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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 15 ~
Bull’s voice was steady but laced with frustration. “We’ve tried tracing whoever was behind it, but they cover their tracks well. This isn’t the work of an ordinary person or group.”Zach nodded, his expression unreadable. His fingers tapped lightly against his wrist as he processed Bull’s words. Something inside him burned for answers, an ache deep in his chest—a void where memories should be. He exhaled, his voice firm.“I want to know everything. Right now.” His gaze shifted to Laura. “What was I like before? And what exactly is Dominion’s Shadow?”Laura straightened, her posture one of deep respect. “You established Dominion’s Shadow when you were just sixteen, Master. Even then, you had an unmatched mind and a natural dominance no one could defy. The organization became the most powerful and secretive force in the country, operating in the shadows, controlling what needed to be controlled.”Zach raised a brow. “Controlled how?”Laura’s lips curved slightly. “Intelligence. Securit
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 16 ~
The hall roared with excitement as the massive man slammed another opponent’s arm against the table with a sickening thud. The match had barely lasted five minutes.He stood, throwing his arms in the air, his thick veins bulging under his skin. The man was enormous—easily over six and a half feet tall, with shoulders so broad they could cast a shadow. His biceps were as thick as some men’s thighs, and despite the grueling battles he had just fought, he looked unfazed, like he had merely swatted away flies.The crowd erupted in wild cheers.A man in a sharp black suit stepped onto the platform, raising his hands to quiet the audience. He was the event’s coordinator, a seasoned host of these competitions.“Ladies and gentlemen!” he called out, beaming. “Yet again, the undefeated titan, the unbreakable force of Aqua City’s arm-wrestling world—Boris ‘The Mountain’ Vasiliev!”More cheers followed as Boris lifted his chin arrogantly.“For over a decade,” the coordinator continued, “Boris ha
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 17 ~
The bell rang sharply, its echo bouncing off the grand hall’s golden pillars. A hush fell over the audience as Zach settled onto his stool.Across from him, Boris, the brute of a man who had bulldozed through his previous opponents, grinned wickedly. His thick fingers curled as he extended his hand."Hope you’re ready to have your weak finger bones snapped, boy," Boris taunted, his voice rough like gravel.Zach said nothing. He met Boris’s gaze with an unshaken calm and clasped his hand firmly. The contact was brief, yet Boris felt something strange—the man's grip was steady, unmoving, as if an unseen force lay dormant beneath the surface. It made his chest tighten.The match began.Boris smirked, pushing forward with all his might, veins bulging from his forearm. He felt Zach's fingers tremble slightly, and his smirk widened. He’s weak."You should've stayed seated, little man," Boris sneered, feeling his confidence surge.Then, in a blink, it happened.Zach’s wrist barely twisted, b
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 18 ~
The air in the arena grew thick with tension as the coordinator stepped forward, his voice echoing through the vast space."For the final showdown, we present another takeoff between this surprising young man, Zach, and our honorable Damaris!"Before the cheers could rise, Damaris raised a hand, silencing the room. His eyes gleamed with something cruel. "Not so fast," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "A simple arm-wrestling match isn’t enough. If I am to engage in a battle, it must be worth my time. I propose three rounds—a true test of endurance, strength, and willpower."The murmurs in the crowd turned to excited whispers. Boris grinned from the sidelines, his injured arm cradled against his chest."First," Damaris continued, his lips curling into a smirk, "we will test the ability to endure pain. Burning coals will be spread before us. We will stand on them, barefoot, for a full minute or more. If one of us steps off, he loses the round."Gasps rippled through the crowd, but
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 19 ~
Gasps filled the air, followed by a stunned silence. It was as though the entire arena had forgotten to breathe.Damaris… had lost?Whispers spread like wildfire."No way… that was too fast.""Did Damaris really just—lose?""Impossible. He must have held back on purpose!"Zach tilted his head, his expression calm but sharp. “You were saying?”Damaris clenched his jaw, his pride shattering like glass. His feet throbbed painfully, a cruel reminder of his failure. The humiliation burned deeper than any wound. He had stood here, full of confidence, only to be bested in front of everyone.Boris, still clutching his injured arm, gawked at him in disbelief. “M-Master…?”Damaris shot him a withering glare. “Shut up.”Boris hesitated before rushing forward to help him to his feet. The moment Damaris was up, he shoved Boris aside, feigning composure.“Don’t touch me. I’m good.” His voice was tight, his pride barely holding him together.The coordinator, though momentarily stunned, cleared his t
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 20 ~
The air was thick with tension, yet the moment the coordinator raised his voice to declare Zach the winner of the second round, the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps. Damaris, however, would not accept this humiliation in silence.“It’s enough!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the commotion like a blade. “I just wanted him to have a taste of what winning is like.”Zach, catching his breath, tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Wow, you’re truly benevolent to do so twice,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.Damaris clenched his jaw, his pride stinging. His entire body ached, but the thought of admitting weakness was more unbearable than any physical pain. He straightened his shoulders, his eyes burning with renewed determination.“Yes,” he said stiffly. “But you know the last round is arm wrestling. I’m not a child in that. I won’t go easy on you. You want to experience that? You want to embark on this final round?” His voice
