Hana made her way to the cafeteria, her hand wrapped in bandages, a clear indication of some recent injury. As she entered the room, she took a seat next to Lando, who immediately noticed her hand and reached out to grab it, concern etched across his face. "What happened to your hand?" he inquired, his voice filled with urgency. Hana hesitated for a moment before offering a half-truth. "I... I accidentally hit something in my sleep," she lied, fully aware that Lando saw through her words. Sighing softly, he chose not to press the matter further, deciding to respect her privacy.
"Our target remains Renan Cosmo," Lando asserted, his eyes fixed on Aqua. She met his gaze with a nod and took her place at the table. Aqua carefully examined the map before her, her gaze honing in on the largest hideout marked. "He should be located there. It's their main stronghold," she stated with conviction, her knowledge of his whereabouts serving as a guiding light. Lando acknowledged her words with a resolute nod.
Contemplating the upcoming mission, Lando turned his attention back to Aqua. "What do you think we'll need?" he queried, his eyes searching for guidance. Aqua locked eyes with him, her expression serious and focused. Adjusting his eyepatch, Lando addressed the entire group, his voice booming with authority. "ATTENTION, EVERYONE!" he bellowed, commanding the attention of those present.
As the room fell into a hushed silence, all eyes turned towards Lando, waiting for his next words. Rising to his feet, he continued with an unwavering determination. "I understand that this is a time of mourning for us, but it is also the time for us to seek revenge. We now know the location of Renan Cosmo!" Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd as Lando shifted his gaze towards Aqua, emphasizing their collective need for unity.
"WE WILL NEED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO FIGHT WITH US! BUT TODAY, WE WILL NOT ENGAGE IN BATTLE. INSTEAD, WE SHALL BEGIN OUR TRAINING, ESPECIALLY FOCUSING ON CLOSE-COMBAT SKILLS!" his voice echoed through the room, igniting a spark of enthusiasm.
The room erupted with applause and cheers, a collective sense of purpose taking hold. Lando raised his voice once more, embracing his role as a leader. "I may be a so-called 'legend' to you all, but from now on, you can simply call me Lando!" he proclaimed, his words resonating with the group.
With a smile directed at Lando, Hana rose from her seat and made her way over to him, her determination evident in her eyes. "We will not rest until Renan Cosmo is no more," she declared, igniting another round of cheers from the room. Lando nodded in agreement, feeling a surge of camaraderie coursing through the air. As he exited the room, bound for the training area, a swarm of eager individuals followed in his footsteps, eager to hone their skills. Bale, unable to resist a playful jab, snickered at Lando. "So, you finally got people to call you by your name?" he taunted, prompting a chuckle from Lando. Meeting Bale's gaze, Lando responded, "Hey, I have to get used to it sooner or later." With that, he proceeded into the training room, Aqua's gaze fixed upon him.
Aqua, observing the gathering crowd, approached Lando with a proposition. "Shall we all train together?" she asked, her eyes earnest. Lando considered her suggestion for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Teams of two," he announced, his voice carrying authority. "This training will focus on close combat, and you will each be armed with sticks for fighting. These sticks may sting, so I want each of you to do your best to avoid getting hit." Aqua's voice boomed throughout the room, setting the stage for the training session.
A stack of wooden masks caught their attention, and Lando and the others donned them as instructed by Aqua. "These masks will serve as your protection," she explained, her eyes scanning the room. Lando fastened his mask securely, following suit as the rest of the group followed suit. Picking up a sturdy stick from a nearby bucket, Aqua prepared herself for the training ahead, her grip firm and focused.
Lando's knuckles tightened around the stick as he glanced at the other participants who were split into two groups, each taking their positions on opposite sides of the expansive training area. The space resembled a vast football field, scattered with props that simulated the ruins they had encountered on their missions. The atmosphere grew charged with anticipation as everyone prepared themselves for the simulated war against the Vultures, keeping in mind that their objective was to train, not to inflict harm.
Aqua's gaze remained fixed on the training field, her mind flooded with memories of the past—memories of Ren, memories of her parents. While the pain of loss tugged at her heart, she knew that she had a greater purpose: to save the remaining members of their team from a similar fate. With determination etched onto her face, she shifted her attention to Lando, who stood poised and ready to showcase his close combat prowess. "It's time for you to demonstrate your skills, Lando," she said, analyzing him intently. A surge of warmth flushed her cheeks as she stole a glance at the other team, preparing themselves for the impending clash.
"GO! MAKE ME PROUD!" Aqua's voice reverberated through the air, an electrifying command that spurred everyone into action. The participants wasted no time and charged forward, their adrenaline pumping. Lando propelled himself into a full sprint, skillfully maneuvering past his teammates with a swift burst of speed. Leaping through a shattered window, he landed gracefully on the other side, his momentum undeterred. Hana, his steadfast companion, closely followed suit, matching his every move with unwavering determination.
Erik, armed with a firm grip on his stick, set his sights on Lando, his path converging with his target. With a calculated leap, he ascended a small prop, soaring through the air before descending upon Lando, poised to strike. Meanwhile, Tot and Jasmine surged forward, joining Erik in their collective challenge. "Let's test your mettle, Lando!" Erik taunted, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Lando returned the snicker, his competitive spirit fully ignited. "You're on!" he declared, raising his stick in response, ready to meet the impending clash head-on.