Ethan hadn’t slept at all. The night had stretched on endlessly, but he didn’t feel the slightest hint of fatigue. His body thrummed with energy, his mind clear and sharp.

It was exactly as the codex had described: the higher an Ascendant’s rank, the less bound they were to the limitations of ordinary humans. Hunger, exhaustion, even the need for sleep—these things were becoming relics of his past.

He sat cross-legged in his study, the soft golden glow of the codex illuminating his face. Piles of scattered research papers and notes from the previous day’s study remained untouched around him.

Despite the chaos, the room felt serene, a space transformed by the quiet hum of power emanating from Ethan’s newly formed core.

The codex had revealed much about the transformation he was undergoing. Not only could Ascendants go days, even months, without eating or resting, but their lifespans also stretched far beyond human limits.

“An evolved existence,” Ethan murmured, letting the words hang in the air. He felt it now—his very essence had shifted.

His attention returned to the codex. The Dragonheart Ascension Method had proven to be both intricate and fascinating. It was divided into nine parts, each corresponding to the nine Ascendant ranks.

As a One-Star Golden Ascendant, Ethan could only access the first part, but even that was a wealth of knowledge.

The first part revolved around building a foundation for mastery, introducing concepts that would transform not only his combat skills but also his understanding of elemental energy. One of the core components was the Dragon Dance.

The codex described the Dragon Dance as a combat art that harmonized offense and defense, amplifying an Ascendant’s attacks while simultaneously enhancing their ability to withstand incoming strikes.

Ethan had spent hours committing its movements to memory, visualizing each step and strike. The Dragon Dance was more than a technique—it was a rhythm, a flow, a state of being that required absolute mastery of one’s body and energy.

But that wasn’t all the first part offered. It also introduced the fundamentals of elemental connection. Unlike ordinary Ascendants who chose or inherited a single element, the codex taught Ethan how to connect with all four—fire, water, wind, and earth.

Though his understanding was still at a basic level, the techniques he learned were surprisingly powerful, far surpassing what he had expected from an introductory stage.

Ethan closed the codex and leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips. He felt the knowledge settling into place, each concept merging seamlessly with the others.

He had just started learning the Dragonheart Ascension Method, but he could already feel a difference in himself. His movements were stronger and quicker, and his awareness was sharper, too.

“This is pretty cool,” Ethan said quietly. He then looked at the clock. It was about already working hours.

His thought was stopped by the sudden buzz of his phone on the desk. It took his attention away from the codex. Ethan stood and walked for the phone. He looked at the screen and frowned as he read the message from Jordan.

“Come to this location. Wait there. I’ll explain later.”

The message was short and unclear, leaving Ethan with more questions. He tapped the address in the message to open a map on his phone. It wasn’t far from the city center, but the lack of context set him on edge.

“What is he up to now?” Ethan sighed. He quickly pressed the call button. He called Jordan's number, but after a few rings, the call went to voicemail.

“Jordan, I need you to call me back,” Ethan said before hanging up. At first, he thought that Jordan was going to pull a prank or throw a surprise for him. But he could feel that something was amiss.

His unease grew as he scrolled through his contacts and called Jessica next. He thought she might answer for a moment, but it also went to voicemail. He frowned and tried not to jump to conclusions. Jessica and Jordan disappearing at the same time could not be a coincidence.

Ethan stood from his desk and dialed another number. David answered on the second ring, his voice cheerful as always.

“Morning, Ethan. What’s up?”

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“David,” Ethan said, trying to keep his tone even. “Have Jordan or Jessica arrived at the office yet?”

“Not yet,” David replied. “I figured they might be running late. Why? Everything okay?”

Ethan hesitated. He didn’t want to raise any unnecessary worries until he truly figured out what was really going on. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” he said quickly. “I’ll be late coming in today. Just wanted to let you know.”

There was a pause, followed by David’s amused chuckle. “Ethan, it’s your company. You can come whenever you want.”

Ethan chuckled. A slight smile appeared on his face. “Sorry. It's a habit, I guess,” he replied. “Anyway, let me know if you hear from them.”

“Will do,” David replied. “Take care.”

Ethan ended the call, his mind racing. He did not like the situation he was in right now, especially being kept in the dark like this when it involved the people he cared about. Jordan was impulsive at times but not reckless. And Jessica—her involvement with Donald and her family’s troubles only added to his growing suspicion that something was wrong.

He glanced at the text again, memorizing the location. "I'll go and find them. Maybe I should just go to the shared location."

Whatever was happening, he needed to find out soon.

