The somber air of the cemetery was heavy, and the low hum of grief was an unspoken presence among those gathered. Dark clouds hung overhead, threatening rain but holding off as if the sky itself were mourning in silence.
The Moore family stood together at the forefront, their collective sorrow palpable. Julie, Joseph’s widow, held a handkerchief. She had tears on her face, showing the years of pain and loss she had experienced.
Harold, Jessica's grandfather, stood tall and calm. He held his trembling hands on the top of his cane. Beside him, the twins, Josh and Joshua, leaned against each other for support, their usually bright expressions muted by the weight of the moment.
Maya, Yamal, and Ezra stood slightly apart, their presence understated but unwavering. Maya’s sharp gaze swept over the cemetery, her arms crossed as if she were guarding the family against unseen threats. Yamal, usually jovial, had a somber look on his face, and Ezra’s usual sarcasm was replaced by an uncharacteristic quiet.
Ethan stood at the edge of the group, his hands clasped in front of him. His own family was close by—his father, Aaron, a pillar of silent support; his mother, Elise, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder; and his younger siblings, Jacob and Lily, their faces unusually serious for their age. David stood nearby, his usual energetic demeanor replaced with quiet respect, his gaze fixed on the grave.
Ethan’s mind, however, was far from the present. He tried to focus on the ceremony, but his mind was elsewhere. He thought about the past few days, looking for answers and clarity in the confusion that had happened.
The fight between Steve and Lucien lingered in his mind. He wanted to know what exactly happened. With his Divine Eyes, he could sense Lucien's rank as well as the ranks of Mike and Taison.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Steve had held his ground, proving why he was one of the Five Ghosts of Nemesis. But what concerned Ethan more was the pill Lucien planned to take. He believed it was the same pill that helped him to go against Steve. Its effects were undeniable—amplifying Lucien’s power to a terrifying degree.
Ethan’s enhanced Intelligence made it easy for him to piece together the implications. If the LaRues had perfected such a pill, capable of transforming even a Low Two-Star Ascendant into a near-unbeatable force, then their plans extended far beyond simple dominance.
Combined with their bio-weapons and artificial Ascendants, the LaRues were amassing an army that could potentially tip the scales of power entirely in their favor.
The thought made Ethan’s jaw tighten. He knew he couldn’t face this alone. No single Ascendant, not even a Golden one, could stand against what the LaRues were creating. He needed allies, a plan, and, above all, more knowledge.
“Ethan?” Elise’s soft voice broke through his thoughts. She placed a hand gently on his arm. “You’ve been standing there for a while. Are you okay?”
He blinked, shaking himself free from the haze of his thoughts. He nodded, forcing a small smile. “I’m okay, Mom.”
She looked at him with understanding but did not ask more. Instead, she gestured toward the Moores. “Go to them. They need you right now.”
Ethan paused for a moment before moving forward. He was actually resenting the decision and action of Jessica and Jordan. If he was told, everything could be settled not in this way.
Jessica stood next to her mother, looking pale and crying. When she saw him coming, she tried to stand taller and appear brave.
“Jessica,” Ethan said softly. He stopped in front of her, his expression earnest. “I’m so sorry. For everything.”
Jessica’s eyes brimmed with fresh tears. She shook her head, her voice trembling. “It's not your fault, Ethan. This is not your fault."
She paused. She could feel her voice stuck at ther throat. Still, she needed to say it. "It was my fault, trying not to involve you in this.”
Ethan’s chest tightened. He felt betrayed. He thought he was her friend. Now, because of her foolish action and decision, lives were at stake. If he had been a moment late yesterday, maybe he had been paying respect to Jordan, Steve, and even Jessica, too.
He wanted to say more to comfort her, but his words felt empty because of her loss and her action. Instead, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you or your family need anything, just ask. You’re not alone in this.”
Jessica managed a faint nod, her lips pressing together as she tried to hold back her sobs. Julie stepped forward then, her face etched with grief but gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you, Ethan,” she said quietly. “For everything you’ve done for us.”
Ethan shook his head. “Don't worry about it, Julie. This is actually the least I could do.”
