Chapter 17: Reunion

The Apex Institute had a designated section of the city blocked off for training purposes. The training grounds were located inside what was once a stadium dome used for sports in the old world. Improvements had been made to the dome to allow for safe training. The walls had been reinforced with 10-inch thick concrete, making it an ideal place for contractors to utilize their powers without external interference. Entry to the institute was restricted to registered contractors, with a few special exceptions for individuals with powerful bloodline traits. It served as the training ground for both active and non-active contractors preparing for upcoming missions.

As Thalia and Theo walked down the huge corridor, they could finally see the light at the end. The brightness was blinding, prompting them to cover their eyes. Once their vision adjusted, Thalia was taken aback by the massive trees standing in the center of the stadium. They seemed to stretch beyond her sight. The area looked just as it had when her Tia brought her here five years ago. "Wow, this place is huge! How can trees grow inside a dome with little to no exposure to sunlight?" Thalia asked, genuinely perplexed. She remembered asking her Tia that same question back then, and her Tia had shrugged as if the answer was obvious.

"You guys are late! But what else could I expect from the two of you?" Tyler's smug voice sent a chill down Thalia's spine. "Tyler? What are you doing here?" she scoffed.

Tyler was dressed in the institute's standard black sweatpants and windbreaker. "I'm here to meet my new unit. I'm already regretting my decision," he replied.

Just then, a woman with the largest bust Thalia had ever seen sneaked up behind Tyler and wrapped her arm around him, pulling him close and pressing his face into her breasts. "Oh, you're far too uptight! You need to learn to relax and enjoy life a little," she said, her red hair cascading over his flustered face. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure they're late because of that mischievous man." She shot Alexander a death stare, making her irritation clear.

"Oh, don't be like that, Cher. Your eyes could pierce a man's heart through. At least I brought them in one piece." Alexander laughed and clasped the sibling's arms, pulling them over to Tyler and Valerie.

"Well, I guess that's a plus. Hello, my loves, my name is Valerie." She said, releasing Tyler from the choke hold. He hit the ground, coughing. Thalia couldn't tell what to make of Valerie. She was obviously the normal one compared to the vice-captain.

"Hi, my name is Thalia. This is Theo. It's nice to meet you!" Thalia says pointing at her little brother. Valerie grabs them both, pulling them into a choke hold and pressing them against her massive breast. "You guys are so cute. I have always wanted a little brother and sister. I adore a big family." Thalia took it back. This woman was definitely just as crazy as the vice-captain.

"So, Valerie, are you a doctor or something?" Theo's voice was muffled as he pressed hard against her chest. Valerie released the siblings, who, like Tyler, began to cough as they tried to catch their breath. Thalia thought there was no way this woman could be a doctor with such grip strength; she had to be the captain of this ragtag unit.

"Oh yes, I am, honey. Are you hurt anywhere?" Valerie's eyes glimmered with a twisted excitement.

Theo rolled backward and jumped to his feet. "No, ma'am, that won't be necessary." He could tell that this woman was not your ordinary doctor; she had the aura of someone who had taken more lives than she had saved. "So, are you the leader of this unit, Ms. Valerie?" Thalia asked, wiping the dirt from her knees and skirt.

"Oh heavens, no, honey. Like I said, I am a doctor and I moonlight as the team medic. I also own the best dive bar in the district, the Black Owl." Thalia thought she had heard of a bar called the Black Owl. If her memory served her correctly, that bar was known for its brawls and debauchery.

"So you're the vice-captain of this unit. My name is Tyler Winfreed. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vice-Captain Alexander." Tyler extended his hand to shake Valerie's hand. However, instead of shaking it, she grabbed his wrist. "Wow, kid, you have some nice wrists—strong for someone so young." Tyler quickly pulled his hand away, rubbing the spot where she had gripped him. His skin had bruised a light purple.

"You must be an archer with wrists like that?"

Tyler was a bit confused, and his wrist was still throbbing. "I am proficient with any weapon, but I prefer a bow over any other." He pulled a small silver shaft lined with turquoise crystal bands on both ends from his pocket. "Although I could always give you a quick demonstration, Vice-Captain." Tyler pushed up his glasses and made a facial expression that Thalia recognized all too well—the same look he gave her whenever she stepped out of line, just before he gave her a proper thrashing.

"No, no, that won't be necessary. In fact, I think you should save your strength; you'll need it soon." Alexander grinned, showing off his bright white teeth while giving off a sinister vibe.

"Speaking of the captain, what is he like?" Theo asked, looking around. "Also, what kind of missions does our team do?" Alexander's smile faded as he put on a grave expression.

"Well, the captain is arrogant, demanding, violent, and impatient. He also snores really loudly, and I hate sleeping next to him. Let's just say he is highly motivated when it comes to retrieving relics and subduing terrorists. Oh, and fair warning: he won't hesitate to kill you if you annoy him!" Alexander said with a creepy smile.

Theo gulped and grabbed his arm to prevent it from shaking. "Stop it. He won't kill anyone." Valerie smacked the back of Alexander's head so quickly that Thalia could barely follow her movement.

"What, Cher? I was just teasing. He probably won't kill them as long as they don't irritate him." Alexander rubbed his aching head.

Suddenly, a katana flew past Thalia's face, barely missing her and landing squarely between Alexander's legs. Surprisingly, he didn't even flinch; instead, he leaned against the sword.

"Bravo! Leave it to our captain to make such a devastatingly flamboyant entrance."