As the dust settled from the aftermath of their fierce battle, Ethan's family and his teammates rushed to his side, their eyes reflecting a mix of fear and relief.

"Ethan, are you okay?" Norman asked, his voice filled with concern, cracking with emotion.

"I'm..." Ethan attempted to respond, but his body betrayed him, giving way as he crashed to the ground with a heavy thud. Waves of pain engulfed him, sending dizziness and nausea coursing through his senses.

Struggling against the weight of his leaden limbs, Ethan reached out and grasped a warm hand extended towards him. It was his mother's hand, soft and gentle, offering him solace amidst the chaos.

"I was so scared that I might lose you." Wanda sobbed, enveloping her son in a tight embrace, her tears mingling with his clothes as she held him close.

"It's okay, mother. I'm here. I'm alive." Ethan reassured her, his voice a soothing balm amidst her tears. Feeling her warm tears against his face, he longed to convey his love, to apologize for causing her worry, for any distance he had inadvertently created between them. Yet, the words eluded him, lost in the overwhelming flood of emotions.

Wanda couldn't stem the tide of tears. The thought of nearly losing her precious child was too much to bear. Holding him close, she clung to him, her heart fervently praying for his well-being and safety.

"Mom, look at me. I'm fine. Please, stop crying." Ethan urged gently, managing a weak smile despite the hoarseness of his voice and the cracked state of his lips.

Attempting to conceal his own pain and sadness, Ethan endeavored to project strength for his mother's sake. He understood the depth of her suffering and wished to alleviate it in any way he could.

"Big brother!!" Mark's voice quivered with emotion as he approached Ethan, his eyes wide and red with tears. He hurried towards him, navigating through the scattered rubble and debris, his movements unsteady with a mix of relief and concern.

"Don't cry, Mark. See? I'm alright." Ethan reassured gently, tenderly wiping away his brother's tears with his thumb.

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"I was scared too." Mark admitted, his voice trembling as he embraced Ethan tightly, seeking solace in his brother's comforting presence. Nestling against Ethan's chest, he could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a reassuring reminder of his brother's resilience.

Witnessing Ethan's transformation into a demon had been a harrowing experience for Mark, causing his heart to plummet with fear and despair. In that moment, he had feared losing his only sibling, his anchor in the world.

"It's alright, Mark. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." Ethan reassured, gently ruffling his brother's hair in an attempt to offer comfort. Though he yearned to express his pride and apologize for any absence, the words remained elusive.

As Ethan rose to his feet, his legs trembling with exhaustion, Norman swiftly moved to support him, steadying him with a firm grip on his shoulder. Feeling his father's strength and warmth enveloping him, Ethan drew reassurance from the unwavering support of his family.

"So, how have you all been?" Ethan inquired, turning his attention to his teammates.

Scanning their faces, he observed a mixture of worry and relief etched upon their features. Dirt and blood stained their clothes and skin, while exhaustion and sorrow weighed heavily in their eyes. Yet amidst the fatigue and apprehension, he also detected loyalty and admiration shining through their expressions.

"We've been fine, leader." Dagger responded, his voice hoarse with weariness yet tinged with determination.

As he observed his leader's bloodied condition, a pang of helplessness washed over him. He longed to alleviate his pain, to somehow ease the burden weighing upon him.

"Yes, boss, but we were dead worried about you." Leo confessed, his voice trembling with raw emotion.

Gazing at his leader's pale countenance, Leo felt a knot of grief tighten in his chest. He desperately wished he could find the words to offer comfort and solace, to uplift Ethan's spirits in his time of need.

"Young master, are you alright?" Butler inquired, his voice gentle and concerned.

Observing his young master's weak smile, Butler experienced a bittersweet mix of emotions—joy at seeing Ethan conscious and trying to appear strong, yet tinged with sadness at the sight of his evident struggle.

"Yes, look." Ethan replied, offering a strained smile as he attempted to mask his discomfort and project resilience.

Ignoring the throbbing in his chest and the burning sensation in his eyes, Ethan attempted to maintain his composure.

"You know, it's okay to cry." Emily offered gently, observing his struggle to hold back tears.

"No. They want me to smile." Ethan replied, his voice faltering as he admitted the weight of the expectations placed upon him.

As he gazed upon the lifeless forms of Gorgon and Lucien, a torrent of conflicting emotions surged within him—grief and guilt intertwined with gratitude and respect.

Before he knew it, tears began to stream down his cheeks, unable to contain the overwhelming wave of emotions any longer. The facade of strength crumbled, revealing the raw vulnerability beneath.

"They would be happy to see me smile, wouldn't they?" Ethan's voice trembled with emotion as he posed the question to Norman, his tear-filled eyes seeking reassurance amidst the heartache.

He wanted to honor their memory, to make them proud.

"They would, son. They would be happy." Norman affirmed, his voice thick with emotion.

With a tender embrace, he enveloped his son in his arms, holding him close as if to shield him from the pain and loss that weighed heavily upon them both. In that moment, he keenly felt Ethan's sorrow and yearned to alleviate it, to bear the burden of grief in his stead.