Rows of armed soldiers lined the perimeter, their weapons gleaming under the artificial lights. Tanks and heavy artillery were stationed nearby, their barrels aimed at the incoming jet. Fighter jets hovered in a protective formation, and at the forefront stood Drake and Lyra, their faces unreadable but radiating authority.

The atmosphere in the jet was tense. Ace, still nursing his injuries, slumped in his seat, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Mark was silent, his usual bravado replaced with unease. Riya sat rigidly, her emerald eyes darting between the landing pad and Light.

As the jet touched down, a mechanical hiss signaled the ramp lowering. Soldiers immediately surrounded the craft, their weapons raised.

“Step out, hands visible!” a commanding voice barked.

Light rose first, his body still aching from the fight with Zarek. He gestured for the others to follow, his expression calm despite the turmoil brewing inside him.

The moment they stepped off the jet, Drake’s voice boomed.

“Light Ignis! Mark Celar! Riya Arclight! What in the world have you done?”

Drake marched toward them, his imposing figure casting a long shadow. His fists were clenched, and his eyes burned with fury.

“Do you have any idea the mess you’ve caused?” he thundered. “Casualties. Destruction. Diplomatic outrage!”

Lyra stepped forward, her voice cold and sharp. “A big part of an city in Nevar is in ruins. Dozens of civilians injured. Property damage beyond calculation. And for what? A ‘wannabe hero’ act?”

Mark opened his mouth to retort, but Light cut him off. “It wasn’t their fault,” he said, his voice steady. “I take full responsibility.”

Drake’s gaze bore into him, but there was no hint of leniency. “Responsibility? You think taking the blame fixes this? You endangered lives, destroyed a foreign city, and jeopardized the reputation of the Astral Association.”

Lyra crossed her arms, her violet eyes narrowing. “Not to mention bringing a high-priority criminal like Zarek back without proper authorization. What were you thinking?”

Light met her gaze without flinching. “We stopped him. Whatever destruction happened, it was because of Zarek, not us. We did what had to be done.”

Drake’s voice dropped, cold and cutting. “Don’t delude yourself into thinking this was heroism. This was recklessness.”

Two heavily armored guards approached, taking the unconscious Zarek into custody. His advanced handcuffs glowed faintly, suppressing his Etherea.

Lyra gestured toward the guards. “Take him to the detention wing. He’ll be transported to Sapphire for permanent containment.”

As Zarek was carried away, Light felt a weight lift slightly from his shoulders, though the tension in the air remained thick.

Drake turned back to the trio. “You’re lucky this didn’t end worse. But make no mistake—there will be consequences for your actions.”

Riya clenched her fists, her head bowed. Mark avoided everyone’s gaze, his usual wit silenced. Ace shuffled awkwardly at the back, unsure whether to speak or stay quiet.

The team was led to a debriefing room, where Lyra addressed them with clipped tones. “Effective immediately, all of you are restricted to base operations. No unauthorized missions, no heroics. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” everyone replied.

Lyra’s eyes softened slightly, though her posture remained rigid. “Despite everything, you succeeded in capturing Zarek. That’s the only reason you’re not being expelled. But this is your final warning.”

Drake entered the room, his presence commanding attention. “You’ll also be part of the escort team transporting Zarek to Sapphire. That prison is no joke. If you step out of line, even once, the consequences will be severe.”

Mark glanced up. “And after that?”

“Training,” Lyra replied. “You’ll be stationed on Sapphire for an intensive training program. Given your lack of discipline, it’s obvious you need it.”

Light exchanged a glance with Riya, who gave a subtle nod. He could see the exhaustion and frustration in her eyes, but also a spark of determination.

Later that night, Light stood on the rooftop of a facility, staring out at the ocean. The moonlight reflected off the waves, casting a serene glow over the base.

Riya joined him, her footsteps soft against the concrete. “You okay?”

Light didn’t turn to face her. “I thought we were doing the right thing. But now… I’m not so sure.”

Riya leaned against the railing, her emerald eyes fixed on the horizon. “We did what we thought was right. That’s all we can do.”

Light sighed. “Drake and Lyra aren’t wrong. We were reckless. And now we’re paying the price.”

Riya’s voice softened. “You pushed yourself harder than anyone else out there. You took the brunt of it so we wouldn’t have to.”

He glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. “You think that makes it okay?”

“I think it makes you a leader,” she replied simply.

Light looked back at the ocean, the weight of her words settling over him. “Then I need to do better. For all of us.”

As the two stood in silence, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, there was a moment of peace.