Originally, the story concludes with this Chapter 10, but I'm not sure if you'll like it... lol
I'm looking forward to your feedback, your impressions. Let me know if you want me to continue it or if you think it's good as it is? :)
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The faint light filtering through the curtains dimly illuminated Victor's eyes, marked by a profound pain. Every feature of his face bore witness to the abyss he was plunged into. His grip, desperate, encircled Hilda's lifeless body as if he wanted, through the force of his love, to bring her back among the living.
Footsteps, first distant and then clearer, echoed. A hand gently rested on his shoulder, softly pulling him from his stupor. He looked up and met Professor Charon's gaze. The man's words, laden with emotion, brushed against his ears, "I share your sorrow."
But Victor, anchored in his pain, offered no response. He simply tightened his embrace around Hilda, hoping that by doing so, he could hold onto the faintest breath, the slightest heartbeat that might have remained.
Charon, peering into the depths of Victor's eyes, searched for a glimmer, a sign. "Atlas arrived before us," he confessed, his low voice amplifying the gravity of the situation, "He committed this horrifying crime."
As Victor seemed shrouded in a veil of numbness, Charon insisted, "Take this." With a theatrical gesture, he revealed Atlas's gleaming blade. Before Victor had time to comprehend, Charon cut his palm, revealing to Victor the significance of this weapon. "You see, I'm not hurt. This blade can't harm anyone except Atlas... and you. A single strike could be fatal for either of you. You would do well to keep it with you."
Victor, hesitating but aware of the object's power, took the blade, his fingers trembling slightly as they touched the cold metal. The professor's words, heavy and imbued with truth, had pierced through his wall of grief.
Without wasting a moment, Charon rummaged in his pockets and produced the Kairos cube. "Give it back to Ayden," he suggested, handing it to Victor, "I couldn't make it work."
The teenager carefully stowed the blade away, feeling its chill through the fabric of his jacket. Then, his fingers brushed against the delicate chain of the cube. He lifted it, captivated by its intricate structure.
The atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation. Shadows played on the walls of the room, only to be abruptly dispelled by the sound of boots pounding on the floor. Jack and Teal'c burst in, their uniforms in tatters, their faces marked by trials and confrontations.
At the sight of Charon, standing near Victor and Hilda's lifeless body, Jack raised his P90, his eyes sparkling with suspicion and anger. "Charon!" he exclaimed in a hoarse voice, his gaze locked onto Charon's, seeking an explanation for this scene of desolation. "What are you doing here?! Step away immediately!"
Calm but aware of the electric tension that had descended, the professor raised his hands in a pacifying gesture. "I would have liked to be here sooner. I'm sorry, Jack." Sadness pierced through his voice, but he maintained a deliberate calm, seeking to defuse a situation that was on the brink of exploding.
Victor seemed entranced by the cube hanging from the chain. As if in response to his distress, the object began to react. First, a faint light, timid and hesitant, then the radiance grew, gaining intensity until it flooded the entire room with a brilliant, white light.
Jack, motionless, let his P90 hang heavily at his side, his breath quickening. His eyes betrayed a paternal concern. "Victor..." he whispered, his voice raspy with anxiety, "please, put that cube down on the ground." Every word was measured, every syllable infused with a desperate desire to reach the teenager.
Charon, in the background, watched the situation with meticulous attention. His gaze was fixed on Victor, seeking to decipher his intentions through every movement, like a strategist anticipating the moves of his opponent.
With calculated caution, Jack closed the distance between himself and Victor, feeling the mounting tension with each step. His lips parted once more, his voice shaken by urgency, "Victor, listen to me, put down that cube."
Victor's gaze, enthralled by the artifact, finally drifted towards Hilda, reminding him of the harsh reality of their situation. Memories flooded the young man, triggering raw and deep emotions. As he lifted his tear-filled eyes, he met Jack's desperate gaze. "I'm sorry... Dad," he whispered, using that term for the first time, revealing an immense emotional weight behind it.
Jack's heart froze. The word "Dad" wrapped around him like a poignant caress. But as he still searched for words to respond, Victor's determined gaze shifted to the cube. With a confident hand, he seized it, defying Jack's urgent warning. And before Jack could voice a protest, an eruption of energy burst forth, engulfing Victor, submerging him in a blinding brilliance.
The room returned to a deadly silence, punctuated only by the residual hum of dissipated energy. Victor was gone, leaving behind nothing but the wreckage of a battered room.
Jack's face was marked by the abyss of incomprehension. He felt the cold of the floor against his knees, scraping with a brutality that contrasted with the emotional turmoil overwhelming him. His breathing was rapid, and his eyes were desperately searching for an explanation.
With a slow but unwaveringly compassionate gesture, Teal'c placed his large and reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder. A silent pillar against the devastating storm that threatened to engulf the man by his side.
As for Charon, a half-muted smile, barely hinted at but heavy with intentions, touched his lips. His gaze settled on the now-empty space, once occupied by Victor. In the depths of his eyes, could a trace of satisfaction be discerned?
Off to the side, Calypso had observed the scene through the blurred prism of the window. Her pulse pounded in her temples in a frantic rhythm, her gaze fixed on Victor's glaring absence. She turned her gaze away, shutting her eyelids tightly. She delved into her concentration, seeking Victor's presence somewhere, beyond space and time.
With a swift and powerful motion, Jack lunged at Charon, knocking furniture aside violently. He drew his weapon in a flash, his rage eclipsing all rational thought. Catching Charon off guard, he forcefully pinned him to the ground, his fingers gripping the collar of his shirt tightly.
The cold steel of the barrel pressed against the professor's damp temple. "What have you done?!" The words shot out of Jack's mouth like bullets. "Where did he go?!"
The professor's eyes glinted with a mixture of surprise and resistance, "How would I know?" His voice, though steady, betrayed a certain nervousness.
"He didn't have the cube, you gave it to him!" Jack roared, his fury distorting his features. "I want to know why!"
"So he could return it to Ayden!" Charon spat out while struggling. "I never imagined Victor would manage to activate it."
Jack's eyes glinted dangerously, his fingers tightening on the trigger, poised to shoot. "I don't believe you!"
Suddenly, the thunderous sound of Titan's gunfire echoed, seemingly enveloping the house. The ground shook, causing objects to fall, and a deafening explosion reverberated through the air, indicating the impact of a nearby shot. Dust fell from the ceiling, scattering around them.
Teal'c, his face marked with a calm determination, rushed towards Jack, almost pulling him away from his dominant position over Charon. "O'Neill, we must leave!"
Jack's eyes briefly locked onto the professor, promising a reckoning, before he followed the Jaffa, ready to face the chaos outside.
