She had brought a solitary beam of light into their suffocating darkness.
Now, their job was to become a beacon of their own.
To illuminate their own paths.
And to guide the rest of their peers still trapped in the shadows.
"Yes, Captain!"
They replied in unison, a fierce fighting spirit burning in their eyes.
That evening.
The Lancaster dining room.
The room was bathed in warm light, filled with the aroma of a lavish family dinner.
Serena was halfway through her meal.
Her phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number.
Serena narrowed her eyes, instantly guessing who was on the other end.
Setting her fork down, she answered the call.
She remained perfectly silent.
A skin-crawling chuckle echoed through the receiver.
"Miss Lancaster, it's been a while. I've missed you."
The sheer depravity in his tone was nauseating.
Serena said, her expression entirely neutral. "Sebastian."
"Oh, I'm flattered you remember me..."
Sebastian murmured, his voice laced with sick excitement. "I heard your little Ragtag Squad is quite prepared."
"Are you really that desperate to win this Gauntlet?"
Serena had no patience for his theatrics. "Cut to the chase."

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