Ch 27: Preparing for the future- Part 2

Ethan let out an exaggerated sigh, placing a hand over his chest.

"No one appreciates me. I go out of my way to help, and what do I get? Betrayal! My familiar and special person has turned against me. Whatever shall I do?" 

He lamented, shaking his head. 

His golden eyes gleamed with mock hurt, lips curled in an exaggerated pout. 

Ethan was playing around and he looked happy to be the center of attention.

For a brief moment, Selene saw a glimpse of the Ethan she used to know—the one from before everything changed and the one whom she called as her best friend.

However, that feeling lasted just a second and was much more painful to think about than she expected.

It hit her harder than she expected, a sharp pang in her chest.

But she quickly shoved the feeling away.

That Ethan was long gone and this one was an asshole that seemed to not care about anything she had to say.

Zara, meanwhile, rolled her eyes and cut through Ethan's theatrics with a sharp tone.

"Enough whining. We need to hurry up and get started."

Ethan dropped the act immediately, his expression shifting back to indifference. Her attitude clearly said that she was used to this all and she did not want things to get any more complicated.

"Yeah, yeah." 

Ethan muttered, waving a dismissive hand. His tone was also softer than expected. The pair had such natural chemistry that it felt difficult to interfere between then,

Selene felt like she did not even want to try getting close

Without another word, the trio left the café and headed to Ethan's car.

Selene was grateful she hadn't brought her SUV. At least now she didn't have to worry about coming back to retrieve it.

Once they were all inside, Ethan started the engine and turned to them with a smug smile.

"I'm taking you both to a place where you can improve yourselves. You'll be forced to push past your limits." 

He announced, a knowing glint in his eyes. 

Selene frowned slightly.

That didn't sound ominous at all.

She kept her expression neutral, unwilling to show any hesitation.

But somehow, Ethan noticed anyway.

His gaze flickered to her through the rearview mirror, and his lips twitched into a small smirk.

"Don't be scared, Selene. I'll protect you." 

he said, voice smooth and serious. 

For a second, Selene almost felt touched at those words. She felt like she was being cared for by her old friend..

But before she could react, Zara scoffed loudly, arms crossed.

"Yeah. Right after he throws us both into a pit. If we ever die, there is a 70% chance that it is Ethan's doing. He is crazy enough to do that." 

She said dryly. 

Selene blinked.

"…What?"

She turned back to Ethan, expecting some kind of denial.

But Ethan didn't say a word, almost as if he was confirming the accusation made against him. Somehow, it felt better to not ask anything.

He simply kept driving, his smirk widening ever so slightly.

That was all the confirmation she needed.

______

Ethan finally pulled the car to a stop in front of a cave entrance hidden deep in the forest. The place was eerily quiet, with no signs of human activity.

Selene hesitated as she stepped out of the car, eyeing the cave warily.

"Are you sure it's safe for us to be here? There's no one around. If something happens—" 

She asked, only to be stopped in the middle.

Zara stretched her arms, looking completely unconcerned. 

"It's fine. We have Ethan. He might look careless and be ready to kill us any second, but we're safe with him around…from others, that is."

That wasn't exactly the most reassuring response, but Zara elaborated.

"His family probably owns this place. They must have turned it into private property that only we can visit." 

She said with a shrug. 

Selene blinked at that.

She supposed it made sense. Ethan's family was powerful. If they wanted to turn an entire forest into their personal training ground, they could.

Still, she struggled to feel impressed.

Her own family was just as wealthy and influential.

Zara took one look at her blank expression and sighed dramatically. 

"Wow. No reaction? What a killjoy. Most people would be freaking out right now."

Before Selene could respond, Ethan lazily swatted Zara on the head.

"If you've got that much energy, then use it to prepare yourself. There is no need to bully someone like this." 

Ethan's response was surprising and even Selene felt surprised that he had spoken up.

Zara swore under her breath and rubbed her head at his response. But she also looked a little amused for some reason.

That reaction surprised Selene. Zara always acted cool and composed, but seeing her lose her temper for a moment made her feel oddly more… human.

With that, the three of them made their way inside the cave.

The temperature dropped instantly.

Selene shivered as the cool, damp air surrounded her, making her skin prickle. The deeper they walked, the more unnatural the place felt.

Something was wrong.

Before she could voice her concerns, the space around her shifted.

The moment she stepped past an invisible threshold, her vision blurred.

The cave seemed to stretch and twist before snapping back into place.

And suddenly—

She was alone.

Selene's heart pounded as she turned in circles, trying to find Ethan and Zara.

"Ethan? Zara?" 

She called. 

No response.

Her breath quickened. She could feel it now—something heavy in the air.

She wasn't alone.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from behind her.

Her body tensed.

Slowly, she turned.

At the other end of the room, a monster emerged from the shadows.

It was massive, its thick limbs covered in jagged, armored plating. Drool dripped from its elongated fangs as it snarled, its glowing red eyes locked onto her.

Selene's mind went blank.

A monster. A real one.

This wasn't like the Scouts that attacked her before.

This was something worse.

And it was coming straight for her.