Ayden stood steadfastly alongside Daniel, Sam, and Kira. The scepter remained held before him. Without a word, he approached it, his fingers brushing its surface, drawn to an ancient and pulsating energy, almost magnetic. Upon contact, the scepter stirred, filling with a wild luminescence, as unpredictable as fire.
It was an almost living energy, seeking to break free, to liberate itself from its confines. Hypnotized by the raw power of the object, Ayden tightly wrapped his fingers around its handle. Brandishing the scepter like a beacon, beams of light, resembling fiery darts, burst forth. They pierced the sky, tearing through the atmosphere before launching into the void of space. There, with deadly precision, they struck the Titans' vessel. A grand explosion occurred, a fireworks display of flames and debris, freeing the Asgard ships from imminent danger.
But the serenity was short-lived. A deep rumble sounded, heralding the arrival of the Titans. Half a dozen colossal and relentless monsters advanced toward them, causing the earth to tremble beneath their heavy steps, embodying devastation.
With determination, Ayden once again wielded the scepter against the threat. The gem embedded at its apex lit up, rivaling the sun, before emitting an incandescent beam. In the blink of an eye, it struck, hitting the Titans right in their hearts. They collapsed, one by one, victims of the unleashed fury of this ancient artifact.
Dizziness overcame Victor as the luminous vortex of temporal transition whisked him into the unknown. Dazzling flashes passed before his eyes, each glimmer bringing a memory or a fragmented vision. Finally, everything dimmed, giving way to a heavy darkness. Victor blinked his eyes several times, trying to adjust his sight. His lungs drew in air, each breath a reminder of the tumultuous journey he had just undergone. His muscles ached, his legs wobbled beneath him.
He stood in the heart of a rocky abyss, shrouded in an almost spectral bluish veil. The rough and dark contours of the walls stretched into infinity, creating a stark contrast with the almost unreal atmosphere that surrounded him. An unsettling sense of familiarity seized him, he was in Atlas's cave.
Suddenly, a deep voice, both sepulchral and alluring, resonated through the walls, "Ivadoll? I don't know of this planet. Only an Alteran can free me from this prison. There is nothing you can do for me."
Turning around, he discovered Atlas. The Titan was a marvel of grandeur and majesty, but his eyes reflected ancient pain. Mystical chains bound him, like serpents coiled around a god.
Victor felt the weight of the Kairos cube in his hand. It wasn't an illusion. It was real. He was reliving the moment he had so desperately wished to change. Without thinking, he hung the cube around his neck.
Atlas's voice resonated once more with a cold impatience. "So, Victor, what are you waiting for to set me free?"
With unexpected agility, Victor took advantage of Atlas's constraint to lunge forward. The chains around the Titan growled and writhed like furious snakes, seeking to protect what they ensnared. "I'm not here to set you free," Victor spat out, his voice hoarse with the intensity of his emotions, "but to kill you!"
With a precise and fierce motion, he drew the blade from his pocket, which caught the dim light of the cave. In a split second, it was driven deep into Atlas's heart.
A powerful scream filled the corners of the cavern, reverberating with pain and surprise. Struck at the heart, Atlas staggered and then collapsed. Victor carefully withdrew the blade, the blood of the Titan gleaming with an eerie glow.
Victor stepped back, breathless, his gaze fixed on the colossal form of Atlas now motionless on the ground. The cave itself seemed to mourn the fall of its prisoner, the bluish glow gradually dimming. The sound of the chains still echoed in the air, like a distant whisper, reminding Victor of the gravity of his deed.
Suddenly, a tremor ran through the ground. Victor felt the Kairos cube awaken, pulsating against his skin. Understanding the urgency, Victor grasped it tightly between his hands, hoping that his action had changed fate for the better. When he opened his eyes again, his family home stood before him, solid and real.
A veil of desolation blanketed reality. Before him, the Titans surged over Ivadoll, leaving in their wake a cataclysm of destruction. He couldn't understand. He had pierced Atlas's heart. How could these monsters still be here?
The city he had always known, with its gleaming towers and bustling streets, was crumbling under relentless bombardment. Each explosion was a cruel jab, a stinging reminder of his apparent failure. He should have changed the course of history, he should have saved his planet.
With an unsteady gait, almost in a state of shock, Victor approached his house. Each step was weighed down by disbelief, the realization that time and destiny might be adversaries too powerful to fight, even with the Kairos cube.
His feet treaded the path to his house with desperate haste, each step feeling too slow compared to the urgency within him. The front door was cold under his fingers as he opened it abruptly, every square inch of the house seeming sadly empty.
The kitchen, usually a place of laughter and warmth, was silent, the flickering daylight reflecting off the smooth surfaces of the countertops. Not a trace of life. Victor's heart raced, pounding against his chest like a trapped creature seeking to escape.
Then, a horrifying sight at the foot of the stairs. His mother lay there, her hair spilling across the floor in a tragic display. It was an image no son should ever see, a scene that was already haunting him and would haunt him forever.
He collapsed by her side. His hands traversed her deathly pale face, desperately seeking a spark of life. Tears blurred his vision, and a hoarse, pain-laden cry escaped his lips.
In the dimness, the cube emitted a vibrant glow, calling out to Victor. Without hesitation, he gripped it in his hand, ready to traverse the intricacies of time once again.
Beneath his feet, the earth seemed to have been torn apart, a silent testimony to a war as fierce as it was ruthless, a war the simulation program recreated with unsettling acuity. Before him, the horizon was a graveyard of skyscrapers, remnants of a submerged civilization. And within this tragic tableau, a glimmering point: the bracelet of Hades.
Victor felt a wave of determination wash over him. He had been tempted by the power of the bracelet before, but now he knew he must not repeat the same mistakes. Ignoring the jewel, he chose to end the simulation, refusing to let the past dictate his future.
The illusion of devastation faded, giving way to the clinical reality of the simulation room. The cold walls, the harsh neon lights, everything seemed so distant from the previous scene. Yet the echoes of the choices made within the program still resonated in his mind.
Just as he removed his headset, the hurried footsteps of Sam and Daniel pounded the floor of the room. Their faces displayed a mix of anxiety and bewilderment. Had they witnessed the end of his simulation? Before they could even confront their questions, Victor, as if guided by an inner force, firmly grasped the Kairos cube. A surge of energy coursed through him, sending him through time once more.
A shroud of leaden silence enveloped Ivadoll. Victor, still dazed by the temporal tremors, halted at the edge of his house, seeking a sign, a trace of the past catastrophe. The cloudless sky hosted a ballet of birds whose wings cast shadows akin to paper cutouts.
Where had the Titans gone? Had he finally succeeded in correcting the dire course of events? A hope, fragile yet resilient, kindled in his eyes. The door swung open to an interior where silence was almost tangible. He anticipated, hoped, to hear the echo of his mother's laughter.
