Three years had passed since that fateful day when Avril had seized power, and in the quiet refuge of Mikee’s mansion, life had taken on a strange rhythm. For Lanz, Hillarion, Keisha, and the others, it had been a constant game of survival—moving in the shadows, planning their next steps, and waiting for the right moment to strike. Though the world outside had grown darker under Avril’s reign, within the mansion’s walls, a fragile peace had formed.
The children—Ash, Kiera, Hayden, Mareena, Lyn, Kim, Reiner, Leticia, and Mia—had grown, both in age and understanding. No longer sheltered from the reality of the world, they were aware of the dangers lurking beyond the mansion’s gates. They had learned quickly, adapting to the harsh truths of their existence. They knew who Avril was, what he had done, and why their parents and guardians were fighting in the shadows.
Ash, now standing tall at sixteen, often watched the older ones strategize, his mind absorbing every piece of information like a sponge. He had inherited his father Hillarion’s calm but calculating demeanor, and his sharp instincts were beginning to show.
Ash: (quietly, to Kiera) Do you think we’ll ever see Caloocan again? The way it was before?
Kiera, sitting next to him, looked out at the rolling hills beyond the mansion, her expression thoughtful. At fifteen, she was already fiercely independent, with a sense of justice as strong as her mother, Keisha. She shrugged but her eyes were filled with determination.
Kiera: (softly) I don’t know. But I do know one thing—we’re not going to just sit here forever. They’re planning something. They have to be.
Nearby, Hayden and Mareena, the younger ones, were playing a quiet game of cards with Lyn, Kim, Reiner, Leticia, and Mia, but even they had picked up on the tension that seemed to hang over everyone. Their innocence had been chipped away bit by bit over the years, but they still held onto hope—hope that one day they wouldn’t have to hide anymore.
Lanz stood by the large windows, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. His heart ached when he saw how much the children had changed. They had grown up in a world of secrets, unable to live freely like other kids their age. But despite that, they had adapted. They understood what was at stake.
Hillarion approached, standing next to him.
Hillarion: (quietly) They’re ready, you know. More than we give them credit for.
Lanz: (nodding) I know. But I still want to protect them from this as much as I can. Once we make our next move, there’s no turning back.
Hillarion: (sighing) There’s no turning back now. They’re in this with us whether we like it or not.
Lanz glanced over at the children, who, despite their attempts to live normally, wore the weight of their reality in their eyes. They had been forced to grow up too soon, and yet they showed no signs of breaking.
Lanz: (determined) We’ll make sure they see a better world. One without Avril. But we need to be careful. We’ve waited three years—now, it’s time to act.
Hillarion: (nodding) We’ve built a network. We’ve gathered allies. We just need the right moment to strike. And when it comes, we’ll be ready.
The two men stood in silence, their thoughts heavy with the battles ahead. Though they had been in hiding, they had never stopped fighting in their own way. And now, with the next generation watching and waiting, they knew the time was coming to step out of the shadows and reclaim what was lost.
With the years of training behind them, the kids’ abilities had grown significantly, reflecting their determination and the challenges they had faced. Their skills were now refined, and they were no longer just children, but young fighters ready to step into the fray. Each had been given updated rankings based on their progress, which showed just how far they had come.
Ash, the son of Hillarion, had risen to Class A, a powerful rank that reflected his strength and combat prowess. His power was evident, with his strength now standing at 350, a reflection of his intense physical training. His agility and defense were balanced, and though his IQ was average at 85, his potential remained at 20%, leaving room for growth.
Kiera, with her quick reflexes and sharp instincts, had earned a Class V ranking. She was a natural in agility and had grown into a strong fighter, but her potential stood out more than anything else. Her potential of 35% made her the most adaptable of the group, and her agility, sitting at 200, showed her quickness in battle. 
Hayden, who had always been focused and steady, now held a Class B ranking:
Strength: 250
Agility: 110
Defense: 120
IQ: 82
Potential: 25%
Mareena, known for her sharp mind and strategy, had climbed to Class C:
Strength: 150
Agility: 170
Defense: 100
IQ: 95
Potential: 28%
Lyn, a steady fighter with great resilience, now held Class B:
Strength: 200
Agility: 140
Defense: 150
IQ: 83
Potential: 22%
Kim, whose combat style relied on both strength and quick thinking, had earned Class B as well:
Strength: 210
Agility: 130
Defense: 130
IQ: 90
Potential: 23%
Reiner, physically imposing and defensive-minded, had been ranked in Class B:
Strength: 280
Agility: 100
Defense: 160
IQ: 80
Potential: 27%
Leticia, the most focused on defense and strategy, was in Class C:
Strength: 130
Agility: 160
Defense: 110
IQ: 92
Potential: 29%
Mia, who had become known for her speed, now stood at Class C:
Strength: 140
Agility: 190
Defense: 90
IQ: 87
Potential: 26%
Each of them had come far, and though none of their potentials exceeded Kiera’s 35%, their unique strengths and abilities were critical to the group's survival. Now, they were no longer just waiting—they were becoming part of the plan to stop Avril, fully aware of the weight on their shoulders.