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Rise Of The Phoenix: Dylan’s Rebirth 49
49A few minutes later, they arrived at a large, wrought-iron gate. The gate was imposing—tall and intricately designed, the kind of thing you’d expect to see in a place that had been standing for decades, if not centuries. Olivia slowed the car, pressing a button on the dashboard to open the gate. It creaked open slowly, revealing a long, tree-lined driveway leading up to a massive mansion in the distance.Dylan’s eyes widened just slightly, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. The house in front of him was magnificent. It was a sprawling two-story estate, with gleaming stone and large windows that reflected the evening sky. It looked like something out of a dream—or a movie. He could feel the weight of the place, a kind of quiet opulence that commanded attention.As they pulled up in front of the house, Olivia parked the car and turned to him. “Welcome to my home,” she said softly, her voice almost reverent as she looked up at the mansion. “I know it’s a lot. But… it’s wh
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50 Olivia’s voice cut through his thoughts, softer now. “It’s okay, Carmen. You can tell them I’ll be there soon.” She turned to Dylan, trying to lighten the mood. “Sorry about this. Family stuff. You know how it goes.” But Dylan didn’t feel reassured. Instead, he felt the sharp tug of suspicion. He’d seen people act a certain way when they were hiding something, and Olivia’s behavior, her way of avoiding his gaze, was one of those signs. Dylan stood there, his frown deepening as he watched Olivia carefully. She was clearly avoiding his gaze, her eyes darting to the floor, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. Something was definitely off, and the unease in his chest was growing by the second. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “Olivia, what’s going on? You’re not telling me something.” She hesitated, biting her lip and glancing up at him briefly before looking away again. “I… I didn’t exactly invite you here just to thank you,” she said softly, her voice
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51 “Alright,” he finally said, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. “I’ll follow you. But you owe me an explanation.” Olivia’s face softened in relief, and for a brief moment, he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing his arm before turning toward the hallway. As they walked down the corridor, Carmen stood frozen in place, her face pale with anxiety. She didn’t move as Olivia and Dylan disappeared from view, but the worry in her eyes lingered long after they had passed. Dylan glanced over at Olivia as she led him down the hall, the mansion’s grandeur feeling almost oppressive now, as though the walls were closing in around them. The distant sound of footsteps echoed through the silent house. They reached a set of stairs leading to the upper floor, and Olivia’s pace quickened. Dylan’s steps slowed as he noticed the way she was moving—quick, yet careful, like someone who had done this many times before. “Olivia,” he began, his voice
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52Dylan barely had time to process the man’s words when another voice cut through the tension, sharp and mocking.“Who the hell are you?” The voice dripped with disdain, coming from the far side of the room, near the open window.Dylan turned, startled. A woman stood there, leaning against the frame with an air of superiority. She was tall, dressed in a sleek black dress that contrasted sharply with the soft pink surroundings. Her arms were crossed, and her lips were twisted into an amused smirk, as though the entire situation was some kind of joke to her.“Well?” she pressed, her voice tinged with arrogance. “Who are you to be in here, looking at my daughter like that?”Dylan’s heart pounded in his chest. “I—I don’t know who she is, but I—”“Don’t lie!” the woman snapped, her eyes narrowing as she stepped further into the room. “You’re just some outsider, right? One of Olivia’s random guests? Or did you finally figure out the ‘family secret’ and decide to stick around?”Dylan could
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53 Dylan stared at Olivia, his jaw tightening. Heal her? His fists clenched at his sides as anger surged through him. "What the hell do you mean, Olivia?" His voice came out sharp, almost a growl. "Heal her? How?" Olivia swallowed hard, her eyes darting from him to her parents, then back to the little girl on the bed. "I—" she hesitated, her breath shaky. "I planned this, Dylan. From the moment I asked you to follow me." Dylan took a step forward, his chest heaving. "Planned what, Olivia?" She finally met his eyes, guilt flashing in hers. "When I told you I just wanted to thank you for saving my life… I lied." His stomach twisted. He had known something was off, but this? His fingers twitched with the urge to run a hand through his hair, but he held back. "So you tricked me," he said, voice low and deadly. "You used me." Her lips parted, panic flashing across her face. "I had to!" she burst out. "Dylan, you don't understand! I—" She turned to her parents, her hands shaking. "I
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54 Dylan’s head snapped toward Lewis, who stood tall, his piercing blue eyes filled with disgust. “That’s what you are, isn’t it?” Lewis sneered. “Some fraud pretending to have abilities beyond human comprehension. A desperate man playing pretend.” Dylan’s fury ignited like a match to gasoline. His jaw clenched, his muscles coiled. “You don’t know a damn thing about me,” he growled. “Enough!” Zara barked, stepping forward with a smirk. “This is ridiculous. Olivia, do you even hear yourself? You’re defending him? This outsider, this nobody? You actually believe he has some divine power to heal people?” She let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “What next? Should we kneel before him and start praying?” Dylan let out a bitter chuckle, his patience snapping like a brittle thread. “You’ve got a lot of nerve,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “Calling me a fraud when you don’t even know who the hell I am.” “Oh, we know exactly who you are,” Lewis cut in coldly. “A mistake.” Dylan’s
