The trio spent the rest of the training session practising defensive techniques, honing their reflexes and coordination. Nicole marveled at the determination and progress of Emily and Lucas, their youthful energy matched by their willingness to learn.

As they took a break, the sun dipping below the horizon, Nicole's thoughts drifted back to the nagging feeling of something important that she was forgetting. She couldn't shake the persistent sense that there was a missing piece of her ...