Kirk didn't wait for Ethan's explanation. He pointed towards the TV mounted on the wall of the office. "Come on in. You have a lot of explaining to do. How about we start from how you came back from death with exorcism powers?" His voice was dry and bitter, the underlying tension between them as evident as ever.
"No idea," Ethan replied nonchalantly, his tone level, betraying none of the undercurrent of tension in the room.
Kirk's eyes narrowed at the response, his skepticism morphing into outright suspicion. "What do you mean, 'no idea'? Is this some kind of stunt you're playing to gain popularity or what?" The accusation in his voice was clear, his distrust of Ethan's intentions evident.
Ethan met Kirk's gaze steadily, his expression calm. "I have no idea what happened, Captain. It just... happened."
His words were simple, truthful. There was no playbook for coming back from the dead, no manual for suddenly wielding powers that defied explanation.
""It just happened" is not what the press will want to hear. The Headquarters will be demanding a full report. What do you expect me to tell them?" Kirk's question was loaded, his tone a mix of frustration and incredulity.
Ethan stood there, his mind racing. 'Your problem, not mine,' he thought to himself, biting back the retort. It wasn't wise to provoke Kirk further, especially not now. The man seemed unnecessarily irritated, and Ethan couldn't fathom why. 'I should be careful around him,' he mused internally.
Kirk leaned back in his chair, the lines of his face hardening. He seemed to be wrestling with the information, or perhaps the lack thereof. After a moment of tense silence, he waved a dismissive hand.
"Just… just go," he said tersely. "But remember, I'll be keeping an extra eye on you. This... situation is unprecedented, and I'm not about to let it spiral out of control."
Ethan turned and left the office, the door closing behind him with a soft click. As he walked away, he could feel Kirk's eyes boring into his back, full of questions and doubts.
There was tension in the air, but Ethan pushed it to the back of his mind as he made his way down the corridor.
As Ethan walked down the hallway, lost in thought, Lilith's voice echoed in his mind, bringing him back to the present. "[You seem to be easing into your new life well. Here's the routine you're meant to follow.]"
In response, a holographic screen materialized before his eyes, displaying a timetable. Ethan paused for a moment to study it, his brow furrowing slightly as he tried to make sense of the new routine that now structured his life.
"Uhmmm... what is it today?" he asked, trying to place himself in the schedule.
"[(Lunar Date: 15.6.108, Celestial Cycle). You should be heading to the gym for a joint workout session with your teammates.]" Lilith's voice was matter-of-fact, her tone suggesting that this was just another part of his new normal.
Ethan nodded, though he knew Lilith couldn't see the gesture. The gym session would be a good opportunity to not only maintain his physical condition but also to gauge the dynamics within his team, especially after the recent events.
Entering the gym, Ethan's presence immediately drew attention. Jake, engrossed in his dumbbell routine, paused mid-lift. Lara, on the treadmill, glanced over with a look of surprise.
Several other team members, whom Ethan hadn't yet gotten to know, also turned their heads, their workouts momentarily forgotten. The gym, bustling with activity moments ago, fell into a hushed silence.
Ethan felt their watchful eyes on him as he made his way to an unoccupied treadmill next to Lara. He started walking, gradually increasing his pace to a jog.
The atmosphere in the gym slowly returned to normal, but he could feel the lingering curiosity and unease from his teammates.
Suddenly, his holographic display lit up with a new notification:
[New Task Assigned]
[Task: Flirt with Lara for 30 minutes]
[Task Difficulty: Level 1]
[Reward: 1 Lust Point]
[Penalty: No erection for 12 hours]
Ethan's pace faltered for a second. 'Flirt with her? Why would I want to do that?' he wondered, perplexed by the seemingly random task.
"[Well, you need all the points you can get to level up, right? Plus, you can't deny you haven't noticed how she looks at you,]" Lilith's voice echoed in his mind, a hint of teasing in her tone.
Ethan glanced at Lara, who was focused on her run, her brow glistening with sweat. He knew Lilith had a point. Lara had been friendly towards him, and there had been moments where he'd caught a certain look in her eyes. But flirting? That was uncharted territory for him, especially under these circumstances.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. 'Just a task, nothing more,' he thought, trying to convince himself. With a slight nod, he accepted the task. He increased his treadmill's speed, planning his approach.
'30 minutes of flirting, huh?' Ethan thought, a mix of apprehension and determination in his mind. He glanced at Lara again, taking in her determined expression and athletic form. 'Here goes nothing…'
Ethan steadied his pace on the treadmill, his mind racing with how to approach the task. Just as he was about to slow down and step off, Lara spoke up, her voice breaking through his thoughts.
"Hey Ethan, could you help me out with the weights after your run?" she asked, a hint of genuine need in her voice.
Surprised by the timely intervention, Ethan nodded. "Sure, no problem," he replied, trying to sound casual.
Ethan finished his run on the treadmill, feeling the sweat slick on his skin. Without much thought, he pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside.
He didn't notice Lara's gaze momentarily linger on his well-defined chest and abs, a fleeting look of appreciation flashing across her face before she quickly refocused on her own workout.
"Hey Ethan, could you give me a hand with these weights?" Lara asked, her tone casual but with a slight strain from her exercise.
"Sure thing," Ethan replied, walking over. He picked up the heavier weights, feeling the familiar strain in his muscles. "What's the plan? Upper body strength?"
Lara nodded, adjusting her grip as Ethan demonstrated the proper technique. "You're making this look too easy," she remarked, a playful edge in her voice.
Ethan chuckled, his tone light. "Years of practice. You'll get there."
They fell into an easy rhythm, Ethan offering pointers while Lara worked through her sets. Their conversation was light, filled with the occasional tease and laugh, creating a relaxed atmosphere in the otherwise intense gym environment.
As they continued, the door to the gym burst open. A team member, breathless and wide-eyed, rushed in, holding a tablet. "Guys, you all need to see this now," he said urgently.
Ethan's attention snapped to the tablet, the light atmosphere dissipating instantly. The news headline blared across the screen, demanding immediate attention.
[Breaking News: Unprecedented Demon Activity in Manhattan]