"Where are Aidan and Lancelot? And... where exactly am I?"It was only now that Hubert took in his surroundings. He found himself sprawled on a lavish, expansive bed in an opulent chamber. Canis replied: "This is the Anthony family's base.""So it is."No wonder it felt so luxurious. But Hubert bit his tongue, restraining any comments. Canis continued: "Aidan is in another room, while Lancelot... he's in the infirmary, awaiting his end.""End? Who's dying?"Disbelief gripped Hubert. The idea of Lancelot facing death was preposterous. Should Lancelot dare to perish, Hubert swore he'd drag him back from the abyss. Although once an adversary, Lancelot's essence was too valuable for Hubert to wish him gone."Take me to Lancelot. I can save him.""Truly?"Canis's eyes lit up with hope as he assisted the weakened Hubert. As Theodore's aftereffects lingered, Hubert felt as though every tendon and bone threatened to snap. The audacious Theodore had taken liberties, overpowering and "using" Hu
Now, within the confines of the chamber stood Nathan and Phelan, the former seated and the latter staggering after the unexpected push. As Phelan steadied himself, his gaze met Nathan's."What was that for?""Just let him be.""Don't you wish for the rapid restoration of your Energy Stone? So you won't have to rely on me anymore?"Yet Nathan held his tongue, drowning in a silence that stretched until Phelan's patience wore thin."Something's been off with you these past days. What's going on?"Realization struck Phelan like lightning, Nathan seemed distant, void of the warmth once shared. Phelan's voice was laden with emotion: "Lately, you've been avoiding me, even simple gestures like holding hands or a kiss. And now, even the restoration of the Energy Stone. Nathan, are you punishing me? Because I failed to protect you?""What lunacy are you speaking of?"For the first time, Nathan broke his silence. While not entirely certain of his own feelings, he knew he needed clarity. He under
Engulfed in remorse, Hubert resolved to push these thoughts aside. He tapped Canis's shoulder, attempting to rouse him: "Canis, Canis!" But fatigue had claimed Canis, and Hubert understood. The final healing, one that would awaken Lancelot's consciousness, was imminent, and Hubert could manage without Canis.Hubert approached Lancelot, summoning his Superpower. This time, he not only tapped into the water element but also invoked additional energy to revitalize Lancelot's psyche. This meticulous process of energy transfer and manipulation was indeed a challenge. Yet, Hubert’s prowess, now superior to Lancelot's, enabled him to control the flow with precision.Moreover, Hubert had recently discovered another facet to his powers: the psychic element. This newfound capability allowed him to comprehend the utterances of Baron Derby and the gleeful zombies that had once encountered him. Earlier, his limited energy reservoir had veiled this Superpower, but as it expanded, so did his abiliti
Indeed, though bereft of his memory, Lancelot still held no initial impression of him. His allure paled in comparison to Hubert, his wit, likewise. He felt the biting sting of envy but would never voice such sentiments. To secretly cherish feelings for Lancelot was a heart's willing endeavor. Whether those affections were reciprocated mattered little. As long as his younger brother, Hubert, was content - especially if Lancelot's presence brought that joy - he'd nurture such happiness. Canis placed a gentle hand on Hubert's shoulder. "Rest, Hubert. I'll check on Aidan and see if Nathan and Phelan have returned." "Be cautious." came the gentle warning. Knowing he couldn't keep Canis, Hubert simply nodded. Seeing the lingering, reluctant look on his face as he glanced towards Lancelot was a knife to Hubert's heart. Once Canis departed, Hubert sank heavily onto the bed. His posture was far from one of exhaustion. Lancelot, keen-eyed, inquired: "Are you feigning fatigue to distance yo
Now, Hubert has ascended to the stature of a Superhuman Level 5. Whether it be the Space Superpower or any other domain, his abilities are unparalleled. Yet, his body harbors an energy so vast that when he harnesses his Superpower, he requires the assistance of another Superhuman, one with an energy reservoir as vast as Gideon's. Without such support, there's a real danger of an energy deficit leading to a catastrophic blockade. The four men, who previously were in fierce combat against Phelan, Nathan, and Canis, now seemed like mere puppies trapped in a cage. They floundered in their confined space, as if blindfolded. The sheer panic evident on their faces brought a chuckle to Hubert's lips. However, the pressing matter at hand wasn't disciplining those men. Hubert had a graver concern – the life-threatening peril faced by Lancelot. With urgency, he grasped Canis by the wrist and pulled him away, but not before addressing Phelan: "Quickly, return! Lancelot is in peril. Phelan, I ne
Suddenly, darkness engulfed Hubert's vision. He activated his special vision to scrutinize his surroundings, but was met with nothing but the shroud of darkness everywhere. It felt as though he was no longer in Lancelot's chamber."You're still here, it's just your spiritual energy that I've moved." echoed the hauntingly familiar voice of Theodore. Hubert's instincts had not betrayed him. Who else but Theodore could manipulate him like this, especially when no other Superhuman was powerful enough?"What game are you playing at?""By moving your spiritual energy, I've spared you from further pain. Once the life link ritual is complete, I'll return you. Is that not acceptable, Hubert?"Before Hubert could utter a word, he felt a sudden embrace from behind. How could this spiritual energy bridge the vast distance between them, bringing them face to face?"How are you able to conjure this meeting?""It's the interplay of space and spiritual energy. I've imparted energy to you, creating a
Nathan's immediate agreement surprised Phelan. But if Nathan was on board with recreating the Energy Stone, Phelan wouldn't dare question him further. Relieved, he recalled the prior disputes over the same topic, which had infuriated Nathan. He now understood the importance of deferring to Nathan's judgment.In a moment of thoughtful consideration, Hubert moved the chair so that Nathan might recline comfortably. At this instant, Hubert initiated his Superpower, his fingers delicately touching Lancelot and simultaneously reaching Nathan. He acted like a bridge, allowing the duo to connect and commence the rebirth of the Energy Stone. For Phelan, he remained intertwined with Nathan, awaiting the stone's complete reconstruction before he could sever the life-binding pact.The process of reinvigorating the Energy Stone was far from painful for anyone. However, it demanded patience, stretching at least two painstaking hours. During its restoration, interruptions were forbidden; else, they
Judging from the energy radiating from the rogues, Canis assessed that their ranks weren't particularly high. At best, they were around a level 4 quota high. There weren't many Superhumans of level four; most seemed to be of level three. With Nathan and Phelan's help and his own enhanced capabilities, they could likely fend off a significant number of Superhumans at once. So, Canis needed to prolong the conversation, clueless as to when the Energy Stone's regeneration would be complete. He posed another question:"If Lancelot has lost his memory, do you still need him?""We do. As long as he's alive, whether he's unconscious or not doesn't matter."In the ethereal realm of intrigue, Canis became increasingly convinced of his intuition. It seemed Jacob had his eyes set on the Energy Stone and Lancelot's power reservoir, rather than exploiting him or targeting his life. As these thoughts brewed, a shiver of dread and trepidation overcame Canis. He feared that if anything befell Lancelot