Chapter 6: The Price of Power
Ethan woke up the next morning to the sound of knocking. It was sharp and deliberate, a stark reminder of the chaotic events that had started to define his life. He groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes. The Codex lay on the nightstand, its faint glow dimming as if conserving its energy.
The knocking came again, louder this time. Ethan reluctantly opened the door to find Kaden standing there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Get dressed," Kaden said without preamble. "We've got work to do."
Ethan groaned. "Kaden, it's barely sunrise. Can't we—"
"No," Kaden interrupted, his tone firm. "The world doesn't care about your sleep schedule, Cross. If you want to survive, you train."
Ethan sighed but didn't argue. He was starting to understand the stakes. Within minutes, he was dressed and walking with Kaden to their training spot—a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
A New Lesson
Today's lesson was different. Kaden had set up a series of obstacles, each one more dangerous than the last. There were swinging blades, collapsing walls, and even mechanical dummies that moved unpredictably.
"What's all this?" Ethan asked, eyeing the setup nervously.
"Your cheat isn't just about raw power," Kaden said. "It's about adaptability. If you can't think on your feet, you'll die. Today, you're learning to move, react, and use your cheat under pressure."
Ethan frowned. "What if I screw up?"
Kaden smirked. "Then I'll laugh, and you'll get back up. Now go."
Reluctantly, Ethan stepped into the course. The first obstacle was simple enough: a wall with shifting panels that required precise timing to cross. Ethan summoned his energy, forming small, precise tendrils to push the panels aside as he moved.
He barely made it through when the next obstacle activated—a series of mechanical arms swinging down toward him. Ethan ducked and rolled, sending a burst of energy to knock one arm off balance. It clattered to the floor, but the others kept coming.
"Focus, Cross!" Kaden shouted from the sidelines. "You're overthinking. Trust your cheat!"
Ethan gritted his teeth and extended his energy outward, forming a protective barrier around himself. The arms slammed into it, their force absorbed by the swirling energy. Ethan moved forward, each step more confident than the last.
By the time he reached the final obstacle—a collapsing wall—Ethan was drenched in sweat but determined. He summoned a massive burst of energy, creating a shield above him to hold the debris in place as he crawled through.
When he emerged on the other side, Kaden was waiting, arms crossed and a rare smile on his face.
"Not bad," Kaden said. "You're starting to get it."
Ethan collapsed onto the ground, breathing hard. "That… was insane."
Kaden chuckled. "Get used to it, Cross. The world isn't going to give you a breather."
A Glimpse of the Enemy
Later that evening, as Ethan and Kaden walked back to the apartment, something felt… off. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual hum of the city replaced by an oppressive silence.
"Stay close," Kaden muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Ethan frowned. "What's wrong?"
Kaden didn't answer, but his body tensed. Ethan followed his gaze and saw a figure standing at the end of the street. They were cloaked in darkness, their features obscured, but the aura they exuded was unmistakable—danger.
The figure took a step forward, and Ethan instinctively reached for the Codex.
"Easy," Kaden said, holding up a hand. "We don't know what they want yet."
The figure stopped a few feet away, their voice low and chilling. "Ethan Cross, bearer of the Codex. You've made quite the impression."
Ethan's heart pounded. "Who are you?"
"Someone who appreciates power," the figure replied, their tone laced with menace. "But you? You're wasting it."
Ethan's grip on the Codex tightened. "I don't care what you think. Stay away from me."
The figure chuckled. "Bold words for someone so new to this game. Tell me, Cross, do you even know what you're holding?"
Kaden stepped between them, his cheat flaring to life. "That's enough. If you've got a problem, you deal with me."
The figure's smile didn't waver. "Oh, I'll deal with you soon enough, old man. But for now…" They raised a hand, and a surge of dark energy erupted, slamming into Kaden's barrier.
The force knocked Ethan off his feet, but Kaden stood firm, countering the attack with his own power.
"Run, Ethan!" Kaden shouted, his voice strained.
Ethan hesitated, torn between fleeing and helping. But he knew Kaden was right—he wasn't ready for this fight. Clutching the Codex, he turned and ran, the sounds of battle echoing behind him.
Resolve
Ethan didn't stop running until he reached the apartment. His chest heaved, his mind racing. Whoever that figure was, they were powerful—far beyond anything he had encountered before.
He clenched his fists, anger and frustration boiling inside him. He was tired of running, tired of feeling powerless.
"I need to get stronger," he muttered, his eyes blazing with determination. "No more hiding. No more holding back."
The Codex pulsed faintly in response, as if agreeing with him.
For the first time, Ethan felt a spark of hope. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he was ready to face it—no matter the cost.
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