Regulating the Mind

Chapter 68

This was something that Ethan needed to learn and experiment with, and home was the ideal setting for this. The open mountain range near his family's farm was the ideal location because they had gone hunting there many times. As he watched the blood ghosts, Katarina eventually descended to meet him; she was so ecstatic to see him that she failed to notice that many of her staff and employees were still in the area.

She lunged toward Ethan, the new high-ranking Marshal Knight, and kissed and hugged him despite the fact that he had a scarf covering his lower face. This situation caused everyone to gape in shock and disbelief as their company president was dating Knight.

Many recalled the new High Rank Marshal Knight that registers under the code of Nameless; many speculated it was this person because the weapons she was using were similar to those of that person, and the news about Nameless was still fresh and recent, so it was impossible not to make the connection. But because this wasn't the right time to gossip among each other as the monsters that were trying to kill them were still swarming and frantically pushing themselves into a window glass hole they created,

Katarine was engulfed by the weight of her mistake, unable to find a way to redeem herself. As the chaotic battle raged around her, an unusual alliance emerged from the fray—blood phantoms, eerily red-skinned and faceless humanoid entities, surged forth to fight for those deemed powerless.

The mere sight of these ethereal warriors shifted the perceptions of the onlookers, blurring the sharp recollection of their president's past actions. These spectral entities rallied to protect not only Etan but also the countless non-combatants who felt overlooked and undervalued in the throes of conflict.

Among the crowd stood a low-rank accountant, an ability user with the modest power to conjure electrical bursts from her palm. As she witnessed the blood phantoms engaging in combat, she turned to those around her, explaining their origin:

"These are blood phantoms, summoned by the Marshal Knight Nameless."

Her voice mingled with awe and confusion as she struggled to fathom the implications of such an invocation. The unassuming title of "Nameless" echoed through the air, and murmurs of disbelief quickly followed.

One impressed onlooker couldn't hold back his thoughts, breaking the tension with a suggestion. "He should be called the Vermilion Sovereign. Not Nameless."

The comment rippled through the crowd, igniting a spark of hope and admiration. Others chimed in, nodding in agreement, as a sense of newfound respect surrounded the enigmatic figure.

"Yes, that sounds much better than calling yourself nameless."

Another voice added, the atmosphere transforming as an identity began to take shape amidst the turmoil. These words not only honored the force behind the blood phantoms but also knitted the community closer together as they sought to reclaim their narrative in a world where power and recognition often seemed out of reach.

"All of this matter will be addressed soon enough; please be aware we are in the process of evacuating the premises."

"Yes, he is correct. Please go toward the east basement now."

"You heard the president, everybody move.!"

Katarine was happy that Ethan was with her he was always a calming presence in times of chaos, and she knew they would navigate this situation together with strength and determination. She squeezed his hand tightly as they followed the crowd towards safety, grateful for his unwavering support. As soon as they reach the lower ground, Katarine asks the supervisors and manager to count heads and make sure all the people inside the building were with them.

The Vermilion Sovereign took the lead in opening and securing the lock on the metal basement door, and Ethan, now going by a new code name, was warmly welcomed by everyone in the basement. The everybody gathered close together, awaiting word on whether or not everyone had escaped unharmed. Ethan took a deep breath, unsheathed the hefty metal door, and easily removed the lock with his bare hand , and then pushed the heavy metal ten by six-foot swinging door exposing the vacant parking lot at the far end of the building.

Ethan stood resolute at the forefront of the chaos, his keen gaze sweeping over the scattered remnants of the battle. Around him, Katarine and the other awakened combatants formed a robust line, ready to shield their colleagues from the lurking dangers that still threatened. This was no ordinary responsibility; it was a call to arms, a pact among them to safeguard not just the personnel but the integrity of their mission.

The sounds of distant skirmishes echoed faintly, a sobering reminder that they had to remain vigilant. While the group of capable fighters held back the tide of terror, their fellow employees worked tirelessly to carry the wounded and attend to the fatigued. Each moment was a race against time, as the cries for help blended into the urgent whispers of caution that advised against recklessness.