The kitchen, the beating heart of the house, was deserted. Curiosity urged him to explore the stairs, yet again, no one. Only the soft murmur of conversations reached him from outside. Glancing out the window, he caught sight of Jack, Sam, and Sigurd engaged in conversation under a tree. This had to be a good sign, right?
Yet, the weariness from his temporal journey clung to him, weighing down every movement. He made his way to his room, when his foot struck an obstacle. The world stopped. His mother's lifeless body, as if embraced by the floor, lay before him, her face bearing a cruel peace. Questions swirled within him, sharpened: how, why, in a world without Titans, had sorrow still struck?
Distress, guilt, incomprehension... they all surged over him in an uncontrollable tide. His knees buckled, his cheeks dampened by a torrent of salt.
"Do I need to change more things? What if SG1 never came here?" he whispered breathlessly.
The cube emitted a tempting glow, resonating like a call. Without thinking, almost on autopilot, Victor seized it, and the spiral of time swept him away.
The atmosphere aboard the ship enveloped him. A metallic scent, dimmed illumination, as if the interior of this structure was a sanctuary withdrawn from the external turmoil. Ayden, his expression serious, leaned with palpable concentration, conveying precise instructions to Kira, whose hair fell onto her sweat-beaded forehead. Their fingers danced adeptly over the illuminated buttons.
Still in the shadows, Victor studied the scene, planning his moves. Their ship must not depart, must not crash onto Izarc. If Thor didn't detect them, then SG1 would continue to remain oblivious to their existence. Yet an inner turmoil swept over him, almost feeling the weight of consequences in his veins. An internal voice questioned him, was he ready to let go of his real parents? The thought ultimately seemed absurd. Back in his time, he could always go to Earth and reunite with Sam and Jack.
Once again, the ship's thruster malfunction triggered the cube's activation, and the temporal transition whisked him away to stand before his house in Ivadoll. Each beat of his heart seemed to echo in his ears, each breath became an exercise in endurance. Had he finally changed the future? The prevailing calm allowed him to hope that he had. The front door opened hesitantly, the lack of sounds tormented him as he searched room after room, calling out for his parents in vain.
The garden, his last hope, lay before him in the twilight's glow. And there, a chilling scene awaited him. His mother lay not far from the pool, the focal point of a macabre tableau. The crimson liquid contrasted with the tranquility of the place. A silent yet gut-wrenching scream erupted from his depths. Despite all his efforts, fate seemed perpetually set on playing its cruelest card. Was he doomed to this tragedy, regardless of the path he took?
Victor felt as though he was strangled by chains of guilt, as heavy as lead. What if he was the cause of this series of events? His thoughts drifted to the reason SG1 came, to prevent his abduction by the Asgard. A cold sensation swept through him, a bitter resignation.
If he erased himself from Ivadoll's history, the memorable moments with his adoptive parents, the special bond woven with Ayden, the budding relationship with Kira... it would all disappear. This realization immersed him in an ocean of desolation. Was this the price to pay for bringing Hilda back to life? Ivadoll would forget him, but at least the tragedy would be averted.
Seeing no other alternatives, he touched the cube once again, immediately feeling the whirlwind of time sweep him away. Seconds seemed to stretch into eternity, and then, everything stabilized.
Coming back to consciousness, a metallic chill enveloped him. Four P90 barrels, menacingly, aligned on him. A voice, amplified by the speakers, echoed, a voice that was familiar to him, "Who are you? And how did you get here?!"
He raised his eyes, his gaze meeting Jack's behind the immense glass of the control room. The tension was palpable. Victor, palms open in a gesture of peace, tried to gather himself, "I come from the future, I came to..." But exhaustion, after his numerous time jumps, combined with the stress of the moment, overcame him. His vision blurred, his legs giving way beneath him, and he collapsed onto the cold floor, leaving Jack and the soldiers in total confusion.
The electric atmosphere in the control room was tangible. The soldiers, tense postures and rifles raised, stared intensely at the young man sprawled out and vulnerable in the embarkation room. Jack appeared to be facing an unsolvable puzzle. "Medical team to the embarkation room, right now!" he ordered in a curt voice.
In a matter of seconds, Sam and Daniel arrived in the control room, their faces marked by confusion and anxiety. The shrill alarm combined with the urgency in Jack's voice had propelled them here in a hurry.
"What's going on?" Sam asked, trying to discern what was unfolding in the embarkation room.
Jack, his chin slightly raised, admitted, "No idea."
Daniel furrowed his brow, stepping closer to the observation window to better observe the intruder. "How did he get through the iris? Did we receive a signal from the Gate?"
Jack shook his head in the negative, "He didn't come through the Gate. There was... some sort of flash of light, and he was there."
But before Sam could formulate a theory, the commotion escalated. The hurried steps of the medical team, led by the determined Dr. Carolyn Lam, echoed on the embarkation room floor. They moved around the young man with an almost choreographed synchronization.
Daniel's insatiable thirst for knowledge resurfaced, "Did he say anything before he lost consciousness?"
Jack hesitated, carefully choosing his words, "He said he's from the future."
A heavy glance of inquiry exchanged between Sam and Daniel, the weight of that statement settling upon them. An electric silence filled the room, each of them acutely aware of the colossal challenge looming ahead.
In the dimness of the control room, Sam's agile fingers danced over the controls, every screen studied meticulously. "There was a massive energy surge right before his appearance," she murmured, her eyes squinting with concentration, "It's beyond anything I've ever analyzed."
Jack, arms crossed, watched her, his mind swirling with the implications. "So, this kid might actually be from the future?"
Daniel, with a wry smile, chimed in, "Why not? Remember 1969, or when you and Teal'c were stuck in that time loop?"
"But no Gate activity this time," Sam growled, emphasizing the anomaly.
Daniel crossed his arms, "Perhaps in the future, they've discovered other ways of time travel. Or maybe he could be from another planet with more advanced technology."
The answer didn't do much to ease Jack's growing concern. Without a word, determined to see the unknown for himself, he headed to the infirmary, his resolute steps echoing down the corridor.
A silent exchange of looks between Sam and Daniel was all that was needed. Without a word, they followed the General's determined footsteps.
The infirmary door slid open softly, revealing a room filled with soft lights, machines emitting steady beeps, and medical personnel moving with contained urgency. Victor lay at the center of the room, still unconscious. Cables and tubes were connected to him, tracing his vital signs.
Dr. Lam took a few steps towards the team, her heels producing a faint echo in the room. "He's stable for now," she said, her voice betraying a hint of concern. "But there's no indication that he'll wake up anytime soon."
