15 Undercurrents

While Ashley was enjoying a newly founded popularity and fan base...

Somewhere in Russia.

Two people were in a room that looked like it belonged to either a science facility or a military base. One was a young girl in her late teens who sat on a medical bed. The other appeared to be her father, a well-built, stout man whose eyes held an unfathomable depth to them. "Nastya," the girl's father spoke to her with a gentle tone that didn't seem to befit his appearance.

"We've heard reports of an Edict Evolution happening in Japan." he stated. "I don't know what Rusalkan told you, but it is possible that if we can obtain his body, we can make full use of the power given to you by the Edict of Ivan the Terrible."

The girl, Anastasia, had already awoken her ether ability before attaining Ether Resonance at an incredibly young age. Her great-great-grandmother was Evgenia Sokolov, who was part of the legendary team that discovered the tablets. She had a natural affinity to ice, however the tablet gave her the power to control lightning. It was the bane of evil things, and as a result she didn't take kindly to the implications behind what her father told her to do.

"Father, I do not believe in doing such disgusting things even in the pursuit of power," Anastasia growled. She seemed to have her own sense of morals and justice. "I will be happy to investigate what exactly happened there, but I won't stoop that low as to give you and your team the power to dissect him. Someone who has undergone that type of evolution is already a part of the Primogenitor's race. Even if I desired it, Rusalkan would not approve."

Anastasia's father, Alexey, was part of a secret science team sponsored by the Russian government that was created specifically to carry on the research started by Evgenia Sokolov, herself a talented scientist who lived far longer than anyone else on her team. Alexey himself was actually not related to the team, Evgenia was Anastasia's maternal ancestor. However, her mother passed away during childbirth.

Alexey frowned but could not bring herself to force Anastasia to do anything more than to investigate the circumstances behind the person who had successfully unlocked the Edict in Japan. Their sister team in China had sent in a report saying that they didn't have the Edict of the Yellow Emperor, but they were sure that the evolution in Japan was not the Edict of Amaterasu. This led Alexey to believe that the person who evolved must have been related to Harriet and Ken.

"Alright, my child. I won't force you to go against your beliefs. You are strong and stubborn like your mother!" Alexey laughed. "I will take you to the meeting room. We will discuss the plan there."

Anastasia simply nodded as the both of them left the plain room...

***

Las Vegas, America.

A man with a body that could only be described as akin to a Greek god was laying on a bed in a lavish hotel suite, two beauties sandwiching him gently. It was not known whether the two ladies were escorts or if they were intimately involved with him. The man's eyes suddenly glimmered as his mouth curled up into a salacious smile. He gently stroked the hair of the women with him, both responded with coy giggles.

"Hehe... It is nice to relax like this, isn't it?" The man spoke, his tone gruff but confident and relaxed.

The women didn't say anything, but they too, appeared relaxed and happy to be spending time with this incredibly handsome and definitely rich person. However, the man seemed to have different thoughts in mind for the meantime. After giving the two women a kiss each, he said he would have a breath of fresh air out on the veranda, and asked them to stay put for now. They obeyed willingly, and it seemed as if the man hadn't mistreated them this whole time.

When the man went out to the balcony of the suite, he looked up at the sky.

"Another one has emerged," he spoke. "It looks like the war will get more interesting. Will there be a single victor? Or perhaps an alliance? It seems like there will be a lot of action to look forward to. I'll be waiting." he said these mysterious words to no one in particular before heaving a deep breath and returning to bed, presumably to enjoy more of a different kind of 'action.'