Chapter 21: Cracks in the Foundation
Author: MrLostLetter
The weight in Ethan's chest had been growing for days. Every step he took, every decision he made, felt heavier. The silence that stretched between him, Lena, and Dorian wasn't just a pause—it was a widening gulf. Trust had always been fragile, but now it was beginning to crack. The safehouse was dimly lit, the faint hum of the holo-screens filling the air as Dorian ran another system diagnostic. Lena stood by the window, her gaze distant as she scanned the streets of Nexara's industrial sector below. Ethan could feel her tension without looking.
"Perimeter secure," Dorian murmured, but his tone was devoid of the usual confidence.
"Good." Ethan's voice was quieter than he intended.
The silence that followed was louder than any words.
"They're watching you."
Crowe's voice echoed faintly in the back of Ethan's mind, a subtle whisper laced with satisfaction. Ethan clenched his jaw, pushing the voice aside.
Not now.
But the echoes lingered.
"Ethan."
Lena's voice broke the silence, but her tone was colder than before.
"We need to talk."
Ethan's jaw tightened. He had been dreading this moment.
"Talk about what?" He tried to sound neutral, but even he could hear the edge in his voice.
Lena didn't look away from the window.
"You know what."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"You're going to have to be more specific, Lena."
That did it.
She turned, her eyes locking onto his with a mix of frustration and concern.
"Don't do that," she said softly, but there was steel beneath her words. "Don't act like nothing's happening."
Ethan met her gaze, but he felt detached.
"I'm fine," he murmured, but the words felt hollow.
"No, you're not."
Lena's eyes narrowed, and for the first time in a long time, Ethan saw something in her that scared him.
Doubt.
"Ethan..." She stepped closer, her voice softer now. "You're changing."
"She's afraid of you."
Crowe's voice was a whisper, barely audible, but Ethan could feel the truth in it.
"Shut up," Ethan muttered under his breath.
Lena's eyes flickered with concern.
"What did you say?"
Ethan blinked, realizing he had spoken aloud.
"Nothing." He shook his head quickly. "Just... nothing."
Lena didn't look convinced.
Dorian's voice cut through the tension.
"She's right, Ethan."
Ethan's head snapped toward Dorian, who had been quiet for far too long. His cybernetic implants flickered faintly as they adjusted to the dim light.
"What?"
Dorian leaned back against the console, arms crossed over his chest.
"Something's different," Dorian said quietly. "The way you move. The way you... think."
Ethan's pulse quickened.
"You're imagining things," he said, but his voice was too sharp, too defensive.
"Are we?"
Lena's voice was barely above a whisper now, but it hit harder than any accusation.
"You don't see it, do you?" she asked softly.
Ethan clenched his fists at his sides.
"See what?"
Lena's gaze softened, but the pain in her eyes was unmistakable.
"You're not... you anymore."
The words hung in the air, suffocating.
"They know."
Crowe's voice was louder now, more insistent.
"They're starting to see through you, Ethan. You can't hide this forever."
Ethan's head throbbed.
Not now.
"I'm in control," Ethan said firmly, his jaw clenched.
"Are you?"
Lena's voice was gentle, but the doubt in her eyes sliced through him.
"Because it doesn't feel like it."
Ethan felt the pulse of the Codex in his veins, stronger than before. His instincts had been sharper, his reactions faster, but at what cost? He could feel it. Crowe's influence was no longer a distant whisper. It was seeping into his decisions.
"Ethan," Dorian's voice was quieter now, but there was no mistaking the edge in his tone.
"If you're not in control... we need to know."
"They'll never understand, Ethan."
Crowe's voice was a whisper, but it echoed louder than anything else.
"They'll turn on you the moment they see the truth."
Ethan's heart pounded in his ears.
"I'm fine," he said again, but this time, even he wasn't convinced.
Lena's eyes searched his, looking for something—anything—that would reassure her.
But Ethan didn't have any reassurance left to give.
"Tell them the truth."
Crowe's voice was almost... amused now.
"Or they'll find out the hard way."
Ethan's jaw clenched.
"I'm in control," he whispered, almost like a mantra.
But for the first time...
He wasn't sure if it was a lie.
"For now."
Crowe's voice faded, but the chill it left behind lingered.
Lena stepped back, her expression guarded.
"Ethan..." She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"If you're not honest with us... we can't help you."
Ethan felt the weight of her words settle over him, suffocating.
But what if telling them the truth...
Was worse than lying?
Dorian's voice was quieter now, but it cut just as deep.
"We're with you, Ethan."
"For now," Lena added softly.
Ethan's chest tightened.
"For now," Crowe echoed, his voice almost mocking.
Ethan didn't respond.
Because deep down...
He knew they were running out of time.
And the cracks were getting deeper.
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