The warehouse fell silent long after the recruits had gone to sleep.
Only the faint hum of the overhead lights and the occasional creak of old metal beams disturbed the stillness.
Emerald stood alone in the center of the training floor, unable to rest. Her mark glowed beneath the sleeve of her jacket, pulsing with a rhythm she had never felt before.
It wasn't pain.
It was a warning.
She closed her eyes.
The world around her disappeared.
Darkness stretched endlessly before her until emerald-green flames burst to life, revealing the Underworld's royal palace. Once magnificent, it now stood scarred by years of neglect. Black vines crawled over cracked marble pillars, and banners bearing the royal crest had been torn down, replaced by her aunt's crimson insignia.
Footsteps echoed through the empty throne room.
Her aunt emerged from the shadows, dressed in obsidian armor crowned with jagged emerald crystals. Her smile was calm, almost welcoming.
"You've grown stronger," the Queen said, her voice echoing through the hall.
Emerald instinctively reached for the dagger at her side.
"You are not real."
"No." The Queen smiled wider. "But our blood still binds us. Every time your power grows, I feel it."
The mark on Emerald's arm burned.
"You've gathered allies," the Queen continued. "How... sentimental."
"They're not tools," Emerald replied firmly. "They're my family."
The Queen laughed.
A cold, hollow sound that filled the chamber.
"Family is a weakness, child. That lesson will break you before I ever do."
The vision shifted.
Emerald saw the warehouse from above.
Dark figures surrounded it.
Hunters.
Dozens of them.
Among them stood a tall man wearing a silver mask engraved with ancient symbols. In his hand rested a long spear forged from black steel, its blade glowing with blue runes.
He raised the weapon.
"Find the girl," he ordered.
"No survivors."
The vision shattered.
Emerald gasped as she stumbled backward into reality.
Her breathing was uneven.
Cold sweat covered her forehead.
"Emerald?"
She turned to see Noah standing in the doorway, concern etched across his face.
"I heard something."
She hesitated before answering.
"They're coming."
Noah's expression hardened instantly.
"The Queen?"
She slowly shook her head.
"Worse."
"The hunters."
Within minutes, the warehouse buzzed with quiet urgency. Sara woke the recruits while Sam secured every entrance. Kael spread maps across a workbench, marking possible escape routes.
"They found us?" Lyra asked.
"I don't know how," Emerald admitted.
"But they're close."
Noah folded his arms.
"Then we don't wait for them to attack."
Everyone looked toward him.
"We prepare."
The room fell silent.
Emerald looked at the people gathered around her.
Weeks ago, they had been strangers.
Now they stood shoulder to shoulder without fear.
She felt the pulse of her mark again.
Closer.
Stronger.
Somewhere beyond the city...
The silver-masked hunter opened his eyes.
A faint green glow reflected in them.
"I've found you," he whispered.
A slow smile crossed his face.
"This time... the last royal won't escape."