The Masked Virtuoso-Chapter 16: Chains of Memory

The shockwave from Isolde's devastating attack rippled through the landscape, leaving Ethan, Mia, and Nefera sprawled across the shattered ground. Dust filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of residual energy.

Ethan groaned, cradling Mia's unconscious form in his arms. His vision blurred as he fought to stay conscious.

"Nefera... Mia..." he muttered weakly.

Nefera's golden aura flickered faintly as she struggled to her feet, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Isolde hovered above them, violet energy radiating from her sleek bodysuit.

"You're pathetic, Nefera," Isolde sneered. "Still trying that same useless attack over and over?"

Nefera gritted her teeth, summoning her energy. Her fist glowed with a fierce golden light as she prepared her strongest move.

"The Punch of Anubis," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Isolde's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Nefera... is this really you?" she said softly, stepping closer.

Nefera's eyes widened, hesitation seeping into her resolve. Her glowing fist trembled as doubt crept in.

Ethan's instincts flared. "Something's wrong," he muttered under his breath.

He was right.

Isolde's laughter rang out. "That's the problem with good people-you trust too easily."

In a blur of motion, Isolde unleashed a devastating attack, her hands crackling with energy. "Celestial Rift!" she shouted, launching the blast straight at Nefera.

Ethan moved faster than light, shadows surging around him as he intercepted the attack.

Isolde's eyes gleamed. "Too late, baby."

But Nefera's expression hardened. She gripped Isolde's wrist, redirecting the blast skyward. The attack tore through the dark clouds, clearing the sky in an instant.

Isolde's shock was palpable. "How-"

"I'm done hesitating," Nefera said fiercely.

She unleashed a powerful punch, her voice echoing with authority. "Osiris' Judgment!"

The impact landed perfectly, sending shockwaves through the air. Nefera didn't let up. Her chains wrapped around Isolde as she activated her flight ability.

"Horus Ascension!" Nefera roared, soaring into the sky with Isolde in tow.

Isolde struggled, but Nefera's determination was unyielding.

They soared past the atmosphere, breaking free into the vast expanse of space. The moon loomed large before them.

"Let's settle this," Nefera said firmly.

Back on Earth, Ethan gently laid Mia on the ground. He brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"You did great," he whispered. "Rest now."

Standing, he glanced at the sky, his eyes narrowing.

"They're on the moon," he muttered in disbelief. "What kind of full-moon date is this?"

He crouched, shadows swirling around him. "I guess there's only one way to join them."

Locking his gaze on the distant lunar surface, he smirked. "Target locked. I'm coming."

With a single, powerful leap, Ethan launched himself into space, his body slicing through the void like a meteor.

As he landed gracefully on the moon's surface, he grinned. "Hope I'm not interrupting your date."

Nefera, mid-battle, shouted, "This isn't the time for jokes!"

"There's always time for jokes," Ethan quipped.

Isolde's eyes narrowed. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."

She spun with a roundhouse kick, sending Nefera flying.

Nefera halted herself mid-air, her chains latching onto the lunar surface.

"Friends shouldn't fight," Ethan said calmly, his fist glowing with shadow energy. "Let me settle this."

He unleashed a punch with the same force he'd used against Alexander. The impact created a massive crater on the moon's surface.

Isolde countered, her knee slamming into Ethan's chest, sending him hurtling toward the blazing sun.

Ethan tumbled through space, the heat of the sun growing intense.

"Don't tell me this is the sun!" he exclaimed. "Fire, fire, everywhere. Great. Just what I needed."

To his surprise, the heat didn't burn him.

"Is this... because of my power development?" he wondered aloud. "Neat."

Realizing he needed to get back, he launched himself straight at the moon.

Nefera was holding Isolde in place with her chains, sweat pouring down her face.

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"Please hurry!" she shouted to Ethan.

Isolde struggled fiercely. "You think these chains will hold me?"

"They have to," Nefera said, her eyes glowing brighter than the sun.

Ethan landed beside them, his expression serious. "There has to be a way to bring her back."

Nefera nodded. "All artifacts have shard power, right?"

Ethan stepped forward. "Then I'll try something."

He placed his hand on Isolde's forehead, closing his eyes. "Flow and balance," he whispered, letting the shard's energy connect with hers.

Ethan's consciousness plunged into Isolde's mind. Dark, twisted memories swirled around him-experiments, pain, betrayal.

But at the center of it all was a fragile girl huddled in a corner, her body trembling.

"Please don't hurt me," she whispered. "I tried my best..."

Ethan knelt beside her. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to take you back. Nefera's waiting for you."

The girl's eyes widened. "Nefera? How do you know her?"

"She's my friend too," Ethan said gently. "And she's waiting for you."

The girl hesitated. "But... the Council..."

Ethan clenched his fist. "I'll take care of them. Just come with me."

Slowly, she reached for his hand. "Okay."

As they walked through the white door, light engulfed them.

Nefera watched as Ethan removed his hand from Isolde's forehead. The chains dissolved into golden sparks.

Isolde blinked, her violet eyes softening.

Nefera tensed, preparing for a fight.

But Isolde stepped forward and embraced her tightly.

"Long time, my friend," Isolde whispered.

Nefera's eyes filled with tears. "Your memory came back..."

"You dummy," Nefera sobbed. "You should've remembered your friends from the start."

Ethan smiled faintly. "Guess friends don't give up on each other, huh?"

The three of them stood together on the moon, stronger than ever.

To Be Continued...