Jack nodded, his eyes intensely scrutinizing Victor's face. "Do you have any idea what could have put him in this state?"
Carolyn sighed, "I don't know, from a physical standpoint, there's nothing abnormal."
Daniel absentmindedly adjusted his glasses, "He claims to be from the future. Are there any clues that could confirm his statement?"
With a doubtful expression, Lam replied, "At first glance, he's undeniably human. But more thorough tests are necessary. However, some of the items he had on him might shed some light for you."
Sam's interest heightened, "Where are they?"
"Over here," the Doctor replied, indicating a nearby table where a few shining objects were arranged. "I thought it would be best to isolate them."
Jack intervened hastily as Sam and Daniel leaned in with curiosity. "Hey! Be careful."
Sam offered a subtle smile to Jack before leaning over to examine the artifacts closely. Among the spread treasures was an unfinished blade, deliberately broken at the end, a necklace adorned with a sparkling stone that entrancingly caught the light, and a cube formed by intricately interwoven geometric lines with astounding precision.
Fascinated, Sam gently extended her hand and caressed the cube, feeling the unexpected warmth of the metal against her skin. The object seemed almost alive.
Daniel picked up the broken blade. It fit into the palm of his hand, reminiscent of the curves of ancient Greek swords; the lack of an edge suggested more of a mystical artwork than a weapon of war.
In the meantime, Jack had stayed back, his eyes fixed on Victor's peaceful face. Every line, every nuance of the young man's countenance seemed to remind him of someone. This vague sensation of familiarity and connection, unexpected and unexplainable, only added an extra layer to the mystery of his arrival.
Jack cast one last glance at the Doctor before leaving the infirmary, his weary features reflecting the harshness of the day. Sam followed closely, attempting to conceal her own turmoil behind a facade of professionalism. Daniel, on the other hand, adjusted his glasses, his gaze distant and clearly absorbed in the events. He took a deep breath, as if to gather his thoughts, then crossed the threshold, joining O'Neill and Carter in the corridors of the base.
Jack, his forehead marked by a furrow of concern, headed to his office. Behind the closed door, a stack of paperwork awaited him. Usually, these documents were nothing more than a tedious distraction, but today they provided a welcome escape from the enigma that was Victor. He settled into his desk, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before immersing himself in the mundane world of reports and forms.
Elsewhere, in a laboratory bathed in a bluish glow, Sam activated her state-of-the-art equipment. Graphs and numbers filled the screens, bearing witness to the energy anomalies that had preceded Victor's appearance. Her fingers danced from one keyboard to another as she tried to trace the origins of this energy. Her scientific curiosity was at its peak, every piece of data collected potentially offering a clue to the mystery of the young man's arrival.
On the other side of the complex, Daniel was immersed in a sea of artifacts and ancient books, his cluttered desk reflecting the mind of a passionate researcher. The three objects were laid out before him, capturing every glimmer of light in the room. He delicately picked up the cube, bringing it closer to his eyes to examine its smallest details. The other objects would soon undergo the same meticulous examination.
The incessant ticking of the clock finally broke Jack's concentration. He had been lost in that maze of paperwork for almost three hours. The words were starting to dance before his eyes, a sign that it was time to take a break. He stretched, his bones cracking in protest, before standing up from his chair and making his way out of his office.
As he entered the lab, the scene that greeted him brought a tender smile to Jack's face. Sam seemed to have succumbed to exhaustion, her head nestled in the crook of her arms, her steady breathing betraying deep sleep. Jack discreetly checked the entrance to ensure their privacy and closed the door behind him. He approached her gently, watching her with affection. Then, yielding to an impulse, he leaned in and placed a light kiss in the hollow of her neck.
The warm breath of Jack against her skin was like an electric shock to Sam, jolting her out of sleep in an instant. Her instincts as a senior officer kicked in, putting her on maximum alert. Like a tightly wound spring, she sat up abruptly, every muscle in her body tense and ready for action. Without thinking, she thrust her right fist forward, targeting the figure she believed to be an enemy. Jack managed to dodge the blow at the last second, his face betraying a hint of surprise.
As Sam's eyes finally landed on that familiar face, surprise turned into embarrassment. Her cheeks turned a shade of crimson, and her lips parted as she searched for words. "Jack... I'm sorry," she stammered, trying to catch her breath, "You... startled me."
Jack's eyes twinkled mischievously as he arched an eyebrow, "Should I be worried? How many others come to surprise you like this in your lab?"
Sam, attempting to regain her composure, let out a nervous laugh. But her amusement quickly faded, replaced by a serious and contemplative expression. "I've examined these energy readings from every possible angle, but I can't pinpoint their source. It's very frustrating."
Jack gently placed his hand on Sam's shoulder, seeking to soothe the internal turmoil he could discern in her. "Sam, I've caught you half-asleep for several days now. You should consider getting some rest, even if it's just a few hours."
At Jack's remark, Sam shook her head softly, causing her blonde locks to sway with the motion. Her eyes, shining with unwavering determination, locked onto O'Neill's, "I'm fine, really."
Jack observed the resolute gleam in her eyes. The same gleam he had seen so many times in moments of crisis, a sign of her determination to see things through, no matter the cost. With a hint of resignation, he nodded, silently acknowledging that there was no chance of persuading her to take a break.
Sam's gaze momentarily drifted into the distance, her deep and contemplative blue eyes reflecting a mosaic of emotions, "It's just that... I won't be able to relax until I understand what's going on."
Jack met her gaze, his brown eyes softening, a mixture of understanding and empathy, "I know, Sam, but you also have to accept that we can't control everything. Sometimes, taking a step back is part of the game too."
Sam sighed, turning her head slightly to hide her sense of vulnerability, "I hate not understanding."
He stepped closer to her, a wry smile touching his lips. "I've noticed," he murmured before enfolding her in his arms, "But I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually."
The dim lighting in the conference room lent a solemn tone to the atmosphere. Around the table, Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c faced each other, the tension in the air underscored by the significance of what they had just shared.
Sam, with her typically confident posture, seemed slightly weary, her eyes scanning the documents in front of her. Daniel, on the other hand, adjusted his glasses, a clear sign of his nervousness, as he tried to mentally organize the information they had received.
Teal'c, with his trademark stoicism in all circumstances, gazed at the table's surface. However, a palpable tension in his jaw betrayed the intensity of his thoughts. He had listened with heightened attention to the details Sam and Daniel had shared about Victor's unexpected arrival. Yet, instead of responding immediately, he had chosen, as was often his way, to contemplate the implications.
Jack burst into the room, evident tension in his shoulders. He briefly greeted his teammates before taking his usual seat, the chair affording him a commanding view of the room. His fingers lightly drummed on the table, a sign of his impatience.
