Novels by Xich Lan

Ethan stood before Elder Iris, her silver hair shimmering like starlight, her eyes pools of unfathomable depth. The air around them crackled with psychic energy, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end."Are you prepared, Ethan Cooper?" Iris's voice echoed in his mind, bypassing his ears entirely. "To truly lead the Night Watchers, you must face what lies within."Before Ethan could respond, the world dissolved around him. He found himself in a vast, twisting corridor of mirrors, each reflection showing a different version of himself. Some were familiar – the construction worker he'd been just months ago, the confident leader he was becoming. Others were alien and terrifying – a version consumed by Void energy, eyes black as night; another, broken and defeated, cowering in fear."Welcome to the labyrinth of your mind," Iris's voice reverberated through the maze. "Navigate its depths, confront your truths, or be lost forever."Ethan's heart raced as he began to move, each

The ancient temple stood atop a mist-shrouded mountain, its weathered stones humming with elemental energy. Ethan Cooper, leader of the Night Watchers, stood before its massive doors, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. This was to be his greatest test yet – a trial by the very forces of nature themselves.As the doors creaked open, a figure emerged from the shadows within. Elder Feng, master of the elements, regarded Ethan with eyes that seemed to contain entire storms. His long white beard flowed like a river, and the air around him shimmered with barely contained power."Ethan Cooper," Feng's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "You have faced deception and overcome it. But can you stand against the raw fury of the elements?"Ethan squared his shoulders, meeting the elder's gaze. "I'm ready for whatever challenge you have, Elder Feng."A small smile tugged at Feng's lips. "We shall see, young one. We shall see."With a wave of his hand, the world around the

The Night Watchers' headquarters hummed with renewed energy following Ethan's return from the Council of Elders. As he debriefed his team on the elders' warnings about the Cleansing, Ethan couldn't shake a nagging feeling that something was... off."We need to be more vigilant than ever," Ethan concluded, scanning the faces of his companions. "The Cabal could strike at any moment."As the meeting dispersed, a new face caught Ethan's attention – a young woman with striking violet eyes. "Ah, Ethan," Maya said, noticing his gaze. "This is Cara, our new intelligence analyst. She came highly recommended by Victoria."Ethan nodded, extending a hand. "Welcome aboard, Cara. We could certainly use the help."Cara's grip was firm, her smile warm. "Happy to be here, sir. I've heard great things about the Night Watchers."Over the next few days, Ethan noticed subtle changes in team dynamics. Alexei, usually gruff but loyal, seemed more withdrawn, questioning orders with increasing frequency. Duri

The ancient mansion loomed before Ethan, its weathered stone façade a silent testament to centuries of secrets. As he approached the iron-wrought gates, he felt a prickle of unease. This wasn't just any meeting – it was a summons from the Council of Elders, five of the most legendary Night Watchers in history."You sure about this, boss?" Zack's voice crackled through his earpiece, tinged with concern.Ethan took a deep breath. "No choice. If we're going to stop the Cleansing, we need their knowledge and support."As if sensing his presence, the gates swung open with an ominous creak. Ethan stepped into a world frozen in time – manicured gardens untouched by the chaos of the outside world, fountains tinkling serenely in the twilight.At the grand entrance stood a figure Ethan recognized from old Night Watcher archives – Evelyn Blackthorn, the Chronomancer. Her silver hair seemed to shimmer with temporal energy, and her eyes held the weight of centuries."Welcome, Ethan Cooper," she sa

The sleek skyscraper of Quantum Dynamics Inc. pierced the morning sky, its reflective surface a stark contrast to the gritty streets below. Ethan Cooper, dressed in an ill-fitting suit and clutching a worn briefcase, stood among a crowd of eager interns, his stomach churning with a mixture of anticipation and dread."Remember," Vera's voice crackled in his nearly invisible earpiece, "you're Aaron Blackwood, fresh out of college, eager to please. The CEO, Victoria Steele, was one of the most decorated Night Watcher commanders before she went dark. If anyone can spot you, it's her."Ethan nodded imperceptibly, steeling himself for the task ahead. Infiltrating a corporate giant was a far cry from his usual missions, but the intel was too valuable to ignore. If Victoria truly was in hiding, and if the Umbral Cabal had indeed infiltrated Quantum Dynamics, the implications were staggering.The next few hours were a blur of orientations, paperwork, and mind-numbing corporate speak. Ethan fou

The urgent blare of alarms shattered the pre-dawn quiet of the Night Watchers' headquarters. Ethan burst into the command center, his heart racing. Vera's fingers flew across holographic displays, her face pale with worry."What's happening?" Ethan demanded.Vera's voice was tight. "It's Aria. The Daybreak Legion... they've taken her."Ethan's blood ran cold. Aria Blackstone, their newest recruit, possessed a unique ability to manipulate quantum fields. Her power could tip the scales in their fight against the Umbral Cabal. And now, she was in enemy hands."How?" Ethan's fists clenched, Void energy crackling around them."Ambush during her training run," Alexei growled, striding in. "Professional job. They knew exactly when and where to hit."The implications hung heavy in the air. Their security had been compromised, again.Maya's gentle voice cut through the tension. "We'll find her, Ethan. We have to."Ethan nodded, pushing aside his doubts. "Vera, what do we know?"A three-dimensi