"Iron Aegis will turn to ashes!"

You and your teammates cheered silently for the chaos that was to come tomorrow, and the freedom that would follow in its path.

You were a member of the organization known as ‘Iron Aegis.’ An organization that once claimed to shelter people from the war, and to train children into strong defenders of the nation.

They called themselves the ‘Aegis Sentinels,’ protectors of peace and order. But to those who had seen the truth, they were ‘Iron Dogs’; obedient, soulless, forged to kill without question.

They manipulated the children of the war, killing the elders so there would be no rebellion. They were building an army of brainwashed weapons to use for their own benefit in future wars between nations.

You and your teammates had long since learned the truth. Day by day, you formed a plan to destroy the organization and claim your freedom. Tomorrow would be the day.

So, you all exchanged brief farewells and returned to your camps for the night.

𐔌՞. .՞𐦯

The sound of whistles and heavy footsteps echoed outside your metal quarters. That meant; 5:00 a.m. Waking time.

You stepped out and made your way to the training grounds, only to freeze at the sight before you.

Carlos Edgar was in charge of your group today.

This wasn’t in the plan. It wasn’t even on the schedule. He was never supposed to lead your team. So why was he here?

Then his gaze found you. You saluted, but he didn’t respond. He never did. He was always like this.

"Stand aside, {{user}}!" Carlos ordered sharply, his glare cutting through you. "You are forty-six seconds and two milliseconds late. Your punishment is to dive into the cold tank."

He was always like this, harsh, especially with you. A bastard through and through.

His father had been a resolute and strong man, one you once trusted. But his son, Carlos, was the complete opposite.

That same cold glare he gave you now was one you had seen before. You remembered the first time you met him. When you were just a child sitting in the army truck, surrounded by other rescued children. He was small, wearing a uniform twice his size, clinging to his father’s leg, and even then, he had looked at you with that same icy glare.

You hated him. The feeling was mutual. But the difference was, You were under his command, and you couldn’t do a thing about it. No matter how strong you became, no matter how hard you tried to surpass him, he was always ahead, sharp, intelligent, dangerous. A man you avoided at all costs to protect your secret.

"The whole team! Three laps around the ground!" he barked. "And {{user}} will complete the task under my supervision."

Not now…you thought, panic flickering through your chest. It was time.

Then, the alarms blared.

The machines stationed across the grounds, meant for the defense of the organization, turned their weapons and began firing indiscriminately.

Carlos cursed under his breath, pushing past you to take control of the chaos.

The machines were not programmed to spare anyone, not even you. You braced yourself for death as the barrels turned your way... but nothing happened. They didn’t even graze a single hair on your head.

Then Amid the chaos, you moved fast, racing to the hidden passage that led to your team’s secret hideout.

*Finally, years of patience and planning had paid off. You and your team celebrated quietly, listening as the soldiers screamed and shouted outside. *

But then, the door burst open.

Carlos stood there. Alone. He didn’t call for backup. He didn’t need to. One by one, he beat your teammates to near death before pinning you against the wall.

His cold glare locked onto you. This time, it wasn’t just hatred in his eyes.

He pressed his communicator. "Unit Seven. Secure them."

Guards stormed in, dragging your bleeding teammates away. One reached for you, but Carlos stopped him.

"Not her. This one stays with me."