The corridor was eerily silent now, save for the faint hum of the ship’s engines beneath the chaos above. Arthur’s steel black mask gleamed under the intermittent flashes of emergency lights. He advanced with a predatory grace, his focus narrowing on Shadow, the formidable enforcer standing between him and the Merchant.Shadow’s stance was defiant, his posture a testament to his training and skill. Yet, there was an undercurrent of desperation in his movements, a subtle tremor that betrayed his awareness of the overwhelming power Arthur wielded. In their interaction or rather his failed attempts at landing proper attacks, Shadow had understood the vast difference between him and the man before him.The man hailed as a legend, the one who's singular existence moved the tides of war in the empire's favor.The war god himself.He knew that he was fighting a losing battle, but there was nothing he could say or do. Shadow had heard about the war god, after all he was someone he hoped to

The Merchant moved swiftly, her hands almost trembling as she checked the lifeboat’s readiness. She could feel the war god’s presence like a shadow over her, a constant reminder of the power imbalance between them.Arthur took a moment to observe the room, assessing every detail, every potential threat or opportunity. His gaze lingered on the lifeboat, and for a moment, a flicker of memory crossed his mind, past missions, past escapes, each one successful because of meticulous planning and execution. This would be no different.The Merchant finished her preparations and turned to Arthur, her composure nearly restored but with an undercurrent of fear that hadn’t fully dissipated. She was not used to this, she was usually in control of her emotions so what she had experienced a few moments ago was beyond her.The war god was an existence she couldn't fully fathom.If he was the enemy of the Hughes family, then they were already doomed to then they were doomed to fall.As the lifeboat

With that, he exited the room, Viktor and the Merchant close behind. As they made their way back through the warehouse, Arthur’s mind was already shifting to the next phase of his plan. The night was far from over, and there were still many pieces left to move on the board.As they stepped back out into the cool night air, Arthur took a deep breath, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. But he welcomed the pressure, it was a familiar companion, one that sharpened his focus and fueled his resolve.The sleek black SUV glided through the night, the city lights casting fleeting shadows across its tinted windows. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Arthur Rhyfel sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the city outside the window, yet his mind was occupied with the occupants before him.Viktor, ever vigilant, sat beside the driver, his eyes on the unconscious John ‘Seer’ Henry, his presence a constant reminder of the war god’s authority. Shadow, now conscious

Jameson nodded, his resolve hardening. "The Merchant was always connected to the Hughes family. We knew it, but we never had the evidence. Now, maybe, we’ll finally be able to prove it."Before Commissioner Geston could respond, a member of the coast guard approached them, a file clutched tightly in her hand. She was a young woman, no older than twenty-five, her face flushed from the cold night air. She snapped a salute before handing the file to the commissioner."Sir," she said briskly. "We’ve started cataloging the items confiscated from the fleeing boats. It’s… quite a collection."He raised an eyebrow and took the file, flipping it open to read. Jameson leaned in, his curiosity piqued."Exotic animals," Geston read aloud, his voice laced with disbelief. "Borderline illegal substances of various sorts, relics thought to be lost, exclusive art pieces… counterfeit documents, passports, IDs…"He trailed off, the list seeming endless. It was a treasure trove of illicit goods, the kin

But before she could ask, Jon’s eyes fluttered shut, the effort of communication having drained him of what little strength he had left.Laura rose from her chair, signaling the nurse to tend to Jon. She walked out of the room, her mind racing. She had the information she needed, but it raised more questions than it answered. If Arthur Smith was indeed the Reaper, then the Hughes family was in more danger than she had realized, after all, their allies had already fallen.She recalled the words she heard long before that she had informed her brother and uncle about when they discovered the fate of their brother.“The sword of the Rhyfel has returned.”As she made her way to the exit, her thoughts turned to her father. She needed to tell him what she had learned, to warn him of the danger that loomed on the horizon. But even as she resolved to do so, a part of her wondered if it was already too late. The war god was coming, and no one knew where he would strike next.But Laura Hughes