As the ceremony ended, the group started to leave, walking quietly on the wet grass. Ethan stayed behind for a moment, looking at the fresh dirt where Joseph’s body was buried.
‘Family ties,’ Ethan thought. Despite everything Joseph had done—or failed to do—he had still been family to Jessica, Julie, and the others. In the end, family is something that cannot be broken, no matter how difficult the relationships may be.
***
That evening, Ethan sat in his study, with the light from his laptop brightening the dark room. He had cleaned up the mess from earlier and had finished studying all the research papers.
His fingers moved across the keyboard as he compiled every piece of information he had on the LaRues—their research, their projects, and their motives.
The pill, in particular, was a focus of his investigation. If the LaRues had succeeded in creating such a powerful enhancement, then the question was how far they had progressed. How many pills had they produced? Were they distributing them? And perhaps most importantly—how could he counteract their effects?
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Ethan sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He felt overwhelmed, but he knew he had to stay strong. The LaRues were not just a danger to him and his loved ones—they were a danger to everyone.
'I’ll figure this out,' Ethan thought, clenching his jaw with resolve.‘No matter what it takes.’
He stared at the screen, remembering the faces of his family and friends—Jessica with tears in her eyes, Jordan injured and bleeding, Steve showing strong determination despite his wounds. They were the reason he kept fighting and the reason he pushed forward.
If he didn’t fight, no one else would.
He sighed deeply and ordered the Status Panel to appear in front of him.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Rank: Lower One-Star Golden Ascendant
Level: 8
EXP: 30000 / 36000
Ascension Points: 4
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
* Strength: 301
* Speed: 301
* Endurance: 301
* Intelligence: 301
* Charisma: 301
Ascendant Energy: 2000
Free Attribute Points: 10
=====
What surprised him yesterday was that he received a notification of +1000 EXP each for the three Ascendants he killed. This allowed him to level up to Level 8.
Ethan stared at the glowing Status Panel, his mind abuzz with possibilities. The numbers were impressive—far beyond anything he could have imagined for himself just weeks ago. Yet, the reality of his situation tempered his excitement. Numbers alone wouldn’t be enough to face what lay ahead.
He flexed his fingers, the faint golden glow of his aura flickering to life before dissipating. “2000 Ascendant Energy…” he murmured, his brow furrowing. It seemed like a large reserve, but he had no real understanding of how much energy his techniques consumed or how quickly it would deplete in battle.
Previously, at Level 7, his Ascendant Energy was 1500 points. He concluded that for each level up, he would receive an increase of 500 points.
Ethan leaned forward, his fingers steepled as he considered his options. The codex had been an invaluable guide so far, but it couldn’t account for the real-world applications of his newfound power. He needed data—hard numbers on energy consumption, duration, and recovery.
He needed to understand the limitations of his own body. With that, he could plan his battle.
"I don't think this is just a battle anymore; it feels more like a war," Ethan said.
***
The white walls of the hospital felt stifling, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the warehouse just days earlier. Steve lay in his hospital bed, his large frame made to seem smaller by the medical equipment around him.
He had visible signs of his recent fight—bandages on his chest, a sling on his arm, and faint bruises on his face. Yet, his sharp eyes still glowed with intensity.
Maya and Luciano sat across from him, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. Maya wore a simple dark jacket and looked better than she had in days. The tiredness and sadness she showed before seemed to have faded, replaced by a quiet determination. Luciano stood against the wall with his arms crossed. His casual pose hid his sharp gaze.
“How’s Jordan?” Steve asked, his voice low but steady.
Maya looked at the door, as if waiting for someone to enter. “Still in a coma,” she said softly. “He lost too much blood. They say it’s a miracle he’s alive at all.”
Steve sighed, a flicker of regret crossing his features. “That kid… he’s tougher than he looks.”
Maya managed a faint smile but said nothing. The silence stretched between them for a moment, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Luciano broke the quiet, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “And you? How are you holding up?”
Steve laughed, but it was not a real laugh. “I’m still here, right? Thanks to Ethan for showing up and did what he did.”
