Memories of his last moments on Earth resurfaced in his mind, his heart swelling with anger…
"Remember my name, Loki. Because one day, when you least expect it, I'll be the shadow that drags you into despair!"
The lights dimmed.
Ethan blinked, his surroundings blurring and darkening. His eyes tried to adjust, but everything was happening too fast. Apart from the searing rage in his heart, everything else was a blinding haze—too bright to make sense of his surroundings. Yet, the storm of emotions surging within him was proof enough that he was still alive. Still fighting.
When his eyes opened again, the warmth was gone, replaced by the sterile chill of a room steeped in wealth and power.
Gritting his teeth against the pain of his loss, Ethan's voice was low, almost a whisper. "Is this the alternate universe I was sent to?"
His eyes swept the room, taking in the polished surfaces, the gleaming edges of advanced technology integrated seamlessly into the walls, the subtle glow of holographic interfaces hovering in the air. It was reminiscent of the advanced systems from his world, though there were differences—nuances that hinted at something more sophisticated, something alien.
Ethan studied the space momentarily, piecing together the details. It wasn't just the room. The opulence, the technology, the way everything seemed meticulously designed for comfort and control—it all pointed to a life of privilege.
And then, like a ripple in a still pond, memories began to surface in his mind. They weren't his own, but they felt close, personal, as if they had always been there, waiting for him to unlock them.
This body's memories!
Fragments of a life flashed before him—conversations, places, emotions that didn't belong to him yet felt oddly familiar. A young man from a noble lineage, a family steeped in wealth and influence. Expectations, achievements, and failures weighed heavily in these memories, as though this person had lived under a constant shadow of judgment.
Ethan frowned, trying to piece it all together. "A noble? Technology like this? It's not Earth, but… it's close."
The more he tried to organize the memories, the clearer it became. This world wasn't entirely foreign—it shared echoes of his own, twisted and reshaped by forces he didn't yet understand.
As he stood in the center of the room, the sterile air felt heavy, almost suffocating. He had no idea what this alternate universe had in store for him, but one thing was certain—this wasn't just a second chance.
It was a new beginning.
From the memories flooding his mind, he knew this world was nothing like the mundane Earth he once called home—an Earth that had fallen to the apocalypse. Here, he had a chance. A chance to rise, to grow stronger, to surpass limits beyond imagination.
To ascend to godhood itself, bending dimensions to his will. If his memories was right, reaching the peak of strength, he stand a chance to go back to Earth
Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, This world, this life—it wasn't his, yet the memories felt too vivid to ignore.
He wasn't Ethan Cross anymore. Not entirely. Now, he was Ethan Drakethorne, the youngest son of one of the most powerful families in a world.
His thoughts spinning as fragments of the original owner's life played in his mind. Ethan Drakethorne, the youngest son of the mighty Drakethorne family, had led a life so different from Ethan Cross's that it was hard to reconcile the two. Yet, their memories and identities were now tangled together, forcing him to make sense of his new reality.
The Drakethorne name wasn't just renowned—it was revered, it carried immense weight.
His father, Lord Gareth Drakethorne, was a legend—a conqueror of dungeons and Labyrinths who had secured not just wealth but dominance. Their ancestral home, a claimed Labyrinth turned into the grand Drakethorne Citadel, was both a fortress and a monument to Gareth's legacy. The second Labyrinth, Aurelian Depths, was even larger, housing a bustling town within its expansive chambers.
Lord Gareth Drakethorne, Ethan's father, was a legend, a man who had carved his way to the top of this world by conquering dungeons and Labyrinths. He has over 10 dungeons to his name with two Labyrinth of different ranks, which was extremely impressive, he was one of the strongest and most influential in this world...
Their family's home, Drakethorne Citadel, wasn't a mansion but a fully claimed Labyrinth, a monument to Gareth's Legacy repurposed into a sprawling estate.
Its grand halls still bore faint traces of its dangerous origins, a reminder of the power and tenacity required to claim such a place.
The second Labyrinth larger than the first and higher in rank, called Aurelian Depths, was an even greater testament to the Drakethorne family's might. It wasn't just a trophy—it was a functioning secluded city filled with people of different kinds. The Drakethorne family didn't just survive in this apocalyptic world; they dominated it.
***
Per his memories, this world, Nexa, was as harsh as it was advanced.
Dungeons are spatial dimensions filled with beasts, rumoured to be formed from the legendary Great Labyrinth, the largest and most mysterious dimension in existence. It is said to hold an endless supply of treasures and both sentient and non-sentient beasts.
Dungeons, however, are temporary. Once all the beasts within are defeated, they self-destruct, leaving behind valuable rewards and treasures for their conquerors.
