixture of awe and caution.

Val nodded, glancing at the corporal with faint amusement. "That's right. Think of it as… keeping a very high-stakes pet."

Reyes snorted before quickly catching himself, throwing a quick look at Val. "Sorry, sir… it's just… weird, thinking of it that way."

Val chuckled. "Then let's make sure it stays calm."

As they stood there, the stone pulsed again, casting an eerie glow. Reyes shuffled back slightly, muttering, "Right. Calm. Sure…"

Deleo's voice murmured in Val's mind, brimming with humor. "At this rate, Val, I think the poor corporal might faint before he learns anything useful."

Val smirked, giving Reyes a steadying glance. "Don't worry, Corporal. You're doing fine."

Reyes sighed, half to himself. "Just another… normal day at HQ. With… a high-stakes pet stone and the ARM user."

Val chuckled, patting Reyes on the shoulder. "You're catching on."

Inside, Deleo's quiet laughter echoed, adding to the sense of camaraderie between Val and the reluctant corporal. With each passing day, it seemed the nightmares Corporal Reyes endured might just be the very thing that turned him into a stronger soldier.

For now, though, he had Val, the ruin stone, and a few memorable bruises to keep him on his toes.