As staff began to pour out of the building—numbering around 270—the sense of urgency only intensified. Ethan had been aware of the precariousness of their situation, noting with relief that many of those who would have otherwise filled the ranks were absent. It was a small blessing amid the turmoil, allowing focused efforts on evacuating those in need while maintaining a semblance of order.

Yet with the potential for danger lingering in the air, each member of the makeshift rescue team understood the gravity of their task. There was a noticeable strain in the air, a shared determination to see that everyone emerged from this crisis, knowing well that the situation could take unforeseen turns at any moment. The ground was still shaking from the impact of possibility—who knew what might come crawling out of the ground next?

As Ethan saw that the vacant lot was still uninfected with these spiders , he wondered the reason and noticed that the garden surrounding the area was filled with lavender plants. This was something that Katarine liked to smell; coincidentally, lavender has strong scents that many humans enjoy, but that spiders hate. It was a unforeseen stroke of luck , as the flesh eating spiders were

As Ethan and Katarine stood at the edge of the vacant lot, he felt a strange mix of relief and curiosity wash over him. The space, untouched by the flesh-eating spiders that had ravaged the surrounding neighboring areas , served as a peculiar sanctuary.

Amidst the dry grass and neglected soil, a vibrant patch of lavender flourished, its floral fragrance dancing in the breeze. Katarine had always adored the scent of lavender, often remarking on its calming properties. But now, Ethan understood that there was something more to these delicate purple blooms—they were a natural repellent to the very creatures that had instilled fear in the hearts of so many.

This unexpected discovery felt like a fortuitous blessing, a bit of luck that had allowed this small oasis to remain unscathed. Ethan knelt to examine the lavender plants up close, inhaling their soothing aroma, and realized that this garden was more than just a buffer against the horrors lurking elsewhere—it was a reminder of resilience.

The spiders, with their grotesque appetite for flesh, were dissuaded by the scent that humans cherished. Perhaps there was more than just chance at play; perhaps nature had its own way of restoring balance, subtly avoiding devastation.

As he stood up, the sunlight glimmering off the lavender petals, Ethan's mind swirled with ideas. What if this vacant lot could serve as a refuge not only for the lavender but for the community as well? It could become a place where people gathered to find solace and strength amidst chaos. He envisioned a garden nurtured by hands eager to grow, a vibrant space infused with the fragrance of lavender—one that would withstand the sinister creep of the spiders.

Katarine smiled softly, the corners of her lips lifting as she settled onto the rough concrete floor of the parking lot. Ethan stood beside her, his gaze unwavering as he looked down at her, his beloved.

The warmth of the sun above bore down on them, but in that moment, the heat of their surroundings was eclipsed by the warmth radiating between them. The peaceful atmosphere, however, was shattered by the sudden sound of rapid gunfire ringing in the distance. At long last, the military had arrived—a formidable force, many of whom were skilled users of extraordinary abilities. Ethan glanced at the sun, its position indicating that they were likely approaching noon, and he felt a pang of anxiety mixed with relief.

Their stomachs grumbled in unison, reminding them of the time that had slipped away too quickly. As they observed the military group advancing, Katarine leaned closer to Ethan and whispered, "I hope they have food rations for us." His heart lightened at the thought that they were no longer alone—that help had finally come, bringing with it a glimmer of hope in their dire circumstances. "I never expected you would come back to save me again," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Have you forgotten that you're my girlfriend?" he teased lightly, though it was underscored by a serious undertone. Katarine chuckled softly, her eyes alight with affection. "No, not just a girlfriend. You're my fiancée." The declaration hung momentarily in the air, a sweet reminder of happier times that remained despite the chaos around them.

"How long have we been fighting those things?" Ethan mused, glancing at the military unit drawing closer. Katarine pondered for a moment before responding, "We were about to start the meeting; that was around 7:47 am." Her voice was tinged with frustration as she added, "From what our stomachs are saying, it has been four hours."

