Still unable to create a mask for Ace, the group, along with their somewhat new member, Nyah, had finally decided it was time to leave. They could no longer gather information, except for learning more about the abilities of the other experiment. From their research, they discovered that these experiments allowed one to control certain qualities of anything. This energy was referred to as quant, a mysterious force that connected both the physical and non-physical planes of reality. Generally, quant couldn't be interacted with directly, but by transferring the mind of an Eidolon into a human, they could access this gap, allowing them to manipulate both realms at once. This energy was beyond human understanding and its implications were unsettling.
The gang was on their journey back to the USA, retracing the same path they had taken to get there. It took them three weeks to reach their base. Upon returning, they learned about the elite squad's failure and the tragic death of President Lin. The world was in mourning, not just because of the president's death but due to the fear that Eidolons could emerge at any moment. People had become afraid to go to work or even leave their homes. This was a problem, and the government needed to act quickly to regain control.
---
Back at the Eidolon headquarters, nestled in their nature-like habitat, the tension was palpable. In the only building that gave any semblance of civilization, the Originals gathered to discuss their next move. A decision needed to be made: should they strike now while the humans were weak, or wait for their enemies to gather strength? They were no longer sure if they were doing this out of instinct or a deeper purpose. The lines between their human and Eidolon sides were starting to blur, and they questioned their original motives.
Victor, as always, was brimming with aggression. "What's the plan, then? Now's our chance to strike before the humans form any alliances with the masked ones. We can't afford to wait."
Kaldor, however, took a more measured approach. "We need to calm down and assess the situation. We've all seen the masked in action. If they've been training, they'll be ready. We need to be smart about this."
Kael, always analytical, added, "Kaldor's right. And Damien and I have come up with a way to get stronger, much stronger. We've figured out how to push our bodies and minds to their limits, tapping into a mysterious energy. It's risky. The longer we're connected to that energy, the more it drains our life force, but we gain incredible power in return."
Damien nodded in agreement. "Even if we grow stronger, we can't be sure we'll have the advantage. The humans may still be experimenting, and we don't know what they're capable of."
Victor slammed his fist on the table. "We've waited long enough! We can't let them grow stronger. If we wait any longer, they'll form alliances. We've already seen the danger they pose. We can't let that happen."
Avon, one of the two females in the group, spoke up, "I agree with Victor. We can't afford to wait. If we don't act now, it could be too late."
Finally, Victor grinned. "It's settled then. Avon and I would take a sixth of the Eidolons. We're going to war."
---
Back at their base in Montana, hidden in the vast expanse of the wilderness, the group had grown to trust Nyah more, and it was time they told her the truth.
Xavier's face grew serious. "Nyah, there's something we need to tell you. It's about the other experiment. About Ace."
Ace, without hesitation, added, "I'm the experiment. I'm the one they were trying to create."
Nyah's face fell, a mix of shock and confusion overtaking her. "I… I don't believe it. Why didn't you tell me?"
Her voice wavered, and she sank into a chair, her mind racing to process the information. Phiona immediately went to sit beside her, trying to comfort her. "I know this is a lot to take in, but we didn't want to put you in a position where you'd feel betrayed. We trust you now, Nyah. That's why we're telling you."
Nyah struggled to speak. "But why keep this from me? Why now?"
Sam, ever the observant one, noticed something off about Nyah's reaction. It felt too rehearsed. She was acting almost as if she'd anticipated this moment. Her shock seemed exaggerated, too perfect. It raised a red flag in his mind, and the suspicion started to build. If Nyah was hiding something, he would figure it out.
Phiona pulled Nyah into a hug. "We're in this together, okay? We didn't want to keep this from you, but now we need you to understand we trust you fully. This is the truth, and we need you on our side."
But Sam wasn't convinced. There was something wrong, and he wasn't going to let it slide. He continued to watch her closely, noting every word, every movement.
Nyah, still visibly shaken, whispered, "I… I don't know what to say." But there was a flicker of something in her eyes that made Sam's suspicion grow stronger. She was hiding something, and it wasn't just the truth about Ace.
With the world on the brink of chaos and the Eidolons preparing for war, the stage was set for a confrontation between these two powerful forces. The truth about Ace was just the beginning. There were secrets within secrets, and Sam was determined to uncover them.