All eyes converged on Daniel, who seemed to have already begun analyzing the mysterious objects found on Victor. He first indicated the blade, his fingers delicately touching the carved patterns.
"The engravings on this blade," he began, light reflecting off his glasses, "are undeniably inspired by ancient Greece. However, it's not sharp. It appears to be more of an ornamental object, perhaps ceremonial, rather than a weapon."
He set down the blade and picked up the second object, "As for this cube," he said, turning it over in his hands, "it's a complete enigma. Its composition, its function... nothing ties it to any culture or time period we know. It certainly originates from another planet."
Teal'c nodded, "Do you believe this young man is not of Earth?"
"Possible," Daniel began as he took hold of the last object, "Well, this necklace seems at first glance to be a simple piece of jewelry."
Sam, her eyes fixed on the necklace, suggested, "Perhaps one of these objects enabled the time travel?"
Daniel opened his mouth to respond, but the click of heels on the floor silenced him. All eyes turned to the entrance. It was Dr. Lam, a thick file nestled under her arm. She settled at the table, her eyes quickly scanning the objects.
"So, Doctor, what's the news?" Jack inquired, his hands clasped in front of him.
Carolyn placed her file on the table and opened it, "Physically, he's fine. No signs of Goa'uld infection." She paused, "However, his blood work shows an anomaly. A surprisingly high concentration of a substance closely resembling Naquadah protein."
Sam's blue eyes narrowed, "Can I see the results?"
The doctor handed the sheet to Sam and continued her explanation, "The protein we detected differs slightly from the one we're familiar with. It seems to have mutated."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, "Is it possible he was infected by some unknown Goa'uld species?"
The doctor, lost in thought, answered with measured slowness, "That's a possibility, or we're dealing with a spontaneous genetic mutation."
Jack furrowed his brow, confusion etched on his face, "And this mutation would be caused by...?"
Carolyn flipped through documents, "I believe he might be the child of a former Goa'uld host. The protein could have been passed down and mutated during conception, but it's purely speculative. We've never encountered a case like this before."
A heavy silence filled the room, all eyes turned to Sam, who paled slightly under the weight of their gazes.
Jack, sensing the discomfort, tried to shift the focus, "Is there anything else, Doctor?"
Hesitantly, Lam touched the graph spread out in front of her with her fingertips. "The traces of his EEG are similar to those of Ayianna and to the ones we observed in you, General, when you received the knowledge of the Ancients."
Daniel sat up, a thrill of anticipation in his voice, "Is he an Ancient?"
A heavy breath seemed to freeze time, as if every atom in the room held its breath, waiting for the revelation. Every gaze was desperately fixed on the Doctor, seeking an answer in the slightest movements of her face.
"I can't confirm anything at the moment," she finally answered, "genetic sequences take time to analyze. However, his antibodies seem very close to Ayianna's."
Sam furrowed her brows, "How close are we talking about?"
The Doctor, visibly concerned, let out a weary sigh, "There's a nuance. Unlike what we've observed on Earth so far, his DNA seems to carry a more evolved version of the Ancient gene."
Teal'c, his demeanor as impassive as ever, inquired, "Is it possible that he is a direct descendant?"
Carolyn nodded thoughtfully, "Possible, but again, a genetic mutation can't be ruled out."
Jack, his face marked by curiosity, displayed a thoughtful frown, "So, he's not from around here?"
"This gene is rare on Earth, but we haven't sampled the entire population," Lam retorted, "Other individuals could very well share similar genetic traits."
Seizing the opportunity for a hint of irony, Sam added with an eye roll, "Sorry, Carolyn, but the chances of encountering someone on Earth with Naquadah and the Ancient gene seem pretty slim."
The comment was followed by a tense pause, eventually broken by a nervous chuckle from Jack, "Can you imagine a Goa'uld and an Ancient having a romantic evening and making a child? That's ridiculous."
Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a knowing look, their eyes reflecting a mutual understanding as if they had touched upon a hidden truth. Their gazes synchronized to Sam, then Jack, and back to Sam again. She caught the heavy implication in their expressions and blushed, realizing that the same improbable idea had crossed her mind just moments earlier.
"Sam?" Daniel asked gently, a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
She nodded, looking determined, "No, Daniel."
The archaeologist, unable to contain his hypothesis, countered, "And why not?"
Jack, who seemed to have missed a few nuances of the conversation, appeared bewildered, furrowing his brow, "Why not what?"
"Daniel, drop it," Sam firmly advised, her gaze locked on him, as if challenging him to continue.
But Jack, sensing he was missing something, grew restless, "What the heck, then?!"
Ignoring Sam's silent plea, Daniel leaned forward toward O'Neill, "Think about it, Jack. On Earth, who are the only two people capable of jointly passing both the Ancient gene and the Goa'uld protein to a child?"
Jack's eyes brightened with sudden realization, his mouth opening slightly, "Wait, you're not seriously implying that...?"
O'Neill was suddenly cut off by the sound of doors bursting open. The already charged atmosphere froze into a tense silence as Victor appeared unexpectedly. Followed closely by Sergeant Harriman, looking solemn and hurrying in, he entered the room surrounded by a few stern-faced military personnel.
Jack and his team, taken off guard, instinctively stood up from their seats. The tension was palpable, and every exchanged look carried unspoken questions that hung in the air.
Walter, his shirt partially untucked, turned to Jack, his words rushing out in a hasty breath. "I'm sorry, General, he was like a whirlwind in the infirmary. He insisted on seeing you, and we couldn't hold him back."
Victor, despite the delicate situation, lifted his head with determination. "Please, Jack, tell your watchdogs to let go of me. I don't want to hurt them. We need to talk, and I don't have much time!"
A murmur swept through the room, a ripple of confusion. Who was this young man daring to address General O'Neill by his first name with such familiarity?
Jack's scrutinizing gaze anchored in Victor's, trying to unravel the mystery surrounding him. With a solemn gesture, he signaled his men and Dr. Lam to leave, keeping only the core of his team in the room.
Victor, moving deliberately, took a seat where Dr. Lam had been, next to Sam. "My name is Victor. Before I explain my purpose here, there are certain things I need to clarify."
Daniel, looking puzzled, interrupted, "Such as?"
Victor took a deep breath, "I need to make sure I've arrived at the right moment."
Teal'c's brow slightly furrowed. "The right moment for what?"
Avoiding the question, Victor pressed on, "Have you recently discovered a ZPM?"
Jack's head nodded, intrigued. "Indeed. Why?"
The young man, his gaze still intense, continued, "And shortly after, all four of you went on a weekend trip to Jack's cabin. Daniel and Teal'c left early, leaving Jack and Sam alone." His eyes, insistent, shuttled between O'Neill and Carter.
