The Prototype

Chapter 13

Ethan, Solace, and Rowan now arrived at Romania. "Oh good. So the watches work. Yet, we still have no car... so exactly how are we gonna get to all of this in time?" Rowan asks Ethan. "Lucky for us, I know a guy. And thank god he lives close by." Ethan says in relief. "Come on follow me."

As their journey starts, Rowan couldn't help but ramble on who this person Ethan knew was. Rowan glanced at Ethan. "So... who exactly is this guy? Is he a scientist? Is he tall? Is he-" Rowan takes a pause, his eyes widening in mock excitement.  "IS HE RICH-?!"

Rowan says as they all stood before the tall, shadowed doorway of Ethan's friend home, anticipation coursing through them. The house was an imposing three-story building, blending the charm of old-world Romania with modern tech enhancements. Rowan shifted nervously, clearly unaccustomed to standing outside such an eerie-looking house.

Before Ethan could answer of Rowan's questions, the door swung open, and a towering figure with dark, tousled hair and a piercing, nonchalant gaze looked down at them.

His face was barely illuminated by the hallway light behind him, but the shadows only added to his mysterious demeanor.

"Nathan!" Ethan greeted him, a wave of relief washing over his face. "It's been a while."

"Ethan." Nathan replied, raising an eyebrow. "What a surprise. And at this hour too. Judging by the looks of you, I'd say you've had quite an.. ordeal."

Rowan piped up before anyone else could respond. "Man, you have NO idea." He extended a hand taking a sigh, "Rowan Montoya."

Nathan shook it briefly, his expression unreadable. "Nathan Trovellani." Solace offered him a warm smile, and Ethan quickly asked if they could come inside.

Nathan nodded, stepping back to let them in. They entered, and he led them down to his basement—a high-tech workshop filled with projects in various stages of completion.

Nathan caught Solace's gaze lingering on a complex device, her curiosity barely masked. Sensing her interest, he smirked and said, "Impressive, right?" Solace smiles gazing at everything.

"Are you also a scientist?" She asks him her interest growing even more inside her of him.

"Not a scientist darling, but an engineer in science." Nathan says to Solace.

Solace felt her face grow warm and stammered, "Right, of course. Very... impressive."

Noticing Solace's expression, Rowan whispered to Ethan, "Does she have to look that impressed? I mean, I get it, he's an engineer, but she's practically drooling."

Ethan gave Rowan a knowing look. "Jealous? I thought you two were just friends."

Rowan looked flustered, muttering, "She started it... and anyway, that's not the point."

"Sure it's not," Ethan replied with a smirk. "You're the one who hasn't seen nor spoken to her the last three years."

"Just because I haven't seen nor spoke to her in three years doesn't mean I stopped loving her." Rowan says as his eyes widen realizing the expose of himself he just let out.

Ethan's eyes widen a bit at Rowan's sudden outburst. "I think maybe then you should tell her."

Just then, Solace and Nathan made their way over to them as he interrupts their quiet exchange. "So, what can I help you with?"

Ethan explained the situation briefly, his tone serious as he detailed Maia's spiral into grief and destruction, as well as the power of the prototype they needed to secure.

Nathan listened intently, then sighed, his expression darkening. "If Maia's out there with that kind of power, it's more serious than I thought. You'll need more than just a boat."

Ethan nodded. "That's where you come in."

Nathan moved across the room, unlocking a large safe. Inside were small devices resembling bracelets. He handed one to each of them.

"These are levitation devices." Nathan says
"So you're giving us wings, without the actual wings?" Rowan says raising an eyebrow letting out a small laugh at his own question.

Nathan lets out a light chuckle at Rowan's curiousity. "Think of them as emergency wings," he explained. "If the waves in the Black Sea start to turn dangerous, these will lift you above water."

The group exchanged glances, impressed, and Solace gave Nathan a small smile. "Amazing... did you design these yourself?"

Nathan returned her smile with a faint, mysterious one. "Made, created, and perfected."

They spent the next few minutes gearing up.
"You know, we could use an extra hand." Ethan suggests to Nathan.

"Especially since you're pretty much caught onto everything that's going on and Maia knows you too. There's a chance she could hear us out since you're also a dear friend of hers too."

"Not that I doubt you'll need my assistance..
but is it necessary?" Nathan questions Ethan.

"More than necessary." Ethan assures Nathan, and Nathan reluctantly agreed to accompany them, and the group set off, towing Nathan's boat on the back of his truck and set straight to the Black Sea.

Within minutes they reached the shore guiding the boat off the truck into the water as they all jumped into it.

As they reached the Romania Sea Trenches, they spotted a bright, mysterious glow emanating from the depths—the fourth piece.

Just as Solace reached over to grab it, the sea stilled, falling into an unnaturally calm silence.

Rowan and Solace exchanged worried looks as Nathan tightened his grip on the boat controls.

Before anyone could react, the water surged into a towering wave, pushing them back.

Maia appeared above, her figure silhouetted against the moonlit sky, eyes cold and hardened.