The tunnel shook with another distant explosion. Dust rained from the cracked ceiling as Ethan ran back toward the estate, his mother's screams echoing behind him.“Turn back,” the Echo urged. “She's buying you time with her life. Don't waste it.”“Negative,” the Academy seal countered. “Returning guarantees host's death. Recommend immediate extraction to surface.”"Shut up!" Ethan snarled at both voices. "Both of you, just shut up!"His chest burned where the Core pulsed with frantic energy. Through the mental link Selene had created, he could feel her presence above ground, focused, deadly, efficient. She was winning her battle. His mother was losing hers.The sound of Lydia's combat grew fainter. Either she was being driven deeper into the tunnels, or…Ethan refused to finish that thought.He rounded a corner and slammed directly into an Abyssal Guard.The impact sent both of them sprawling. Ethan recovered first, his enhanced reflexes snapping him to his feet. The guard was older,

Ethan stared at the data chip, his mind already racing with plans for revenge. Vincent. Claire. The people who'd wrapped their hands around his throat and watched him die."We're leaving," Selene said sharply. "Now.""But my mother""Is alive. For seven days. Which means we have time to plan and prepare to not throw our lives away on a suicide rescue." She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Move. Eddy gave us a window to escape. If we waste it, we deserve what happens next."They climbed back through the tunnels in tense silence. Ethan's body screamed with exhaustion, every muscle protesting. Blood still dripped from his nose, the physical cost of pushing his unprepared meridians beyond their limits.Through the mental link, he felt Selene's pain. She was hiding it well, but her left side throbbed with agony. One of the bounty hunters must have landed a serious blow.They emerged to find the courtyard had transformed into a defensive position. Sera and four remaining esta

Ethan woke to the smell of incense and antiseptic.His eyes cracked open to unfamiliar ceiling, white plaster crossed with wooden beams carved with intricate runes that pulsed with faint blue light. The symbols hurt to look at, like staring at the sun through closed eyelids.He tried to sit up. His body refused to cooperate."Don't move." Selene's voice, hoarse with exhaustion. "You've been unconscious for three days. Your meridians are... compromised."Ethan turned his head, the only part of him that seemed willing to obey and found her sitting in a chair beside his bed. She looked terrible. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. Her silver hair hung limp and unwashed. Blood still stained her robes from battles he could barely remember."You look like hell," he croaked."You look worse." But relief flickered across her face. Through the mental link, still there, still functioning, he felt her genuine worry mixed with exhaustion. "Welcome to Academy Safehouse Theta. We've been here for seven

The Academy Council chambers existed in a space between worlds.Ethan stood beside Selene in a circular room with no visible walls, just endless starlight stretching in every direction. Five thrones materialized from the darkness, each occupied by a figure radiating power that made his damaged meridians ache just being near them."Selene Arkwright," the central figure spoke. Councilor Wei, Second Seat, his voice resonating with authority. "You stand before the Council with the Hardy heir. Explain."Selene bowed slightly, respectful but not subservient. "Councilor Wei. Esteemed Council. I request Academy intervention in the upcoming trial of Lydia Hardy.""Denied." The word came from the leftmost throne, a woman with ice-white hair and eyes like frozen lakes. "We've already discussed this matter. The Academy maintains neutrality in bloodline disputes.""This isn't a dispute, Councilor Frost. It's an execution disguised as justice.""Semantics." A younger man perhaps forty leaned forwar