Veil of the forsaken.

"The railways."

As they stepped into the railway tunnels, the rhythmic clanking of metal and the distant echoes of voices filled the air. The underground space had been converted into a makeshift training ground—dimly lit, the scent of sweat and old iron hanging in the air. Arlos was at the center of it all, effortlessly maneuvering between trainees, correcting their stances, dodging reckless punches like he was dancing.

The moment he spotted them—Veil, Lady, and Juno—he immediately halted mid-motion, the poor trainee who had just thrown a punch missing so badly that he spun himself off balance. Arlos didn't even acknowledge it. His focus was elsewhere.

"Oh, thank the stars, you've come!" he declared, placing both hands over his chest as if he were on the verge of collapse.

Veil frowned, amused but skeptical. "Are you dying or something?"

Arlos pointed dramatically at Juno, his purplish-blue eyes wide with exaggerated desperation. "Juno. Juno, my savior, my light in this dark abyss—I need your help."

Juno froze, eyes darting between Lady and Veil like she wasn't sure whether she should run or respond. "...With what?"

Arlos stumbled forward, gripping his own arm like he was barely holding himself together. "With this madness. With these people." He gestured broadly to the trainees, who all just stood there looking confused. "They are beyond saving. I've tried, gods, I've tried, but they have the reflexes of an injured sloth and the reaction time of a drunk snail!"

One of the trainees raised a hand. "That feels a little unfair—"

"Silence, Barry!" Arlos snapped, never breaking eye contact with Juno. "You must help me. If I go on like this, I will surely perish. Or worse—" He staggered, barely catching himself on Veil's shoulder, "—I'll start to care!"

Veil shoved him off, grinning. "Damn, we wouldn't want that."

Lady sighed, rubbing her temple. "Arlos, stop harassing her."

"I'm not! I'm recruiting! Juno," he continued, his voice dropping to something grave, "you have the patience, the skill, the merciful heart that these fools desperately need. Will you stand with me? Will you lend me your strength?"

Juno blinked, thoroughly overwhelmed. "...You just want me to help train them?"

"Yes," Arlos said dramatically. "But I needed to make it sound cooler."

Juno hesitated, looking between him and the group of trainees. Eventually, she sighed, clearly resigned. "...Fine."

Arlos gasped like she had just accepted a marriage proposal. "Bless you. You are twice the warrior I am. I will name my firstborn after you."

"Please don't," Juno muttered, already regretting her decision.

Veil crossed her arms, watching the exchange with barely concealed amusement. "Well, that was the most entertaining thing I've seen all day."

Lady simply exhaled, turning away. "I don't have time for this."

Arlos clapped his hands together. "Alright, everyone, listen up! Juno is in charge now! If you embarrass me, I'll make you regret it!"

Juno sighed but stepped forward. Veil leaned toward Lady, whispering with a smirk, "Think she regrets walking in with us yet?"

Lady glanced at Juno's expression. "...Absolutely."

 Arlos, still basking in his dramatic moment of victory, straightened up and clapped his hands together with renewed energy. "Alright, recruits! Since Juno has graced us with her presence, let's see if we can salvage what's left of your dignity!"