Shortly after regaining consciousness in the infirmary, Zack, Zino, and Szedra found themselves in Sensei's office. The room was cold and unwelcoming, matching the tone of what was to come.
"She didn't make it back," Sensei said, his voice devoid of emotion. He leaned back in his chair, unlocking his fingers from their firm clasp on the desk. "When your team leader wakes up, he'll brief me on what happened during your quest."
His sharp green eyes flicked between the three of them. "Unless someone wants to volunteer?"
The silence that followed was louder than any answer.
Outside in the hallway, the stillness clung to them.
"Tess didn't make it back?" Zino finally whispered, brows drawn with worry.
What they assumed was just a late wake-up turned into a heart-wrenching reality. The mission wasn't just about eliminating the Elites—it was about survival. And it seemed the Elites had claimed one of their own.
