Chapter 9: The Hidden Blade
The air in the training warehouse was stifling, weighed down by the tension of Ethan's encounter with Alaric the previous night. Kaden's expression was unreadable as he reviewed the events Ethan had recounted.
"You didn't engage," Kaden said finally, his voice flat. "Good. Alaric's not someone you fight until you're ready."
"I didn't have a choice," Ethan muttered, leaning against the wall. "He said the Concord's coming for me, that I don't deserve the Codex."
Kaden's jaw tightened. "They always think power belongs to them. That's why they're dangerous—they don't see individuals, just tools and threats."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Then what's the plan? Am I supposed to just wait for them to come and hope I'm strong enough by then?"
"No," Kaden said sharply. "We take the fight to them, but not yet. You're not ready for a direct confrontation, but there are other ways to weaken them. Their network is vast, but it's not invincible."
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Alaric's appearance is both a threat and an opportunity," Kaden explained. "He's their enforcer, but he doesn't work alone. If we can track his movements, we might uncover their next move before it happens."
Ethan nodded, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "Alright. Where do we start?"
An Unexpected Ally
Before Kaden could respond, the warehouse door creaked open. Both men tensed, ready for trouble, but it was Aria who stepped through.
"Nice place," she said, glancing around. "Very rustic."
"What are you doing here?" Kaden demanded, his tone sharp.
"Relax," Aria said with a smirk. "I'm here to help. Word on the street is Alaric paid you a visit, Cross. That's not the kind of thing you ignore."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Kaden, unsure how to respond.
"And why would you help us?" Kaden asked, his suspicion evident.
Aria shrugged. "Because I don't like the Concord any more than you do. And because if they're after him," she pointed at Ethan, "it means they're desperate. That's the kind of leverage I can use."
"We don't need your leverage," Kaden said coldly.
"Maybe not," Aria replied, unfazed. "But you need information. And I've got plenty of it."
Ethan stepped forward, his curiosity piqued. "What kind of information?"
"Like where Alaric is right now," Aria said.
Kaden's eyes narrowed. "And how would you know that?"
"Let's just say I've got my own sources," Aria said cryptically. "The point is, I can help you track him down. But I'm not doing it out of the goodness of my heart. If we're going to work together, I want something in return."
Kaden crossed his arms. "What do you want?"
"A cut of the Codex's power," Aria said bluntly.
Ethan recoiled. "What? No way."
"Relax," Aria said, holding up her hands. "I'm not talking about taking it from you. Just… letting me borrow it. Cheat artifacts like that have residual energy. Enough for someone like me to tap into without stealing it outright."
Kaden shook his head. "That's too risky."
"Your call," Aria said. "But without me, you're flying blind. Think it over."
Into the Shadows
Against his better judgment, Ethan convinced Kaden to accept Aria's help—for now. The trio set out that night, following a lead Aria had uncovered.
They arrived at an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. The building loomed over them, its broken windows and rusted exterior giving it an eerie feel.
"This is where he's been operating," Aria whispered. "Or at least, where his lackeys are."
Kaden nodded. "We go in quietly. No unnecessary fights. If we can gather intel without being seen, even better."
Ethan's heart pounded as they slipped inside, the shadows swallowing them whole. The interior was dark and labyrinthine, the air thick with the smell of oil and decay.
They moved cautiously, avoiding the faint light spilling from a room at the far end of the hall. Voices drifted toward them, low and indistinct.
Kaden gestured for them to stop, crouching behind a stack of crates. "Listen," he mouthed.
Ethan strained his ears, catching snippets of the conversation.
"…progress on the artifact?" one voice asked, sharp and commanding.
"Alaric says the boy has it," another replied. "The Codex. He's stronger than we anticipated."
"Then we accelerate the plan," the first voice said. "The Concord doesn't tolerate delays. Ensure the extraction team is ready."
Ethan's blood ran cold. They were talking about him.
Kaden motioned for them to retreat, but as they turned to leave, a metallic clang echoed through the space. Ethan had bumped into a loose pipe, sending it clattering to the floor.
The voices stopped.
"Who's there?"
A Narrow Escape
Ethan barely had time to react before the room erupted into chaos. The Concord agents emerged, their cheats crackling to life. One raised a hand, sending a burst of flame hurtling toward them.
"Move!" Kaden shouted, grabbing Ethan and pulling him behind cover.
Aria retaliated with a sharp whistle, the sound amplified into a concussive blast that sent their attackers stumbling.
"Time to go!" she yelled.
They sprinted through the maze of corridors, dodging attacks as the agents gave chase. Ethan's mind raced, the Codex pulsing in his hands. He fired tendrils of energy behind him, creating barriers to slow their pursuers.
As they reached the exit, Kaden turned and hurled a smoke grenade, filling the factory with a choking haze. The trio burst into the night air, their hearts pounding.
"Too close," Kaden muttered, glancing back at the building.
Ethan doubled over, trying to catch his breath. "They know about me. About the Codex. What do we do now?"
"We keep moving," Kaden said grimly. "And we hit them before they hit us."
Aria grinned, despite the danger. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."
Ethan straightened, his resolve hardening. The Concord was closing in, but he wouldn't back down. If they wanted the Codex, they'd have to go through him.
---