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BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 119
The war room was silent except for the crackling of a single candle burning low on the table. Samuel’s eyes remained locked on the parchment Cassandra had placed before him. The names, the locations, the chilling details—everything confirmed his worst fears. The Elders weren’t just watching. They were already moving.Evelyn shifted beside him, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I don’t like this,” she muttered. “It feels like a trap.”Cassandra’s expression remained unreadable. “It’s only a trap if you’re unprepared.”Samuel exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain calm. “Tell me everything.”Cassandra leaned against the table, her fingers trailing over the edges of the parchment. “The Elders have been planning your downfall for years, but William’s failure accelerated their timeline. They’re sending enforcers—elites trained to hunt and eliminate threats like you.”Evelyn scoffed. “Threats like us, you mean.”Cassandra smirked. “Yes, well, I’d rather not die screaming.”Samuel’s j
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 120
The air was thick with the scent of blood and dust. The ruins around them stood silent, except for the crackling of flames from the remnants of their battle. Samuel’s heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the parchment in his hands, his name and the names of his allies written in bold ink—targets marked for elimination.Evelyn’s breathing was still heavy, her knuckles white as she gripped her blade. “They were planning to hunt us down one by one.”Cassandra took a step forward, snatching the parchment from Samuel’s grip. Her eyes skimmed over the list, her expression unreadable, but when she spoke, her voice was tight. “This isn’t just a hit list. These are orders. The Elders aren’t waiting for us to make a move—they’re already executing their plan.”Samuel clenched his fists. He had known the Elders wouldn’t take his defiance lightly, but this? This was an extermination.“We need to move.” His voice was steady, but the fire in his chest burned hotter. “If we wait, they’ll wipe u
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 121
The Elder’s smile was infuriating, like he had already won. Samuel’s pulse thundered in his ears, his grip tightening around his sword. The city was burning, the screams of the dying echoing in the night, but all that mattered in this moment was the enemy before him.“You’re late,” the Elder mocked, taking a slow step forward. “I expected you to arrive sooner.”Samuel didn’t respond. He had no words for men like him—those who spoke of fate while they slaughtered innocents.Cassandra moved beside him, blades at the ready, her stance coiled like a viper waiting to strike. Evelyn flanked his other side, her gaze locked on the Elder’s every movement.“Did you enjoy my work at the stronghold?” the Elder asked, his tone almost conversational. “It was a mercy, really. A quick death, compared to what they deserved.”Rage coiled in Samuel’s chest, but he forced himself to stay still. If he let anger rule him, he’d lose.Instead, he lifted his sword. “You talk too much.”The Elder chuckled, sha
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 122
Samuel barely had time to catch his breath before the city’s alarm bells rang out again, their sharp cries piercing the night. He turned, scanning the battlefield, and his stomach twisted.Reinforcements.A fresh wave of enemy soldiers poured in through the broken gates, their banners emblazoned with the crest of the Brook family.“Damn it,” Cassandra hissed, still clutching her ribs. “They just keep coming.”Evelyn, despite her broken wrist, straightened. “They must have planned for this. The Elder was just a distraction.”Samuel tightened his grip on his sword. “Then we hold the line.”But deep down, he knew they were outnumbered.And the enemy knew it too.A familiar figure emerged from the ranks—a man draped in crimson armor, his golden hair gleaming under the moonlight. His icy blue eyes locked onto Samuel with a smirk that sent a shiver down his spine.Lucian Brook.One of the Brook family’s most ruthless commanders. And Samuel’s sworn rival.Lucian strode forward, sword resting
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 123
Samuel’s lungs burned as they navigated the tunnels beneath the city, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows against the damp walls. The air was thick, stale, and suffocating, but they didn’t have the luxury of stopping.Lucian would come after them. That much was certain.Cassandra limped beside him, her ribs still aching from the earlier fight. Evelyn, gripping the torch, moved swiftly, her eyes scanning ahead for any signs of danger.“We need to move faster,” Evelyn urged. “These tunnels may be hidden, but they’re not foolproof.”Samuel knew she was right. If Lucian’s men discovered the entrance, they’d be trapped like rats.Cassandra exhaled sharply. “How much farther?”“Not long.” Samuel pointed down the path. “There’s an exit near the eastern hills. From there, we head to the river.”Evelyn glanced at him. “And after that?”Silence stretched between them.They had no real plan beyond escaping the city. Their home had fallen, and their forces were scattered.Samuel clenc
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 124
The golden symbols pulsed like a heartbeat, casting a dim glow across the cavernous space. Samuel’s breath came in shallow gasps as he traced the crest embedded in the stone door. His family’s crest.“What does this mean?” Cassandra whispered, her voice laced with unease.Samuel didn’t answer immediately. His fingers brushed against the carved emblem, rough beneath his touch. His family had never spoken of underground tunnels, let alone a hidden chamber filled with magic. If his father were alive, would he have known about this place? Or had this been buried in the past, forgotten by generations?Evelyn stepped forward, eyes narrowing at the markings. “This is old magic. Pre-dynastic, maybe older.” She exhaled. “We shouldn’t be here.”Samuel met her gaze. “We don’t have a choice.”A distant clatter echoed through the tunnels above. Lucian’s men were still searching.Cassandra tensed. “They’re getting closer.”Evelyn nodded toward the door. “Then we better hope whatever’s behind this i