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 21 ~
The women didn't relent despite Zach giving them less attention. They surrounded Zach, their hands brushing against his arms, their voices a chorus of admiration. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, their bodies inching closer, eager to bask in his presence."Oh, Zach, your strength is mesmerizing," one of them purred, running her fingers over his forearm."You were incredible tonight," another cooed, her eyes lingering on his jawline.Zach, accustomed to attention but not quite this level of adoration, smirked slightly, though he felt the growing tension in the air.Then, out of nowhere, Barbara stormed forward, her face a mixture of irritation and something else—something she didn’t want to name. Her chest tightened as she saw the women flock around him, their shameless admiration gnawing at her patience."Enough," she declared, pushing her way through the crowd. Her hand gripped Zach’s wrist possessively as she shoved the women aside.Gasps filled the air, murmurs of disapproval e
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 22 ~
A While Earlier:Barbara drove through the dimly lit hotel estate, her fingers drumming lightly against the steering wheel. As she neared the exit, movement caught her eye. A group of rough-looking men stood beside a black van, their hushed voices barely carrying through the air. Instinct made her slow down."Our target will be out soon," one of them muttered."Once we're done with him, he won’t ever mess with Luke Harrington."Barbara’s breath hitched. Was it Zach?Her foot slammed the brake before she even realized it. Her heart pounded against her ribs, her mind racing. They’re waiting for Zach? She had no time to hesitate.Throwing open the door, she stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement."Hey!" she called, making her presence known.The men turned, eyes narrowing in surprise before dark amusement crept across their faces."Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, taking a slow step forward."A lost kitten," another chuckled, licking his lips. "Or ma
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~ 48 ~
Murmurs rippled through the grand hall, filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. Julian had defeated Kenji in mere moments, his strength and precision leaving the audience both stunned and terrified."Did you see that? He sent him flying like he was nothing!""Kenji is a renowned martial artist from Japan! How did he lose so quickly?""Julian Viking is truly undefeatable. Who could ever match up to him?"The astonishment was widespread, but for Zach, it was the opposite. He leaned back against his chair, arms crossed, eyes unwavering. He had seen through Julian’s flashy display. While the crowd might have been dazzled, Zach recognized the simple yet effective techniques Julian had used. It was nothing extraordinary—just brute force wrapped in an arrogant performance. He remained unimpressed.Julian, basking in the admiration, ran a hand through his slicked-back hair and scoffed. "That was barely a warm-up. If this is the best this reputable annual competition has to offer, I'm disappo
~ 47 ~
“You’re a waste of my time, boy," Julian scoffed, rolling his shoulders back before shooting one last glare at Zach. Then, with a smirk, he turned away. “This way, please,” Mac gestured forward, leading Julian to a private table at the front of the hall.Barbara, standing beside Zach, scoffed under her breath. “What a scumbag.”After Julian Viking had sat down, Mac stepped onto the platform, tapping the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, the competition will now begin, as our esteemed man of honor, Julian Viking, has arrived.”The room erupted in applause, an acknowledgment of Julian’s presence.Another man, the coordinator took the stage, his voice ringing with excitement. “This is the most anticipated competition in Belmont City every year. And this time, we have an incredible grand prize—the Heart of Solis, a rare antique of immense value.”Gasps and murmurs of admiration filled the room. The speaker continued, “This year, we have an extraordinary participant, making it nearly im
~ 46 ~
The city’s hall was packed. As Barbara stepped inside with Zach, whispers followed them.“Isn’t that Julian’s fiancée?”“Why is she with that ordinary-looking man?”“She’s so disappointing.”Barbara’s sharp eyes landed on the gossipers, and they immediately pretended to be engrossed in something else. Huffing, she walked further into the hall.Minutes later, a convoy of black jeeps pulled before the city hall—Lamborghini Urus, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and a Bentley Bentayga.All eyes snapped toward the entrance.Julian stepped out of the first jeep, dressed in an expensive tailored jacket and trousers, exuding dominance.Murmurs of praise erupted.“He’s here!”“The strongest man in Belmont.”“A true elite.”Flashes from cameras blinded the entrance as journalists rushed to get his picture.But Julian ignored them, walking with pride. His presence alone was suffocating. Inside the hall, even the richest men bowed slightly as he passed.One of the organizers rushed up. “Master Julian! Welc
~ 45 ~
