Sam descended the stairs and called out, "Ben, let's wrap this up and head out!"
Ben dashed forward, standing in front of Sam. Sam placed a firm hand on Ben's back, and in an instant, a surge of immense light energy flooded into him. Ben clenched his fists, his body trembling as he struggled to withstand the overwhelming force.
"Ben, we're going all the way!" Sam declared.
The brilliant light engulfed Ben, intensifying with every second. A few moments passed before he could no longer hold back—his screams echoed through the hall. When the light finally subsided, Sam gave him an approving nod. "Good job! I'm always proud of you."
Ben took a shaky step toward his chair, but his legs buckled beneath him. Just as he was about to fall, Alex caught him, holding him upright.
"Hey, idiot! We still have roasted chicken to eat and movies to watch. Get up!" Alex teased.
Ben chuckled, leaning against Alex for support. Seeing the two, both Sam and Xander burst into laughter.
Once everyone settled down, Xander turned to Alex and commanded, "Alex, come stand in front of me."
Alex stepped forward, approaching the throne. He met Xander's gaze as the man warned, "Brace yourself. Endure as long as you can before you scream."
A powerful force erupted from Xander, sending a shockwave rippling through the hall. The energy pressed against Alex, his body resisting instinctively. Suddenly, a force field formed around the throne, crackling with intensity.
"Damn… His body naturally possesses light power—it's resisting the process!" Xander thought to himself.
Turning to Sam, he shouted, "We need a barrier! Before my father rushes in!"
Without hesitation, Xander raised a massive shield over the entire Light Palace. The sky outside darkened, thunder rumbling as streaks of lightning cut through the clouds.
"Alex! Stop resisting it! Merge it with the light you already possess!" Xander commanded.
Gritting his teeth, Alex forced himself to focus, gradually absorbing the energy instead of fighting against it.
Seeing his progress, Xander pushed the energy transfer to its maximum output. The hall trembled under the immense pressure. Time dragged on, each second heavier than the last. An hour passed before Xander finally ended the inheritance process.
Alex collapsed.
Sam rushed forward, catching him before he hit the ground. "How much?" he asked urgently.
Xander wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The maximum… including the genetic order."
Sam's expression darkened. "What do you mean?"
Xander let out a low chuckle. "He possesses an entirely unique genetic structure. We can't train him the way we trained ourselves."
Sam clenched his jaw. "So he has to figure it out on his own?"
Xander nodded. "He bears the Constellation of Omega. He isn't just powerful—he's one of a kind."
Sam's eyes widened in realization. "That's why Zeus never allowed anyone to train him…"
Amber hurried over, gently lifting Alex into her arms. "Is he okay?" she asked, concern thick in her voice.
Xander nodded. "Take him downstairs. I need to finish this."
Amber carried Alex to his seat, and Xander stood, turning to the hall.
"The EDB Head…"
A hush fell over the room.
Xander laughed, correcting himself. "I mean, the Extraterrestrial Defense Bureau Head, Seister Markmen."
A man in the crowd gave a firm nod.
Xander smirked. "These kids… they might live for the next 10,000 years—just like us. I'm ensuring they have unlimited bank accounts under my name. No taxes. No restrictions. No problems."
A stunned silence followed.
Then, a man stood up and shouted, "Why didn't you tell us about immortality and these benefits before?!"
Xander burst into laughter. "Because I need warriors willing to sacrifice themselves for the universe—not cowardly bastards!"
Ben and Athina suddenly broke into laughter.
Xander shot them a sharp look. "Show some manners, you two! There's a difference between a man and an ape, Athina. Sit properly."
Athina sat up straight, covering her mouth as she giggled.
Sam stood and raised his voice. "One final message to those who wish to live—live well. If you need help, contact the Brave Family."
Then, his eyes hardened as he turned to those who still dared to entertain dangerous thoughts.
"And for those who make the wrong choices… Death is already waiting at your doorstep. Remember that."
The White Palace emptied, its grand halls left in tense silence.
Xander and Sam sat in their chairs, their expressions grim. Xander tapped his fingers against the armrest, his jaw tight with thought. Sam leaned forward, rubbing his temples.
Eathen approached, his voice laced with concern. "What's wrong? Alex is already awake and eating well."
Xander let out a heavy sigh. "Alex isn't like us. He has to forge his own path—I can't even guide him. His body rejects every technique we attempt to teach him."
