System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Shadows of the Pantheon

Ethan sat at the head of the obsidian table, the cold water in his glass reflecting the blue light of the holographic displays. Jason and Old Falcon stood before him, their shadows long against the wall.

”Would you two like something to drink?” asked Ethan.

Before he could even finish the sentence, both men dropped to their knees, their heads bowed low in a display of absolute contrition.

”Master, please forgive us! We ruined the covert infiltration. We were detected by a hidden underground missile launcher before we could secure the perimeter!” said Jason, his voice thick with shame.

”We failed to remain undetected, sir. Because the exploration was compromised, we couldn’t see what was further ahead or find the exact location where they were embarking. We’ve lost the trail,” said Old Falcon.

Ethan sighed, waving a hand dismissively. ”Stand up, both of you. Everything is fine. Don’t worry about it; take a seat. I want to know what you did manage to find before they blew your cover,” said Ethan.

The two men rose and took their seats, though they remained stiff. Jason tapped a command on the table, bringing up a 3D topographical map of the northern territories.

”We followed the coordinates you sent toward the Iron-Peak Mountains, Boss. At first, it looked like a wasteland. But right before the missiles forced us to retreat, we picked up a trajectory. Everything indicates that the transport route travels toward Greenland,” said Jason.

Ethan took a slow sip of water, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the frozen expanse on the map.

”Greenland? What the hell could they possibly want in that giant block of ice?” asked Ethan.

”We don’t know, sir. We were driven back before we could confirm the terminal,” said Jason.

”Well, while you were being hunted in the snow, I just received a visit from them. They ambushed me at the restaurant tonight,” said Ethan.

Jason’s head hit the table with a loud thud as he groaned. ”Boss, I... I am a failure. To think I left you vulnerable while I was failing my own mission!” said Jason.

”It’s fine, Jason. It was a minor situation. I handled it,” said Ethan. He then turned his sharp gaze toward Old Falcon. ”Falcon, you always seem to know a lot. You knew about Olympus and the Celestial. Now, you seem to know about Parthenon too. I want to know why. No more riddles.”

Old Falcon stayed silent for a long moment, his weathered hands trembling slightly.

”It’s not that I wanted to hide it from you, Master. It’s that I didn’t want to remember it,” said Old Falcon.

”Start talking,” said Ethan.

”Throughout my life, I infiltrated many places and met many prominent forces, all to find the people who murdered my family. After years of searching, I stumbled upon that name. Parthenon,” said Old Falcon.

”And what did you find?” asked Ethan.

”My grandfather, who was an honorable Elder in his time, told me to never, ever attempt to get close to them. He said it was impossible to come out alive. The day I told him what I had discovered, he finally confessed the truth. He had always known it was them, but he kept it secret because vengeance is impossible,” said Old Falcon.

”Nothing is impossible,” said Ethan.

”He told me, ’No one can face the Gods, boy.’ He believed that Parthenon wasn’t just an organization, but a force of nature. That’s why he never told me—he didn’t want me to throw my life away against a power that can’t be touched,” said Old Falcon.

Ethan leaned back, a cold smile playing on his lips. ”Gods? I met their ’Gods’ tonight. They bleed just like everyone else.”

The room went silent. Old Falcon stared at Ethan for a long moment, his chest heaving as a lifetime of suppressed rage and grief began to boil over. Suddenly, the old man stood up, but instead of walking away, he collapsed heavily onto his knees.

”Master, I am willing to give up these old bones for even a single chance at them,” said Old Falcon.

Ethan stood up to help him, reaching out to grab his shoulder. ”Falcon, get up. There’s no need for this,” said Ethan.

But the old man wouldn’t move. He grabbed Ethan’s sleeve, his fingers trembling with a desperate strength, his eyes pleading.

”Please! Give me the chance to take my revenge. I have spent decades waiting, hiding, and rotting in the shadows. If I am to die, let it be while tearing a piece out of the monster that destroyed my bloodline. I beg of you!” said Old Falcon.

Ethan sighed, his expression softening just enough to show his resolve.

”Fine. I’ll do it,” said Ethan.

Old Falcon’s grip tightened, a sob nearly escaping his throat.

”I will help you collect your debt, Falcon. We will hunt them down together,” said Ethan.

”I will do whatever is necessary, Master. My life, my soul, my last breath—they are yours to command. Just lead me to them,” said Old Falcon.

Ethan pulled him up to his feet, turning his gaze back to the map of Greenland. The icy wasteland didn’t seem so empty anymore; it was a target.

”Jason, prep the long-range stealth transports. We aren’t waiting for them to come to us again. If they want to play God, we’re going to bring them down to earth,” said Ethan.

Jason nodded, his face hardening as he began inputting the flight trajectories into the console. ”I understand, Boss. When do you want to depart? We can have the engines hot in under two hours,” said Jason.

”As soon as the equipment is loaded. I don’t want to give them time to reposition,” said Ethan.

He looked back at the holographic map, tracing the line toward the frozen north. The Scavengers he had faced tonight didn’t act like a simple street gang; they were like loyal hounds, rabid and anxious to defend their masters at any cost. If they were the frontline for Parthenon, the Greenland facility would be crawling with them.

”The Scavengers... they seemed desperate tonight. They weren’t just attacking; they were guarding something. It’s clear they are the loyal dogs of the Pantheon, and they’re anxious to protect whatever is hidden in that ice,” said Ethan.

Old Falcon stood tall now, the fire of purpose having replaced the weariness in his bones. ”Then we will start by putting the dogs down, Master. The path to the Gods is always paved with the bodies of their worshippers,” said Old Falcon.

”Make the preparations. We leave at 0300 hours,” said Ethan.

As Jason and Old Falcon hurried out of the war room to mobilize the Royal units, Ethan remained alone in the silence. He stared at his own reflection in the obsidian table, the blue light of his eyes flickering like a storm on the horizon. The hunt for the Pantheon had officially begun.