[Echelon Base–Commander's office]
Ethan stood by the window, his gaze fixed on Hector as he trained the new recruits, a solemn expression etched across his features. The daunting task of defending their world from the encroaching gates weighed heavily on his shoulders, casting a shadow over his thoughts.
With a heavy sigh, Ethan turned away from the window and made his way to the chair, where a photo frame sat atop the table. Tenderly, he picked up the frame, fingers tracing the image captured within—a moment frozen in time, shared with Lucien and Gorgon by the tranquil waters of the lake. A bittersweet wave of nostalgia washed over him, his heart aching with longing for his fallen comrades.
Setting the photo frame back in its place, Ethan was interrupted by a soft knock at the door, pulling him back to the present moment.
"It's Emily," a voice called from beyond the door.
"Come in," Ethan responded, his tone welcoming.
The door creaked open, revealing Emily standing in the doorway. There was a sense of anticipation in her demeanor, and Ethan could see the determination gleaming in her eyes. She had successfully navigated the test and earned her place as the vice commander of Echelon, a decision unanimously endorsed by the executives.
"What's the situation?" Ethan inquired, his voice tinged with urgency.
"They've all assembled," Emily reported.
"Alright, time to get moving," Ethan declared, rising from his chair with a sense of purpose. He had summoned representatives from both Phoenix and Association to strategize the next phase of their plan.
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[Meeting Hall]
Ethan's gaze shifted to his father, anticipation and sorrow mingling in his eyes. "Did you bring it, father?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Norman nodded solemnly and retrieved a pen drive from his pocket. "Here it is. Gorgon entrusted it to me before..." His voice trailed off, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
Taking the pen drive from his father, Ethan felt a mixture of curiosity and grief wash over him. What final message had Gorgon left for him? Turning to Hans, who stood nearby, Ethan's expression was fraught with uncertainty. "Any idea what's on it?" he inquired, a note of anxiety lacing his words.
Hans shook his head solemnly. "No, but Gorgon assured me it holds the answers you seek," he replied, a glimmer of optimism threading through his words.
Acknowledging Hans with a grateful nod, Ethan made his way to the laptop stationed by the projector. With a steady hand, he inserted the pen drive and accessed its contents. A single video file greeted him, and without hesitation, he clicked to open it.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The projector screen flickered to life, casting an image of Gorgon's determined visage. Ethan's breath caught in his throat as he beheld the familiar face of his mentor, his heart heavy with a mix of longing and apprehension.
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"Ethan," Gorgon's voice resonated solemnly through the speakers.
"If you're watching this, it means I've passed on," he began, his voice carrying a bitter tinge of acceptance. "But know this, you mustn't carry the weight of loneliness or guilt on your shoulders."
Pausing briefly to collect his thoughts, Gorgon's expression softened with a faint smile. "However, dwelling on regrets serves no purpose. There is a matter of great importance that I must address with you."
"You've likely experienced a peculiar sensation, as if the system were constraining your freedom and stifling your potential. And perhaps you've sensed a curious affinity with the monsters, as though they were intertwined with your very being," Gorgon continued, his tone measured and deliberate.
"I can provide you with the answers you seek, but they are intricate and require a foundational understanding of this universe and the system that governs it."
He cleared his throat, his voice resonating with solemnity. "At the genesis of this universe, there existed naught but boundless, unfathomable darkness. Within this void dwelled a solitary entity—the Supreme Creator. A being of unparalleled power, enigmatic and benevolent, who embarked upon the task of fashioning the cosmos."
"In the expanse of this darkness, the Supreme Creator forged thirteen dimensions, each imbued with its own unique form, hue, and resonance. To safeguard these realms, he created two ancient beings. One arose from the essence of his divine light—a luminous, benevolent entity known as Lucarux. The other emerged from the depths of primordial darkness—a shadowy, malevolent figure known as Abbys."
"Lucarux, in his divine wisdom, bestowed life upon the universe by creating celestial beings known as the Gods. Together with these benevolent deities, he orchestrated the symphony of creation, nurturing life and upholding the cosmic order. The Gods, majestic and imbued with boundless power, radiated light and bestowed blessings upon the worlds they tended."
"In stark contrast, Abbys, consumed by his shadowy machinations, created infernal beings known as the Demons. With these malevolent entities at his side, he presided over the cycle of death and annihilation, spreading darkness and discord across the realms. The Demons, fearsome and cunning, reveled in chaos and sowed the seeds of destruction wherever they roamed."
"Though divergent in their methods, both the Gods and the Demons played crucial roles in maintaining the delicate balance of nature, each contributing to the cosmic tapestry in their own distinctive manner."
"But one day, the tranquil equilibrium was shattered when Abbys, in a sudden and malevolent turn, unleashed unbridled destruction and chaos across the cosmos. With ruthless abandon, he launched his legions of demons upon the unsuspecting worlds, their malevolent presence leaving naught but ruin and despair in their wake. Life withered and perished under their relentless onslaught, succumbing to corruption and madness as darkness engulfed the once vibrant realms."
"The universe quaked in terror as Abbys' tyranny spread like a spreading stain, defiling all that was pure and untainted. His insatiable hunger for power knew no bounds, and his onslaught plunged existence into an abyss of despair. With each conquered world, the delicate balance of nature teetered on the brink of annihilation."
"In a desperate bid to halt Abbys' rampage, Lucarux confronted him in a fierce and harrowing battle, wielding his radiant light against the encroaching darkness. Through sheer determination and sacrifice, Lucarux managed to seal Abbys within a single world—the one we now call as the 1st world line. Yet, victory came at a staggering price."
"In an act of unparalleled selflessness, Lucarux expended the last vestiges of his divine power to erect a formidable system that would imprison Abbys within his newfound prison. With his final breath, Lucarux surrendered his own life, a martyr for the greater good. His sacrifice served as a beacon of hope for the other worlds, a testament to his unwavering resolve to safeguard their peace and security."
He locked eyes with the camera, his gaze unwavering and resolute. "The intricate arrangement of the worlds serves as a critical mechanism in ensnaring Abbys within his confines. Positioned in a circular formation, the 12 worlds orbit around the 1st world line, which stands as the central nexus of this cosmic prison. Each of these worlds channels potent streams of worldly energy, akin to mighty currents, which act as impenetrable barriers, staunchly preventing Abbys from breaching the bounds of his imprisonment."
With a heavy heart, he exhaled audibly before continuing. "However, Abbys, relentless in his pursuit of freedom, devised a sinister scheme to circumvent his confinement. He resolved to obliterate a minimum of seven worlds among the twelve, disrupting the delicate equilibrium of worldly energy. To execute his nefarious plan, he spawned seven distinct manifestations of his malevolent essence, imbuing each with a facet of his twisted psyche, and dispatched them to various worlds across the cosmos."
Leaning in towards the camera, his expression grave, he spoke with heartfelt sincerity. "And you, Ethan, are one of those egos—the embodiment of wrath." His tone carried a sense of urgency, his words laden with gravity. "Within you resides a fragment of Abbys himself, a fragment seething with anger and violence. It grants you power, yes, but it also burdens you with a formidable curse."