As Dario approached Sunset Manor, he sighted black smoke in the sky and he felt his stomach churn instantly and made his heart race even faster. When he got there, he halted and practically jumped out of the car. Firefighters were already there trying to put out the fire but the fire was relentless. Dario looked around the area, searching for any sign of his mother and Bruce.He had tried to call Bruce’s number again, on his way, but he couldn’t get through to him because the network was bad.Without thinking, he ran towards the burning house, but was stopped by one of the firefighters. “Please, you can't go in there, Your Majesty!” the man shouted.“My mother is in there!” Dario yelled back, his eyes wide with desperation as he yanked himself from the hold of the firefighter.The firefighter held him back, gripping his arm more firmly on Dario. “We're doing everything we can to get everyone out safely. Please stay back!”Dario pulled himself from his hold, his eyes darting around t
At night, Dario and Maria arrived at Lord Reynolds’ mansion. Maria would have to stay there for the time being, until their house at Sunset Manor had been rebuilt and furnished. On their way to the mansion, Dario noticed Maria was tense. She sat still in her seat and her palms were getting sweaty. Her heart raced at the reality that she was going back to the same mansion she had not been to or seen in years. Her thoughts were racing in her mind. ‘I can’t believe I’m going back to his mansion after so many years and after everything that happened’ she thought sadly. Dario looked at her and noticed the lines of worry etched on her face and the drops of sweat that formed on her forehead. “Mama, are you okay?” He gently asked. She forced a small smile and replied, “I’m fine, baby. Just… uhm… enjoying the fresh air.” Dario understood how difficult this new change could be for Maria. He knew she was not just enjoying the fresh air. Her fear and nervousness was very obvious to Dario
On the other hand, Dario finished eating and retreated to his father’s study with the journal in his hands. Dario sat alone in his father’s dimly lit study, his eyes scanning the pages of the journal with determination. He was exhausted from the stress of the entire day, but he was determined to dig deeper and find more truths.The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages turning. His heart raced as he delved deeper into the journal at what he could find. Even aside the truth about why his father had sent them away.To him, he had his father’s whole life in his hands. He read and searched for more information about his father’s life and the love he never knew existed.‘There’s got to be more. More about why he sent us away, more that he wants me to find out about,’ Dario thought. Suddenly, his fingers paused on a page marked with a small, pressed flower. The entry was dated a few years after he and his mother started living with Sir Davis. He read aloud but in hushed tones
The next morning, Dario woke up feeling vibrant. He immediately scurried to Maria’s room to check up on her. As he made his way to her room, his royal servants on the way greeted and bowed to him in reverence. When he got to her room, he realized she wasn’t there. Where did she go, this early in the morning?With his brows furrowed and his heart starting to racing, he went around the mansion looking for her. While at it, he also asked the royal servants and guards if they had seen her and none of them had seen her today.Just before Dario lost it, he found her in the kitchen making eggs. He heaved a sigh of relief, a smile creeping up his lips. “This was the last place I thought you’d be,” he said as he entered the kitchen. Maria looked up at him and smiled brightly. She looked better than yesterday. Dario could barely see any hint of sadness on her face and he felt relieved about it. She chuckled at his statement and greeted him warmly like always, “Good morning, my love.” “Good
“The Raven Society?!!”“What!!”The Raven Society was a secret society that had cast a dark shadow over the country for decades. Its name alone was enough to send chills down the spines of even the bravest men and women.Though they had not been heard of in years, the results of their spite still lingered on the soul of the country. This secret society was known for its ruthlessness and unrelenting pursuit of power. Everyone knew about the Raven Society, though only few dared to speak of them openly.Dario’s heart began to race faster as multiple questions swirled in his mind. What did Lord Reynolds have to do with the Raven society?Was he part of them?Did he end up getting involved in any of their shit?Were they out for him?Still in shock, Dario read on trying to find more references to the secret society and any dirty business deals.“Why the fuck did he get himself involved with a secret society??!” he exclaimed through his gritted teeth.He kept decoding the entry which the
Several weeks later, Dario stood in his training field with Lord Wilson. His firm and practiced hand gripping the hilt of his sword. He moved through his routine, each swing of the sword cutting through the air with a sharp, metallic hiss. Sweat trickled down his face from his brows with each strike. And rage fueled his focus, sharpening his reflexes and honing his combat skills to a razor’s edge. Dario’s movements now flowed with a fluid grace, a result of the countless hours he had spent perfecting his techniques. His muscles were tense and flexed with each strike, the rhythm of his breathing also steady and controlled. Everyday for the past weeks, Dario had invested most of himself in his journey of becoming a powerful god-of-war. He had read books, solved strategic and critical battle problems, practiced combat to the fullest and many more, with Lord Wilson by his side. Alongside, he had been brewing with rage ever since he found out about his father’s association with the Rav
Dario stopped in his path when he heard Lord Wilson and rolled his eyes. “Come and have a seat,” he offered to Dario who then walked to have his seat. “I know you know what I’m about to ask you, which is why you just tried to sneak out without saying a word,” Lord Wilson said, looking at Dario with a straight face.Dario avoided eye contact and looked down at his legs and just listened to Lord Wilson talk. “First off, I would like to commend your skills, strength and determination. How you’ve invested so much time and energy in building yourself these past weeks, I can say you’re now past halfway in your journey and I’m proud of you.”“Thank you, Lord Wilson.”“With that being said,” he paused and heaved a sigh, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “Your Majesty,” he began, his voice gentle yet firm, “it is glaring that you’ve been angry for weeks and I have tried to ask why, but you seem hell bent on not opening up…”Dario didn’t look Lord Wilson in the face and just look
When Dario left Lord Wilson’s house, he went straight to the palace. On his way, he ordered Bruce to inform the ministers, generals and other key advisors of the empire for an emergency council meeting. Before Dario left Lord Wilson, the latter had explained every detail about the war to Dario. Dario also met with the person who came as a representative from Armenia, who also enlightened Dario on everything he needed to know about the war. The grand hall of the palace was filled with soft murmurs of conversation as the council awaited the arrival of their emperor. They all wondered why an emergency meeting had been called for, as it was late in the evening. The large doors to the hall swung open, and the room fell silent as Dario walked in, his presence commanding immediate attention. Upon seeing their emperor, they all stood on their feet and bowed in reverence.Dario strode to the head of the long council table, his cloak billowing behind him. He nodded to the council members and