Uneventful Week

The next morning, Ethan woke up early. The room was still pitch black, quiet except for the soft breathing of his roommates. Like Gabe, Ethan found himself craving a few precious minutes alone to spread his wings, clear his mind, and sort through everything weighing heavily on him. Quietly slipping out of bed, he carefully made his way toward the bathroom, the cold tile beneath his feet sending a brief chill through him.

As he approached, Ethan heard the faint sound of the shower running. Slightly disappointed but determined not to disturb anyone, he slowly turned the corner into the shower area—only to be met by the startled gasp of Tim, who stood there, eyes wide with surprise, pale wings spread fully open. Tim had angled both shower heads toward himself, head resting against the wall as water streamed down his back.

"Holy crap, Ethan! You scared the hell out of me!" Tim exclaimed, visibly shaken as he hastily tried to pull his wings in, fumbling to cover himself.

Ethan jumped slightly, holding up his hands apologetically. "Sorry, Tim! I didn't know it was you in here. Why didn't you lock the door?"

Tim sighed, laughing nervously, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I thought I did! That stupid lock barely works."

Ethan chuckled softly, trying not to stare at Tim's flustered face or his still partially extended wings. "I'll, uh, wait by the sinks until you're done," he offered, quickly turning to give Tim privacy.

From opposite sides of the center wall, they talked about the days ahead and their upcoming trip to San Fransisco, their voices echoing lightly off the tiles. A few minutes later, Tim emerged, hastily wrapped in a towel and his wings hidden away. He smiled sheepishly at Ethan. "Okay, your turn. I'll watch the door."

"Thanks, Tim," Ethan replied gratefully, stepping into the showers. The warm water felt soothing against his skin as he spread his wings, carefully angling the water jets to wash over them. Ethan breathed deeply, savoring this rare moment of freedom.

Tim leaned casually against the sinks, keeping a vigilant eye on the bathroom door. They both knew how easily someone could unlock it from the outside. Privacy was becoming an increasingly precious commodity in their shared dorm, yet these stolen moments made the risk worth it.

About ten minutes later, Ethan's TapWatch buzzed, startling him slightly. He glanced down quickly, noting the bright display. "Time to wrap it up," he called out, turning off the water. "Unlock the door, Tim—the animals will be knocking any second now."

Tim laughed softly, quickly rushing to unlock the bathroom door. Ethan had barely finished toweling off when, as if on cue, the unmistakable chaos of their roommates erupted outside. Loud footsteps rapidly approached, accompanied by muffled, playful arguing. Ethan rolled his eyes affectionately, mentally preparing himself for the impending morning mayhem.

The bathroom door swung open dramatically, revealing Jimmy and Frank practically falling over each other in their eagerness. Jimmy rubbed his eyes, yawning loudly, while Frank pushed past, already shedding clothes and grumbling about needing the shower first.

Tim chuckled as he quickly exited the bathroom, avoiding the inevitable onslaught. Ethan followed, towel around his waist, shaking his head in disbelief. "Every morning..."

Gabe, now up and stretching dramatically, grinned at Ethan. "We really do live in a zoo, don't we?"

"More like a frat house," Ethan laughed, reaching for his clothes. "But honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Within moments, the bathroom was filled with the typical comedic morning routine: exaggerated complaints, exaggerated singing in the shower, and the constant banter that had somehow become comforting background noise to their daily lives.

As the usual chaos and camaraderie of the Tuesday morning routine faded into the steady rhythm of daily life at EarthCorp, the week sped by in a blur of classes, training, laughter, and increasingly elaborate bathroom antics. Days filled with combat drills, intense academics, and playful evenings of cards and jokes built an even stronger bond among Ethan, Gabe, Tim, Jimmy, Frank, and the girls.

Before they knew it, Friday evening had arrived. The group was particularly energetic as they wrapped up their last classes, eager for the weekend's plans, especially Tim's mother's funeral, which would allow them rare day passes off the island. The anticipation of leaving the confines of EarthCorp for a short time was palpable.

Meanwhile, deep within the administrative wing of EarthCorp, Admiral Levine sat in his austere office, scanning the updated list of recruits who had been granted weekend day passes. His eyes narrowed with predatory interest as he spotted two familiar names prominently displayed: Ethan Blade and Gabriel Starlight.

A dark smile played across the Admiral's lips as he immediately reached for the secure line on his desk, dialing quickly. After a moment's pause, the deep, measured voice of Blackstone Rocker filled the line.

