Ethan sat back on the sofa, changed into a pair of shorts and a simple T-shirt. The night breeze drifted through the open window as he stared outside, one arm resting on his forehead, his mind far away.
"Nothing makes sense," he thought to himself, watching the city lights blur into the night.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Ethan, you have a minute?" Linh's voice called from outside his room.
He cracked the door open, peering at her. "What's up?"
"Come spar with me," Linh said, smiling.
"Alright," Ethan chuckled. "You know I love to fight."
They made their way to the training ring. As soon as they stepped onto the mat, Linh suddenly spun and swept at Ethan's legs.
Ethan hopped backward. "Whoa, starting already?"
Linh didn't say anything. She spun again, aiming a quick kick at his face, but Ethan ducked just in time.
"Okay, it's on," Ethan thought, his body tensing.
He threw a punch at her, but Linh caught his arm mid-air and threw him hard onto the ground.
"Ahh! My back!" Ethan groaned dramatically.
Linh laughed and pulled him to his feet with ease. "Why aren't you focusing?"
She looked at him closely, catching something in his expression.
"You're thinking about something, aren't you?"
Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. "Not really. Just… I met a strange girl tonight."
Linh flushed a little but quickly changed the subject. "Forget that. I have something important to tell you."
Before she could say more, a loud alarm blared through the building.
Bee's voice came over the speakers, sharp and urgent. "There is a major fire in Hai Ba Trung street. It's spreading fast. Firefighters won't make it in time."
Ethan's face hardened. Without hesitation, he turned toward the window.
"Bee. You know what to do," Linh said quickly.
Ethan sprinted toward the giant glass panels. Bee triggered them to slide open.
Above them, a hidden panel in the ceiling opened, revealing Ethan's compact armor suit. The pieces descended quickly, locking onto his body one by one—chest plate, gauntlets, boots, helmet—securing tightly with sharp metallic clicks.
"Thanks, Bee," Ethan said, his voice calm but focused.
He launched himself into the night sky, cutting through the darkness.
Within a minute, he reached the burning skyscraper. Smoke poured out of shattered windows, and panicked screams filled the air.
As Ethan approached the burning floor, a sudden stabbing pain hit his head. He winced but forced himself to push through it.
Switching to his HUD, he scanned the building. Most of the residents had escaped through the emergency exits. But one figure remained.
A man with long white hair stood still amidst the fire, gazing down at two swords lying across his palms.
Ethan blasted a hole through the crumbling wall to avoid debris falling onto the man.
"Hello, Ethan," the man said calmly, lifting his head.
Ethan froze, heart racing. Something about the man's face felt painfully familiar, but he couldn't place it. The pain in his head worsened.
"These used to be yours. And now you've forgotten everything," the man said, motioning toward the swords.
"Who are you?" Ethan demanded.
"You really don't remember me? That hurts," the man said with a sad smile.
After a moment, he spoke again, quieter. "Of course… you hurt all of us."
Ethan stayed silent, fists clenched.
"But what's yours… is yours," the man said. He knelt down and held out one of the swords, offering it to Ethan with both hands.
"I'll keep the other one. You gave it to me, remember?"
Ethan hesitated, but some deep instinct made him reach out and take the sword. The sheath flared to life, glowing with strange, fiery symbols he couldn't understand.
Suddenly, the man—Duy—drew his sword and slashed at him.
Ethan reacted instantly, dodging back.
Another slash came, and this time Ethan drew his own sword, blocking the attack. Sparks exploded between their blades.
They pressed against each other, locked in a clash of strength.
"I hate you," Duy snarled. "I hate your guts!"
Ethan gritted his teeth, struggling to hold the block. Even with the power of his armor, he couldn't match Duy's overwhelming force.
Slowly, Duy's sword bit into Ethan's, splitting it in half with a loud crack.
Before Ethan could react, Duy raised his hand and fired a blast of energy.
The shockwave threw Ethan across the burning floor, slamming him into the edge of the building. His helmet cracked slightly as his head dangled dangerously over the open air.
Broken glass and debris floated around him.
Duy approached, towering over him.
He gripped his sword tightly with both hands and thrust it down toward Ethan's head.
Ethan twisted his neck just in time—the blade slammed into the floor, slicing deep just inches from his helmet.
"You're not meant to die like this," Duy said coldly. "You don't even know who you are."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Remember everything… father."
Father?
Ethan's mind reeled.
Before he could react, Duy placed a hand against Ethan's helmet and unleashed a powerful flash of energy.
Ethan cried out as the blinding light exploded in his vision, overwhelming his senses.
When he finally opened his eyes, gasping for breath—
Duy was gone.
The only thing left was the roaring fire, the shattered remains of his sword, and a single burning question echoing in his mind.
Who am I?