Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

Ethan stepped back into the private dining room and shut the door behind himself gently. The air was filled with the smells of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and desserts, combined with the sounds of merriment and chatter.

All kinds of good food was on the table. Golden-brown chicken glazed with honey, bowls of creamy soup, fresh salads, and desserts that appeared to be from a high-end patissier.

At one end of the table sat Aaron, Ethan's father, talking with Harold Moore, Jessica's grandfather. They had a friendly conversation. Harold shared a funny story about his early days as a carpenter while eating herb-crusted lamb. He used hand gestures to express himself as he spoke.

Aaron listened carefully and shared some funny stories of his own.

Jordan, sitting nearby, joined in with jokes that made both men laugh and kept the conversation going.

Jacob and Lily, Ethan's younger siblings, talked excitedly with Josh and Joshua, Jessica's twin brothers. While enjoying pasta and chocolate mousse, they shared stories about their favorite games and other things.

Jacob and Josh were working on a sneaky plan, their quiet whispers broken by Lily's watchful look.

"I know you're up to something," Lily said, pointing her fork at them.

"We're not!" Josh protested, his cheeks stuffed with food.

"Right," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "We'll see about that."

Joshua laughed at his brother's attempt to act innocent while Lily stayed alert.

Elise, Ethan's mother, sat across the table from Julie, Jessica's mother. The two women comfortably talked about recipes and shared stories about raising their children.

Jessica sat between them, contributing occasionally while savoring a delicate strawberry tart.

Ethan took a moment to soak in his surroundings. Everyone was enjoying themselves, which helped lift the heavy feeling that had lingered since his rooftop meeting with Lucien.

Jessica noticed him standing by the door and offered a gentle smile. "Ethan, hurry up. Your food's getting cold."

Ethan returned her smile and walked over, taking his seat beside his mother.

A plate of roasted vegetables, tender steak, and creamy mashed potatoes waited for him. He picked up his fork and took a moment to enjoy the first bite. The rich flavors were satisfying and helped him feel present.

Elise turned to him, her voice gentle. "You've been quiet tonight. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, Mom," Ethan said with a comforting smile. "Everything's great. Maybe I'm just exhausted."

Harold, overhearing, leaned slightly toward Ethan. "You've done a wonderful thing here, Ethan," he said warmly. "The accommodations, this dinner. everything is amazing. Thank you."

"It's nothing," Ethan replied modestly. "I'm just glad everyone's comfortable."

Across the table, Jordan set down his glass and grinned. "Saint Ethan strikes again."

Jessica rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Jordan, you've been singing his praises all evening. It's starting to sound rehearsed."

"Hey, credit where it's due," Jordan shot back. "Plus, I'm banking points here. Ethan's probably plotting his revenge for all the times I've beaten him at the pool."

Ethan smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, Jordan. I will get my revenge soon."

The room filled with laughter, creating a warm atmosphere. Ethan leaned back. He wanted to enjoy the lively atmosphere of chatters around him and, of course, the delicious food.

For once, he allowed himself to relax and put aside the burdens of his responsibilities.

As the dinner continued, the dessert came out. There were delicate tarts, rich chocolate cakes, and creamy custards. The twins eagerly dug into the treats.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ethan laughed as Jacob and Josh tried to see who could pile the most whipped cream on a single spoon.

Jessica glanced at Ethan as the room hummed with energy. "You look like you're actually enjoying yourself," she teased softly.

"Is that so surprising?" Ethan replied, raising an eyebrow.

"A little," Jessica said, her tone light but sincere. "You've been carrying a lot lately. It's nice to see you relax."

Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Jessica. I guess I needed this more than I realized."

From her seat, Elise watched the exchange with a knowing look but said nothing, her smile speaking volumes.

Ethan's gaze swept over the room one last time. His family, Jessica's family, and Jordan—all safe, all enjoying themselves. For now, that was enough.

But in the back of his mind, he couldn't forget the rooftop, Lucien's threats, and the tension simmering beneath the surface.

He let out a slow breath, his resolve strengthening. For tonight, he would savor this rare moment of peace. But tomorrow, he would be ready for whatever came next.

***

The night outside was quiet, with a tense feeling in the air. Under the soft moonlight, five people stood in the shadows at the rooftop. They were alert and on guard.