"Admiral Levine," Blackstone acknowledged coolly.

"Sir, an opportunity has presented itself," Levine began confidently, his voice laced with sinister enthusiasm. "Ethan Blade and Gabriel Starlight have been granted day passes off facility grounds this weekend. I believe we can use this to our advantage."

Blackstone paused, clearly intrigued. "Continue."

"We can make it look like a simple mugging gone wrong," Levine continued, his voice lowered conspiratorially. "Eliminate Gabriel, capture Ethan, and retrieve the halo without suspicion."

"Excellent," Blackstone replied calmly, a note of approval evident in his voice. "Make sure it's done cleanly. No mistakes."

"Understood, sir," Levine responded, feeling a surge of malicious satisfaction.

Ending the call, Admiral Levine leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, plotting the specifics of their carefully crafted scheme as the unsuspecting group eagerly prepared for their much-anticipated weekend away.

The group walked from their last class of the day with high spirits, chatting and laughing despite the somber undertone they all felt for Tim. Tim, visibly depressed about his mother's upcoming funeral, was silently reviewing the letter he'd received, his eyes scanning the details of the extremely basic service. Ethan, keenly observing Tim's subdued demeanor, gently nudged him.

"Hey, Tim, mind if I take a look at the details?" Ethan asked softly, extending his hand.

"Hey, Tim, mind if I take a look at the details?" Ethan asked softly, extending his hand.

Tim handed over the letter without a word, his eyes cast downward, trying to mask his sadness. Ethan scanned the page carefully, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. The letter outlined a funeral that was, at best, bare bones and unceremonious—clearly constrained by the Crane family's challenging financial situation.

Ethan's mind immediately raced, his determination to support Tim growing with each line he read. He glanced discreetly at Gabe, signaling for him to slow down with the group so Ethan could get Tim alone. Gabe caught the signal instantly and began entertaining everyone with a hilarious retelling of their latest bathroom debacle, giving Ethan a chance to pull Tim aside briefly.

"Hey, Tim, would you mind running ahead and saving our usual table in the mess hall?" Ethan suggested casually, trying not to raise suspicion.

"Oh, sure thing," Tim replied quietly, unaware of Ethan's true intentions. He gave Ethan a small smile before jogging ahead.

Once Tim was safely out of earshot, Ethan quickly gathered their friends around, urgency evident in his voice. "Listen, everyone, we need to do something special for Tim. The funeral details... they're really basic, I mean, bare-bones… His family obviously can't afford anything nicer. I was thinking, maybe we could secretly chip in and help make the day a bit more meaningful for him and his family."

"Absolutely," Gabe responded immediately, his voice firm. "Tim deserves better than just the bare minimum."

Steph nodded vigorously, her eyes already moistening. "Count me in. Anything we can do, let's do it."

Jimmy stepped forward, surprising everyone slightly with his seriousness. "I'll help however I can. Tim deserves a proper send-off for his mom."

Frank and Eliza echoed similar sentiments, while Kelly, moved by the collective compassion, chimed in softly, "We can pool our TapCoins and give him a proper funeral arrangement. Flowers, food, maybe even some nice clothes for the family to wear."

Ethan smiled gratefully, relieved by the group's immediate willingness to help. "Great. Let's keep it a secret, though. I want this to be a surprise." Everyone nodded in agreement, their resolve clear and hearts united. Ethan pulled out his TapPad and quickly navigated to the funeral home's website. He found the service page for Edna Crane and tapped on the donations tab. His heart sank at the sight—only two donations, each just 10 TapCoins.

Ethan turned the screen towards them, pointing quietly at the paltry donations listed. "I think we can do better than this. Tim and his family deserve more," Ethan explained earnestly. "Donate whatever you're comfortable with."

Without hesitation, Steph stepped forward, gently tapping her watch against Ethan's pad. "Purchase - Stephanie Lorem - 100 TapCoins, Crane family funeral donation."

Eliza stepped up next, offering Ethan a supportive smile as she tapped her watch. "Purchase - Eliza Hart - 100 TapCoins, Crane family funeral donation."

One by one, Jimmy, Frank, Kelly, and Gabe followed suit, each donating generously. Ethan felt warmth and pride swelling within him, grateful to be surrounded by friends so willing to support one of their own. By the time the group had finished, the Crane family's funeral fund had grown significantly, now reflecting the compassion and solidarity of Tim's true friends.