***

Jordan and Jessica arrived at the warehouse where Donald had sent the location. It was an old building at the edge of the city. The warehouse was rundown, surrounded by piles of rusted metal and cracked concrete.

Jessica felt uneasy just looking at the place. She held her bag tightly, her hands shaking.

“Jessica, I strongly believe that we shouldn’t be here,” Jordan whispered as they got out of the taxi. He looked around carefully. “This place screams ambush.”

Jessica shook her head. Her face was pale but determined. “We don’t have a choice. My father… he’s in there.”

Jordan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I understand, but we are going into this without any preparation. I don’t think that Donald is known for playing fair.”

Jessica stayed silent and looked at the warehouse ahead. She held her bag tightly, her mind racing with shaky plans. The taxi drove away, leaving them in the quiet.

Without them knowing, Steve watched from a distance. He focused on the two people as they walked toward the warehouse. The moment Jessica and Jordan left the hotel earlier that morning, Steve knew something was off.

They hadn’t informed anyone of their plans, and instead of taking one of Nova Tech’s company cars or even their own, they had hailed a taxi. That alone raised a red flag for Steve. Jessica had been acting strangely since last night, and now, her sudden secrecy had all but confirmed his suspicions.

From the rooftops above, Steve moved with practiced precision, keeping himself out of sight. Despite the morning rush on the streets below, his focus never wavered.

As a Three-Star Ascendant, his enhanced speed and agility allowed him to navigate the city with ease, darting between alleys and leaping over obstacles to keep up with the taxi without being detected.

He paused on a rooftop across from the warehouse, crouching low as he observed the scene. His instincts told him this wasn’t just a family matter—it reeked of a setup. The presence of danger was almost palpable.

Steve’s jaw tightened as he thought of Ethan. He had been assigned to protect Jessica and her family, but this situation was quickly spiraling beyond what he’d anticipated.

While Jessica’s safety was his priority, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for Ethan. Between the Moores’ complicated dynamics and now this reckless move by Jessica, it was as if trouble followed Ethan wherever he went.

“Reckless,” Steve muttered to himself, his sharp eyes narrowing as he watched Jessica and Jordan approach the warehouse. “But I’ll make sure nothing happens to her.”

With that, he settled into position, his heightened senses on high alert. He didn’t know exactly what they were walking into, but whatever it was, he was ready to step in if things went south.

One of Donald’s hired Ascendants stepped out of the warehouse, the rusty metal door creaking loudly as it swung open. It was Verran, the wiry Wind Ascendant with sharp features and a smirk that sent chills down Jordan and Jessica’s spines. He stood in the doorway, his piercing green eyes scanning them like a predator assessing his prey.

With a mocking gesture, he waved them in. “Come on in, lovebirds,” Verran drawled, his voice dripping with arrogance. “Donald’s been expecting you.”

Jordan’s fists clenched at his sides, his instincts screaming at him to turn and run. But Jessica’s trembling form beside him kept him grounded. He couldn’t abandon her. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear but also showing her determination.

“Let’s settle this quickly,” Jessica whispered. It was clear that she was afraid. But, he needed to settle everything.

Jordan nodded. He tightened his jaw and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Stay close to me,” he said firmly.

They stepped forward together, the dim light of the warehouse casting ominous shadows over their faces as they crossed the threshold. The heavy door was still opened behind them, but the heavy atmosphere locking them inside.

Steve watched the scene unfold with growing unease. The moment Verran had stepped outside, Steve had sensed his aura—sharp, chaotic, and undeniably powerful. Lower Third-Star Ascendant.

Steve’s lips pressed into a thin line. His own strength at Middle Third-Star gave him a slight advantage over Verran, but the situation was far from simple. As the warehouse door opened to let Jordan and Jessica inside, Steve felt the unmistakable presence of two more Ascendants within.

His chest tightened as he analyzed their auras. One was at Low Third-Star, steady and grounded like unyielding stone. The other was stronger, a Middle Third-Star Ascendant whose fiery energy seemed to radiate menace.

“This is bad,” Steve muttered under his breath. He crouched low, his eyes fixed on the warehouse as he weighed his options. A direct confrontation would be dangerous, even with his strength. But leaving Jessica and Jordan alone with three powerful Ascendants wasn’t an option.

His mind raced as he formulated a plan. He couldn’t act too soon, especially since the odds were against him. But he knew that if things went wrong, he would have to step in and take care of the situation right away.

Steve’s hands tightened into fists, his resolve hardening. “Stay sharp,” he told himself. “This isn’t going to be easy.”