Chapter 24: Nemesis Reforged
Author: MrLostLetter
Ethan's pulse echoed in his ears as the Codex's power hummed just beneath the surface. His grip on reality was slipping, and no matter how hard he tried, Crowe's voice was getting louder.
"Why fight it?" Crowe's voice was smooth, coaxing. "You know what we could become. Together."
Ethan's jaw clenched, his fingers digging into the cold metal of the console in front of him. The safehouse was dim, the glow from the screens casting an eerie light across the room. Lena stood beside him, her expression tense but determined.
"You're not alone, Ethan," she whispered. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder, grounding him, pulling him back from the edge.
But for how long?
"I can't let this happen," Ethan muttered, his voice strained.
Lena's gaze hardened. "Then don't."
Ethan met her eyes, but the fear lingering in them was impossible to miss. She was trying to be strong, but he could feel her uncertainty. She didn't know if he could stop it.
"Lena... if I lose control—"
"You won't."
Her words were firm, but her voice wavered just enough to betray her fear.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Crowe's voice murmured, a cruel edge lacing his words.
Ethan's head throbbed, his vision blurring for a moment. His body felt heavier, as if the Codex was pressing down on him, anchoring him in place.
"Ethan..."
Lena's voice was softer now, a quiet plea cutting through the chaos.
"I'm right here."
Ethan squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out Crowe's voice, but it was no use.
"We could fix everything," Crowe whispered. "No more running. No more fear. Just power."
"Get out of my head," Ethan hissed under his breath.
Lena's fingers tightened on his shoulder. "Ethan, listen to me."
"Why are you fighting this?" Crowe's tone shifted, almost... compassionate. "Don't you see? I'm trying to protect us."
"Protect me?" Ethan's voice was barely a whisper now, his throat dry.
"From them."
Ethan's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, everything was crystal clear. The pulse of the Codex slowed, the pounding in his head easing just enough for him to think.
Protect me... from them?
"Dorian doesn't trust you," Crowe murmured softly. "Lena's afraid of what you might become. But I..." The voice grew softer, almost soothing. "I know who you really are."
Ethan's chest tightened.
"I know what you can do."
"Shut up."
"Ethan."
Lena's voice snapped him back to the present. Her green eyes were locked onto his, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
"Don't listen to him."
Ethan's hands trembled as he forced himself to breathe.
"I'm trying."
Lena's hand moved to his face, gently tilting his head so he had no choice but to look at her.
"You're stronger than this," she whispered. "You don't need him."
Ethan's heart pounded in his chest.
"But what if—"
"No."
Lena's voice was firm, her eyes unwavering.
"You're not him, Ethan. You're not Crowe."
Ethan swallowed hard, his jaw clenching as he fought to silence the voice.
"But he's... he's in me, Lena."
"Then we'll find a way to get him out."
Ethan's breath caught.
We.
"You're not doing this alone," Lena murmured, her thumb brushing gently across his cheek.
Ethan's resolve wavered, but Lena's touch kept him grounded.
"Ethan..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper now, her eyes searching his.
"Come back."
Ethan's pulse slowed, the Codex's hum growing quieter, the weight lifting just enough for him to breathe again.
"I'm here," he murmured.
Lena's expression softened, her relief visible in her eyes.
"Good."
But the moment was shattered when the door slammed open.
"Ethan!"
Dorian's voice echoed through the room as he burst in, his face flushed and his weapon drawn.
"We've got a problem."
Ethan's senses sharpened instantly, the adrenaline coursing through his veins like fire.
"What happened?"
"Nemesis." Dorian's jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with urgency.
"They're here."
Ethan's stomach dropped.
"How?"
Dorian's expression was grim.
"They found us."
Lena's eyes widened, her grip on Ethan tightening.
"Ethan, we have to go."
Ethan's mind was already racing.
"How many?"
"Too many." Dorian's gaze hardened. "And they're not here to talk."
Ethan's heart pounded as he exchanged a glance with Lena.
"Looks like we don't have a choice."
Dorian's eyes narrowed. "We fight or we run."
Ethan's jaw clenched.
"Then we fight."
The pulse of the Codex surged within him, but this time, Ethan controlled it.
"Let's end this."
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Next Chapter: Chapter 25: Shadows of Betrayal