In the quiet, open expanse of one of the Lancaster Estate's private training grounds, Ethan stood alone. The morning sky was clear, the soft rays of sunlight stretching across the tiled floor of the reinforced field.
He had asked Sophia for permission to use it, and while she had granted it without hesitation, he hadn't seen her since.
His gaze drifted to the distant mansion. "She's probably been occupied with her father's condition…" he muttered, concern etched faintly in his tone.
He clenched his fists.
"This is why I need to get stronger. So I can help—however I can."
He took a deep breath and turned his attention inward.
"To do that, I have to test my connection with Gray."
Gray had woken up yesterday, his consciousness stirring once again inside Ethan.
But Ethan had held off on summoning him in his room—not when there was a real risk of lightning ripping through the walls.
Here, though he was surrounded by reinforced barriers with no one around so there will be no risks of being seen but even if people saw him Ethan wouldn't care.
By now, anyone who had witnessed his rise knew he wasn't soone who could be asured by normal standards.
He smirked slightly and exhaled.
"Okay, buddy…" he said, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "Let's let you out."
The mont he opened the channel between them, a deafening crack split the sky above.
BOOM!
A massive lightning strike exploded into the ground before him, the sheer force kicking up a blast of wind and thunder that roared across the field.
Ethan staggered back slightly, watching as a radiant shape began to take form within the dissipating lightning.
From the paws upward, Gray began to materialize—first his white fur, then his muscular fra, followed by his sharp, intelligent eyes, and finally, his gleaming horn, now fully ford and pulsing with residual energy.
When the light and wind finally faded, Gray stood proud, his presence commanding and wild.
Ethan blinked once before giving a small, amused scoff.
"What a show-off."
He approached the beast calmly, eyes eting Gray's.
"So?" he asked. "What's it feel like? Stepping into the Real World?"
Gray looked around, his head turning slowly, taking in the sky, the wind, and the shimr of ta Essence in the air.
Unlike the Sanctum, where ti felt suspended and everything existed in abstraction, this world breathed—rich with sensation, movent, and life.
He let out a sharp yelp of satisfaction, the kind only Ethan could understand.
Ethan grinned.
"Knew you'd like it here."
Then his expression turned serious.
"But now we need to test a few things… Are you ready, buddy?"
Gray nodded, eyes glowing faintly.
"Good," Ethan said, raising his hand and
clenching it with focus.
"{Fuse}"
Energy surged again—this ti controlled, focused—as Ethan and Gray began their powerful synchronization. The air shimred as their forms blurred with each other.
****
In the heart of the Lancaster Estate, deep within the manor's administrative wing, sat an office bathed in soft golden light filtering through high-arched windows.
The usual presence behind the grand oak desk—Patriarch Richard Lancaster—was absent. In his place sat Sophia Lancaster, poised, sharp-eyed, and draped in a tailored navy suit that spoke of both elegance and command.
Stacks of docunts lay neatly organized before her, so bearing the crests of affiliated families, others carrying the seal of the Hero Association. With her father's condition still critical, Sophia had taken over the family's affairs, while her mother stayed at her father's side, ensuring his care and comfort.
Sophia flipped through a folder, signing off on security requests and deploynt forms when a firm knock echoed through the room.
"Co in," she said without looking up.
The door opened silently, and a suited staff mber stepped in, holding a silver case with both hands. He bowed slightly and placed the case on her desk.
"Your delivery, Miss Sophia."
"Thank you," she replied coolly, dismissing him with a nod. The staff mber quietly exited, closing the door behind him.
Sophia stared at the case for a mont, then reached forward and keyed in a six-digit code on the side. With a soft chanical click, the lock disengaged.
As She slowly lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled within protective foam, was a golden circular token, ornate and gleaming under the office lights.
At its center was a shield, detailed with an embossed sword piercing straight through it, the emblem of the Crownspire Ascension.
Sophia's expression softened, her composed mask cracking just slightly as she reached in and gently held the token in her hand. The gold caught the light, casting a faint glint onto her determined face.
She whispered quietly, the words ant for no one but herself:
"This is for you, Dad."
The room fell silent once more—an air of solemnity lingering in the air—as Sophia closed the case, her resolve hardening again like steel behind her eyes.
Whatever ca next, she would be ready.
****
Back at the Lancaster Estate's vast training grounds, the air crackled with residual energy. Ethan stood at the center, exhaling gently as arcs of lightning danced across his body, his white hair flaring upward from the static coursing through him.
His boots skidded slightly across the scorched earth, still steaming from their earlier display.
"What a letdown," Ethan muttered, his tone almost disappointed. "I thought it would be more difficult."
In that instant, the lightning that cloaked his fra surged once more before violently dispersing in a flash.
His form staggered slightly as he de-fused from Gray, the spectral energy separating with a resonant hum.
Gray, now fully materialized beside him, blinked and tilted his head, staring at Ethan with a mix of confusion and incredulity.
Ethan glanced at him. "What?" he asked, seeing the look on his companion's face.
Gray continued to stare, unblinking, his luminous eyes full of silent judgnt.
Ethan crossed his arms and shrugged. "You know I'm not wrong. How can we be this powerful right after fusion? I expected... I don't know—a drawback, a condition, maybe even limited access to full strength. But we went all out and didn't even flinch."
Gray tilted his head the other way, ears twitching, clearly questioning Ethan's sanity. Wasn't that a good thing? Why was his master complaining about being strong?
Ethan let out a half-laugh and ran a hand through his lightning-charged hair. "You're right... it's not exactly sothing to complain about." He smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching with anticipation. "Anyway, can't cry over spilled milk."
He turned toward Gray, lightning flickering once again at his fingertips. "We've got a tournant to prepare for, Gray. So let's go all in. Let's show them what a monster really looks like."
Gray let out a low, excited howl in agreent as the two surged back into motion—a storm made flesh and fury, tearing through the training ground as their next phase of training began.
Reviews
All reviews (0)