The Arkvault's elder section pulses with life—neon markets, squid-chef noodle joints, and our sleek home where space windows frame swirling stars. After months of training, we're no longer Guild outcasts but beasts ready to prove ourselves. I'm Alex, sprawled in a black T-shirt and cargo shorts on our living room couch, flux and earth energies buzzing like a pre-game rush. Fiona's next to me, in a long gray tee and leggings, tossing me a playful nudge as we sip fizzing drinks from the dispenser. Dmitri's across the room, in a rugged tank top, trading quips with Lyra, our Veltari neighbor.
"Big test today," Fiona says, her flux staff propped nearby, her smile sparking my focus. "Think we'll crush it?"
"Like a gym record," I reply, nudging her back. "A-rank's ours."
Lyra smirks, leaning toward Dmitri. "You'll need more than fire to impress me, shield guy."
Dmitri's grin flashes. "Watch me, Veltari. I'll light up that arena."
We swap casuals for upgraded suits—my red-and-black, Fiona's white-and-black, Dmitri's orange-and-black, Lyra's sleek Veltari armor—and hit the training room. Holo-walls morph into a jagged arena, space windows glowing. Our A-rank trainers—Korrath (earth), Sylvara (flux), Zorak (fire/wind)—stand ready for a 3-on-3 test.
Korrath's granite skin rumbles. "Beat us, you're A-rank—team and solo."
Sylvara's liquid limbs shimmer. "Show your strength."
Zorak's claws spark. "No mercy." my
I crack my knuckles, power fist humming. "Like a championship bout. Let's do this."
Fiona shifts her staff to sword mode. "Ready to shine."
Dmitri's shield flares. "Time to burn."
Korrath charges, earth quaking. I summon a flux-charged rock wall, blocking his boulder barrage. "Like deadlifting a planet!" I yell, hurling a glowing rock back. It cracks his armor.
Fiona's staff slashes flux arcs, pinning Sylvara's liquid form. "Caught you!" she shouts, switching to bow mode, arrows flying.
Dmitri's spear unleashes a fire-wind vortex, clashing with Zorak's flames. "Down you go!" he roars, shield spinning.
Sylvara reforms, flux surging, but I spark an earth-flux cage, Fiona's arrows weave a net, and Dmitri's vortex slams Zorak. In a chaotic dance, we trap them—my cage, Fiona's arrows, Dmitri's storm. They yield, breathless.
Korrath grunts, "A-rank. You're a unit and individuals."
Sylvara hums, "Guild will stamp it."
Zorak sparks, "Monsters, all of you."
I fist-bump Fiona, grinning. "A-rank squad, baby!"
Dmitri nods at Lyra, watching from the sidelines. "Impressed yet?"
She laughs, amber eyes glinting. "Close, fire man. Close."
That evening, we're in casuals—me in a jacket and shorts, Fiona in a long blue tee, Dmitri in a black shirt, Lyra in a Veltari crop top and pants—at the elder's office, a cozy space with holo-screens and 35 workers: Trixa, Voon, Varkis, and familiar faces we've grilled synth-steaks with. The elder, metallic-skinned, raises a neon drink. "To our A-rank stars!"
The crowd cheers, glowing snacks passed around. I munch a wriggling pastry. "Stars? Call us supernovas."
Fiona leans close, smirking. "Don't get cocky, supernova."
The elder's optics gleam. "You're registered as Eldari, a rare humanoid species. Their habitat was destroyed in a reactor blast ages ago—few remain, old and scattered. You're listed as offspring of my workers, Kael and Mira."
Dmitri raises an eyebrow. "Eldari? Not human?"
"Keeps you hidden," the elder says. "And you've got a fourth—Lyra."
Lyra grins, nudging Dmitri. "Ready to sprint with Squad Zero, teammate?"
He smirks. "Only if you dodge my flames, Veltari."
Varkis claps. "Squad Zero's for ship-safety missions—confidential, high-risk. A-rank means rare but tough tasks."
Trixa hums, "You'll own it. Elder's got your back."
Voon adds, "Guild's granting A-rank slots directly. No hurdles."
The elder nods. "A-rank's not your ceiling. No trainers above this, so you'll need real missions to grow. Find your own path."
I raise my glass. "To Squad Zero and cosmic carnage!"
Fiona clinks, her arm brushing mine. "To epic fights."
Dmitri toasts, eyeing Lyra. "To fast allies."
Lyra laughs, clinking. "To burning bright."
The room buzzes with chatter, snacks, and laughter. My bracelet pings once: Status: A-rank achieved. Query: Squad Zero leader? I ignore it, caught in Fiona's grin, Dmitri and Lyra's banter, and the elder's crew cheering. I'm Alex, A-rank beast with a cosmic girlfriend, a Veltari teammate, and a squad ready to shake the Arkvault's secrets.