Heat rushed to Sam's cheeks, catching her off guard, while Jack's expression had frozen, putting him clearly on the defensive. Without letting the discomfort linger, Victor pressed on, "Since then, you've become a couple, haven't you?"
The atmosphere became tangible, almost suffocating. Daniel's and Teal'c's eyes, shifting between surprise and amusement, were fixed on the duo. Trying to regain control, Jack, his jaw clenched, retorted, "Whether we're together or not is none of your business. Now, tell us why you're here!"
Unfazed by the response, Victor continued, "I need to know the exact date of that famous weekend."
Jack's irritation was palpable. As he was about to retort, Teal'c's deep and composed voice sliced through the charged air, "It was three weeks and four days ago."
General astonishment. Everyone turned to the Jaffa, eyes widened. With a half-smile, almost mischievous, Teal'c simply stated, "I never forget a date."
Victor nodded in acknowledgment and rubbed his temples, trying to gather his memories. He spoke aloud, as if to refocus his own thoughts, "I hope it's not too late."
Victor's words found their way to Sam's ears, "Too late for what?"
"It's imperative to contact Thor right now!" Victor exclaimed, urgency coated in every intonation of his voice.
Jack furrowed his brow, "But what's the connection between our weekend and the Asgard?!"
Victor stated, "Only Thor can prevent my abduction, he needs to be informed immediately! Before it's too late!"
Jack's patience seemed to diminish with each word. "For crying out loud, what are you talking about?!"
"Two Asgard are going to abduct me while I'm still in my mother's womb. It's absolutely necessary to prevent that. I must not be sent to Ivadoll," Victor confessed, fear tinting his voice.
With an exasperated sigh, Jack retorted, "Why would they want to abduct you?"
"They believe my DNA could save their race. But it doesn't matter! It must not happen! We need to contact Thor," Victor pleaded.
With a thoughtful expression, Daniel intervened, "Tell us about your parents. Perhaps we could alert them and prevent all of this."
Victor shook his head in resignation, "They abducted me without anyone noticing, we won't be able to stop it."
Sam, trying to bring a glimmer of hope, added, "I agree with Daniel. It would be wise to alert your parents."
The intensity in Victor's gaze amplified, "In any case, I just informed them. Now we need to contact Thor," he turned to Jack, "Where's the Asgard communicator? The white thing that looks like a stone."
Sam's surprise was palpable, "What?! Your parents are in the base?!"
Ignoring the collective surprise, Victor, his teeth clenched, locked eyes first with Sam and then with Jack, "Yes, they're even in this room." He gestured towards the couple, as if pointing out the obvious.
Victor appeared more preoccupied with the urgency of contacting Thor than with the bombshell he had just dropped. Daniel, his mouth slightly agape, sought answers, while Teal'c remained, as always, unshaken. Jack, with an expression that oscillated between shock and confusion, rubbed his face.
Words tumbled out of Sam's lips, "Are you saying that... we are... your parents?"
"Yes, and we need to act quickly! I don't know exactly when I'll be abducted. It could be any moment now, tomorrow, or the day after!" exclaimed Victor, scanning the room for the communicator.
As the confirmation from Victor spread through the room, the weight of his words knocked the breath out of Jack as if he had been struck. He cast a stunned look at Sam, whose eyes were wide open, staring intensely at the teenager.
"Victor, there must be a mistake," Sam murmured, every syllable of her voice betraying her nervousness. "It's impossible for me to be pregnant."
Yet the teenager responded without hesitation as he straightened up, "And yet, my presence here proves it." He scanned the room, "So, where is that communicator?"
The tightness in Sam's throat grew. Each beat of her heart seemed to resonate in her ears, louder, faster. And without warning, she abruptly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor in a sharp squeal. She hurriedly left the room.
With quick strides, the echoes of her heels resonated through the base's metallic corridors. Sam held her breath as she finally reached the infirmary. Her fingers trembled as she searched a particular cabinet, from which she retrieved a small box that promised answers.
The restroom, though nearby, felt like miles away. With each passing second, the absurdity of the situation overwhelmed her. How could she be pregnant when her IUD had never failed her in so many years? Not to mention the fact that she had been with Jack for barely a month; this situation was just unthinkable.
The door closed behind her with an almost brutal suddenness. Facing her reflection in the mirror, her blue eyes revealed a tumult of emotions. As she tried to calm the internal storm, she realized she didn't have any urgent need. She turned on the tap, letting the cool water run over her fingers before drinking it hastily.
In that confined space, time had warped, each heartbeat resonating louder than the last. Her chest rose more rapidly, reflecting palpable anxiety. Then, sensing a slight urge, she hurriedly performed the test. The cap was replaced swiftly. The instructions indicated a five-minute wait… an eternity.
The coolness of the sink beneath the test contrasted with the warmth radiating from Sam's palm. Her foot tapped the floor frantically, her eyes glued to her watch, the hands seeming deliberately sluggish. Her heart, on the other hand, showed no hesitation, bounding fervently with each passing second.
A muffled noise at the door startled her, tearing through the veil of anxiety that had enveloped her. "Sam, are you in there?" Jack's deep voice was recognizable among a thousand others. She glanced at her watch quickly. Just one more minute. "Yes, I'm here."
"I feel a bit silly talking to the women's restroom door. Let me in, please." His voice carried a hint of concern.
With a click, the door unlocked. Jack stepped into the room without hesitation. The dim light revealed Sam's distraught face. She held the pregnancy test, her fingers gripping it so tightly they turned white, conveying the intensity of her emotions. Their eyes met, Sam's moist and shining, a mixture of bewilderment and desperation, as if she were seeking answers in Jack's gaze.
Tense, she extended the test towards him, her hands slightly trembling, "Victor wasn't lying."
Jack took a deep breath, his hands tightening imperceptibly. He walked slowly, each step measured, before stopping in front of her. Gently grasping Sam's wrist, he examined the test; the two distinct lines left no doubt. With a delicate motion of his thumb, he wiped away a tear from her cheek.
Holding her breath, Sam's words came out in a broken whisper, "I lost my father, we're leaving the SGC, and now... this." She moved away from him, frustration manifesting in her nervous pacing across the room.
"Sam..." Jack began, attempting to interrupt, but she continued, her voice crescendoing, "It hasn't been easy to acknowledge our feelings. We never talked about children. For all I know, you might not even want this."
Jack's reaction was lightning-fast, his steps covering the distance between them in an instant. His hands, warm and reassuring, firmly settled on Sam's shoulders, turning her towards him. Their eyes locked, the beats of their hearts echoing through the thin space that separated them.
"Sam, calm down," his voice was gentle, yet laden with an urgency that sent shivers down her spine, "I want this child. Just as much as I want you."
