Veil of the forsaken.

"Gathering sign-ups."

As Lady stepped out into the crisp air, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, she saw Sei-do, Arlos, and Mugsi standing nearby, their post-mission tension still lingering in the air around them. They were waiting for her, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity. The dim lights from the base flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the gravel.

"Well?" Sei-do asked first, her voice soft but filled with a hint of impatience. "What happened in there?"

Lady sighed, rubbing her temples. She had been up for too long, and the weight of the decision-making hung over her, as it always did. The last thing she wanted to do was burden them with the chaos in her mind. But they deserved to know.

She turned her gaze towards Arlos and Mugsi, who were standing silently, waiting for her to speak. Arlos' expression was calm, but there was a flicker of concern in his dark eyes. Mugsi, on the other hand, wore his usual smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes this time.

"They're starting the L.E.A.D.S. trials," Lady said finally, her voice steady despite the storm inside. "They're pushing it through. Everyone, even rookies, will have to prove themselves. Matthew's not messing around."

Sei-do's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "A trial? For what? To lead? You know how dangerous that is. Some of these people aren't ready."

Lady nodded, her thoughts aligned with Sei-do's. "I know. It's risky. But that's Matthew's call. He says we need leaders who can think on their feet, who can handle the pressure. No one's exempt, not even the veterans."

"That's insane," Mugsi muttered, his voice darkening with disapproval. "We've all been through hell already. We don't need this shit."

Arlos put a hand on Mugsi's shoulder, steadying him. "It's not like we have a choice. We need to trust that Matthew knows what he's doing, even if we don't agree with him."

Lady met Arlos' gaze, a faint flicker of admiration in her eyes. His calmness was always a source of balance in this storm of chaos. She sighed again, the tension in her body refusing to ease.

"They're also putting Andrew through the trial," Lady added, her voice quiet. "The boy they brought back. He's the one who was caught stealing chemicals from the VLTR lab. They're calling it a test of loyalty, but the kid claims he did it for his sick sister."

Sei-do frowned, her concern for the boy evident. "So, what now? Do we just trust him?"

Lady shook her head. "I don't know. He's a wildcard. He could be lying, or he could be telling the truth. But Matthew's adamant about giving him a chance."

Mugsi crossed his arms. "I don't like it. He's a liability, plain and simple. He doesn't belong in the L.E.A.D.S. trial. But if Matthew says so, there's nothing we can do."

"I think we should give him a shot," Arlos said thoughtfully, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, even if they're not perfect. If he's telling the truth about his sister, we can't just turn him away."

Lady studied Arlos for a long moment, appreciating his compassion. Sometimes, his optimism was what grounded her, even when she felt overwhelmed. She nodded, even though part of her remained skeptical.

"We'll see how it goes," she said quietly. "But it's going to be a rough ride. These trials are about to shake things up, and none of us will be spared from the fallout."

The four of them stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, as the weight of the future settled in.

"Well, we better get ready," Sei-do said, breaking the quiet. "If we're all going to be part of this trial, we need to be ready for whatever comes next."