The Aether Chronicles

After Sam left, Chloe surveyed the wreckage of her room. The destruction hit her like a ton of bricks. Shattered chairs, broken tables, and splinters of wood littered the floor. Everything that once adorned the room had been reduced to ruin, leaving the space looking more like a battlefield than the sanctuary it once was.

"Well… this is embarrassing," Chloe muttered, rubbing the back of her head with an awkward chuckle. "Note to self: maybe meditate outside next time."

Her gaze shifted to Jane, her loyal bodyguard, who was sprawled on the floor. Sweat poured down Jane's face, and her chest heaved as though she'd just run a marathon while carrying a mountain on her back. She looked utterly drained, her strength clearly sapped by the overwhelming mana.

Chloe knelt beside her. "Jane, are you okay? I didn't mean for—"

"I'll… be fine," Jane gasped between labored breaths, though her trembling limbs betrayed her attempt to downplay her exhaustion. She tried to sit up but collapsed back with a frustrated groan.

"Stop," Chloe said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't push yourself. Just rest for now. Once you've regained a little strength, head to the training hall. The ether there will help you recover faster."

Jane nodded weakly, too exhausted to respond verbally, her eyes closing as she let herself relax.

Chloe's expression softened, and she shifted her attention to the baby nestled in her arms. Alex, her precious little boy, slept peacefully despite the chaos around them. His tiny face remained serene, blissfully untouched by the destruction that had ravaged the room.

"At least you're safe," Chloe murmured with a tender smile, kissing his forehead. "You really are something, my little one. Sleeping through all this like a champ."

Her brief moment of peace shattered when a wave of oppressive energy rippled through the estate. Chloe's gaze snapped toward the window, her playful demeanor vanishing in an instant.

"What the hell?" she muttered, her voice hardening as the weight of the approaching danger pressed down on her.

Elsewhere in the Estate

Zelda stood alongside Lara, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon, the air thick with quiet tension between them.

"Chloe and the baby are fine," Zelda said, her voice as calm as ever. "Sam handled it."

Lara let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms tightly. "That girl is unbelievable. Meditating with power like hers? In her room, of all places? One day, she's going to hurt herself—or worse, someone else."

Zelda's gaze flicked to Lara, her expression steely, yet calm. "She's alive, the baby's alive, and the estate is still standing. No point in dwelling on what didn't happen."

Lara opened her mouth to argue but froze as an overwhelming, murderous aura descended upon the estate like a tidal wave. It was suffocating—a force that seemed to chill the very air, setting every nerve on edge.

"What in the—?" Lara started, but Zelda silenced her with a sharp gesture.

"Focus," Zelda commanded, her tone clipped and icy. Her eyes narrowed, honing in on the source of the pressure.

High above the estate, a man hovered in the air. His raven-black hair, streaked with blood, framed a face hardened by battle. His battered armor gleamed darkly in the dim light, stained crimson from countless encounters. At his hip, a bloodstained sword rested, his aura radiating a raw, menacing power that made the very air feel thick and oppressive.

Lara instinctively reached for her sword, her body tensing for action. But Zelda stepped forward, a calm smile tugging at her lips, undisturbed by the storm of energy surrounding them.

"I'll handle this," Zelda said, her voice steady, filled with an unshakable confidence.

Lara hesitated, fingers still curled around the hilt of her sword, but after a brief moment, she relaxed her grip, her trust in Zelda unwavering.

"Zelda," Lara said cautiously, her voice laced with concern. "Please don't go overboard this time."

Zelda's lips curled into a wolfish grin, her eyes alight with excitement. "Overboard? Me? Never."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about!" Lara snapped, her tone rising with frustration.

"If he's as strong as he feels, I won't have much choice," Zelda replied, her grin widening. And with that, she vanished in a blur of movement.

"Of course," Lara muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Why do I even bother?" She disappeared moments later, following Zelda.

Across the estate, seasoned fighters and elders materialized in the air, their auras flaring to life like blazing torches. At the forefront stood Zelda, her gaze locked onto the intruder with predatory intensity. Behind her, a line of defenders formed, ready for battle.

Sam reappeared nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. Lara materialized beside him, her expression grim.

"Can you shield the estate?" Lara asked urgently, anxiety threading her voice.

"I'll try," Sam replied evenly, his gaze flicking toward the man facing Zelda.

"You'd better. When Zelda fights, collateral damage isn't a concern for her," Lara said, frustration lacing her words. "And I'll be damned if my grandson gets caught in the crossfire."

Sam smirked faintly. "Don't worry. With him here, I doubt that'll happen."

Lara frowned. "What do you mean?"

Sam's smirk deepened. "Let's just say a little birdie told me something interesting about him."

"Care to elaborate?" Lara pressed, her voice sharp with suspicion.

Sam shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Not now."

"Fine. But if anything happens to Alex, you'll regret it," Lara warned, her voice dripping with menace.

Sam closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glowed silvery white. A ripple of invisible energy spread outward, forming a protective barrier around the estate.

"There. That should hold," he said calmly, his voice a steady anchor amidst the growing tension.

Back in Chloe's Room

Chloe felt the shift in energy as the barrier enveloped the estate. Her sharp senses honed in on the oppressive aura above.

"Who dares disrupt our home?" she murmured, her tone cold and dangerous.

Cradling Alex closer to her chest, she cast a wary glance out the window. Through the walls, she could feel the gathering of powerful auras—her mother, her father, the Matriarch, and the other elders. They were all converging on the man in the sky, and from the sheer weight of their energy, she knew this was no ordinary intruder.

In the sky, Zelda's eyes glowed silver, her aura spreading outward like a storm. As she unsheathed her sword, the surroundings seemed to warp and twist, embodying the essence of a land ruled by the blade.

"Are you sure the barrier will hold, Sam?" Lara asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Sam glanced at his overprotective wife and smiled, his expression calm despite the intensity of the moment. "Yeah, it'll hold. Not that it'll matter—he's not aiming for it."

The man, who had been facing Zelda moments ago, vanished and reappeared directly in front of her. Zelda's eyes widened, surprised by his sudden speed. The spectators—including the elders, Lara, and even Sam—were stunned by the sheer velocity he displayed.

Without hesitation, the man unsheathed his sword and slashed downward at Zelda.