Ethan was guided to a table laden with an enticing array of foods and drinks, but his mind was a whirlwind of confusion.
The events of the past few weeks weighed heavily on him: from nearly dying in that chaotic battle, to waking up to a system interface, and now, the miraculous recovery of his mother. Everything felt surreal, like a vivid dream that he was helpless to control. As a young boy, he never imagined he'd be thrust into such a bizarre reality.
Yet, with a deep breath, he willed himself to focus on the moment, shaking off the lingering anxiety.
The crystal skull reappeared, sputtering out smoke that didn't disperse but coalesced into a humanoid figure. The form condensed, bursting forth to reveal Trevor Barnes, Ethan's closest friend. He stood there in a sharp, elegant suit, his white hair gleaming like freshly fallen snow.
"Seems you finally woke up from your curse, Sleeping Beauty," Trevor teased, a grin plastered across his face.
Ethan blinked in surprise. "Curse? How long have I been out?"
"Two weeks."
"Two weeks?! Oh crap! I haven't showered in two weeks!" Panic washed over Ethan.
"Don't worry, we're preparing a very hot bath for you," a deep male voice chimed in, belonging to Amor Avluv, the strong and kind man who had been looking after him.
"You can take all the time you want in there after we finish this celebration," chimed in a soft voice—Petra Avluv, Amor's wife, who had always treated Ethan like family.
Just then, a loud voice broke through the chatter. "Honey boo! You're back!" A girl with a striking mix of blue and blonde hair bounded into the yard, her lively golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "I came to the hospital the other day, but I wasn't allowed to see you! We could have done so much together, but all is not lost! Now that you're back, we can start playing our new games. What do you say? I've missed you so, so much!"
Harley Avluv, the daughter of Amor and Petra, hugged Ethan tightly, her exuberance contagious. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her figure a striking combination of youthful curves and graceful elegance that made her stand out, even among such an impressive crowd.
The adults exchanged knowing smiles as they watched the interaction, their laughter warm and welcoming.
They had seen this playful bond develop over the years, and it was an amusing sight, though they knew something deeper lingered beneath the surface. Trevor and Lamair exchanged glances, their eyes wide with awe and envy as Ethan's face turned beet red, buried in the soft warmth of Harley's embrace. Clara, standing off to the side, looked as though she were about to explode with either rage or jealousy, while Emily's smirk suggested she was reveling in the rivalry unfolding before her.
"Harley! If you don't let me go, I'll die of suffocation!" Ethan managed to mumble, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry! I was just too excited to see you," Harley said, her face shifting to a pout. "I was preparing your hot bath just now."
"It's fine, really," Ethan replied, relieved yet slightly embarrassed. As he hugged her back, he felt a rush of comfort after two weeks of sterile hospital beds. "But can you make the bath cold? Like, very cold? I need it for some meditation while I'm in there."
"Oh, okay! I'll do anything for you!" Harley exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Mom, I'll be right back! Mwah!" She planted a quick kiss on Ethan's cheek before darting into the house, her long hair swaying behind her as she ran.
Ethan turned to find Clara, Trevor, and Lamair staring daggers at him.
The atmosphere thickened as he felt the intensity of their gazes, especially Clara's, which burned with a fierce blue spark. "Sorry, guys. That was my big sis, Harley. She's really nice."
"Of course. Very, very nice," Trevor said, his eyes glowing with mischief.
"Will you allow me to make her my..." Lamair started, his eyes gleaming with ambition, but he didn't finish as Ethan and Trevor cut him off in unison.
"No fucking way!"
"Yeah, very nice," Clara muttered, her jealousy palpable.
"No hard feelings, guys. Hehe. Guys? Guys?" Ethan's voice trailed off as thick white smoke enveloped him. He pleaded for mercy, but laughter echoed around him, drowning out his protests.
---
After what felt like an eternity of playful banter and teasing, Ethan found himself walking up the stairs to his room. Exhaustion washed over him like a heavy blanket. He had never experienced such a whirlwind of joy and chaos in such a short time, but the wicked system had ruined some of the fun. It had deliberately reduced the time limit for his bizarre quest, forcing him to hurry through the festivities.
As he entered his room, he felt a wave of relief. His comfy bed beckoned, promising sweet sleep. But Ethan gritted his teeth, shaking off the urge to collapse into its embrace. He was determined to face the cold water and the challenge ahead.
He peeled off his clothes, his skin feeling prickly after two weeks of confinement, and made his way into the bathroom. The air inside was cooler, and he could see his cultivation solution waiting for him in the tub, glistening like ice under the bathroom light. It was a sharp contrast to the warmth of the celebrations, and he steeled himself for the shock of the icy water.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan stepped into the tub. The coldness hit him like a wave, jolting his senses and sending a shiver down his spine.
It was a shock, but he welcomed it. As the icy water enveloped him, he felt a rush of clarity wash over his thoughts. The initial sting of the cold faded, and he settled into a meditative state, focusing on the system's countdown that loomed over him.
As he closed his eyes, he allowed the cold to seep into his bones, grounding him, reminding him of his purpose. The laughter of his friends echoed in his mind, a reminder of the bonds he had formed and the adventures that lay ahead.
"I can do this," he whispered to himself, letting the chill wash over him like a cleansing wave. "I'm not just a boy anymore. I've got the power to change things."
With renewed determination, Ethan focused on the challenge before him, ready to embrace whatever came next.