Whispers of the Concord

Chapter 8: Whispers of the Concord

The air was thick with tension as Ethan stepped into the training warehouse again the next morning. The encounter with Aria had left him uneasy. Her warning about the Concord's far-reaching influence played on repeat in his mind. He glanced at Kaden, who was busy setting up new equipment—several suspended orbs that hummed with a faint electrical charge.

"Are we going to talk about her?" Ethan asked finally, breaking the silence.

"Aria?" Kaden replied without looking at him. "What about her?"

Ethan frowned. "She seemed to know a lot about the Concord. More than you've told me."

Kaden sighed, his movements pausing. "She's not wrong about them having eyes everywhere. The Concord's influence runs deep, Cross. They've got informants, spies, and allies in every corner of the cheat community. That's why I told you to stay low. The less attention you draw, the better."

Ethan crossed his arms. "Then why are you pushing me so hard in training? Isn't using my cheat like ringing a dinner bell for them?"

Kaden turned to face him, his expression stern. "Because whether you like it or not, they already know about you. The Codex isn't subtle. The only way you survive is by being ready when they come. If you're not, they'll take the Codex, strip you of your cheat, and leave you with nothing—or worse."

The weight of Kaden's words hit Ethan hard. He nodded reluctantly and turned his attention to the floating orbs. "What's the plan for today?"

"These," Kaden said, gesturing to the orbs, "are designed to simulate unpredictable attacks. They'll fire energy blasts at random intervals. Your job is to deflect, dodge, and counter. No shields this time. You rely too much on them."

Ethan's eyes widened. "No shields? Are you serious?"

Kaden smirked. "Dead serious. Let's see how you handle it."

A Dangerous Dance

The moment Ethan stepped into the circle of orbs, they sprang to life, whirring and emitting soft hums. The first blast came without warning—a streak of blue energy aimed straight at his chest.

Ethan dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Another orb fired, and he barely managed to conjure a tendril of energy to deflect it.

"Faster!" Kaden barked. "You're too slow. Stop reacting and start anticipating!"

Ethan gritted his teeth, focusing on the rhythm of the attacks. He tried to sense the energy, to predict where the next blast would come from. The Codex pulsed faintly in response, its power flowing through him like a steady current.

As the blasts came faster, Ethan began to move more fluidly, his movements a mix of dodges, flips, and precise counterattacks. By the time the orbs powered down, he was panting but unscathed.

"Not bad," Kaden said with a nod. "You're getting better."

Ethan managed a weak smile. "That felt like getting hit by a storm."

"Good," Kaden replied. "Because the Concord will be worse."

A Meeting in Shadows

Later that evening, Ethan found himself wandering the city streets. He needed a break, some air to clear his head. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, and he felt like he was barely keeping up.

He turned a corner and froze. A figure was standing in the alley ahead, shrouded in darkness. For a moment, he thought it was the figure from before, but as they stepped into the dim light, he realized it was someone else.

The man was tall and thin, with pale skin and sharp features. He wore a dark coat that seemed to ripple as he moved.

"Ethan Cross," the man said, his voice smooth and calculated. "We finally meet."

Ethan tensed, his hand instinctively going to the Codex. "Who are you?"

The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Call me Alaric. I represent the Concord."

Ethan's heart raced. "What do you want?"

"The Codex, of course," Alaric said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's not something a novice like you should be handling. Hand it over, and I'll ensure your safety."

Ethan's grip on the Codex tightened. "Yeah, I'm going to pass on that."

Alaric's smile widened, and his presence became more oppressive. "You misunderstand, Cross. This isn't a negotiation. The Codex doesn't belong to you. It's far too powerful to be wasted on someone who doesn't understand its significance."

Ethan took a step back, his mind racing. He could feel the Codex pulsing against his palm, as though urging him to fight.

"You've been warned," Alaric said, his tone icy. "Next time, there won't be a conversation."

Before Ethan could respond, Alaric vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the faint echo of his voice.

Resolve in the Darkness

Ethan returned to the apartment, shaken but resolute. Kaden was waiting for him, his arms crossed.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Kaden said.

"Not a ghost," Ethan replied. "The Concord. A guy named Alaric."

Kaden's expression darkened. "Alaric. He's one of their top operatives. Ruthless, cunning, and deadly. If he's shown himself to you, it means they're escalating."

Ethan sank onto the couch, his mind racing. "He said the Codex doesn't belong to me. That it's too powerful."

Kaden sighed. "That's the Concord's way. They think they're the only ones who should wield powerful cheats. But don't let them intimidate you, Cross. The Codex chose you for a reason."

Ethan looked down at the glowing artifact in his hands. "I need to get stronger, Kaden. Faster. If they're sending people like Alaric after me, I can't afford to stay like this."

Kaden nodded. "Then we train harder. No shortcuts, no excuses. If you want to survive, you'll have to earn it."

Ethan met Kaden's gaze, his resolve hardening. "I will. Whatever it takes."

As the Codex pulsed faintly in his hands, Ethan felt a spark of something he hadn't felt before—confidence. The road ahead was dark and dangerous, but he wasn't backing down.

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