"My love, I would like to ask, did you really summon those reddish humanoid soldiers?" he inquired, curiosity lacing his words. Katarine bit her lip, her brow furrowing slightly as she contemplated her answer. "I'm actually not sure how I summoned them," she admitted, "I'll give you a more reasonable answer, hon, after we ensure every one of those 270 people is safe and out of danger."

"Sad as it may be, we could only hope for the best," Ethan replied, a sense of determination igniting within him. Katarine let out a weary sigh. "I am exhausted," she confessed, "but we must remain strong for everyone counting on us." Ethan nodded, understanding the gravity of their responsibility. "I agree," he affirmed. "We have a duty to protect them no matter what." As the weight of their vows settled around them, they shared a quiet resolve—together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead. The light of dawn filtered through the canopy of trees, illuminating their weary faces, both a testament to their struggles and a beacon of their unwavering spirit.

The distant wail of sirens began to fill the air, the sounds of a dozen ambulances finally rushing to the scene. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the cellphone signals flickered back to life, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. The screams that had once echoed through chaos were replaced by the frantic voices of worried loved ones. Katarine listened intently as countless pleas and cries for comfort filled the airwaves, each calling a thread connecting families torn apart by the catastrophic encounter with the enormous spider that had loomed over their lives.

Around them, the emotions were a potent mix of relief, sorrow, and gratitude, swirling like a tempest. The ordeal was finally over, yet the scars it left behind would take much longer to heal. News helicopters hovered above, capturing the aftermath of fear and resilience, while below them, the open parking lot became a refuge. Surrounded by lavender plants, which stood as silent witnesses to their ordeal, Ethan and Katarine felt a renewed sense of purpose. The flowers, alive with color, seemed to whisper promises of hope, reminding them that healing was possible even after the darkest of day. 

Ethan's first day as a knight was a little difficult and full of unanticipated adjustments that the Knight Association community was unaware of. However, the talk of the city was about the quick spread of these humanoid creatures with a blood red tint. The spider swarm onslaught was reversed in just a few minutes when Ethan Red's aura was given, and these summons were able to carry out their assigned tasks.

Because of the pandemonium engulfing the fighting zone, Ethan was unable to properly comprehend or study his awakened ability. He was also unable to see the large number of Blood Phantoms outside the Siegert corporate headquarters building that day. As he managed to approach the main lobby and assist the wounded and survivor, he was only able to concentrate on what was directly in front of him. The chaotic scene demanded his immediate attention, leaving no room for distractions or analysis of his newfound power. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Ethan remained focused on aiding those in need and ensuring their safety amidst the chaos.

The spider attack was finally controlled, and news concerning this calamity spread quickly throughout the city, sparking fear and concern among the residents. The authorities worked tirelessly to contain the situation and prevent any further attacks from occurring. The death toll was reasonable, but most were people working under the Siegert Corporation. Investigations about the lives that were taken were handled meticulously by the Siegert top corporate lawyers,

Mr. Ross quickly drove with all available assets and personnel under him toward the location and was able to secure the 270 survivors from getting bombarded with questions from reporters covering the incident. Mr. Ross was old but was still physically fit to manage many side projects that Siegert family businesses were involved in. One of them was the small dummy logistic warehouse company that Ethan was working at and then suddenly became its sole keeper until it was closed down due to undisclosed reasons, while Ethan was given the opportunity to remain the warehouse temporary custodian and resident.

Despite his age, Mr. Ross remained actively involved in overseeing the family's various ventures behind the scenes, providing guidance and support to Ethan, as Mr. Ross was the one that manipulated the situation, because Mr. Ross felt something about Ethan as soon as he saw him applying for the logistic delivery man, thinking Ethan might help his goddaughter, who was Katarine.

Mr. Ross took charge of the situation and order his men to send the wounded to the Siegert Hospital and treat them as VIP and ensure they received the best care possible. He also made arrangements for Katarine and Ethan to be safely escorted back to the family estate, where he could keep a closer eye on their well-being.