The training hall echoed with bursts of magic and the clash of weapons. Ethan stood in the center, watching over his team as they practiced in their new base.
"Jake, you're not giving her enough room! Don't hog the middle!" Ethan called out, his sharp eyes fixed on Jake, who was sparring with Marika.
"Tsk! I know what I'm doing!" Jake shouted back, his tone as fiery. He darted forward, deflecting Marika's attack and countering with a controlled burst of energy. The two moved with speed and skill, their years of training evident in every step.
"Sure doesn't look like it," Marika teased, sidestepping his next strike with a quick flip. Her laughter carried across the room, but there was no malice in it.
On the other side of the room, Lindiwe knelt on the ground, her hands glowing faintly with blue mana as she repaired a training dummy that had been shredded during an earlier session. "He's been like this all morning, Ethan. I think he's still grumpy about losing that bet to Marika last week," she said with a mischievous grin.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Jake shot back, though his reddened ears betrayed him. "And I let her win!"
"Of course you did," Lindiwe replied, smirking as she stood up and wiped her hands.
Ethan watched them with quiet amusement. His team had grown stronger over the years, he had grown closer to the bunch. Marika's playful nature masked her sharp tactical mind. Lindiwe was the team's heart, always ready with a steady hand or kind word. And Jake, fiery and brash, was their sword, fiercely protective and unwavering in battle.
"Alright, that's enough for now," Ethan said, clapping his hands. "Rest up."
Marika slumped onto a bench, wiping sweat from her brow. "I swear, Jake, one of these days, I'm going to roast you alive in a duel."
"Try me," Jake replied with a grin, tossing her a water bottle.
Lindiwe plopped down next to Marika, her voice softer now. "Do you think things will ever go back to normal? You know, after… everything?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered on his team, and a pang of guilt tugged at him. They deserved a better life—one free from missions and violence. But that wasn't the world they lived in, not yet.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, breaking the moment. Ethan turned to see Elaine approaching. Her presence was like a storm—calm, yet carrying an unspoken threat.
"Ethan, come with me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Ethan followed her to the war room, leaving his team behind. Inside, a holographic map of Antarctica flickered to life, displaying the icy expanse and its key locations. Elaine's expression was as unreadable as ever as she gestured toward the map.
"We've received intel on an artifact housed in the Grand Museum of Frostveil, the capital of the Ice Elf territories," Elaine began, her tone clinical. "This artifact is highly classified. It's guarded by advanced magical defenses and some of the most skilled mages in the region."
"And you want us to steal it," Ethan said, his voice steady.
"Precisely," Elaine confirmed. "This mission is a test, Ethan. You and your team will infiltrate the museum, retrieve the artifact, and return without being detected. Failure is not an option."
Ethan frowned. "And this artifact? What does it do?"
Elaine's eyes narrowed. "That's irrelevant. Your job is to secure it. The rest is on a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He had learned long ago that arguing with Elaine was pointless.
"You leave tomorrow," Elaine said, turning away. "Prepare your team."
Ethan returned to the training hall, his expression unreadable. His team looked up as he entered, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
"Mission?" Lindiwe asked, her voice cautious.
"Yeah," Ethan said, sitting down beside them. "Go to Frostveil. The Grand Museum."
"The Ice Elf capital? Are you kidding me?" Jake exclaimed, sitting up straight. "That place is a fortress!"
"Exactly why we need to be ready," Ethan replied. "This isn't just about strength. We need to be smarter, faster, and more coordinated than ever."
Marika leaned back, her tone lighter despite the gravity of the situation. "Sounds like fun. Always wanted to see how the elves decorate their halls."
"I'm serious, Marika," Ethan said, though his voice softened when he saw her smirk.
Later that evening, Ethan found himself alone in the observation room with Dianna. The frost-covered windows framed the moonlit landscape, casting an ethereal glow over the room. The tension of the day melted away as they stood side by side.
"You're quiet," Dianna remarked, her voice gentle.
"Just thinking," Ethan replied. "Elaine's sending us to Frostveil. It's… risky."
"She's been acting rush these few days," Dianna said. "It's making me feel uneasy."
Ethan turned to her, his gaze softening. "Yeah. But I'll be back"
"You just be safe," Dianna said, leaning into him. Their fingers intertwined, a quiet promise in the stillness of the room.
For now, Ethan and his team set out taking a small private flying car. Their course Antarctica.
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