Back at base, they were summoned.
Commander Ryven stood with hands behind his back. Tall. Cold. A scar across his jaw like a warning.
"You disobeyed protocol," he said.
"But we survived," Renzo replied.
Ryven's eyes locked on Aira. "At what cost?"
She didn't answer.
He turned to Ezrah. "You saw it. Her power."
Ezrah hesitated.
"She lost control. But she saved our lives."
Ryven's voice dropped.
"We don't trust power without control. Next time she slips—kill her.