Sophia called Ethan to bring him to the hospital because he needed to donate blood to his mother. Leaving home, a woman approached him. "You are a war god," she said. "You safeguarded the nation, but fate has caused you to lose your powers and memory. You have much wealth and influence."Ethan never believed her. He rushed into ignoring her. The lady handed him her card. "If you don't believe me, I will be back tomorrow."Ethan took the card without checking and rushed out. He got a taxi and moved to the hospital. Sophia already waited for him at the entrance of the hospital. Her cold stare made Ethan feel uncomfortable."You are late," Sophia spoke in an affected tone. Ethan replied with an apology, but Sophia turned her face away, leading him to the donation room.Just as the doctor was about to draw blood, Ethan felt a slight flutter in his stomach at the thought of it. He married Sophia at the time when he was under the shock of losing his memory and wasn't able to eliminate the n

"We can't stay here," Linda whispered. She looked down the empty hospital hallway.Ethan leaned against the wall. His legs shook. "Who were those guys?""Syndicate enforcers. They know you're awake. They know I've got you.""Why is my blood so important?""Not here." Linda tugged at his arm. She was holding on to him tight. "We have to get out. Now."They hastened. Sterile overhead lights flashed. A door closed behind them. Ethan cringed. His heart thudded against his chest. He caught sight of a memory. A field of combat. Smoke. Same feeling of peril."This way," Linda urged her. She pushed open a door that read 'STAIRS.'They descended. Their footsteps echoed in the concrete stairwell. "My clinic is safe," Linda huffed. "We can rendezvous there.""Regroup for what? A war I don't recall?""Yes."They went down to the lowest landing. Linda opened the door to the exit a small crack. She looked out into the parking garage. "Clear. Come on."They proceeded quickly toward an ordinary black

One week later, Ethan stood in Linda’s underground clinic. It was more like a command center. Monitors showed blueprints and security feeds.Kael stood beside him. “The target is a research lab on the outskirts. Level 3 security. They’re holding the primary blood samples there.”Ethan studied the plans. His mind processed the information like a machine. “Here. The ventilation system. It’s the weak point.”“That’s a tight fit, sir.”“It’s our way in.”Linda approached. “The blood samples are key. Without them, their research is set back months. But the data servers are the real prize. They’re in the central server room. Get the data, and we learn everything.”Ethan nodded. “Kael, you have the team ready?”“Five men. The best. They remember you. They’re ready.”“Good. We move tonight.”Under the cover of darkness, two vans pulled up near an unmarked industrial building. Ethan, Kael, and five other operatives moved like shadows.“Comms check,” Ethan said into his headset. His voice was c

The chemical complex was a fortress. Fences, guards, sniper nests.Ethan and his team observed from the distance. They had a plan. A frontal assault would be suicidal. They would take advantage of the chaos."The key is the main reactor," Ethan pointed to the diagram. "We cause a controlled overload. It will produce an EMP pulse, taking out their power and electronics. In the darkness and pandemonium, we strike.""And Valerius?" Kael asked."He'll come. He can't resist. He'll have to see me. To brag."They came in under the cover of a storm. Rain pounded against their approach, concealing them. Ethan and Kael snuck in through a waste pipe.Inside, the plant was a maze of pipes and catwalks. They moved towards the central reactor core.They reached the control room. Two technicians were inside. Ethan slipped in silently. He incapacitated them before they could scream. “Override the cooling sequence,” Ethan ordered Kael. “Initiate a core overload. Set the timer for ten minutes.” Kael

Ethan dumped Valerius’s unconscious body on the floor of the new, temporary safe house. It was a dusty warehouse. Linda walked in. She had a cut on her forehead but was otherwise unharmed. She looked at Valerius, then at Ethan. “You captured him.” “Kael’s team?” Ethan asked. “They arrived just in time. We lost the clinic, but we’re intact.” She looked at him with a new respect. “You really expected to see him.” “He taught me everything I know.” Ethan poured a bucket of cold water on Valerius’s face. The man sputtered awake. He coughed, looking around the warehouse. His eyes landed on Ethan. Hatred burned in them. “You lost,” Ethan said simply. “This is a setback. Nothing more,” Valerius spat. “Where is the main Ares facility? The real one.” Valerius laughed. “You think I’ll tell you?” Linda stepped forward. She held a syringe. “You will. This is actually stimulating the nerves. It lowers everything. Makes the subject very… talkative. It’s found in your own research.” Valeri