So far, the gang hadn't made much progress with their investigation or experiments. All they had discovered was that Ace seemed to be part of a different experiment. His traits and buffs were slightly different from those of the Originals and the Escaped. The differences weren't glaring—but they were there.
For example, the voice in his head. None of the others had ever experienced something like that. Ace also powered himself and his blades using his life force, had faster growth, and his kill intent felt more like a personality switch than a separate force trying to take over his mind. Currently, they were trying to create a mask that would allow him to properly communicate with the voice—or at least hear it more clearly.
Meanwhile, far from the masked group's hideout, at the heart of Eidolon civilization, the leaders of the Eidolons—the Originals—were holding a meeting. On the highest floor of their tower, five of them sat around a circular table. Strangely, there were seven chairs instead of six, as though they were expecting someone.
Two figures entered the room, both drenched in sweat. This was shocking—Originals were so powerful they rarely bothered to train, and they barely ever got tired. The fact that these two looked exhausted meant they must've undergone something intense.
As they walked to the empty seats, all eyes stayed fixed on them.
"Apologies for the delay and for keeping you waiting," Damien said, respectfully addressing his fellow Originals.
"I'd love to ask what you were doing," one replied, "but we've got more pressing matters."
"Actually," Damien countered, "this is the pressing matter. You'll understand soon."
"Hm… I figured something was off," another added. "Ever since you got back from that mission, you've changed. Like you're scared of something."
Damien paused, then said, "We should be scared. Let me introduce our newest Original—Kael. Before I found him, he had already battled one of the masked Escaped—and he was completely outmatched. He was nearly killed."
He hesitated again.
"When I faced that same Escaped, I held my own… until something changed. He unlocked a new power or state—whatever it was, it made him dangerous. A real threat. Luckily, it tires him out fast. But if he ever learns to push past that… we're in trouble."
Kael added, "That's why I suggested we get stronger. Our options are either intense training—which would take months—or going on a rampage, which is faster but exposes our location."
"We're the strongest beings alive," one of the Originals scoffed. "Why should we train because of failed experiments?"
Everyone turned to Kael to gauge his reaction.
"Well, mister… what's your name?" Kael asked.
"Victor. Victor Crowe," the hot-headed one replied proudly.
"Right, Victor. I don't blame you for thinking that way. I probably would too—if I hadn't had a blade at my throat."
"Is this masked one really that much of a threat?" one of the female Originals asked.
"For now, no," Damien answered. "But if he overcomes his limitations… yes."
"We need a plan," said another Original. "We're heading into war. Humans won't be the same as last time. And our kind lacks strategy. If the Eidolons had proper tactics before, they would've wiped out the humans before we were even born."
"Kaldor's right," Damien said. "What we need most is a faster way to get stronger."
"I'd love a rampage," Kael added, "but we have to be cautious—especially if more Escaped are like him."
"So what do we do now?" another female Original asked.
"We wait," Kaldor said. "Let things play out while we find a safer way to grow stronger. No sudden moves."
"That's a weak stance for an Original," Victor muttered. "I don't care what the rest of you do. I'm going to recruit one of the rogue Escaped. Damien, you said you had info on another one."
"Give it to me!"
"Victor, did you hear anything we just said?" Kael snapped. "Yes, building our strength matters—but we can't afford to lose anyone right now. And you—you're reckless, impulsive—"
"Kael," Damien interrupted. "Let me explain how things work here. Victor made a decision. It's his to make. As long as it doesn't drag the rest of us down, he's free to act. I'll give him the info after this meeting."
"You will?" Victor grinned.
---
Back at the masked group's base—their home—they were working on Ace's mask and continuing training. They'd finally reached a conclusion: if they wanted to understand what Ace really was, they had to return to where it all began—the lab where they were created.
Sure, the experimenters were all dead. But the information? That would still be there.
As night crept in and their base grew quiet, one thing was certain—next stop: the lab.