Ethan stepped into the elevator with Linh. She pressed a hidden switch, revealing a new row of buttons. With a quick motion, she tapped one marked "-25." The elevator hummed softly as it descended deep below ground.
Ethan glanced around the high-tech walls, still stunned by how advanced—and secretive—this place was. "How long have you been doing this?" he asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
Linh gave a faint smile. "Since I was a kid."
Ethan's jaw tightened slightly. He understood. He too had been trained by his family since childhood. In a strange way, their lives weren't so different after all.
A soft chime echoed. The elevator doors slid open.
"We're here," Ethan said with a small smile, stepping forward.
Lights slowly flickered on as they entered a massive underground room. Ethan's eyes widened. It looked like a futuristic weapons lab—sleek machines, glowing consoles, robotic arms, and dozens of screens blinking with data.
Bee rolled ahead to the central control panel and tapped a few keys. A machine in the corner whirred to life, generating something small—just the hilt of a sword.
Ethan waited. One minute. Two minutes. Still, no blade. He raised an eyebrow. "Bee? Where's the sword?"
Bee's eyes blinked playfully. "Haha! Grab the hilt."
Ethan hesitated, then took the hilt into his hand.
"Now imagine the blade extending," Bee instructed.
Ethan laughed. "You're messing with me again."
Linh nodded, her eyes calm and full of faith. "Try it, Ethan."
Ethan closed his eyes and focused. He pictured the blade growing from the hilt, long and sharp.
And slowly—magically—the blade emerged, shimmering into existence.
He stared at it in awe. "How… how is this possible?"
Bee explained, "I used your DNA to bond the sword to your mind. That's why you can control it with thought."
Ethan's face lit up. "This is incredible, Bee."
"The blade is made in three sections," Bee continued. "It can adjust its length—short for close combat, long for range."
Ethan's thoughts spun. What if I could throw it and call it back—like my old one?
He acted on instinct. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the sword forward—and guided it mentally. The blade curved midair, obeying his every thought.
Bee gasped. "Hey! I wasn't finished explaining!"
Ethan called the blade back to his hand with a grin.
"How did you know to do that?" Bee asked, amazed.
"I guessed," Ethan said casually.
Linh watched him, a proud and surprised smile on her face. She was genuinely impressed—by his instinct, his creativity, and how quickly he adapted.
Bee added, "The blade has micro-boosters built in. They create air pressure to help it fly the way you want."
Ethan nodded. "Thank you, Bee. Seriously."
"My mission here is done," Bee said dramatically. "You two go have fun—I've got class now!"
The tiny robot rolled off into the next room, his little wheels spinning cheerfully.
Ethan and Linh both chuckled, watching Bee disappear.
Then Ethan turned back to Linh. "So… do we need to prepare anything else?"
Linh looked at him, her eyes steady. "No. Tonight, we break into Darius's house."