The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 204: Ch : A familiar sight- Part 3

"Fuck! Why can’t I escape from you all even now? I am no longer the one you want me to be, nor ever was. It was always you who tried to mold me into something you wanted."

The voice spoke clearly and reflected Ethan’s emotions. And yet, it seemed to have made no difference.

Ethan stood in a void of pure darkness. The silence was suffocating, yet he remained still, his senses sharp.

Then, a soft voice called out to him.

Turning, he found a woman standing there, her red hair cascading down her back in waves.

Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she took a step closer, placing a delicate hand on his arm. Her touch was light, teasing, as if she had every right to stand so close to him.

She was breathtakingly beautiful. The kind of beauty that could topple kingdoms.

"You’ve been away too long. Since you are the emperor, you must take responsibility for your people. It is time for you to come back."

She murmured, her voice smooth and sweet.

As she spoke, the darkness around them shifted. It melted away, replaced by a breathtaking empire—golden palaces, grand spires, and vibrant streets filled with life.

It was a world straight out of a fantasy tale. And at its center stood Ethan.

The red-haired woman pressed herself closer, her warmth impossible to ignore.

"You need to keep your promise. You were promised to me and I want to have what I was promised so long ago."

She whispered, her lips almost brushing against his ear.

Her voice held no longing or even affection. What it held was obsession as well as a need to possess Ethan.

Ethan’s expression remained impassive.

He pulled his arm away from her grasp. His voice was cold as he said.

"I have no intention of marrying you or coming back to you. And I told you before, get out of my mind."

The woman’s smile didn’t falter.

"And even if I did, my affection for you no longer exists."

He continued.

The words struck a nerve. For a split second, her eyes darkened with fury, but it quickly disappeared. Instead, she let out a soft, knowing laugh.

"You can run all you want. But your past will always catch up to you....you will always come back to me."

She said, stepping back.

Ethan clenched his fists, but he refused to answer.

All he could see was Selene’s face when he closed his eyes. He wanted to see her again, talk to her again and feel safe with her.

’But that would be selfish. I should not involve Selene into my matters. She does not deserve to witness the mess that is my life.’

Ethan tried to reason, but he could still feel the presence around him.

The woman’s laughter echoed through the air, growing louder, sharper. Then, just as suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished, and the illusion shattered.

"I will be back, darling~ You won’t be able to escape me forever. Sooner or later, you will see the truth as well."

The illusion finally wore off, but instead of waking up, Ethan found himself somewhere else.

This illusion was different.

He recognized the garden instantly—the rows of blooming white roses, the soft scent of lavender in the air. It was peaceful, familiar.

And standing there was someone who had his face.

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

The figure was younger, his features softer, untouched by time and war. And beside him stood a girl with striking golden eyes and raven-black hair. Even though she was smaller, younger, Ethan would recognize her anywhere.

Selene.

Something warm spread through Ethan’s chest.

The younger version of himself turned to the girl and spoke with a gentle voice.

"It’s time to go back."

Selene pouted.

"But I want to stay a little longer."

A small chuckle left the younger Ethan’s lips as he reached out, patting her head.

The sight of it—the easy, natural affection—made Ethan’s heart ache. A feeling of sadness settled over him.

Then, the illusion cracked.

The warmth of the garden faded.

The last thing Ethan saw was his younger self leading Selene away, their figures vanishing into the distance.

______

Ethan finally shattered the illusion.

The false world around him cracked and dissolved, leaving him standing in an empty white room. His breathing was steady, but his mind was racing.

He had been the second person to break free.

His eyes flickered toward the space where the illusion had once been. Instead of feeling relief, he was filled with urgency.

He needed to find Selene.

Ethan clenched his fists. He was now sure of one thing—the owner of this body had known Selene.

There was something important about her, something he couldn’t quite grasp yet.

But none of that mattered right now. What mattered was reaching her.

He turned to leave, but as he stepped forward, the walls around him shifted. The once open space closed in, trapping him inside. It was almost as if the dungeon itself was refusing to let him go.

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell?" freewёbnoνel.com

He had never seen this happen before. Usually, once the illusion broke, the path forward was clear. Yet now, the dungeon was trying to keep him here.

Ethan crossed his arms.

"What is this?"

He muttered, half-expecting an answer. But of course, there was none.

The silence of the white room pressed in on him. It was suffocating.

Annoyance flared in Ethan’s chest.

He had no patience for this. He raised his hand, ready to tear the entire place apart.

Energy crackled around his fingertips as he prepared to unleash destruction upon the room.

But before he could strike, a notification appeared before him.

[Warning: Any attacks against the room will also harm the others still trapped in the illusion.]

Ethan’s expression darkened.

"Tch. Coward."

He muttered, lowering his hand.

He glared at the walls, frustrated but unwilling to risk hurting the others. For now, it seemed he had no choice but to play along.

But one thing was clear—he had to get to Selene. No matter what.