Eathen frowned. "But isn't that how normal humans learn?"
Xander shook his head. "His body is ten times stronger than ours. Even if we tried, we couldn't awaken his aura for him."
A voice cut through the tense atmosphere from the doorway.
"What's this 'Constellation of Stars'? What does it mean? And why are you so worried?"
John stepped into the room, his sharp gaze locked onto them.
Sam turned to him, his expression dark. Silence followed before he finally spoke.
"Long ago, a lineage existed—feared by every being in the universe. They stood alongside the creators themselves. They possessed the Constellation of Stars, and their power rivaled kings. But a billion years ago… they vanished without a trace."
Xander's breath hitched, his fingers trembling.
Sam continued, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"According to ancient records, those born with their light carried the Constellation of Stars. They couldn't inherit power. They awakened only on the brink of death. And only one man survived the chaos that followed."
A bead of sweat slid down Xander's temple. The weight of the revelation settled heavily in his chest.
"When all other beings are bound by fate and life," Xander murmured, staring at his trembling hands, "they are bound only to themselves. They endure hell and the abyss alone."
Sam straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. "Xander, I will look after Alex. Leave it to me. But first, we need to test his strength."
He turned to John and whispered, "Are you ready?"
John hesitated before nodding. "I understand."
Sam's voice was sharp. "Then just do it."
John signaled to his assistant, who immediately began making arrangements. Meanwhile, Xander made his way to the children's quarters. With a quiet incantation, he cast a sleeping spell.
In an instant, Alex, Athina, Ben, and Gwen slipped into deep slumber.
At that moment, fifty elite operatives entered the White Palace, moving with disciplined precision. They assembled in the grand hall, awaiting orders.
Sam surveyed them carefully. "Your assignment is simple," he declared. "Do not allow the children to reach the ceremonial hall before sunrise—no matter what."
A murmur ran through the operatives.
"Listen carefully!" Sam's voice cut through the noise. "You can use any means necessary—except lethal force. If any harm beyond that comes to them… you all die. Understood?"
A tense silence followed. Then, the distinct sound of weapons being readied filled the hall.
Xander nodded approvingly. "What about the kids?"
"Everything is in place," Sam confirmed.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit storage room, cluttered with crates, Alex stirred from his sleep at the sound of a distant voice.
"Grrr... ghrkkk... Alex! Gwen! Ben! Athena! Wake up!"
Alex groggily opened his eyes, rubbing his temples, his head still foggy from the overwhelming events that had just transpired. His gaze shifted around the room, and he saw the others, still unconscious, sprawled across the cold floor. He shook Ben awake, his voice low and strained, "Ben... I think we're in a really messed-up situation."
Ben blinked in confusion, trying to shake off the grogginess, his eyes falling on a nearby walkie-talkie that buzzed incessantly. Grabbing it, he pressed it to his ear. "We've got incoming."
Alex snatched the walkie-talkie from Ben's hand, holding it to his own ear. "Hello? This is Alex."
A crackling voice came through, calm but laced with urgency. "Good, you're awake. Listen closely—this is a test. Your mission is simple: get to the ceremonial hall. At least one of you must sit on the throne."
"A test?" Alex frowned, his pulse quickening. "Why the hell are we using a walkie-talkie?"
The voice on the other end responded with a grim chuckle. "Because, kid, fifty highly skilled operatives are hunting you down. If they shoot you, believe me, you'll feel it."
Ben's face drained of color. "Wait… what?!"
Suddenly, the sound of boots pounding against the ground echoed through the hall. A storm of movement—rushing figures, sharp commands, the metallic clank of weapons being readied.
They were here.
Alex and Ben locked eyes. No words were needed.
"Grab your gear—NOW!" Alex barked.
Ben snatched his firearm, his hands shaking but steadying as the weight settled into his grip. Gwen and Athina scrambled for their vests and helmets, adrenaline pumping.
The door shook as something slammed against it.
BOOM!
A second impact. Cracks splintered through the wood.
They were breaking in.
"RUN!" Alex shouted, urgency flooding his voice. "MOVE! MOVE!"
Athina hesitated for a split second, glancing at Alex. "Why do you look so serious?!" she asked, breathless.
Alex turned to her, his voice low and sharp.
"Trust me. My instincts are screaming. If we don't run now—"
The door exploded open.
Gunfire erupted.
Alex didn't waste another