John led Jason and his companions through the Stormbringers’ settlement, guiding them past various buildings and groups of busy survivors. Jason's group couldn't help but be amazed at the size and organization of the place. Wooden structures stood strong and resilient, and the people moved with purpose, embodying a sense of community and order that Jason had sorely missed.

Meanwhile, back in the large wooden lodge, Kaya sat at her desk, lost in thought. Her long, silky red hair cascaded over her shoulders, occasionally swaying gently as she mulled over the recent events. Her fierce amber eyes were softened by the weight of her contemplation.

A sudden knock on the door disrupted her reverie. A playful voice called out from the other side, “Kaya, are you in there? Can I come in?”

Kaya sighed softly, snapping out of her thoughts. "Come in, Gabby," she replied.

The door burst open, and a young woman entered with childlike excitement. She was around twenty years old, with brown hair styled in a ponytail, sparkling blue eyes, and smooth white skin. Despite her rogue cloak, her cheerful demeanor made her seem out of place in such attire.

Gabby rushed forward and hugged Kaya tightly, like a child greeting a beloved older sibling.

Kaya didn’t seem to mind the hug, her stern expression softening for a brief moment. "How are you, Gabby?" she asked, patting and ruffling Gabby’s hair with a slight smile that went unnoticed.

Gabby responded in her usual playful manner, "I'm bored and tired of scouting around that dense forest. There's nothing exciting out there!"

Kaya’s expression turned serious as she inquired, "Did you find anything odd or anyone suspicious?"

Gabby, still perched on the edge of Kaya’s desk, swung her legs absentmindedly. "Nope, nothing out of the ordinary. Just trees, more trees, and the occasional wild monster."

Kaya fell back into deep thought, her mind replaying the events of a few days ago. The Stormbringers settlement had been attacked by a group of survivors whose eyes were completely white, devoid of pupils. Their relentless aggression and seemingly boundless stamina had been unnerving. Though the Stormbringers had managed to fend off all of the fifteen attackers, the victory had come at a steep cost. They had lost ten members during this battle.

Anger bubbled beneath Kaya’s calm exterior. In response to the attack, she had formed three patrol and scout teams with specific orders: first, to rescue any unaffiliated survivors; second, to try to persuade or capture affiliated survivors to join the Stormbringers; and third, to eliminate any humans with completely white eyes on sight.

"Thank you, Gabby," Kaya said, snapping back to the present. "Keep up the patrols. We need to stay vigilant."

"I will but, Kaya. You've seemed really tense lately. Are you okay?" Gabby asked, her playful demeanor gone and turned into concern.

Kaya looked into Gabby's eyes, seeing the genuine worry there. She sighed deeply, her expression turning tired yet determined. "It's been hard, Gabby. Since the last attack, I can't afford to take any risks. Those blank-eyed attackers... they caught us off guard. We lost ten good people."

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Gabby’s face softened with empathy. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Kaya. You’re doing everything you can."

Kaya shook her head, her eyes clouding with guilt. "I can't fully relax, Gabby. Not until I know we're safe. The deaths of those ten members are on me. I have to make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain. We need to survive until the end of this "tutorial" or until we purge all of those blank eyed humans. Only then can I even think about relaxing."

Gabby, sensing the depth of Kaya's burden, hugged her again, tighter this time. "We’ll get through this, Kaya. You're not alone in this."

Returning the hug to Gabby, Kaya said, "Thanks, Gabby."

After the hugging session Gabby, tried to change the topic, so she decided to ask Kaya about her impressions of the new recruits.

“Kaya,” Gabby began, her voice gentle yet inquisitive, “what do you think about the new recruits? Do you think they’ll fit in here?”

Kaya paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “Well, let’s start with Jason. He seems decent enough. He has a good personality and a calm demeanor, which is essential in times like these. He’s not overly remarkable, but he’s steady, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.”

Gabby nodded, her eyes attentive. “And Rebecca? The healer?”

Kaya's expression turned thoughtful. “Rebecca... She’s timid, almost too timid. I’m not sure if she’ll be able to handle the pressure when the time comes. But having an extra healer is always a benefit. We’ll have to see if she can grow into her role.”

“What about that caster called Jessica?” Gabby asked, her tone slightly more cautious.

Kaya frowned slightly. “Jessica... There’s something off about her. She looks suspicious, and I get a sense of laziness from her. It might just be a first impression, but it’s hard to shake off. Maybe i’ll be keeping an eye on her later.”

Gabby leaned in closer, curious. “And that rogue called Robert? What’s your take on him?”

A deeper frown formed on Kaya’s face. “Robert... I don’t like him. I can’t pinpoint why exactly, but something about him rubs me the wrong way. He’s too eager to impress, and it feels insincere. My instincts tell me to be wary of him.”

Gabby absorbed Kaya’s assessments, her own thoughts swirling. “Do you think they’ll be an asset or a liability?”

Kaya sighed, her gaze distant. “It’s too early to tell. They need to prove themselves, just like everyone else. If they can adapt and show their worth, they might become valuable members. But if they cause trouble or don’t pull their weight, we’ll have to make some tough decisions.”

Gabby’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she gave Kaya’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “You know, Kaya, you really shouldn’t worry so much about the new recruits. If any of them cause trouble, I’ll personally discipline them and show them what hell really looks like,” she said, her voice dripping with playful menace.

Kaya raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Oh? And what exactly does your version of hell entail?”

Gabby leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let’s just say it involves a lot of rigorous training, sleepless nights, and maybe a few surprise ‘adventures’ in the forest. By the time I’m done with them, they’ll either shape up or beg to leave.”

Kaya couldn’t help but chuckle at Gabby’s enthusiasm. “You’re too much, Gabby. But honestly, your energy is just what we need around here. If anyone can whip them into shape, it’s you.”

Gabby straightened up, saluting with exaggerated seriousness. “You can count on me, boss. I’ll have them marching in line and begging for mercy in no time.”

“Just don’t go too hard on them,” Kaya warned, her tone affectionate but firm. “We need them to be strong and capable, not broken.”

Gabby’s playful demeanor softened for a moment. “I know, Kaya. I’ll push them, but I won’t break them. We need every member of this community to be at their best if we’re going to survive.”

Kaya nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for her friend’s unwavering support.

“Thank you, Gabby. You always know how to lighten the mood and keep things in perspective. Let’s do our best to integrate these new recruits and make them a part of our family.”

Gabby grinned, her playful spark returning. “Absolutely. And if they step out of line, they’ll get a firsthand experience of Gabby’s Boot Camp hehehe.”

Kaya laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “I’m sure they will."