The hangar bay doors slid open with a low mechanical hiss as Team Unknown stepped back into Clareo HQ. The atmosphere in the room was subdued, the usual hum of activity overshadowed by their return.

Their cloaks were splattered with dark stains, as it was just another day. Another successful mission. Another name crossed off Clareo's list of enemies.

Dr. Lewis waited near the exit of the hangar, clipboard in hand, his expression a mix of impatience and curiosity. The faint gleam of his glasses hid the calculating gaze beneath as he watched the five figures approach him.

"Welcome back," he greeted, his tone businesslike. "I trust there were no complications?"

"None," Ember replied curtly, his voice slightly muffled by his mask. His steps didn't falter as he moved past the doctor, the rest of the team trailing behind in silence.

Val was the last to pass, his cloak swaying with the rhythm of his strides. He didn't say anything, but Dr. Lewis caught the briefest pause in his steps—a subtle acknowledgment, before he disappeared into the corridors.

Dr. Lewis sighed, tucking the clipboard under his arm as he turned to leave. He didn't get far before an HQ operative jogged up to him, holding a tablet.

"Doctor," the operative said, slightly out of breath. "There's a new request from the Top Brass. They've marked it as high priority."

Dr. Lewis raised an eyebrow, taking the tablet. "High priority?" he echoed skeptically. "Don't tell me they've already got another solo mission for Val."

The operative hesitated, then shook his head. "Not exactly, sir. It's… a training request."

Dr. Lewis's expression shifted to one of mild amusement and confusion. "A training request? From the Top Brass?"

"Yes, sir," the operative confirmed. "It's for one of our own platoon they've selected. They're insisting that Team Unknown oversee it."

Dr. Lewis frowned, scrolling through the details on the tablet. His eyes narrowed slightly as he read further. "A platoon? Not the usual green recruits, I hope."

"No, sir. They're Aurum rank soldiers."

Dr. Lewis stopped scrolling, his brow furrowing. "Aurum ranks? Why would—" He froze as his eyes landed on the names listed.

The same Aurum soldiers who had fought alongside Team Unknown during the coordinated attack on Clareo's borders. The same ones who had been part of the initial defense effort when Hades' Wrath had sent their Void-tainted forces.

It had been roughly three weeks since that brutal battle—a battle that had cost lives, tested Clareo's defenses, and left scars that were still healing.

Dr. Lewis's grip on the tablet tightened as he read further. "So, they're not just asking," he muttered. "They're insisting."

"Yes, sir," the operative said. "And they've emphasized that these soldiers specifically requested to be trained by Team Unknown. They cited the 'unorthodox methods' they witnessed during the demonstration and the attack."

Dr. Lewis exhaled sharply through his nose, his mind racing. He couldn't deny the logic of the request. These soldiers had seen firsthand what it meant to stand alongside Clareo's best—and clearly, they wanted to bridge the gap between themselves and Team Unknown.

"Alright," Dr. Lewis said finally, handing the tablet back to the operative. "I'll brief the team. Dismissed."

Back in the briefing room, Dr. Lewis stood at the head of the dimly lit briefing room, the holographic display behind him casting faint blue light across the space.

Team Unknown sat around the table, their masks off and cloaks draped over the backs of their chairs. The atmosphere was subdued, each member recovering from the weight of their latest mission.

"Alright," Dr. Lewis began, tapping a button on his console. The holographic display shifted to show the profiles of ten Aurum rank soldiers.

"You've been assigned a new task," he said, his tone neutral. "The Top Brass wants you to train this platoon."

Riggs raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "A training mission? That's new."

"It's not as simple as it sounds," Dr. Lewis replied, crossing his arms. "These aren't recruits. They're Aurum ranks. And if you recognize the names, there's a reason for that."

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He gestured toward the display. "These soldiers fought alongside you during the attack on Clareo's borders three weeks ago. They also participated in the two-day demonstration we held for them a month ago.

Fon's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "Those guys," he muttered. "They held their own."

"They did," Dr. Lewis agreed. "And apparently, they've been pushing for this. They want to train under you—learn your methods."

Ember's arms were crossed, his fiery gaze fixed on the profiles. "And the Top Brass approved it?"

"Not just approved," Dr. Lewis said with a faint smirk. "They insisted."

Bo let out a low whistle, resting his chin on his hand. "Guess we made quite the impression."

Val, silent until now, finally spoke. "What's the objective?"

Dr. Lewis nodded at the question, stepping aside as the display shifted to show a series of training simulations. "The objective is twofold. First, they want these soldiers to gain a deeper understanding of the tactics and strategies you use. Second, they want to evaluate whether Clareo's Aurum ranks can bridge the gap between themselves and you."

"A tall order," Riggs muttered.

Dr. Lewis shrugged. "Maybe. But if anyone can do it, it's you."

