—Trigger Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and detailed descriptions of gore. Read at your own risk.—
The head rolled across the blood-streaked floor, coming to a halt just in front of Val.
Val bent down, lifted it, and studied it with cold detachment. "This should send a clear enough message," he murmured, glancing at the remaining guards.
Exeo's voice crackled through Val's Mind Link communication. Yes—
Before he could finish, the door burst open. A small boy in tattered clothes stood framed in the doorway, his wide eyes surveying the grisly scene without a trace of fear or revulsion.
Riggs jolted, instinctively stepping forward, but Val grabbed his wrist, holding him back.
"What are you doing here?" Riggs demanded, his voice a mix of shock and concern.
Ember watched the boy with narrowed eyes, intrigued by the child's lack of fear. Without a word, he passed the severed head to Bo and approached the boy.
He stopped a few feet from him and spoke in a chilling tone, "Who are you?"
The boy met Ember's gaze with calm composure. "I'm Fon."
"Fon, huh?" Ember's voice was edged with suspicion. "And why did you come here?"
"I came back after burying my friend," Fon said, nodding towards Riggs. "He helped me. I heard noises, so I wanted to check it out."
"You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous." Ember's eyes searched the boy's face, looking for some flicker of fear.
Fon merely shrugged. "I'm not afraid."
Ember chuckled, though his expression remained tense. "Aren't you a strange kid. I think you've seen enough for one day—get out of here while you still can."
Fon's eyes held his gaze, steady and unflinching. "Are you like the people who run this place?"
Val, having stepped up behind Ember, answered, "No. We're here on a job."
Fon regarded him intently, then turned as if to leave, though Ember's voice stopped him. "Hey!"
Fon paused, looking back. "What?"
Ember fixed him with a hard stare. "You haven't answered me. Why did you come back here?"
Fon considered the question, his gaze distant. "I didn't know what else to do."
With a sigh of exasperation, Ember finally waved him off. "Suit yourself. Just don't blame us if you end up getting hurt."
As Fon turned away again, Val's hand reached out to stop him. "No—come with us."
Fon stared at him, perplexed. "Why?"
Val shrugged. "You've got nowhere else to go. We'll find a place for you to stay."
Ember, crossing his arms, shot Val a glare. "Rescuing innocents is one thing. But bringing a kid like this into our lives? That's reckless, Val."
Val met Ember's fierce look with a steady one of his own. "We have the resources. He's seen too much already. I can handle the consequences."
Ember muttered something under his breath, shooting a glance at their comms, where a long-suffering sigh from Exeo echoed his own feelings.
The five returned to their hotel to wrap up the mission debrief. Once inside, Exeo, already anticipating the group's arrival, scrutinized Fon with a calculating look.
"So, you're Fon," Exeo said, bending to the boy's level.
Fon nodded, his gaze unfazed. "Yeah. So you're with them?" He pointed back at the others, who stood somewhat awkwardly around him.
Exeo's face broke into an amused smile. "Yes, I am." Straightening, he turned to Riggs. "Get the kid cleaned up. After that, we'll finalize the report."
As Riggs led Fon away, Exeo addressed the team, passing out assignments for each member to monitor the area until they could be sure no more trafficking operations were lurking in the shadows.
"I'll be heading back with Riggs and the boy," Exeo added, giving a significant look at Ember and Val. "The rest of you keep an eye on things for a few more days. If it stays quiet, report to HQ."
After three days without incident, Ember gave the signal to return. As the team packed up, Bo couldn't resist a grin as he nudged Val.
"That kid, huh? Got you all sentimental?"
Val shook his head with a wry smile. "There's something about him. I had to help."
"And Ember doesn't approve." Bo shrugged. "Guess he'll just have to deal."
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Back at HQ, Val sought out Ember in their shared quarters. Ember sat on the couch, staring pensively at the wall, his usual fire subdued.
"Something on your mind?" Val asked cautiously.
Ember finally looked up, meeting Val's gaze with a conflicted frown. "This thing with the kid. I don't like it. It's too dangerous."
Val crossed his arms, meeting Ember's frustration with unyielding determination. "You think leaving him there would have been better? We had the chance to change his life."
Ember's expression softened slightly, though doubt lingered in his eyes. "I get it, Val. But bringing him into our world...there's a cost."
"He deserves a chance, Ember. And with training, maybe he could even help."
After a tense silence, Ember sighed. "Fine. But no missions, Val. Not until he's old enough and trained enough."
Val managed a small smile of relief, appreciating his brother's trust. "Thank you, Ember."
"Just...be prepared to answer to Gen. Luis."
The brothers soon found themselves in General Luis's office. After Ember finished the mission report, including the detail of Fon's involvement, General Luis's face darkened.
"A civilian witness was brought back here?" The general's tone was thunderous, his glare fixed on Val. "We don't take risks with secrecy like this."
Val met the general's gaze unwaveringly. "Sir, we couldn't leave him behind. He's alone, and he's seen too much."
The general tapped his fingers on his desk in thought, scrutinizing Val for a long moment. "Fine. But know this, Val: he's your responsibility. You and Ember." His gaze moved to Ember. "You two had better be ready for the consequences."
Ember nodded solemnly, and Val straightened, resolve hardening in his eyes. "Yes, sir."
With a final sigh, General Luis softened. "Then bring him in and start his training. Exeo will oversee it."
The brothers exchanged a glance, grateful but soberly aware of the weight they had just taken on.
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A week later, Ember, Riggs, Bo, and Valens were training in the sparring hall. Fon, now dressed in simple training clothes, watched the sparring session from the sidelines with keen interest.
As Ember and Valens squared off, their strikes fast and fierce, Fon turned to Exeo, curiosity lighting his face. "Are they always this...intense?"
Exeo smiled. "This is nothing. Just wait until they're really pushing each other."
Fon observed as Val dodged Ember's sword and pulled his hair in retaliation. Ember yelped, glaring at Val, who simply shrugged, grinning like a mischievous fox.
"Seriously, Val?" Ember grumbled, rubbing his head, but there was a hint of laughter in his voice.
Watching the two spar brought a rare smile to Exeo's face. Riggs and Bo exchanged an amused glance as they joined the fray, turning the match into a four-way melee that left all of them panting by the end.
"Is...hair-pulling part of sparring?" Fon asked innocently.
Exeo chuckled. "No, it's just those two. They tend to add a bit of flair."
Fon smiled, eyes shining with admiration as he watched the team, already beginning to feel a sense of belonging in their world of strength and loyalty.
When the sparring finally ended, a summons called them to General Luis's office. With Fon in tow, they gathered around as he addressed them.
"So, Fon," the general said, looking down at the boy. "How are you adjusting so far?"
Fon smiled shyly. "I like it here. Everyone's...nice."
The general gave a small, approving nod before turning to the team. "Your next mission is in Carem. We're targeting someone close to the throne—a royal cousin involved in a power play that could destabilize the entire region."
The team listened intently as he outlined the dangerous assignment, a mission that would test them all. And as they left the office, Fon walked a little taller, already imagining the day when he could fight alongside them.