The sun hung high over the bustling Free World, casting sharp shadows on the towering gates. Inside the Sentinel Headquarters, Cade stood at the forefront, addressing a large crowd of Sentinels, both seasoned officers and fresh rookies. His cold, commanding voice echoed across the base as he paced, his piercing gaze scanning the ranks.
"Listen up!" Cade barked. "You think you've been training hard? You think you're prepared? Let me make one thing clear—your strength, your skills, your courage—they're not for your glory. They're the thin line standing between life and annihilation for every single soul in this city. There's no room for weakness here. No room for mistakes. Out there, the enemy doesn't care about your excuses or fears. They'll crush you, and if you fail, they'll crush everything we stand for. So I'm telling you now: train harder. Fight smarter. Become more than you think you can be, or step aside. Because this world will not wait for you to catch up."
A tense silence fell over the gathered Sentinels. Cade's words were like cold steel, cutting deep into their resolve. After a moment, he added, "Dismissed," and turned, heading back into the command room.
A faint figure appeared on the horizon, silhouetted against the shimmering heat of the barren expanse. The figure staggered, weak and broken, each step a struggle. A bow was strapped across her back, but her arms hung limp, her body leaning heavily with fatigue.
At the gates, two rookie Sentinels stood watch, their spears resting lazily against the stone wall. One, a wiry young man with messy hair, nudged the other—a tall, bulky recruit with a perpetual scowl.
"Hey, you see that?" the wiry one asked, pointing at the figure.
"See what?" the bulky one replied, squinting into the distance.
"That… person," the wiry one said, leaning forward like it might help his vision. "They're walking funny. What if it's, like, a zombie or something?"
The bulky one snorted. "A zombie? Really? You've been reading too many of those cheap adventure scrolls."
"No, seriously! What if it is? Should we, uh, poke it or something?"
"You poke it. I'm not getting near a zombie," the bulky one muttered.
The wiry recruit hesitated. "What if it's a spy?"
"Who'd send a spy looking like that? They're barely standing!" the bulky one retorted. "You're an idiot."
The wiry recruit finally sighed and fumbled with a communication device, pressing a button. "Uh… Commander Cade, sir? There's… uh… someone approaching the gate. Looks kinda… weird."
Inside the Sentinel Headquarters, Cade stood at a large desk, pouring over reports and strategies. The moment the message came through, he snapped to attention. Within seconds, he blurred into motion, racing toward the gates with his vampiric agility.
Upon arriving, he landed gracefully on the ground just outside the gates, his sharp eyes narrowing as he examined the approaching figure. As the figure drew closer, the faint outline of a bow on her back and her tattered appearance became clear. Her steps were shaky, but her determination was evident.
"Stop right there!" Cade commanded, his voice cold and unyielding. "Who are you, and what's your purpose here?"
The figure raised her head weakly, her face dirty and streaked with exhaustion. "I'm here to see Seiji," she rasped. "My name… is Arya."
Cade's expression changed instantly, his eyes widening in recognition. Arya. Seiji's sister. He quickly regained his composure and waved over several Sentinels.
"Take her in immediately!" Cade barked. "Prepare a medical team. Treat her wounds and get her food and water—whatever she needs."
The Sentinels moved swiftly, their training evident. Two carefully helped Arya to her feet, while another brought a stretcher. They carried her into the city, gently cleaning her wounds and providing her with water as they worked. One Sentinel bandaged a deep gash on her arm, while another carefully wiped the dirt from her face. A soft blanket was draped over her shoulders as they led her to a resting chamber.
Back inside the headquarters, Cade slammed his hands onto the desk, his mind racing. The sudden arrival of Arya, Seiji's long-lost sister, could change everything. He couldn't imagine what she had been through to make it here.
Turning to one of the nearby communication officers, Cade barked his next orders. "Get a message to Seiji. Now."
The officer nodded, immediately activating the communication lines to deliver the critical message. Cade stood still for a moment, staring at the desk as if trying to make sense of everything.
"Arya…" he muttered to himself. "Seiji, you'd better be ready for this."