Chapter 51: Return to the Island
The private courtyard of the Ikemba estate buzzed softly with residual energy. Rose Ikemba stood near the circular Soul Gate embedded into the polished marble ground, her long dark coat billowing slightly in the early morning breeze. At her side stood Sia, her quiet and sharply efficient secretary, holding a glowing clipboard and adjusting settings on the gate with swift precision.
Karen Lockwood stepped forward with her companions—Jim, Marie, and Leslie—walking beside her. Joshua Ikemba, expression unreadable as always, brought up the rear, his hands clasped behind his back. Cassandra had departed hours earlier through a different channel. Now, only this group remained.
Rose turned as they approached, her gaze sweeping over each of them with a measuring calm. "Six months of brutal conditioning. I expected at least two of you to break. You didn't. I'm impressed."
Marie smiled sheepishly. "There were days I thought I would."
"Thinking and doing are different things," Rose replied smoothly, then looked toward Karen. "You, especially. You've crossed a line. From survival to evolution."
Karen offered a respectful nod, still processing the sharp, clipped approval. "Thank you."
Jim folded his arms. "You didn't go easy on her."
Rose's brow arched slightly. "Nor on you. Pain is currency here, and progress is never free."
Sia stepped forward and spoke, her tone formal but smooth. "Gate calibrated. Coordinates locked. Transit to Soul Academy will begin in twenty seconds."
Joshua glanced at Sia, then turned his attention to Rose. "Any final advice before we're thrown back into the wolves' den?"
Rose smirked, just slightly. "Three things. First—never trust calm waters at the Academy. Danger often smiles before it strikes. Second—spend less time measuring yourselves against others, and more time surpassing who you were yesterday. Lastly—don't depend on your instructors. We're here to push, not save."
Leslie gave a quiet nod. "Understood."
"Good," Rose said. "I expect none of you to embarrass the Ikemba name or your own efforts. You've climbed a ledge. Now stand on it."
Marie stepped forward toward the gate, glancing over her shoulder. "Back to the madness."
Jim grinned. "Feels weirdly familiar already."
Karen looked back once toward Rose, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. "Thanks. For not letting me quit."
Rose's tone didn't soften, but her eyes held a sliver more warmth. "You were never allowed to."
The Soul Gate pulsed with blinding light.
"Step in," Sia instructed.
One by one, they did. Marie and Leslie went first, followed by Jim, then Karen. Joshua lingered for a heartbeat, eyes meeting Rose's.
"They'll do well," he said.
"They better," she answered.
Joshua vanished into the gate.
The courtyard fell quiet again, wind brushing past the pillars. Sia glanced at her boss. "Shall I prepare the reports?"
Rose nodded. "Send them. And forward the footage to Jane."
"Yes, ma'am."
As the gate shimmered once and collapsed into itself, Rose turned away, already immersed in the next phase of her work.
Far away, on Soul Island, the gates of the Academy would soon reopen. And the trials would begin anew.