Mark was at the center, his piercing eyes scanning the group. Maya, Ezra, Steve, and Yamal formed a loose circle around him, their expressions betraying a mix of curiosity and unease.

Mark reached into his jacket and pulled out the folded piece of paper, his movements deliberate. The faint rustle of the paper seemed unnaturally loud in the quiet night. He unfolded it slowly, revealing the map he had received from the cloaked figure earlier.

"This," Mark began, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority, "is what I got tonight... from a cloaked figure near the Cole residence. He was watching, lurking. I followed him, and when I confronted him, he handed me this."

Ezra took a step forward, his arms crossed, the light catching the edge of his angular jaw. "What's on it?"

Mark turned the map toward them, pointing to a crudely marked location just outside Novan City. "A facility. Remote. He claimed it's tied to the LaRues."

Yamal tilted his head, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the map. "And what did he say?"

Mark's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the weight of the words seemed to press on him before he spoke. "He said the LaRues are building an army. Artificial Ascendants."

Maya's scoff broke the silence, her sharp voice cutting through the tension. "Artificial Ascendants? Is this guy delusional? You can't fake the core formation process."

"That's what I thought," Mark replied, his voice steady. "But he mentioned Professor Jermaine."

The mention of the name sent a ripple through the group. Steve, the most analytical among them, straightened slightly, his gaze sharpening. "Jermaine? The bio-engineering genius who disappeared years ago?"

Mark nodded. "The same. According to the man, Jermaine's leading the project, and it's already 75% successful."

A silence heavier than before settled over them. Ezra was the first to speak, his deep voice carrying a note of skepticism. "Why hand this to you? Why now? It reeks of a setup."

"Exactly," Mark agreed, folding the map with precise movements. "But we can't dismiss it outright. If there's any truth to it, this is bigger than anything we've faced before."

Steve stepped closer, his analytical mind already running through possibilities. "Artificial Ascendants… Even if Jermaine's involved, it was still almost impossible. The failure rate alone—"

"Would be catastrophic," Yamal finished, his voice grim. "Which means they've either solved it or they're willing to burn through lives to get it right."

Maya's eyes darkened, her usual sharp wit replaced by a rare seriousness. "If they're this close to success, it's not just about Ethan anymore. This could destabilize everything. Governments, power hierarchies, the entire balance of the Ascendant world."

Mark's gaze swept over them, his calm demeanor unshaken. "That's why we need to act. But we don't rush in blind."

Ezra crossed his arms tighter, his tone practical. "What's the play?"

"I've contacted the HQ." Mark's voice dropped slightly, the weight of his authority anchoring the group. "But, they couldn't send any other reinforcement."

"Damn. So we need to raid a facility with Artificial Ascendants with the five of us?" Ezra grunted.

"No," Mark said, dismissing the idea. "Maya and I will scout the location. Steve, you stay close to the Cole family, especially Ethan. If this is a distraction, he'll be the first target."

Yamal leaned against a nearby tree, his posture deceptively relaxed. "And us?"

Mark looked at Yamal and Ezra. "Monitor LaRue's assets in the city. Keep an eye on anything unusual—movement, supply chains, personnel changes. If they're gearing up for something big, they'll slip somewhere."

Ezra nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "And if it's a trap?"

Mark's eyes hardened, his voice cold. "Then we spring it on our terms."

The group exchanged looks, their unspoken bond palpable. They had faced danger before, but this felt different. The stakes weren't just personal—they were existential.

Steve's voice broke the silence, his tone low but resolute. "If they're building an army, Ethan can't be part of this fight. Not yet."

Maya nodded, her gaze flickering toward the house where Ethan's family rested. "Agreed. This is something else."

Mark folded the map tightly, his jaw set. "He won't be. We'll handle it."

The group began to disperse, but the weight of their task lingered in the air. As they moved away, Mark remained under the shadows of the night, his thoughts racing.

The cloaked figure's words echoed in his mind. The LaRues. Professor Jermaine. Artificial Ascendants.

If there's even a shred of truth to this, the balance of power could shift irreparably.

He glanced back toward the Cole residence, the faint glow of lights spilling out from the windows. The sound of faint laughter from inside reminded him of what was at stake—what he was protecting.

Mark's voice was barely a whisper, meant only for himself. "Whatever this is, it ends before it begins."

With a final glance at the house, he turned, his silhouette vanishing into the night as the plan began to take shape.