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55Olivia’s breath hitched. “Dad—”“This is for your own good, Olivia,” Lewis interrupted, his tone final. “I won’t have you putting your faith in a man who can’t even explain what he did.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”“You do if you want to stay,” Lewis shot back.Dylan let out a bitter chuckle. “Right. Because I’m supposed to prove myself to you?” He shook his head, stepping back. “I don’t need your approval. I don’t need you to believe me.” He turned to Olivia, his gaze softening. “I only cared about saving your life.”Olivia’s lips parted, uncertainty flickering across her face.But Lewis had heard enough. “If you won’t leave on your own, I’ll make sure you do.”The threat hung heavy in the air.Olivia’s breath quickened, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Dad, you’re making a mistake.”Lewis didn’t even blink. “No, Olivia. You’re the one making a mistake by trusting this fraud.”Dylan scoffed, his patience hanging by a thread. “You’re so damn sure
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56A heavy silence blanketed the room, thick with tension and unspoken accusations. Dylan’s pulse roared in his ears as his gaze remained locked on Odile’s lifeless form. Something was terribly wrong—he could feel it in his bones.Before he could utter a word, the door burst open. The sudden noise startled Olivia, making her flinch. A tall, broad-shouldered man strode inside, his dark brown hair slightly tousled as if he had rushed here. His piercing hazel eyes scanned the room like a predator sizing up its prey.And when his gaze landed on Dylan, they hardened like stone.“Who the hell is this?” the man demanded, his voice sharp and laced with hostility.Olivia swallowed hard. “Lucas,” she breathed, tension creeping into her tone.Dylan’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need an introduction to know exactly who Lucas was—Olivia’s cousin or brother, the golden boy of the family. The way he carried himself, the effortless arrogance in his stance, told Dylan everything he needed to know. Lucas
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Chapter 180: Embers of VengeanceThe fire in the hearth snapped as Dylan returned to the drawing room. The old wood panels whispered with every step he took. Gregory sat in a leather armchair near the flames, polishing a pair of vintage spectacles. He looked up as Dylan entered.“All settled?” Gregory asked.Dylan nodded, running a hand through his hair. “She’s asleep. Curled around that fox like it’s armor.”“She’s been through more than most grown men could survive,” Gregory murmured. “Just like her mother.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. He walked over and poured himself a glass of aged whiskey from the crystal decanter. He drained the glass and set it down, then leaned against the mantel. “What do you know about the Night Order?”Gregory paused. “Only what Helen told me. That they used to be a myth… until they weren’t. Secret society. Rituals. Power plays. Blood pacts.”A silence stretched between them until Gregory said, “There’s a woman. Used to be one of them. She turned her back on t
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Chapter 179: Through the AshesThe ride was silent at first—except for the soft crinkle of Dolly’s lollipop wrapper and the distant hum of the engine. Dylan stared out the tinted window, his jaw clenched, one hand resting protectively on Dolly’s knee.She leaned against him, but her eyes were wide open, darting around the interior of the luxurious car.“Is this a magic carriage?” she asked, voice soft.Dylan chuckled faintly. “Something like that.”She held up the lollipop. “It’s cherry. That’s my favorite.”“I remembered,” he said.Her brows rose. “You remembered? But you said you didn’t know about me.”He hesitated, then smiled. “I didn’t. But your mother used to say, ‘If I ever have a daughter, she’s going to love cherry more than anything else.’”Dolly’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “Mama said that?”“All the time.”They fell into silence again, but this time it was less heavy.After a while, Dolly turned her head and whispered, “Do you miss her?”Dylan’s throat tightene
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Chapter 178: A Father’s OathThe mansion’s heavy front door creaked open, letting in the morning light—and a gust of wind that smelled of ash and distant bloodshed. Dylan held Dolly close, her small arms still wrapped around his neck, her cheek pressed to his shoulder.But as they reached the edge of the stone steps, she stiffened in his arms.“Wait,” she whispered, pulling back slightly. “Where are we going?”“Somewhere safe,” Dylan replied softly, adjusting her weight in his arms.“Safe?” Her eyes narrowed. “But who are you?”Dylan froze.“I told you,” he said gently, “I’m your father.”She looked at him long and hard. Her tiny brows furrowed, lips pursed with doubt. “You… you don’t feel like Papa.”His heart cracked a little. “I didn’t know about you, Dolly. Not until tonight. If I had… I would’ve come for you sooner. I swear on your mother’s life.”Dolly blinked, silent for a moment, then asked, “Did Mama really tell you to come?”“Yes.” He crouched down, setting her gently on the
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177Chapter 177: The Search BeginsDylan’s boots thudded against the stairs as he stormed up them two at a time, Seraphina’s blood still drying on his chest like a second heart. His throat burned, but he swallowed the pain. There was no time to mourn. Not now.“Dolly!” he shouted, voice rough and hoarse. “Dolly, if you’re here—please answer me!”The hallway stretched before him, quiet and cloaked in shadows. The scent of old wood and lavender clung to the air—Seraphina’s favorite oil. His hand brushed the wall as he passed a set of closed doors, his mind racing.He threw open the first room.Empty.Just dusty blankets, a cracked mirror, and toys that hadn’t been played with in years.“Dolly!” he yelled again, more desperately this time. “It’s Papa. I’m here. Please—baby, answer me.”His heart thundered. He moved to the next room, nearly ripping the door off its hinges.“Dolly—”Nothing but silence.Then—A faint thump.He froze.It came again.He turned sharply toward the third door.
