The room became completely silent. Ethan's words remained hanging in the air. "Looks like we have a traitor." Everyone looked at each other. Grace held Emily closer. Lily looked frightened. Victor's expression became serious. Sophia stared at Ethan. "A traitor?" Ethan nodded. "Someone told them where we were going." Adrian immediately walked toward the control panel. "Nobody knew the location of this fortress." Ethan looked at him. "Are you sure?" "Yes." Adrian's fingers moved across the keyboard. "The location was encrypted." He checked the system. "Only the Guardians could access it." Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Then one of the Guardians told them." The seven Guardians became silent. Subject 07 slowly looked around the room. "Nobody here

The fortress had finally become quiet.But Ethan's mind wasn't.He stood in front of the massive screen.The woman's face remained frozen on it.ELENA.He stared at the name.Then he looked at Adrian."Who is Elena?"No one answered.Ethan slowly turned toward Subject 07.The man looked away.Ethan's expression darkened."Seriously?"Subject 07 sighed."Don't start.""Don't start?"Ethan pointed at the screen."A woman I apparently knew is standing behind me in a sealed memory, my grandfather specifically said I shouldn't find out what happened to her, and all of you are standing here acting like someone stole your lunch."Subject 07 looked at Adrian."He's getting more annoying."Adrian ignored him.Ethan's eyes narrowed."Answer me."Adrian finally looked at him."Elena was important."Ethan stared at him."That tells me absolutely nothing."Sophia remained silent besi

BOOM! The forest exploded. The ground shook beneath Ethan's feet. A powerful force pushed through the trees, sending leaves, dust, and broken branches flying everywhere. "GET INSIDE!" Adrian shouted. Subject 07 immediately grabbed Ethan's arm. "Move!" Ethan didn't argue this time. Everyone rushed toward the small building. The Eighth Protector was already standing at the entrance. "Inside!" Another explosion sounded behind them. BOOM! Victor screamed and ran faster. Ethan turned his head. Red lights were moving between the trees. More people. Masked attackers. They were surrounding the area. Ethan entered the building. Adrian followed. Subject 07 came next. The other Guardians quickly entered. Victor stumbled through the doorway. The Ei

The little girl stood alone outside the building.Rainwater dripped from the trees around her.She looked frightened.Confused."Mommy?"Ethan remained frozen near the window.His eyes stayed on her.Sophia's daughter.Behind the little girl stood the masked leader.One hand rested gently on her shoulder.But there was nothing gentle about the way Ethan saw him.The man was using her.Subject 07 slowly raised his weapon."Give the order."Ethan immediately raised his hand."No."Subject 07 looked at him."What?""Don't shoot."The Guardian lowered his weapon slightly."She's right there.""I know."Ethan's eyes remained fixed on the little girl.One wrong move.One wrong attack.And she could be caught in the middle.The masked leader slowly looked toward Ethan.Then he smiled beneath his mask."Now choose."Silence.Ethan stepped closer to the broken window.<

Nobody moved.The entire building had become silent.Outside the front door, the woman had spoken only one word."Hello, Ethan."Ethan stared at the door.His heart was beating slowly.Too slowly.As if his body had forgotten how to react.Subject 07 tightened his grip on his weapon.Adrian moved closer to Ethan."Don't open it."Ethan didn't answer.His eyes remained fixed on the door.The Eighth Protector stood near the window.His face had become pale."That's impossible."Ethan slowly turned toward him."You said that voice belongs to Elena."The man didn't answer.Ethan stepped closer."Is she alive?"The Eighth Protector looked toward the door again."I don't know."Ethan frowned."What do you mean you don't know?"Before the man could answer—KNOCK.KNOCK.KNOCK.Everyone froze again.Then the woman's voice came through the door."You've grown up."<