Chapter 1: Spring’s Return.

The remnants of winter clung stubbornly to the far corners of Green Arbor, but spring had already begun to break its hold. The once-muted landscape was coming alive, from the bloom of early wildflowers to the fresh hum of life returning to the forest. Yet for all its natural beauty, the town’s true heart was its people—the ones who had rebuilt it after the Siege, and the ones who now looked to it as home.

Outside the walls, the sound of weapons clashing and boots pounding the earth echoed across the training grounds. Talon, always the first to rise, had been pushing the new Arbor Defense Force (ADF) recruits relentlessly. His commands rang sharp and unyielding as the recruits struggled to keep pace with him, their breaths labored, their eyes wide with the mix of exhaustion and awe that came from training under a man like Talon.

Months had passed since the Reclaimer conflict, and though Talon had slowly started to heal from the loss of Sarah, the scars ran deep. The nights were still the hardest. Even now, after all this time, there were nights when he’d wake up in the middle of the woods—alone—having wandered away from camp after a late hunting trip. He had been pushing himself to the edge, both physically and mentally, trying to fill the void left by grief. Hunting, training, scouting—anything to keep the memories at bay.

Yet despite the sleepless nights and the weight on his shoulders, Talon had thrown himself into building the ADF. What had started as a ragtag defense force was now beginning to resemble something formidable. Under his guidance, a specialized scouting unit had formed, and the once-green recruits were starting to show signs of becoming seasoned warriors. But Talon was a harsh taskmaster, harder on them than perhaps he needed to be, because he knew that in the next battle, there would be no room for mistakes.

High above, perched at his post on the North Gate, Eli watched Talon with a mixture of pride and quiet concern. Talon had always been the one to take the brunt of things—whether it was physical pain or emotional wounds, he’d carry it all without complaint. But even Eli could see that the weight was starting to wear on him.

The door to the gatehouse creaked open, and Ava appeared, her usual stride brisk and determined. She had a small bundle in hand—lunch—and as she approached, she tossed Eli a warm smile.

“Brought you something to eat,” she said, handing him a sandwich. “Figured you could use it up here.”

Eli accepted the food gratefully, leaning on the railing as he took a bite. They both looked out over the training grounds, watching as Talon drilled the recruits.

“He’s pushing them harder than usual,” Eli commented, taking another bite of his sandwich.

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Ava’s gaze lingered on her brother. “He needs to. After what happened during the Reclaimer conflict, he wants them to be ready. No second chances if we’re caught off guard again.”

Eli nodded but pressed further. “How’s he really doing?”

For a moment, Ava’s expression softened, and she glanced down at her hands. “He’s getting through it. But it hit him harder than I think even he realizes. Losing Sarah… and knowing his father played a part in it…” She trailed off, shaking her head slightly. “He’s carrying a lot of weight right now.”

Eli set down his sandwich, his brow furrowed. “And Holts?”

Ava’s jaw clenched slightly, her eyes darkening. “Holts is dead. Not by my hand… but he’s gone. Talon doesn’t know all the details, and I’m not sure he ever will.”

They fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant shouts of the recruits. Eli glanced at Ava, watching her closely. She seemed stronger than ever, but there was an edge to her now—something that hadn’t been there before.

Before they could continue, the low rumble of engines drew their attention. Ava straightened, her eyes narrowing as she spotted two vehicles making their way over the hill. The jeeps bounced slightly over the rough terrain as they approached Green Arbor’s gates.

Ava grinned and gave Eli a kiss on the cheek. “Duty calls.”

Eli watched her descend the stairs, his gaze following her as she strode across the yard toward the approaching vehicles. The moment one of the doors opened, a familiar face stepped out, and Ava’s expression lit up.

“Lucas!” she called out, striding toward him with her arms open for a hug.

Lucas greeted her with the same warmth, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Miss me?” he asked, his voice carrying that playful tone that always seemed to make the tension disappear, even if just for a moment.

Ava chuckled as she stepped back. “Maybe. But what's with the cadets?”

Lucas gestured to the group of young Sentinels-in-training, standing nervously by the second vehicle. They were fresh—so fresh, Ava could practically smell the fear on them. But there was also excitement in their eyes, the same look she remembered having herself once.

“These are the newest recruits,” Lucas explained. “Figured I’d bring them here for a little... motivation.”

Ava’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she looked them over. “Motivation, huh? You could’ve just told them stories about me.”

“I did,” Lucas said, grinning. “But I think meeting you in person is way more effective.”

Ava smirked, shaking her head before addressing the cadets directly. “I’m Ava. I'm a Ronin Sentinel stationed here. Listen to Lucas, and you might just live long enough to tell your own stories.”

The cadets exchanged nervous glances but nodded enthusiastically.

Lucas’s expression shifted as he leaned in closer to Ava, his voice dropping. “I’ve got news about that place you asked about—the one you thought might lead us to Talon’s mother. It’s… worse than we expected.”

Ava’s smile faded. “How bad?”

“Lawless,” Lucas said, his voice grim. “The Syndicate, pirate's and other faction groups control the town, and it’s not going to be easy to get in.”

Ava exhaled slowly, her eyes hardening. “We’ll deal with it. But for now… let’s keep that between us. Talon doesn’t need this on his plate. Not yet.”

Lucas nodded, his gaze following hers as they both glanced back toward Talon, still barking orders at the recruits. “Agreed.”

As the cadets began unloading their gear, Ava stood in silence for a moment, her mind swirling with the implications of Lucas’s news. There were still so many unknowns about Talon’s past, and now, with this new information, the weight of those unknowns felt heavier than ever.

But for now, they had work to do.