Linh hunched over her workstation, eyes locked on the floating holographic blueprint.
Her fingers danced across the interface, adjusting materials, reshaping components. The armor she was designing gleamed in simulation—reinforced with high-density alloys, layered with reactive smart-fabric. It could absorb shock, resist bullets, and deploy energy barriers in milliseconds to prevent its own weapons from causing harm. Sleek, seamless, and built for agility—perfect for Ethan's fluid, combat-heavy fighting style.
"Finally," Linh breathed, staring at the final design glowing inside the display case.
"One more week until Ethan wakes up," Bee said beside her, his voice soft. "Are you ready?"
Linh turned to him and smiled, a quiet determination in her eyes. "Yes. I'm ready."
—
In the recovery pod, Ethan's body trembled.
Muscles tensed. His eyes, still shut, twitched beneath their lids. He was dreaming.
The world around him burned.
Flames roared, devouring his childhood home. He knelt in the ashes, clutching his sister's lifeless body. His parents lay nearby—motionless, charred. Smoke and grief choked the air.
Tears streamed down Ethan's face.
"Darius… I will kill you," a voice echoed from within his soul.
With a sudden gasp, Ethan's eyes flew open.
He sat up fast—wires and tubes connected to his body.
Snarling, he ripped them out one by one.
He stumbled to the door. It didn't budge.
With a roar, he slammed his foot against it—blasting it open.
Alarms blared instantly. Red lights flashed.
Doctors and nurses raced down the hall toward him as he staggered out, took three steps—then collapsed, unconscious.
—
When he opened his eyes again, everything was still.
White light filled the room. Soft, warm. Familiar.
"Ethan… are you okay?"
A gentle voice. One he knew.
He blinked, vision clearing—Linh sat at his bedside, holding his hand.
"…Linh," he whispered.
"I'm here," she said with a smile, gently brushing his face.
Pain surged through his chest. He grimaced, muscles tightening.
"Easy," Linh said calmly. "You're still healing."
"Want some porridge?" she asked, her voice kind.
Ethan didn't answer. His eyes burned with rage. Jaw clenched.
"Darius… he must die."
Linh looked at him for a long moment, sadness in her eyes.
She said nothing.
She simply nodded—once.
—