Gabe moved forward quietly, eyes filled with deep empathy. He tapped his watch decisively against Ethan's pad, causing a quiet gasp from some of the group when they saw the amount appear. "Purchase - Gabriel Starlight - 500 TapCoins, Crane family funeral donation."

Finally, Ethan himself took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. With determination, he tapped his watch firmly, making a significant contribution. "Purchase - Ethan Blade - 1000 TapCoins, Crane family funeral donation."

A gentle chime echoed softly in Ethan's mind:

System Notification: Bonus XP Awarded: Unbelievable Kindness XP Earned: 125 XP

Ethan glanced briefly at Gabe, sharing a quiet nod of mutual understanding and gratitude, aware they'd made a genuine difference for their friend. Yet, despite the reassuring notification from the Halo system, Ethan couldn't help but feel slightly conflicted. A pang of guilt stirred within him; receiving XP for an act of genuine compassion felt unsettling, as though it diminished the sincerity of his gesture. He had donated out of true empathy and care for Tim, not to earn rewards. Resolving internally, Ethan decided he would always prioritize his friendships and humanity over any incentive the system could offer.

The group stood in silent solidarity for a moment, the significance of their combined gesture deeply felt by all of them. Ethan quietly closed the screen and nodded to everyone, gratefulness evident in his eyes.

"Let's make sure Tim knows how much we all care," Gabe whispered softly, receiving quiet nods of agreement from everyone.

The group made their way toward the bustling mess hall, their spirits lifted by the secret act of kindness they had just performed. Tim was already at their usual table, his arms crossed in mock annoyance as he saw his friends approach. "Well, well," he teased dramatically, raising an eyebrow, "nice of you guys to finally join me. Thought I was going to have to eat alone."

Ethan chuckled and clapped Tim gently on the shoulder. "Sorry, buddy. We had something important to take care of."

Tim feigned suspicion, eyes narrowing playfully. "Oh really? And what was more important than keeping your dear friend from starving to death?"

Gabe grinned broadly, settling into his seat. "Trust me, it was something worth waiting for."

Steph exchanged a knowing glance with Kelly and Eliza, all of them smiling quietly to themselves. Jimmy nudged Frank, winking mischievously, barely containing his excitement.

Tim looked around, noting the unusually secretive expressions on everyone's faces. "Okay, you guys are officially being weird now. What's going on?"

"Nothing," Ethan replied quickly, perhaps too quickly, trying to suppress a smile. "You'll find out soon enough."

Tim shook his head, smiling despite himself. "You're all terrible at keeping secrets."

"You have no idea," Gabe laughed warmly, handing Tim a tray and motioning toward the food line. "Now let's eat, before you start getting hangry."

Tim laughed, the tension of the week momentarily forgotten, and joined his friends in line, completely unaware of the generous and heartfelt surprise they had arranged for him.

The group eagerly chatted away about going to San Francisco, as Eliza and Kelly had never been before and were excited for a memorable night. They began making plans: Tim would stay with his family at his mom's house, the girls would stay at Steph's apartment, Ethan and Gabe planned to stay at Ethan's place, and Jimmy and Frank decided they would stay at Frank's home to avoid any uncomfortable encounters with Jimmy's father.

"Just promise me we'll have time to explore a bit," Kelly said excitedly. "I've heard the nightlife is amazing!"

"Absolutely!" Ethan replied, smiling warmly. "After the funeral, we'll make sure to have a great night in the city."

The group continued their lively chatter, sharing their excitement and expectations for the weekend ahead.

The group wrapped up dinner with excitement buzzing in the air. They headed back to their dorms, chatting animatedly about the weekend ahead and their upcoming trip. Everyone agreed it was best to turn in early, considering their plans involved catching the earliest ferry possible to the mainland.

Back in their dorm room, Gabe double-checked the ferry schedule on his TapPad, making sure everything was set. "Ferry departs at 0600 hours," he called out, "so alarms set for 0500, everyone."

"Ugh, 0500?" Jimmy groaned dramatically, flopping onto his bed with exaggerated despair. "That's brutal."

"You'll survive," Frank teased, tossing a pillow across the room, hitting Jimmy squarely in the face. Jimmy retaliated, leading to a quick pillow fight, filling the room with laughter and flying feathers.

Ethan smiled, watching Tim quietly pack his things. He walked over and softly asked, "You holding up okay?"

Tim nodded slowly, offering Ethan a faint smile. "Yeah, I'll be alright. Just a little nervous about seeing everyone back home."

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We're all here for you, remember that."

