The morning after Ember and Exeo's successful mission, HQ was alive with an excited buzz.
The Bellator brothers had made quite the impression on everyone with their flawless execution, and Dr. Lewis had just received another wave of assignment requests from the higher-ups. It seemed everyone wanted to see just what the original members of Team Unknown could do.
Ember and Exeo, however, had no idea what they were in for.
Day 1
The first mission of the day had just been handed down, and Ember was positively glowing. He stretched his arms over his head, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "Another mission already? They can't get enough of us!" he boasted, flashing his trademark grin. "Guess we'll show them how it's done—right, Exeo?"
Exeo, calm as ever, gave a small nod. "Let's keep it efficient," he replied, his voice even. He strapped on his equipment, looking unfazed by the back-to-back requests.
By the time they returned, Ember was still as lively as ever, his voice echoing through HQ as he shared a dramatized recount of their exploits. "You should've seen the look on that guy's face when I dropped in from the ceiling! Priceless!"
Dr. Lewis looked at the mission report, sighing at Ember's animated commentary but couldn't deny a hint of pride. However, just as they began to relax, another request popped up on the main screen.
"Another one?!" Ember's eyes lit up. "They really love us!"
Day 2
As the team gathered in HQ, the mission board updated again with Ember and Exeo's names. Ember rubbed his hands together, looking positively thrilled.
"Another one! Guess the higher-ups want to keep the best busy!" he grinned, nudging Exeo.
"Or they're just pushing us to our limit to see what we're made of," Exeo replied, his expression as impassive as ever.
This time, Ember's usual pep was starting to wear down, his bright grin dimming slightly. But they suited up anyway, taking down targets with the same lethal precision as always.
When they returned that evening, Ember was still smiling, though he looked a bit more worn. "Two missions in two days," he muttered, "but hey, it's worth it to keep them impressed, right?"
Dr. Lewis simply patted him on the shoulder and left HQ, knowing exactly what the next day would bring.
Day 3
Ember barely made it to breakfast before another mission report slid across the screen.
He blinked, rubbing his eyes. "Another… mission?"
Exeo took the report, reading it over without even a flicker of surprise, but could feel the slow build-up from back-to-back missions. "Seems they want us back on the field."
Ember let out a groan. "Did we sign up for this many missions? I swear they're using us as an all-purpose extermination team at this point!"
But once again, the brothers suited up and completed the mission, returning hours later with Ember looking slightly less chipper than usual. His hair was slightly singed, and his grin had become more of a forced smirk. "Let's hope they're done for now."
No one dared to tell him about the new report already waiting for him on the mission board.
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Day 4
By the time Ember entered HQ on the fourth morning, dark circles had begun to settle under his eyes. He leaned against the wall, a yawn escaping him. "Alright, let's just check if we're finally getting a break."
Dr. Lewis bit his lip, suppressing a smirk. "Ah, about that, Ember…"
The screen flashed, revealing yet another mission.
Ember's eye twitched. "Another… mission?" His voice carried an edge of disbelief.
Exeo looked over the report and simply nodded, holding back from the tiredness from the previous mission. "Seems straightforward. Shall we?"
"Straightforward?" Ember let out a strangled laugh, rubbing his temple. "Sure, why not? Who needs rest anyway?"
As they left HQ, Val watched with a mixture of amusement and pity, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Even Bo, Riggs, and Fon snickered, imagining Ember's internal struggle.
Val leaned over and whispered, "Ember, I think all those pranks finally came back to haunt you."
Ember shot him a dark, exhausted glare. "Laugh it up, little brother. Laugh it up."
When the brothers returned that evening, Ember's typical enthusiasm had dulled. He dragged his feet, barely managing a nod to Dr. Lewis, who handed him a new set of assignments without missing a beat.
Day 5
Ember was no longer bright-eyed or chipper by the fifth day. His expression was blank as he sat in the briefing room, staring at the screen as if it had personally wronged him. His once-bouncy long red hair was slightly disheveled, and the gleam in his eyes was long gone.
Dr. Lewis cleared his throat. "Morning, gentlemen. Today's assignment involves—"
Ember's head thumped against the table. "I've seen that screen more than I've seen my own reflection this week."
Dr. Lewis smirked, glancing at Exeo, who remained as calm and collected as ever, despite the grueling missions, with his eyes tired similar to Ember. "Well, Ember, you're the one who wanted to be the center of attention. Higher-ups think you're up for it."
Ember let out a loud sigh, his voice muffled against the table. "That was supposed to be, like, once in a while. Not every waking moment."
Day 6
By day six, the once-lively Ember had been replaced by a shadow of his former self. He trudged into HQ, looking as though he hadn't slept in a week. The usual spring in his step was long gone, his shoulders slouched in defeat.
Dr. Lewis tried to stifle a chuckle as he handed over another mission report.
Ember let out a low, haunted laugh. "They're… they're never going to let us rest, are they?"
Exeo, ever the embodiment of calm, patted Ember on the back with a tired face. "Endurance training. Builds character."
Ember turned to Exeo, his voice a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Exeo's eyes sparkled with faint amusement. "Perhaps."
As they left HQ, Ember muttered under his breath, "I'll show them 'character'..."
Day 7
By the seventh morning, Ember's usual glow had dimmed to a tired, blank stare. His voice was flat as he addressed Dr. Lewis, "So, Doc, what's on the agenda today?"
Dr. Lewis bit back a laugh. "Same as always. The higher-ups think you're both up for it."
Ember's eye twitched, his hands clenching into fists. "One more mission… one more mission and I might just…"
But Exeo, as stoic as ever, clapped him on the shoulder. "Better get to it."
"Right…" Ember muttered, a look of resigned misery etched onto his face. "Because who needs rest?"
Throughout the week, HQ staff couldn't help but snicker as they observed the Bellator brothers' progression.
Ember had started the week as a beacon of enthusiasm, but by day seven, his transformation was complete. His expression was dark, his eyes practically hollow. Exeo, however, despite the tiredness throughout the week, remained as unflappable as ever, his calm demeanor only accentuating Ember's dramatic shift.
"Isn't it hilarious?" Fon whispered to Bo, watching Ember drag his feet down the hallway. "One minute, he's all 'let's do this,' and now he looks like a ghost."
Bo chuckled. "At this rate, Ember might actually lose it."
Riggs snickered. "Bet he's regretting every boast he made last week."
End of Day 7
As Ember and Exeo returned from yet another mission, Dr. Lewis was there to greet them, a new mission request in hand.
Ember's face twisted into a look of sheer horror. He raised a hand, stopping Dr. Lewis mid-sentence. "No. No more. For the love of all that's holy… No more missions!"
Dr. Lewis arched an eyebrow. "Oh, are we getting tired, Ember?"
Ember took a deep breath, clutching his chest with a mock look of betrayal. "I… am a shell of the man I once was!"
Exeo, unfazed, gave a faint smirk. "If you're done complaining, we have another mission to prep for."
Ember's shoulders slumped as he dramatically dragged himself away, muttering, "One of these days, I'll get my revenge on whoever is responsible for this endless nightmare."
As they disappeared down the hall, Dr. Lewis chuckled, shaking his head. "Welcome back, Bellator brothers… welcome back."