Ethan's Journey

Chapter 29: Race Against Time

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