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 125
The footsteps in the distance grew louder.“They found the entrance,” Evelyn said, her voice tight with urgency. “We don’t have much time.”Cassandra spun toward the doorway. “We need to block the passage.”Samuel glanced around. The stone walls stood solid, unmoving, but the sword… it was more than just a weapon. He had felt it respond to him, heard the voice whisper through his mind.You have awakened the past.Could it do more?He stepped forward, raising the blade. The symbols on the walls flared brighter, as if answering his call. A strange warmth spread through his chest, his heartbeat aligning with the rhythm of the pulsing magic.“Samuel?” Evelyn asked warily.He didn’t answer. Instead, he drove the sword’s tip into the ground.The reaction was immediate.A deep tremor rolled through the chamber, followed by a blinding flash of golden light. The walls shuddered, and suddenly, the passage they had come through collapsed in on itself. Stone crashed down, sealing them off from th
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 126
The moment Samuel laid eyes on the ancient crest, a chill ran down his spine. His family had hidden this place for a reason—one he was about to uncover.Cassandra and Evelyn stood frozen beside him, their breaths shallow. The soft golden glow of the symbols pulsed, as if responding to their presence.“We shouldn’t be here,” Cassandra muttered.Evelyn ignored her, running her fingers along the intricate carvings on the door. “This magic is old. Older than anything I’ve ever seen.”Samuel clenched his fists. His family’s insignia was right in front of him, carved into something ancient and powerful. What had they been hiding?Before he could react, the ground beneath them trembled.The symbols flickered.Then, with a low groan, the massive stone door began to shift.“Step back!” Samuel ordered.Dust rained down as the door slid open, revealing an eerie darkness beyond.A sudden gust of air rushed past them, carrying whispers—faint, indecipherable voices that sent a shiver through Samuel
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\The road to the Vale of Remnants wasn’t marked on any map. It was hidden, buried beneath centuries of secrecy and natural camouflage. Eli had given them a tattered scroll, ink faded but still legible, containing coordinates only someone with the sigil could decipher. As they left the last paved road behind, the air grew heavier, laced with static. Trees loomed taller here, their twisted trunks like sentinels watching every move.Samuel sat in the backseat, staring out at the encroaching forest, his mind reeling. The Mark of Ascendance pulsed under his sleeve with quiet insistence, as if reacting to their proximity to the boundary. Every time he blinked, he saw that throne again—ancient and immense, its surface etched with glowing veins of light and shadow.Joey drove in tense silence. He had stopped cracking jokes two hours ago, when the GPS died and the radio began spitting out bursts of static mixed with those same whispered voices Samuel had been hearing. Sarah sat beside him, ey
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The handshake lingered longer than it should have, and when Marcus finally let go, Samuel wiped his hand on his coat, as if trying to rid himself of something foul. The warehouse hit had gone clean, precise, but that didn’t matter now. Callahan’s warning refused to quiet in Samuel’s head. The real players—the ones who truly run this city—are still out there.Back at the safe house, the atmosphere was no warmer than when they had left. Olivia was asleep on the couch, her breathing shallow but even. Rafael stood by the window, watching the street, while Evelyn leaned against the wall, arms crossed, the lines of tension etched deeper into her face.“You okay?” Samuel asked, stepping beside her.She didn’t answer at first. Then, quietly, “We just shot a man in cold blood, and I don’t feel a thing. That’s not normal.”Samuel glanced at her. “Normal left the building a long time ago.”Rafael spoke up. “We’ve stirred something up. Marcus might be useful, but he’s no ally. He plays sides, not
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'Hey, how about now? I am hungry'.There really was no other choice but to send a message to Gelael and go out with him. I couldn't possibly have to whine to Adrian, he might get really angry with me, because earlier he had offered to buy food straight away.Luckily, in no more than five minutes, Gelael arrived. I immediately got down and opened Gelael's car door when I saw that he had come with his friend. I immediately closed the front door and moved to the back. Unlucky! It's really embarrassing."Eh, sorry Emma, I forgot to tell you that I invited my brother, his name is Bon," said Gelael, Bon then extended his hand towards me."Emma," I said, shaking Bon's hand."Where are you going, sis?" Bon asked Gelael."Whatever, just a place to eat, a relaxed cafe, something delicious, if possible with live music," said Gelael.I sent a message to Gelael.'Why didn't you say that you would invite your brother, I was embarrassed because I suddenly opened the front door''Why should you be em
