Ethan woke up with the first light of dawn filtering through the curtains of his room. As he sat up in bed, the events of the previous night came back to his mind like a torrent of confused sensations and memories. He had given in to his desires once again, a tendency he had noticed becoming more pronounced since his fusion with the demon Apophis.
He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his hands with a mix of curiosity and concern. Since he had allowed Apophis to merge with him, not only had he gained an enormous amount of power, but his emotions and desires had also intensified. Passion, anger, and an insatiable voracity seemed to have amplified within him. He wondered if this was a simple consequence of the fusion or something intrinsically related to the most basic instincts of demons.
"What good is having all this power if I can't do as I please?" he asked quietly, as if seeking an answer in the silence of the room.
After a few moments of reflection, Ethan decided that this new intensity in his emotions wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He had spent much of his life suppressing his desires and emotions for the sake of logic and efficiency. But now, with power that made him stand out as a mage, it was time to combine both characteristics, indulging his desires without losing rationality.
"Let's see where this takes me," he murmured, making a decision. From that day on, he would allow himself to be freer, more authentic in his desires, without the chains of self-restraint he used to impose on himself.
While Ethan was lost in thought, Yassmin was busy elsewhere in the palace, seeking information that could be crucial for her future and Ethan's. She had managed to arrange a meeting with one of the council's elders, a man with gray hair and sharp eyes, whose wisdom and knowledge were highly respected among the Egyptian mages.
"Thank you for seeing me so early," Yassmin said, bowing slightly in respect.
"No problem, miss. I understand that time is of the essence and there's much to discuss," the elder replied, his voice resonating with the gravity of someone who has seen and understood more than anyone else could imagine.
Yassmin quickly steered the conversation toward the topic that concerned her the most: the reincarnation ritual of Ra.
"I've heard rumors that the ritual is being brought forward. Is that true?" she asked cautiously, watching the elder's reaction.
The elder sighed and nodded slowly.
"Yes, it's true. The council has decided to move the ritual forward. Originally, we had more time, but circumstances have changed."
Yassmin frowned, trying to understand the motivation behind this decision.
"Why the sudden change?" she insisted.
The elder looked at her intently, as if evaluating how much he could trust her before speaking.
"The truth, although no one will admit it openly, is that many on the council fear Ethan Blackwood. His power has exceeded all expectations, and some of the elders fear he might end up killing one of the chosen ones before the ritual."
The revelation left Yassmin thoughtful. She knew Ethan was powerful, but she hadn't imagined he could provoke so much fear among the magical leaders. Something strange seemed to be happening.
"How much time do we have?" she finally asked.
"Only three days. You must be prepared by then," the elder replied seriously.
With this crucial information in mind, Yassmin returned to the rooms, where she found Ethan in the midst of his preparations. Although he had few resources compared to those in his laboratory, Ethan was determined to do the best he could with what he had on hand.
"We only have three days before the ritual," Yassmin informed him as she entered the room.
Ethan nodded, unsurprised. He had expected this outcome after hearing yesterday's conversation.
"We still have some time. I need to prepare as best as I can," he said, packing his instruments and potions into his travel bag.
Yassmin approached him, her gaze filled with a mix of concern and determination.
"Ethan, you have to be careful; something strange is behind all this. Fortunately, thanks to your help, I've already rid myself of the mark, so I'll be fine, but you still need to stay alert."
Ethan nodded, aware of the risks. As he finished his preparations, a question lingered in his mind: How could he justify an attack on Ra once he was reincarnated without losing the support of the Egyptian mages and even Yassmin?
Despite mulling over the problem, he couldn't find a clear answer. He knew that one wrong move could turn all his allies into enemies. But he also knew he had to be ready to act, regardless of the consequences.
Finally, the day of the ritual arrived. Ethan, Yassmin, and Yassir made their way to the place where the ceremony would take place. It was an ancient temple, hidden deep in the desert, protected by magical barriers that concealed it from everyone's view. Yassmin, despite having removed Ra's mark, presented herself alongside the other three chosen ones, keeping secret the fact that she was no longer bound to the ritual.
As they advanced through the temple, Ethan couldn't help but think about how he could confront Ra without the Egyptians seeing him as a threat. He knew he needed a plan, but time was slipping through his fingers like sand.
Finally, they reached the main chamber, where preparations for the ritual were already underway. Ethan observed the other chosen ones, each with an expression of determination and perhaps a touch of fear.
"This is just the beginning," he told himself, aware that the next few hours would be crucial in defining his future and that of everyone present.
As the ritual was about to begin, Ethan looked at Yassmin, who was by his side. He knew he had to be ready for anything, even to face a reincarnated god if necessary.