The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 113: Ch : The Trials of Sacrifice- Part 4

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat as he watched Selene throw herself off the cliff.

His instincts screamed at him to remain calm, to not react, but the other part of him—the slumbering consciousness of the real Ethan Park—stirred violently.

"Damn it!"

He muttered, his fists clenching.

Even after he had taken control, even after the original Ethan had agreed to lend his body to him, those lingering emotions remained.

Annoying.

Distracting.

Dangerous.

His mind raced, his true self wrestling with the remnants of the old Ethan’s attachment to Selene.

"She’s nothing to me. I will not give in to this feeling my shell has...or had for her. We made a contract and....fuck! What a headache"

He whispered, as if saying it aloud would make it true.

But his body moved before he could stop himself. He fortified his reward, wrapping before he decided to take the plunge.

He had no armor to protect himself, but he did not need it either.

The darkness swallowed him. Cold air whipped at his face, the descent a blur of jagged rocks and shadows.

His eyes sharpened, his senses on edge as he sought her out.

There—amidst the inky blackness, Selene’s unconscious form lay crumpled on a patch of damp earth.

Ethan reached out, his arms closing around her just as the dungeon expelled them.

"I want to hate you so bad....but I cannot. Why did you have to grab my attention like this?"

Ethan whispered, remembering the first time he saw Selene adn the familiar energy she had around him.

He still had not gotten any answers about how she had his energy around him, or why he felt drawn to her.

The world spun, and he barely registered the sudden shift from dark to light. His body hit the ground hard, but he curled around Selene instinctively, shielding her from the impact.

When the dust settled, he lay still, breathing heavily.

His body ached, but Selene remained unharmed. He stared down at her, frustration brewing within him.

"Why do you always do this to me?"

He whispered. His voice trembled, a mix of anger and something he refused to name.

Her peaceful face only worsened his agitation.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against her neck. It would be so easy. A slight squeeze, and she would be gone.

But his hand stopped. His fingers hovered, unwilling to close the gap.

His entire being screamed at him to finish it, to rid himself of the thorn lodged deep within his heart.

And yet... he couldn’t.

Ethan’s hand dropped to his side. A bitter laugh escaped him, hollow and sharp.

"You’re ruining me. Every time I’m around you, I change. And I don’t want to change."

He accused, as if Selene could hear him.

He lay down beside her, exhaustion overtaking him. The sky above was dull, gray clouds rolling by without purpose. It matched the heaviness in his chest.

For now, he would rest. When Selene woke, he would decide what to do.

’It feels so peaceful. Have I ever felt like this before I met Selene? I never expected my host’s emotions to affect me.’

Ethan did not know for sure that his host and Selene knew each other, but from context clues and other things, he was becoming more and more sure.

But for a while longer, he allowed himself to lie there, his breath steady, his presence a quiet guard over the girl who had become both his greatest weakness and his fiercest temptation.

Ethan lay on the cold ground, his body curled protectively around Selene.

His breathing had evened out, his senses attuned to the stillness around them. But as he began to relax, a prickling sensation crawled up his spine.

The dungeon’s energy was spiking.

His instincts screamed at him, the air around them vibrating with danger.

Ethan’s grip tightened around his weapon, every muscle in his body coiling like a spring.

He didn’t know what the dungeon planned, but he would not let anything touch Selene.

The door before him shimmered with an ominous light.

The temperature dropped, and the ground beneath him trembled. His weapon rose, poised to strike.

The door burst open, and he moved. His blade cut through the air, fast and precise, aimed directly at the threat.

A metallic clang rang out as steel met steel. A shield materialized before him, and behind it, Orion’s wide, panicked eyes.

"Whoa, whoa! It’s me!"

Orion shouted, his voice muffled behind his shield.

Ethan stopped mid-swing, his weapon a hair’s breadth from slicing through the shield. He let out a slow breath, drawing his weapon back.

"You need to announce yourself faster next time."

Orion lowered his shield cautiously, his face pale.

"Announce myself? I just got thrown out of the dungeon! You almost killed me!"

Ethan smirked, the sharp edge of his expression a mix of amusement and relief.

"Seems like the training is paying off. You managed to block me."

"Block you? I barely survived!"

Orion’s voice rose an octave.

"Then we’ll increase the intensity next time."

Orion’s face drained of color, and he shuffled backward, seeking refuge behind his shield once more. Ethan chuckled, but his focus remained sharp.

The dungeon rumbled again, and both men turned toward the shimmering portal.

Ethan rose to his feet, positioning himself between Selene and whatever would come next. Orion steadied his shield, his fear giving way to determination.

With a loud crash, the dungeon spat out another figure.

Dust and debris filled the air, and the silhouette tumbled forward, arms flailing.

Zara landed ungracefully, her hair a tangled mess and her expression a mix of fury and exhaustion. She groaned, pushing herself to her knees.

Ethan and Orion exchanged a look.

"Great. I see the boys got out fine. Thanks for waiting, by the way. What about Selene?"

Zara muttered, brushing dirt off her clothes.

Ethan shrugged.

"She’s fine. You don’t have to worry about her. See, she’s just sleeping there.

Zara shot him a glare, but when her eyes landed on Selene’s unconscious form, her expression softened. She moved closer, checking Selene’s pulse.

"She’s okay."

Zara announced, relief evident in her voice.

Ethan’s shoulders finally relaxed. Whatever chaos the dungeon had in store, at least they were all together—and still breathing.