"Thanks, Ethan," Tim replied quietly. "I appreciate it."

"Alright, guys, enough fooling around," Gabe interjected, catching a stray pillow mid-air. "Let's get some sleep. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

The room quieted down as everyone settled into their beds. Ethan stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with anticipation. He couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was awaiting them in San Francisco, but he brushed it aside, convincing himself it was just excitement. Soon, the dorm filled with the gentle breathing of deep sleep, as they all rested up for the journey ahead.

As the group slept peacefully, unaware of the looming threat, Blackstone Rocker sat within the secure confines of his lavish office at EarthCorp headquarters in San Francisco. The room was bathed in the muted glow of countless screens, each displaying intricate data streams and surveillance feeds from around the globe. Reclined in his high-backed leather chair, Blackstone steepled his fingertips thoughtfully, eyes narrowed in concentration.

He pressed a button on the sleek interface embedded within his polished ebony desk, activating the holographic communication system. Within moments, five distinct holograms shimmered into view, each representing one of his elite operatives. They stood poised and solemn, awaiting their instructions.

"Thank you for responding promptly," Blackstone began, his voice calm yet commanding, with a subtle undertone of menace. "This operation requires absolute precision. You have one clear objective: eliminate Gabriel Starlight and abduct Ethan Blade."

The operatives exchanged brief, meaningful glances, acknowledging the gravity of their assignment.

Blackstone leaned forward slightly, his tone firm and decisive. "Gabriel is immensely powerful. Ordinary weapons will not suffice. You'll use obsidian blades provided directly by Marbas. These weapons were forged in the fires of Hell itself, specifically crafted to destroy celestial beings."

Reaching beneath his desk, he retrieved a finely crafted wooden box, etched with sinister markings. Opening it carefully, he revealed five obsidian daggers, their blades dark and reflective, absorbing the room's dim light as they pulsed subtly with malevolent energy. The operatives observed the deadly artifacts closely.

"These weapons will guarantee Gabriel's destruction," Blackstone continued coldly. "Use them effectively. Ethan Blade must remain alive; his halo is critical to our plans. Once Gabriel is neutralized, transport Ethan immediately to headquarters. Marbas alone possesses the ability to safely extract Ethan's halo."

He closed the box deliberately, returning it beneath his desk. "Failure is unacceptable. Proceed with utmost caution and discretion. Report immediately once your objective is complete."

"Understood," the operatives replied in unison, their holographic forms dissipating instantly, leaving Blackstone alone once more.

With calculated composure, Blackstone leaned back, a cold smile playing at his lips. His plan was now set irrevocably in motion, the fate of Ethan Blade and Gabriel Starlight sealed.

"Understood, sir," the lead operative replied smoothly, her voice calm yet decisive. "Do you have preferences regarding the extraction conditions or location?"

Blackstone Rocker leaned back thoughtfully, fingers steepled as his eyes glinted coldly in the dim glow of the monitors. "They'll be traveling from Los Angeles Island to San Francisco tomorrow morning for a funeral. Intercepting them during transit would appear as a random, violent act. This approach will minimize suspicion. Make certain there are no witnesses."

The operatives exchanged swift, meaningful glances, each recognizing the gravity and importance of their task. Another operative, his voice gruff yet assured, spoke up, "We'll develop the most effective strategy and execute it flawlessly."

"Excellent," Blackstone responded, his voice resonant with satisfaction and authority. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he scrutinized the holographic figures before him. "Remember, failure is not an option. Dismissed."

The holograms flickered briefly before vanishing, plunging the room back into a tense silence. Alone again, Blackstone allowed himself a thin, sinister smile. He tapped a sleek control on his desk, initiating a secure communication channel. Within seconds, the shadowy, indistinct figure of Marbas materialized, his presence ominous and oppressive.

"Is everything prepared?" Marbas's deep, resonant voice demanded.

"Yes," Blackstone assured confidently. "The obsidian blades are being delivered, and my team is fully briefed. Gabriel Starlight will fall, and Ethan Blade will soon be in your possession."

"Excellent," Marbas replied slowly, his tone heavy with dark anticipation. "Ensure this operation succeeds, Blackstone. Your position—and life—depend on it."

The holographic image abruptly dissolved, leaving Blackstone alone once more. He sat quietly in the sinister gloom of his office, contemplating the ruthless path he had chosen. Tomorrow would alter the course of everything—celestial beings would fall, destinies would shift, and power would finally be within his grasp.