Sam's blue eyes searched his, seeking any sign of doubt. Instead, she found reassuring warmth. Seeing her hesitation, Jack offered a smile, a playful glint lighting up his eyes. "The only thing I'm worried about," he said with a touch of humor, "is that it seems to have inherited my stubbornness."
A soft chuckle escaped Sam's lips. The tears that had been threatening to overflow now glimmered with amusement. "We can't let the Asgards take them away."
Pulling Sam closer, Jack nestled his face in her blonde hair, his warm breath caressing her forehead. "I promise you," he murmured, each word infused with determination, "no one will lay a finger on our child."
The door to the conference room opened slowly, revealing Sam and Jack, their silhouettes contrasting against the darkness of the hallway. The glow from the lights reflected on their faces, revealing strained expressions.
Victor, slumped in his chair, slowly raised his head to look at them. His lips parted hesitantly, "I... I'm sorry, I lacked tact." he began, his voice laden with remorse. "I shouldn't have told you like that."
Sam paused midway between the door and the table. She raised a calming hand, her face softening slightly. "It's okay, Victor," she murmured.
Jack, on the other hand, didn't stop. He moved forward with unwavering determination, his posture stiffened by tension, ready to face any adversity. "I'm going to have them contact Thor," he declared.
The door to his office closed behind him with an almost inaudible click, but it resonated heavily in the room.
The soft light in the conference room cast shifting shadows on the objects laid out in front of Daniel. His attention was first drawn to the metallic cube. His fingers grazed its surface, hesitating. "Victor," he began, his brows furrowing with curiosity, "what are the precise functions of these objects?"
Victor immediately picked up the cube with a speed and confidence that betrayed his attachment. "This is the Kairos cube," he explained, his gaze fixed on the shiny surface of the object. "It allowed me to travel through time." He lifted it, the strap unwinding, and he placed it around his neck, the object resting against his chest.
Daniel, eyes widened with interest, stepped closer. "Kairos, you mean, the god of the opportune moment? How does it work?"
Victor shrugged, "Honestly, I don't really know."
Daniel's curiosity heightened. He delicately picked up the other necklace, lifting it to examine it under the light. "And this?" he asked.
Victor appeared momentarily uncomfortable, his eyes avoiding contact. "Just a piece of jewelry," he said, his voice carrying a sharp tone as if he wanted to close the topic. "You can keep it."
Daniel, intrigued, set the piece of jewelry down and picked up the blade with a swift motion. However, before he had even begun to examine it, Victor reacted. In a lightning-fast movement, he took it back, but not without consequences. Victor let out a pained grunt. A sharp bite, a pain that caused beads of sweat to form on his forehead, pierced through him. His fingers loosened their grip on the blade, revealing a gaping gash in the palm of his hand from which blood was escaping, dripping heavily onto the floor.
Sam, alarmed, quickly stood up and grabbed the blade to place it far away from them. With her right hand, she applied firm pressure to the wound in an attempt to stem the bleeding. "You need to see a doctor," she said, her eyes reflecting concern.
Daniel, on the other hand, was stunned. The blade had also grazed his skin, leaving no mark. "How... Why didn't I get hurt?" he asked, perplexed.
Despite the pain, Victor managed to send a grateful look to Sam. "This blade," he began, taking a breath, "it's only dangerous to me."
The door to the General's office closed softly, revealing Jack. "It's done, I've ordered the contact with Thor, but we can't predict how long it'll take for a response."
Upon seeing Victor's bloody hand, Jack's gaze froze, "Damn it! What happened?"
Teal'c turned his imposing head towards Jack. "Victor injured himself with this weapon," he said, pointing at the object in question.
The already tense atmosphere shifted into an eerie one as the cube around Victor's neck emitted an almost supernatural glow, pulsating and irregular. Victor's temples were pounding at an alarming rate, each throb betraying his distress. In a desperate motion, he freed his hand from Sam's touch, "The cube is activating! I'm going to have to leave without having had the chance to prevent my abduction!"
Sam, puzzled, furrowed her brows, her blue gaze locking onto Victor's. "Don't worry, we'll do whatever it takes."
His face pale, eyes shining with a wild intensity, Victor exclaimed, "No, I didn't arrive in time to change the course of events!"
Trying to restore a semblance of calm, Daniel interjected, his soft voice contrasting with the chaos, "You're wrong, Victor. You've warned us. Things are bound to change."
Victor's face seemed ready to shatter. Tears of anguish, heavy and imminent, trembled on his eyelids, while his ragged breath betrayed inner turmoil. His eyes, filled with terror and distress, slowly lifted to meet Daniel's.
"And what if it's not enough?" he murmured, his words betraying visceral fear, "I can't... I won't be able to bear seeing her dead again!"
Daniel, despite his familiarity with unexpected situations, was caught off guard by this confession. Surprise widened his blue eyes, "Who are you talking about?" he asked softly.
The light emanating from the cube seemed to embrace the atmosphere, bathing the room in an almost otherworldly glow. Victor, his face a storm of emotions, slowly approached Sam. His eyes, filled with pain and regret, locked onto hers with a heart-wrenching intensity. His voice, cracked with emotion, murmured with a devastating gravity, "Mom... Forgive me."
Sam's eyes, shining with confusion and concern, sought to decipher the emotional abyss that seemed to have engulfed Victor. But nothing could have prepared her for what happened next. In a sudden, unexpected burst of violence, Victor lunged forward with the blade aimed at the lower part of Sam's abdomen. Fear, surprise, the refusal to believe what was happening, all of it found expression in the piercing scream that escaped her.
But as she braced herself for excruciating pain, a cold, almost electric sensation washed over her. When Victor, wide-eyed at what he had just done, withdrew the blade, it was barely stained with red. Sam, breathless, her trembling fingers explored the spot of the attack, but to her astonishment, she found no gash, no cut, just the lingering sensation of coolness where the blade had touched her.
Time seemed to stand still. Jack, terror etched across his face, rushed towards Sam. His eyes, ablaze with anger, locked onto Victor. "What have you done?!" he thundered, his breath ragged.
With tears in his eyes and his voice almost broken, Victor replied, "Don't worry, Sam will be fine. It's me I've just condemned... They won't be able to take me, and everyone will be okay."
But before anyone could react, sudden spasms wracked Sam's body. She collapsed, overcome by unbearable pain, her body convulsing, her hand desperately clutching onto Jack for any semblance of comfort.
Jack's expression hardened as he understood the gravity of the situation. "Teal'c, call the medical team, immediately!" he ordered urgently, his fear palpable.
Lost in the maelstrom of emotions, Victor's face was a canvas of incomprehension and regret. His fingers, tight around the blade, couldn't hold onto it any longer. It slipped from his grip, falling toward the cold floor.