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176“I forgave you,” she said suddenly, her voice clear for a brief second. “For everything. For the things you did… for what we became. I forgave you a long time ago, Dylan. I just wish you could forgive yourself.” His chest tightened so sharply he could hardly breathe. “You don’t get to say goodbye. Not like this. No. No—stay awake. Don’t close your eyes. I need you. We need you.” “I’m tired,” she whispered. “But listen… the Alliance… it’s burning. They’re tearing it apart because of you.” He flinched, guilt sweeping over him. “I never wanted this war. I built Dragonia to unite our lands, to end bloodshed…” “But you left,” she said, blinking slowly. “You left it behind… and it turned into a battlefield.” He pressed his forehead to hers, eyes wet with grief. “Because I couldn’t face what I lost. Because I was a coward.” “You’re not,” she murmured. “You were always brave. Stubborn… cruel, sometimes. But brave.” “I don’t want to be brave anymore,” he whispered. “I just want you
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175“Please…” he whispered. “Don’t leave me.”A long silence stretched between them. The forest around them was too quiet—no birds, no wind, just the rising smoke and the smell of iron and earth.Then—suddenly—her hand caught his wrist.His heart leapt.Her grip, weak but deliberate, made his breath hitch.“…It’s too late,” she whispered, a faint smile pulling at her cracked lips.“No. No, it’s not.” His voice was thick with tears as he shook his head. “I’ve got you, I can—”“You can’t.” Her voice was softer than a breeze, fragile and final. “Not this time. Dylan…”His jaw clenched. “Don’t talk like that. You’re not dying, do you hear me? You’re not—!”She squeezed his hand, surprising him with a flicker of strength. “Listen to me. There’s something I never told you…”His heart pounded violently against his ribs. “What?”“Our daughter.”She coughed, blood spilling from the corner of her lips, staining the side of her chin.“Her name… is Dolly.”Dylan froze.“What…?” His voice cracked.
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Chapter 174 Dylan’s hands trembled violently as he knelt beside Seraphina’s broken body. Panic surged through him like wildfire, fast and merciless, as he stared at the blood soaking her clothes. It pooled beneath her like a cruel mockery of life, staining everything it touched a deep, damning red. Her lips were pale. Her breath was shallow. But he wasn’t giving up. Not now. Not like this. “I know what to do,” he muttered under his breath, barely hearing himself over the roar of his heartbeat. “I can save you. I can fix this, Seraphina.” Her lashes fluttered. A small, pained groan escaped her lips. Dylan yanked the pouch off his belt—the one he hadn’t touched in years, the one covered in old leather and tied with fraying string. His fingers shook as he undid the knot, revealing a weathered collection of dried herbs, crushed roots, and dusty vials—everything he had once learned from the old masters in the Eastern Mountains. He swallowed hard. Manwa medicine. Ancestral craft. No
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173The brick came down hard.Once.Twice.The thug’s skull cracked under the force, blood spraying with each blow. His body spasmed, twitched violently, then stilled.Silence.Dylan stood over the body, chest heaving, blood smeared down his arms and soaking into his jeans. His fingers, still clenched around the brick, trembled uncontrollably. The weight of what he’d done—what he had to do—settled like a stone in his stomach.He staggered back a step.And then he heard it.A soft, broken whimper behind him.“Dylan…”His heart seized. The brick dropped from his hand with a dull, wet thud. He turned.Seraphina lay crumpled against the wall, her face bruised and streaked with blood. Her hand trembled in the air, reaching for him. Her eyes, barely open, shimmered with unshed tears.He dropped to his knees beside her. “I’m here,” he breathed, wiping at his face with a shaking hand. “I’m here, baby. I’ve got you.”Her voice was a rasp. “You’re bleeding…”Dylan looked down. His forearms were
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172 Her body jerked in the air like a puppet cut from its strings. Her mouth opened in a silent cry, and then she fell—crumpling into Dylan’s arms, dead weight, blood already soaking through his shirt. “Seraphina—Seraphina! No, no, stay with me!” Dylan’s voice cracked as he lowered her to the ground, cupping her face, her bloodied hair clinging to his fingers. She gasped, just once. Her lips trembled. “Told… you not… to be a hero…” “Shut up,” Dylan choked, blinking rapidly. “Don’t talk like that. You’re not leaving me. You hear me? I won’t let you.” Behind them, the man snarled in frustration. “You stupid bitch! You ruined it! You ruined everything!” He raised the gun again, eyes wild. But Dylan wasn’t finished. He laid Seraphina down gently, the look in his eyes shifting—no longer just pain. Now, fury burned through him like fire through dry grass. He lifted his rifle with one hand, the other still clenched around Seraphina’s, and aimed. This time, he didn’t hesitate. Bang.