Dr. Lewis added, "This isn't a one-and-done session. The Top Brass has greenlit a five-day bootcamp. Each day will focus on a different aspect of your methods—endurance, adaptability, team dynamics, and so on."

Riggs grinning, "Five days? That's practically a lifetime for these guys."

Bo, spoke up with a hint of amusement, "I'm calling it now—they'll tap out by Day Two."

Dr. Lewis ignoring the two, reminding the team, "The goal is simple. You push them hard, but not to the point of breaking. They're here to learn, not to limp back to their barracks for the next month."

Ember smirked, and said, "I'm insulted. I can be restrained."

Dr. Lewis answered with deadpan stare, "Sure you can, Ember. That's why your idea of 'light training' last time involved six broken weapons and a collapsed training wall."

Fon shrugged,"I mean, that was educational."

Val quipped, "For the repair crew, maybe."

Dr. Lewis is so done with the team. He said, his voice followed by an exasperated sigh, "Five days. No walls collapsing, no weapons breaking, and no ambulances. Is that clear?"

Riggs smirked, "Crystal. But we're not promising the wall thing."

Ember tried to sound reasonable, but failed, his voice laced with amusement, "Or the ambulances."

Dr. Lewis pinched the bridge of his nose, and simply muttered, "Why do I even bother?"

Fon leaned forward, his tone skeptical. "And how much freedom do we have with this?"

"Complete freedom," Dr. Lewis replied smoothly, his expression carefully neutral.

The room froze for half a second. Then, as if on cue, an invisible shift rippled through Team Unknown.

Fon's lips twitched into a mischievous grin, while Riggs leaned back in his chair, casually cracking his knuckles. Bo and Val exchanged glances, something unspoken passing between them. Even Ember tilted his head ever so slightly, the barest flicker of amusement flashing across his demeanor.

Dr. Lewis sighed, running a hand down his face. "Before you all get too creative, let me clarify—"

Riggs interrupted, his grin widening. "Oh, no need, Doc. You already said it: 'Complete freedom.'" He mimicked air quotes, his tone dripping with mock innocence. "We're just going to… maximize their potential."

Bo chuckled, his usually calm voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You know, 'maximize potential' sounds an awful lot like 'make them wish they stayed home.'"

Fon let out a low laugh. "The gods of mischief are waving hi right now, Doc."

Dr. Lewis shot them a sharp look, his voice firm. "This isn't an invitation to unleash chaos. The Top Brass expects professionalism—"

"Professionalism is our middle name," Riggs cut in, smirking.

"—and results," Dr. Lewis finished firmly, ignoring Riggs. His gaze landed squarely on Ember, whose sharp gaze met his head-on. "And you," he added, pointing at him specifically, "hold back. I mean it."

"Me?" Ember asked, his voice laced with mock surprise. "Why single me out?"

Dr. Lewis didn't flinch. "Because your definition of 'light training' leaves people limping for a week. And because you and Val are #1 in HQ's unofficial prank rankings."

Ember smirked, leaning back slightly. "That's just slander, Doc. I prefer to think of it as… motivational tactics."

Riggs snickered, muttering, "Motivationally insane."

Dr. Lewis groaned. "I'm serious. This isn't about pranking or testing how far someone can be pushed before breaking. These soldiers are here to learn, not survive a nightmare."

Ember's smirk didn't fade, but his tone shifted slightly, his teasing veneer giving way to something sharper. "And if they don't measure up?"

Dr. Lewis's gaze narrowed. "Then you adapt. Push them, yes, but don't break them. You're meant to prepare them for the battlefield, not ensure they leave it before they even get there."

Val, who had been quiet, leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but tinged with humor. "You're asking a lot from Ember, Doc. Restraint isn't exactly his forte."

Ember shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine. I'll keep it… reasonable."

Dr. Lewis eyed him skeptically but chose not to push further. "Good. Because if you don't, HQ won't survive the paperwork—or the complaints."

Val chuckled softly, his voice dry. "And we wouldn't want HQ to suffer."

Fon chimed in, grinning. "Oh, but think of the entertainment."

Dr. Lewis gave a long-suffering sigh, glancing between Ember and Val. "One day, I'll get a normal team. Today is not that day."

Outside the briefing room, the halls of Clareo HQ buzzed with quiet anticipation. Word of the training assignment had already begun to spread, and the Aurum soldiers selected for the program were preparing themselves for what was to come.

Inside the room, Team Unknown finalized their approach, each member contributing to the plan.

However, for these Aurum ranks, this wasn't just another training exercise. They had already faced Team Unknown's grueling methods during the previous demonstration, albeit short, and witnessed their ruthless efficiency during the attack three weeks ago. Yet, despite knowing how intense and relentless the team's training could be, there was a palpable sense of excitement among the soldiers.

For them, it was another opportunity—a chance to learn more, to sharpen their skills further, and to stand closer to understanding what it truly meant to fight alongside Clareo's deadliest force.