Maya’s brow furrowed at the mention of Ethan. “Speaking of… How in the world did he—”
Steve raised his hand to stop her. “We’ll discuss that later,” he said. “First, you need to understand what we are facing.”
He shifted in bed, wincing slightly before continuing. “Lucien LaRue. You’ve heard the rumors about him—how he’s supposed to be this rising star among the LaRues, but nothing too extraordinary. Low Two-Star Ascendant, flashy but manageable.”
Maya nodded, her expression darkening. “That’s what everyone’s intel says. A spoiled brat with a chip on his shoulder.”
“Intel’s wrong,” Steve said bluntly. He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “When I fought him, he wasn’t just a Low Two-Star. That pill he took—the silver one—pushed him to my level. Maybe even higher.”
Maya’s eyes widened. “Your level? Steve, you’re a Middle Three-Star Ascendant. There’s no way—”
“I know what I’m saying,” Steve interrupted, his tone firm. “He wasn’t just stronger. His speed, his precision—they were insane. And the power he could draw from that pill… It wasn’t natural.”
Luciano, who had been silently listening, uncrossed his arms and stepped forward. His presence was imposing, his aura faintly radiating the restrained power of a High Three-Star Bronze Ascendant. “Are you saying that pill let him leap an entire rank and more?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with disbelief.
Steve nodded. “Exactly. It didn’t just boost him. It changed him. For a while, he felt unstoppable.”
Maya shook her head, disbelief flickering across her face. “But that’s… That shouldn’t be possible. Enhancements like that come with limits and side effects. How did he even manage to hold his own against you?”
“That’s the thing,” Steve said grimly. “He didn’t hold his own. He pushed me back. Every attack I threw at him, he matched it. If Ethan hadn’t stepped in when he did, I might not be here right now.”
Maya sat back in her chair with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “This changes everything,” she murmured. “If the LaRues have perfected this kind of enhancement… They’re not just creating artificial Ascendants. They’re making monsters.”
Luciano’s jaw tightened. “And we know what comes next. They’ll start distributing these pills to their forces. If even a fraction of their army can leap ranks like that, it’ll be a massacre.”
Steve’s gaze darkened. “It’s worse than that. Lucien was losing control. His power was incredible, but it was unstable. He was teetering on the edge of madness.”
Maya’s fists clenched at her sides. “We can’t rush in to rescue Mark,” she said finally, her voice tinged with frustration. “Not after this. If Lucien is just one example of what they can do… We’ll need more than the Five Ghosts of Nemesis to take them on.”
Luciano’s brow furrowed as he considered her words. “Mark is the strongest among you guys, but even he might not stand a chance if they’ve been experimenting on him. We don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
“He’s alive,” Steve said firmly. “They wouldn’t kill him. He’s too valuable.”
Luciano nodded slowly, but his expression remained grim. “Still, we can’t afford to underestimate them. If they’re willing to risk destabilizing their own Ascendants for power, who knows what else they’ve been working on?”
Maya’s gaze flicked to Steve. “What about Ethan? You said he stepped in and ended it. How did he even—”
Steve shook his head, his expression conflicted. “I don’t know. But when he showed up… He wasn’t the same Ethan we knew. He’s an Ascendant now—a Golden one, from what I could tell. Lower One-Star, maybe, but… he fought like he’d been doing it for years.”
Luciano raised an eyebrow. “A Golden Ascendant? That’s something of a legend. And he only just ascended?”
“Legend doesn’t even cover it,” Steve replied. “But Ethan’s just beginning. With him being a Golden Ascendant, more trouble would come to him.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed. “But if he could meet his potential, he would be a real force.”
“He is,” Steve agreed. “That's why we can’t let him take this fight on alone. The LaRues are bigger than one man, no matter how powerful he is.”
Luciano’s voice was steady, but there was a note of warning in it. “Then we prepare. Because whether we like it or not, this fight is coming for all of us.”
The room fell silent, the weight of their situation settling over them like a heavy shroud. Outside, the faint hum of hospital activity continued, a fragile reminder that life moved on—even in the face of looming war.