Ego sat in the midst of the unexpected encounter, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The revelation of a stepmother and the offer to go home for rest and treatment presented him with a sudden, pivotal choice.
"Hmmmm! Which should I do now?" Ego mused silently, contemplating the consequences of his decision. "Should I go with her and leave my friends with the unsolved mystery of the XXXX Zone hmmm? Or should I stay here and continue my quest for answers, despite the weariness creeping in?"
He lifted his gaze, meeting his stepmother's expectant eyes. Her presence was both comforting and disconcerting, offering a sense of belonging that clashed with the unknowns he faced in this world.