A vortex of sparkling energy emerged and began to engulf Victor's figure. His features started to dissolve, merging into the swirling lights. The onlookers, paralyzed by the scene, could only watch helplessly as Victor vanished, irreversibly absorbed into the shimmering maelstrom. Once the storm subsided, all that remained was silence and the gaping emptiness of Victor's absence.
Hastened footsteps echoed in the corridor as Dr. Lam, flanked by two nurses, appeared. She found Sam writhing in pain on the floor. Her eyes settled on Jack, seeking an explanation.
"She was struck in the abdomen with this," Jack said, quickly showing the bright and menacing blade. Then, swallowing hard, he added with a voice laden with concern, "She's pregnant, Doctor."
As Lam approached to assess the situation, Sam felt excruciating contractions intensify, followed by a slow-spreading sensation of wetness between her thighs. The situation was urgent, and every second counted. The medical team swiftly lifted Sam, rushing her towards the infirmary. Once there, they prepared an emergency ultrasound to evaluate the state of the pregnancy. Jack, feeling powerless but determined, refused to leave her side and remained steadfastly by her.
Hardly had the swirling energy dissipated when Victor stood, upright and tense, in front of the entrance to the family home in Ivadoll. The air was heavy, saturated with an electric tension that seemed to clutch at his throat. He entered with palpable hesitation, each step resonating like the relentless beating of his heart against his ribcage.
The interior of the house was silent, almost suffocating. Every room he passed through felt frozen, like a snapshot of a forgotten moment. His greatest apprehension was discovering the lifeless body of Hilda, the woman who had raised him as her own son, lying somewhere within this confined space. But, against all expectations, he found nothing, just an abyssal emptiness.
Guided by an elusive intuition, Victor made his way to the garden. He searched every nook and cranny, inspecting behind each bush, his mind conjuring the worst scenarios at every moment. Yet calm prevailed, only disturbed by the melodious songs of birds.
Returning indoors, exhausted by anxiety, he slumped onto the couch, allowing the tension to slowly dissipate. A sigh escaped his lips. Hilda was still alive, somewhere, elusive.
As he indulged in a few moments of respite, a dull thud, akin to the growl of an approaching beast, shattered the silence. Adrenaline surged through his veins once more, preparing him to confront the unknown.
Victor's eyes scrutinized the scene, seeking to discern every detail of this unexpected apparition. As the light gradually illuminated the figure, the familiar features of Professor Charon emerged from the shadows. Yet there was something strange and utterly incongruous about this vision.
Charon's attire was not that of a mere professor. It was adorned with delicate patterns, silky fabrics, and a golden trim. His coat, elegantly flowing to the floor, bore the distinctive insignias and emblems of Ivadoll's governors.
Victor, his breath caught by this sight, tried to gather his thoughts. His voice betrayed a hint of confusion, "Professor Charon? What are you doing here? And... why this attire?"
Charon, wearing a smirk, "Ah, Victor," he said in a voice tinged with mischief, "you're right on time."
The atmosphere had suddenly shifted, as if a curtain had been raised. Victor swiftly sat up from the couch, "You know my name?" He scanned the room, searching for any possible way out. "So, despite all my efforts, I was abducted by the Asgard and brought here?"
"No, my boy, I assure you. You have never been to Ivadoll. Except, of course, at this very moment," Charon replied in a soothing voice.
But Victor's confusion was growing. "Then how do you know me? And where are my parents?"
Ignoring the urgency of the questions, Charon slowly walked towards the kitchen, his steps regal. His fingers caressed a glass, which he filled with clear, cool liquid. After taking a deliberate sip, his eyes fixed on Victor, a smile lighting up his face. "You know, your disappearance was quite an affair."
Victor took a step back, wary, "What do you mean?"
Charon carefully placed his glass on the table. "From the moment the Asgards entrusted you to us, I immediately understood who you were and the abilities you would possess as you grew. Of course, I couldn't simply kill you; the others and the Asgards would have relentlessly pursued me. So, I had to resort to more... subtle approaches."
A shiver of dread ran through Victor. This figure he had once looked up to and respected was now morphing into an insidious enemy. "Who are you really?"
The professor wore a cruel smile, his white teeth contrasting against the pallor of his skin. A perverse glint animated his gaze, "I am an Ancient. I was one of the closest disciples of Hades, but he betrayed and punished me by denying me Ascension. Since then, I've had only one goal: to turn Ivadoll into an army of Ancients. However, your birth has complicated everything. You would have eventually taken Sigurd's place as the governor, and I wouldn't have been able to reclaim what was stolen from me."
Victor, seething with rage, took a step forward, his fists clenched, ready to pounce. But a sudden whirlwind of pain seized him, immobilizing every muscle in his body. An unbearable heat surged through his veins, and the world around him blurred. Staggering, he collapsed to his knees, the air escaping him, "What's happening to me?"
Charon, in all his towering dominance, approached, his face illuminated with a perverse satisfaction, "Have you forgotten, my dear pupil? You've fallen victim to your own destiny, condemned yourself before even coming into this world. Ironic, isn't it?"
He savored a sip of his drink, seeming to relish the situation, "Every attempt I've made to end your wretched existence has failed, as if someone is protecting you. Like that time when the propulsion system of your ship should have been fatal for you. I must admit that the arrival of your biological parents didn't make things easy, especially with your father. The release of the Titans should have erased you, but for a reason I can't explain, Kira managed to heal you, even though I never imparted that ability to her. So, I had to revise my plans, and by killing your dear Hilda, I created the perfect guilt to achieve my goal. You were ending your own life, a flawless death."
Charon's shadow stretched across Victor's pale face, making their proximity even more suffocating. With each passing second, Victor felt death creeping over him, but he refused to give Charon the satisfaction of seeing him give in.
Veins bulged on Victor's forehead, every word he spoke carrying the weight of deep pain, "I swear... I will kill you..." His lips parted, trembling, but his gaze was like tempered steel, a reflection of unyielding determination.
A cruel smile etched itself on Charon's pallid face, "You have no idea of the power I represent, Victor. Despite being the heir of Hades, the few skills you've acquired were given to you because I willed it. You are nothing now."
Struggling to maintain his clarity, every fiber of Victor rebelled against the darkness threatening to consume him. His voice, though weakened, resonated, "Where are they? Sigurd... Hilda..."
Charon, savoring his apparent victory, leaned in even closer, "They still live, rest assured. But imprisoned for eternity on Tartarus. You can take solace in the fact that your death will have spared them."
Victor's vision blurred. His eyelids drooped slowly, and his body dissipated, like an imprint erased by the wind of time...
