I sank into the chair, its solid weight grounding me, the cool metal warming against my skin. My fingers instinctively reached for a plate, the smooth surface inviting. I piled it high with golden rolls that crackled as I touched them. Steaming potatoes exuded a buttery aroma. Tender cuts of meat were fragrant. Yet, despite the feast before me, the shadows of the test clung to my mind.


    The hall buzzed with life. Cutlery clanged. Voices rose. Laughter burst. Each sound intruded on something raw and unhealed in me. The image had seared into my memory. Its red eyes glowed with sinister intelligence. It moved with a brutal, animalistic grace. It lingered like a phantom. The beast was still out there, lurking, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    Mr. Lawton’s gaze held steady across the table, his calm presence a balm against my tumult. “You did well in there,” he said, his warm voice wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. The sincerity in his tone anchored me, steady and reassuring. “But don’t get too comfortable.” His eyes sharpened, a glint of steel flashing beneath his calm exterior. “Lycoberus was the beginning. You’ve only begun to explore what’s out there.”


    I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me like a leaden cloak. “An introduction, right?” I mumbled, my gaze dropping to the blurred contents of my plate, steam rising like ghosts from the food.


    “Exactly.” His smile softened, yet a quiet intensity remained. He leaned back, arms crossed. He studied me with a look that promised both challenge and camaraderie. “But this time, you’re not going in alone.” His gaze flickered with something personal, as if he were reliving memories. “You’ve got a team now. They’ll push you, test you in ways you didn’t know you needed. Trust me, they’ll change you for the better—or at least, that’s the hope.”


    The word "team" pulled me from my thoughts, curiosity slicing through my exhaustion. I glanced up, meeting his gaze. “Are they... like me?” I asked, my heart racing with both anticipation and dread.


    He took a bite, chewing with care before replying. “Some of them, yeah,” he said, meeting my gaze with a promise of challenge. “But each one has its strengths and quirks. The captain handpicked them. Every single one. They’ll bring something unique to the table—and they’re going to expect you to do the same.” He tapped his fork against his plate, giving me a pointed look. “So savor this meal, Rei. You’re going to need every bit of strength you’ve got.”


    Letting out a slow breath, I took another bite; the warmth of the food eased the tension in my shoulders. The clatter of plates and the hum of conversation soothed me. They drowned out my worries, if only for a moment. For a moment, the upcoming trials and lurking shadows felt distant. This meal was a rare pause—a brief respite in an unending storm.


    As we finished, Mr. Lawton wiped his mouth with a napkin, glancing toward the exit. “Come on, Rei,” he said, a faint spark of excitement dancing in his voice. “There’s something I want you to see.”The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    We stepped outside into the crisp evening air. The coolness filled my lungs and sharpened my senses. A low rumble of machinery mixed with purposeful footsteps. It created an atmosphere of controlled intensity. Above, the sky stretched wide, a deep indigo. The last sunlight melted into the horizon. In the fading light, floating silhouettes of structures glimmered. Each platform hovered like a tiny fortress. Faint blue lights pulsed in the twilight, creating a gentle outline around them.


    “Why are we out here?” I asked, glancing at the bustling scene. Technology and military efficiency hummed together. Mr. Lawton nodded toward one of the floating platforms, pride glimmering in his eyes. “See that?” he pointed to a massive, turreted structure in the distance. It had intricate sensors. "Your squad will station there," Mr. Lawton said, proud, nodding at a floating platform. Each platform is self-sustaining, with training facilities, living quarters, labs—you name it. All designed to make you stronger.”


    As we neared a holographic pad in the ground, its surface pulsed with a soft, rhythmic light. It crackled with anticipation. Mr. Lawton keyed in a sequence, and the pad emitted a low chime resonating in my chest. Under our feet, the ground trembled, vibrating with energy.


    “Uh… what’s happening?” I asked, gripping the railing as the platform began to rise. We ascended with ease, the world below shrinking. The wind whipped around us, tugging at my clothes. It filled me with exhilaration, mixed with a twinge of fear.


    Mr. Lawton chuckled, clapping me on the shoulder. “Relax, Rei. We’re heading up to meet your new squad mates.” The platform drifted higher. It clicked into place beside one of the larger floating structures with a gentle thud. The entry doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the faint glow of lights within. “Shall we?” Mr. Lawton tilted his head at the open doorway. His eyes sparkled with playfulness. The invitation felt both daunting and thrilling.


    Swallowing hard, I stepped forward, the weight of the unknown settling on my shoulders. This was the next step—the beginning of a journey that was both terrifying and exhilarating. Mr. Lawton stayed beside me, reassuring me as he placed a hand on the door. “Well, Rei, here’s where you’ll meet your squad.”


    As the door slid open, a cacophony of voices and motion enveloped us. It was an exhilarating chaos that made my heart race. Before I could register the scene, a blur shot past; a figure zipped across the room, moving so fast that I blinked.


    "Get back here, you bastard!" a voice bellowed, laced with irritation and amusement. A boy with jet-black hair streaked with blue dashed after a blur. It was a kid with shaggy purple highlights. He darted around tables with an agility that left me in awe. "Just try to catch me, if you can!" the purple-highlighted one taunted, laughing like music as he dodged another lunge.


    Wide-eyed, I watched as the two played a game of cat-and-mouse. They skidded around the room like kids in a playground. A third boy groaned from across the room. He adjusted his round glasses and let out a deep sigh. “Hey, can we not turn this place into a war zone? The captain isn''t going to like it.”


    The black-haired boy flashed a grin, his eyes glinting with challenge. “I’ll stop when he pays me back,” he growled, fixing his gaze back on his target. The boy with purple highlights snorted and rolled his eyes. Then he tossed something into the air. “Pfft, fine, here!” he said, flinging a small item back to his pursuer, who caught it in a skilled manner mid-chase.


    Mr. Lawton laughed beside me, nudging my shoulder. “Welcome to your new squad, Rei.” At that moment, all three boys looked at me. Curiosity and mischief lit up their faces. “Who the hell are you?” the boy with black and faded blue hair shouted. Before I could respond, Mr. Lawton stepped in. “Casper, Zane, and Oliver, this is your teammate, Rei.” The trio exchanged glances. A silent, amused bond passed between them. Then Zane stepped forward and extended his hand in greeting.


    “Well then, I’m Zane Xavier,” he said, his grip firm and confident, a grin spreading across his face. The air crackled with the promise of new beginnings. For the first time since the test, hope flickered in my chest.


    [End of Chapter]