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"Why did you bring your brother? That's really cool," I asked."He was the one who wanted to come, he said he was bored at home, lazy about being told by his older brother, so I just invited him, do you feel bothered?" Gelael asked back."No, it's up to you, whoever you want to invite," I answered.Gelael smiled, he kept looking at me, I became uncomfortable."What now?" I asked Gelael."Nothing, I'm just happy to see you again, forgive all my stupidity yesterday, I think I was possessed by the ghost of a woman, that's why I acted so annoyingly," said Gelael."There's no need to discuss it any further, just assume that if you're crazy, I understand," I said.Gelael laughed, he looked back at me while supporting his chin. A very annoying pose for me, I ignored it and immediately played with my cellphone.Adrian sent photos of the food being served at Sandra's house, lots of it. It looked like they were having a luxurious party, Sandra was also seen smiling holding a lobster. I'm gratef
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“Why, just because I said something wrong earlier? "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, don't be angry like this, we can discuss other things that are more interesting," replied Gelael."What else can I discuss with you?" I asked."What, I don't know either, there are many things I could tell you but you won't hear them, you understand what I mean," said Gelael, he looked at me sharply."Yeah, thank you, I don't want to hear it one bit," I answered.Gelael raised his eyebrows, he then opened his cellphone. Likewise with me. I also kept myself busy by opening my cellphone.I looked around, people seemed to be chatting with each other, sharing stories, laughing, and making memorable memories. Meanwhile we were both just busy with our own affairs. There are no more words, no more stories that we can talk about, it's all over.Likewise with this relationship, it should be completely over, it cannot be forced. Between the two of us we still have wounds and hopes, I have wounds that have not yet h
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Adrian sat on the sofa in front of the television, leaned his head against the sofa cushion, he closed his eyes, from his expression I could tell that Adrian felt very tired and depressed."Sandra apologized to me earlier, she told me about how all this could happen, I was very touched," said Adrian, still with the same expression."That's all he said?" I asked.Adrian opened his eyes, he squinted at me."What else did he tell you? Is there anything else?” Adrian asked me with a confused and curious face."Yes, she told me how she broke up with Hudson, and how all this madness started," I answered, I sat next to Adrian.“Hudson? What did he tell you? "He just said that, all of this has nothing to do with me, all the mistakes that exist are proof that he was guilty and negligent, he was just being hit by anxiety and worry about his life, so he finally chose a shortcut to calm himself down," said Adrian."I don't want to talk about this problem because it is Sandra's personal matter, bu
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"Whoever is stressed, it seems like he is talking about himself," I said quietly. I then closed the door and locked it.What should I do now, it was still very early, I looked in the refrigerator, there was some ice cream that I hadn't eaten. Because I was hungry, I decided to cook instant noodles.After a few minutes, the instant noodles I made were ready and I brought them in front of the television. I turned on the television and ate the noodles I made. It's really delicious.Days like this are sometimes very enjoyable, maybe you know what I mean, I haven't lived a normal life like someone without problems for a long time, so this sometimes becomes an interesting habit.Gelael sent me a message saying good morning, I ignored it. I've really decided to keep my distance from Gelael, I don't want to have to play with everything at my young age all the time.By the way, it's December 28th, it's great that Adrian is still working at the end of the year, what a busy businessman. Sometime
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We arrived at the mall where Gelael and I met again for the first time after we separated."Let's just go straight to the salon, okay? My head feels very heavy," said Sandra, she then took my hand and we started walking along the mall."So how did that happen, I really can't comment reading what you just showed me, I'm very happy," I said, Sandra's smile couldn't hide her feelings which were also very happy."Why did I ask Adrian to come home last night? Because I really opened my mind, I apologized to Adrian and asked him not to think about all the things I did, I thought there were things I had to finish before it was too late. So after Adrian came home, I immediately called Tommy and talked to him. Including my meeting with Adrian, Hudson and what just happened, maybe we talked for almost three hours, I have become relieved and open since telling you, so I am really grateful that because of you I can have the courage to admit those things. At first I was hesitant to call Tommy, but
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The safe house felt colder than usual. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled in your bones and refused to let go. Samuel sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, his fingers lightly tapping against his knee. Evelyn was across from him, tending to Olivia, who lay on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her.Damon paced near the window, his agitation barely contained. “This doesn’t feel like a win,” he muttered. “We took out Vincent, got Olivia back, but something feels... off.”Samuel knew exactly what he meant. The words of the dying man at the warehouse still echoed in his mind. There are worse monsters coming.“We don’t have time to celebrate,” Samuel said finally. “Vincent may be dead, but that doesn’t mean we’re safe. Power like his doesn’t just disappear—it shifts.”Evelyn looked up, her expression tired but determined. “Then we make sure no one else takes it.”Damon scoffed. “That’s a nice thought, but how? We’re just four people against an entire city of crim
