Lena crossed her legs elegantly as she leaned back in her chair, her expression as calm and controlled as ever.
“The mercenaries I’m referring to are not just any ordinary soldiers, Ethan,” she began. “They’re Ascendants too. But unlike the Great Families, who have been pampered by wealth and influence, these mercenaries were forged in warzones, brutal missions, and the wilderness. They’ve faced challenges that most Ascendants from the families never have to deal with.”
Ethan listened intently, absorbing every word. The idea of hiring mercenaries who were Ascendants was intriguing, but he knew he needed to be cautious.
Trusting the wrong people could destroy everything he had built so far. He needed to be sure about Lena’s intentions as well.
Without hesitation, Ethan looked Lena in the eyes, his voice direct. “Why are you helping me, Lena? What’s your angle in all of this?”
Lena’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, but no humor was behind it. She met his gaze calmly, clearly expecting the question. “I expected you’d ask that.”
For a moment, she seemed to consider how much to reveal. Then, she decided to give Ethan part of the truth—just enough to satisfy his curiosity but not enough to reveal her deeper motivations. “Let’s just say it would be a pity for someone as promising as you to crumble this early. I don’t like watching potential go to waste.”
Ethan studied her carefully, searching for any signs of deceit in her expression, but Lena remained unreadable. There was something about her answer that left more unsaid than spoken. He could feel it.
Lena continued before he could press further. “I know you don’t have any backers. You have no powerful family or wealthy lineage supporting you. You’re an outsider in this world of Ascendants and the Great Families. So, I’m curious… how is it that someone like you, out of nowhere, could suddenly rise to this position? To be blunt, it doesn’t make sense.”
Ethan’s body tensed. He remained silent, his expression neutral, giving nothing away. He wasn’t about to divulge the system’s existence to Lena or anyone else. That secret was his alone.
Lena seemed to sense his reluctance. “Don’t worry,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m not going to pry too much into that. Whatever it is, I’m not here to expose you. In fact, I think that’s part of what makes you interesting.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow but still said nothing. His instincts told him there was more to Lena’s involvement than idle curiosity.
Lena leaned forward slightly, her tone lowering. “But I’ll be honest with you, Ethan. I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. If you survive what’s coming—and that’s still a big ‘if’—I will ask for something in return.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
Lena straightened up, brushing invisible dust from her suit. “Now’s not the time for that discussion. Let’s just say we’ll talk if you make it through this. And don’t worry about what I’ll ask—it won’t be anything you can’t handle. Consider this an investment. When the time comes, I’ll collect.”
Her words hung in the air, and momentarily, the room was filled with a tense silence.
“You should know, Ethan,” Lena added with a sly smile, “nothing in this world comes for free. It does not even help. You’ll understand that soon enough.”
Despite Lena’s commanding aura, Ethan’s reaction was unexpected. Instead of hesitating or showing signs of worry, he smiled broadly and confidently.
“If that’s how you want to do business,” Ethan said, leaning back in his chair, “then I can live with that. As long as I know the terms, I’m at ease.”
His response caught Lena off guard, but she found herself admiring it. Most people would have been intimidated by her subtle warnings, by the stakes she had laid out. But Ethan wasn’t like most people. His directness, his refusal to be unsettled, was exactly why she had taken an interest in him. He had potential and, more importantly, the right mindset.
Lena allowed a small smile to form on her lips. “I like that you’re straightforward, Ethan. It makes things easier.”
Ethan leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “So, how exactly do I connect with these mercenaries? I assume they’re not the people you find in a phone book.”
Lena nodded approvingly. “No, they’re not. But I can arrange a meeting. There’s a place, a neutral ground of sorts, where these mercenaries gather. I’ve dealt with them before, so they’ll trust me enough to take you seriously. I’ll take you there to meet a particular group—one that I know can handle the kind of protection you need.”
She paused, gauging Ethan’s reaction, before continuing. “As long as you can give them what they want—mainly money—they’ll do anything for you. These mercenaries aren’t loyal to causes or ideologies. They’re loyal to the highest bidder.”
Ethan’s curiosity deepened. “But how is that possible? I mean, these people are Ascendants, right? With that kind of power, you’d think they wouldn’t need to work for anyone. They could get money and influence on their own.”
Lena chuckled softly as if Ethan had asked an innocent question about the nature of the world. “It’s not that simple,” she said. “You see, these mercenaries don’t have the backing of powerful families. They weren’t born into wealth or influence. They earned their power the hard way—through battles, wars, and missions, most people wouldn’t survive. But the problem is, they lack unity.”
Ethan tilted his head, intrigued. “Lack unity?”
Lena nodded, leaning slightly forward as she explained. “Yes. They’re powerful, no doubt about that. But they don’t have the same structure or resources as the Great Families. The Ascendants within those families are bound by bloodlines, wealth, and deep-rooted influence. On the other hand, mercenaries only band together when there’s a mission or contract. Beyond that, they go their separate ways.”
She continued, her tone pragmatic. “Without the unity that the Great Families have, these mercenaries have no reason to go up against them directly. It’s a losing battle. The Great Families control entire cities, economies, and more. No amount of raw power can take that away if you don’t have the political or social leverage to back it up.”
Ethan nodded slowly, piecing it all together. “So, they work for money because it’s the only way they can maintain their freedom, keep themselves out of the influence of the Great Families.”
“Exactly,” Lena said, clearly pleased with Ethan’s understanding. “They might be powerful, but they’re still outliers. They don’t want to be tied down or controlled, so they stay outside the system. And money is the easiest way to stay free in a world like ours.”
Ethan leaned back, processing everything. Hiring powerful mercenaries was starting to make more sense, and he appreciated Lena’s insight into their world.
“So, when do we go?” Ethan asked, his mind already racing ahead.
Lena smiled. “Now. I have made the arrangements. But remember, this is a business deal. These people are professionals, not your allies. They’ll do their job, but they won’t stick around unless there’s something in it for them.”
Ethan nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “I get it. I’ll ensure they’re well compensated as long as they can protect what matters to me.”
“Good,” Lena said, her voice firm. “Then let’s get you ready for the next step.”