The room was silent, save for the faint rustling of fabric as Zach adjusted his posture. He sat on the floor, knees bent, back straight, the locket hanging against his bare chest. The window he had left open allowed the silver glow of the moon to stream in, casting ethereal patterns on the wooden floor. He inhaled deeply, feeling the cool night air settle in his lungs before exhaling steadily.Closing his eyes, he focused on the locket. A warmth spread from the small object, pulsing against his skin like a second heartbeat. Suddenly, images flooded his mind—flashes of combat techniques, ancient movements perfected through generations, and a deep understanding of battle flowing through him like an untapped river.His muscles tensed, then relaxed. His fingers curled slightly before opening again as if guided by an unseen force. He could see himself in his mind’s eye, executing powerful strikes, evading attacks with precision, and channeling raw energy into his limbs. The sensation was o
~ 44 ~
Julian’s nostrils flared, his grip tightening around the edge of the door. His gaze burned into the men kneeling before him, their heads bowed in shame. His voice, laced with restrained fury, cut through the tense air. “How was that possible?”With his face bruised and bloodied, the man hesitated before answering, his voice barely above a whisper. “They were too strong, Master.” He kept his eyes low, as if daring to meet Julian’s gaze would seal his fate.Julian’s jaw clenched, his fury rising like an uncontrollable storm. His breaths grew ragged. Weak. Pathetic. He had trained these men to be his shields, not cowards.A soft touch at his back made him freeze.“Come back, Master,” a sultry voice cooed. Delicate hands wrapped around his tense frame.Julian roared, shoving her away with brute force. “Get out!”The woman gasped, stumbling back as fear widened her eyes. She vanished in a hurried retreat, knowing better than to stay when his anger boiled over.Julian scoffed, shaking his
~ 43 ~
Barbara was short of words, her throat tightening as she tried to swallow the bitter taste of her father’s words. She couldn't say anything else. Mac, standing tall and imperious, gave his final order."Look your best tomorrow for Julian, and see to it that your guard here stays well." His voice held no room for argument. Then, turning his piercing gaze to Zach, he smirked slightly, a glint of menace in his sharp eyes."I hope you've been protecting my daughter well and not taking advantage of your proximity at times?" he sneered.Barbara's shock tightened into something colder. How could he reduce a multi-billionaire who could erase poverty from Belmont with a mere signature to nothing more than a common bodyguard?However, Zach only smiled at the misconception, amusement dancing in his eyes. Mac frowned at the reaction."Father, with all due respect, he's not my bodyguard," Barbara said firmly. "He's my friend."Mac’s face twisted in disdain. "Friend? You keep friends with ordinary
~ 42 ~
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a grand estate, its high iron gates parting silently to reveal a long driveway lined with cherry blossom trees. The estate itself was a fortress of elegance—tall, imposing, with a blend of modern and classic architecture that hinted at old money and power. Zach turned to Barbara, noticing her stiff posture, the way her fingers clenched into fists on her lap. The confident, sharp-tongued woman from earlier had faded into something else—someone hesitant, uncertain.He stepped out and walked around to her side, opening the door for her. “You okay?”She let out a short breath. “Physically, yes. Mentally?” She shook her head. “Not so much.”He studied her, concern flashing in his eyes. “Why?”She forced a smile. “You don’t have to worry about that.”Before he could push further, she turned and led him toward the entrance. As they approached, uniformed guards at the massive doors immediately straightened and bowed at her presence. Zach took it al
~41~
Zach unclenched his fist and shook off the pain creeping into his knuckles. His gaze swept over the broken men groaning on the ground, his face twisted in a grimace of disgust. “Get lost.” His voice was sharp, final.Two of the men, still trembling from the brutal display, rushed forward to their fallen leader. He was barely conscious, blood dribbling from his swollen mouth. They hoisted him up between them, his legs dragging limply against the gravel. Neither of them dared to meet Zach’s gaze. They simply threw open the car door, shoved their leader inside, and disappeared into the night, tires screeching in their desperate escape.Zach exhaled, shaking his head. "Some men never learn."When he turned, he found Barbara still staring at him, her lips slightly parted, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief.“Your city’s really… hospitable," he quipped, raising an eyebrow. "You know, back home, we welcome guests with dinner. Here, it’s knives and poison darts.”She let out a sh
~ 40 ~
Upon hearing the threat, Zach dusted his jacket off and stepped forward, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Let's see which party ends up in a pile of broken bodies," he said coolly, positioning himself slightly ahead of Barbara. His body was firm, shielding her from any potential attack.The men roared at him in response. "You're calling for your death!" one of them barked, stepping closer.Zach simply looked at them, unfazed, his expression unreadable. Five men circled them like vultures, their predatory eyes fixed on him. A silent exchange passed between them, and then, almost in perfect synchronization, they dipped their hands into their suit jackets.Barbara’s breath hitched when she saw the glint of sharp, dark steel in their hands. Her stomach twisted as her eyes landed on the star-shaped darts—sleek, with jagged edges and dipped in an oily, sickly green sheen.Her pulse quickened. She recognized them immediately. “Nightfang darts,” she whispered in horror.Julian’s men used th