Labyrinths, on the other hand, are similar in structure but vastly different in purpose and permanence. Unlike dungeons, Labyrinths are rare and do not vanish after being cleared. Instead, they remain, the Labyrinth conqueror having full control over it.
*****
Ethan also learned that rune stones, found in the heart of a Labyrinth after defeating its boss, were highly coveted.
These stones could awaken latent talents in humans, with an impressive success rate of nearly 80%, which was high because without the rune stone in Labyrinths, humans awakening chance at their ripe age would've been much more lower.
The Drakethorne family, was as well known for their dragon-related talents, the Rite of Awakening was a pivotal event, a ceremony that could define a person's future.
The date of his Awakening was close. In his memories, the original Ethan had been filled with hope and anticipation. He wasn't just an average member of the Drakethorne family—he was meant to carry on their legacy, to awaken a talent that would make his family proud.
But that boy was gone now. And Ethan Cross, armed with the SSS-RANKED Fate Breaker Skill, was the one who had to step into his shoes.
One last thing was that, the people of this world have a system, but they can only gain stronger killing beasts INSIDE the Great Labyrinth... Clearing normal dungeons and Labyrinth grants no increase in strength, it can only increase once strength through resources that can be gotten in the dungeon.
Ethan was still accumulating everything when the door to his room creaked open, and his thoughts interrupted as Mia Drakethorne stepped inside.
Her presence was as commanding as the memories suggested—a striking figure with long black hair cascading down her back and piercing amber eyes that seemed to see right through him. She wore a soft lavender dress, simple yet elegant, fitting for someone of her status.
"You've been quiet today," she said, her voice carrying a playful lilt, though her gaze was sharp. "What's going on, little brother?"
Ethan forced a small smile, leaning back against the headboard. "Just thinking. There's a lot on my mind."
"Thinking?" Mia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she moved closer. "That's not like you. Usually, you're too busy trying to impress Father or annoy Darius."
Ethan chuckled lightly. "Maybe I'm finally maturing."
Mia snorted, her lips curving into a smirk. "Unlikely. So, what is it? The Rite of Awakening?"
Her question hit the mark, but Ethan kept his expression neutral. "Yeah. It's a big deal, isn't it?"
She sat down beside him, her gaze softening. "Of course, it is. But you don't need to worry about it. You're a Drakethorne. Our bloodline has produced some of the strongest talents in history. You'll awaken something incredible. I know it."
Her confidence in him was almost overwhelming. The memories told him how much the original Ethan had admired Mia, not just as a sister but as a source of unshakable support. That bond was now his to maintain, even if it wasn't truly his.
"Thanks," he said, his voice steady. "I'll do my best."
Mia's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. "You're being weird today. You're not usually this… quiet. What's really going on?"
Ethan hesitated. He couldn't tell her the truth—that her brother was gone, and he was someone entirely different. He forced another smile. "Just nerves, I guess. It's a lot to live up to."
Her expression softened again, and she placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone, Ethan. Not to Father, not to Darius. You're you, and that's enough."
Her words carried a weight that made his chest tighten. She didn't know the truth, and she never could. He had to be the brother she remembered, the one she trusted.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said quietly.
Mia smiled, standing and brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Good. Now, stop brooding. Dinner's soon, and if you're late, Darius will never let you hear the end of it."
Ethan smirked. "Wouldn't want to miss that."
As she walked to the door, she paused, glancing back at him. "You've got this, Ethan. I believe in you."
The door clicked shut, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more.
---
Ethan leaned back against the headboard, exhaling slowly. The weight of this new life bore down on him, but he couldn't afford to falter. The original Ethan had hoped for greatness, and now it was his responsibility to carry that dream forward.
The Fate Breaker Skill was his trump card, and he would use it to ensure he didn't just survive this world—he would thrive in it. But he wondered, the rune stone was meant to awaken talent but with a talent already awakened what's to happen?
Ethan sighed deeply as he stood, his thoughts swirling with everything he had learned since waking up in this strange new life. The weight of the Drakethorne name pressed heavily on him, and the anticipation of the upcoming Rite of Awakening gnawed at the back of his mind. Shaking his head, he pushed the thoughts aside and ran a hand through his hair.
No point dwelling on it now.
With a second sigh, he straightened his posture and stepped out of the room, heading toward the dining hall.
---
The Drakethorne dining hall was a grand space, its polished marble floors reflecting the soft light of golden chandeliers. The long oak table stretched nearly the length of the room, its surface adorned with ornate silverware and steaming dishes that showcased the best chefs the family could afford. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, a comforting contrast to the formal atmosphere.
Ethan's gaze swept across the room as he entered. His three elder brothers were already seated, each engrossed in their meal. Though they had long since moved out to manage their own lives and responsibilities, a summons for dinner meant their father had something important to discuss.