45Darien's expression was stone cold, his anger simmered beneath the surface, his eyes bore into Theodore's with unyielding resolve. "Being outnumbered has never determined the outcome of a true battle. It's not about the number of men standing with you, but the strength within the one who stands."Amelia, watching the confrontation unfold, felt a mixture of fear and awe. This was the second time she saw him like this—so formidable and unafraid. It made her reconsider the simplicity she had attributed to his character.Darien turned his gaze towards the assembled guards, assessing them with a calmness that belied the tension in the air. "You might want to reconsider your approach, Mr. Fairchild. I came here in peace, seeking only what was promised. Yet, you meet me with threats and force."Theodore's smirk wavered, sensing the conviction in Darien's voice. For a moment, doubt flickered in his eyes, but his pride and the need to maintain control in front of his family and the guards s
46In the midst of the standoff, a guard hurriedly approached Theodore, whispering urgently into his ear. Felicia, standing close by, overheard the exchange and couldn't suppress a smug smirk that quickly spread across her face. Theodore's initial fear melted away, replaced by a gleeful anticipation. He whispered back, nodding, then turned to face Darien with a newfound arrogance, a stark contrast to the apprehension that had clouded his demeanor moments earlier."Why so confident all of a sudden?" Darien questioned, noting the shift in Theodore's expression. He scanned the room, trying to decipher the cause of their sudden smugness but found no clues.Theodore didn't answer directly. Instead, he shared a look with Felicia, their smirks broadening as if they held a winning hand in a game. "You'll see," Theodore taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.Darien shook his head, sighing. "Last chance to do the right thing," he said, his tone even, but Theodore and Felicia merely laughed
47Theodore stumbled back, hand flying to his reddened cheek, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Felicia's mouth hung open, her previous arrogance now replaced by a fear that chilled her to the bone."Show some respect," Flint growled, his voice low and dangerous. "This man, is not who you think he is. He is Commandant French, a hero of the highest order, and you would do well to remember that."But Theodore, ever the fool, found the audacity to retort through gritted teeth, his own fists now clenched in a futile gesture of defiance. "A hero? This... healer? You expect us to believe that?"Felicia, though visibly shaken, tried to stand by her husband's side, her voice quivering as she spoke. "Yes, it's... it's impossible. We refuse to believe such nonsense."Darien, who had been a silent observer to the escalating confrontation, finally stepped forward. His coolness was a stark contrast to the heated exchanges, his demeanor calm and composed."Believe what you will," Darien said, his
48Once outside, Flint quickly caught up to Darien, matching his pace with a sense of urgency. "Commandant... I mean Hades" Flint began, his voice low and filled with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "How... how are you still among the living? We mourned you. I thought you were dead."Darien, walking with a steady pace, kept his gaze forward. His face was calm, but the tightness around his eyes betrayed the pain and fatigue that lay beneath. "I was meant to be," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "But fate had other plans."Flint's steps faltered for a moment, his mind racing. The revelation shook him to his core. He had looked up to Darien, known as Hades, for his unmatched leadership and the victories he led Usatti to. The thought that he had been alive all this while, hidden in shadows, was almost too much to process."But why? Why let us believe you were gone?" Flint asked, his brows furrowed, trying to understand.Darien stopped walking and turned to face Flint. "After th
49Despite the varying look of disdain, shock and disbelief that was thrown at him, Darien dismissed their looks and trudged forward to where the bratty receptionist stood waiting with malevolent intent,As he walked the short distance, that ironically felt long, he could still hear their derogatory comments.“Must be lost or something, maybe he thinks this is an antique store.”One man scoffed to his companion,"He looks like a deer caught in the headlights, they better keep an eye on him. He probably is here on ulterior motive,” the woman leaned to her companion’s ear, and conspiratorially whispered-yelled for the benefits of all,“They better keep an eye on him. He probably is here to steal, that coat must have compartments to aid in his mission."The few people who had heard her comment, nodded their heads in agreement and looked at Darien’s direction.Darien was unmoved by their remarks, his sole mission was to get the gown that had caught his attention, and as he thought of Lavin
50Darien and customer spoke at once, and all eyes turned to Darien, as they began to chuckle in a disbelieving manner, humour colouring their feature."Did I just hear him correctly? Wants to buy the moon, does he?""He's certainly joking, I must tell you!” "Oh, sure, and I'm here to purchase Jupiter. Got a good deal on its moons?"Laughing, another one said, "Maybe he's looking for a good lunar property. Heard the Sea of Tranquility is lovely this time of year." "I've got some oceanfront property on Mars to sell him next!" "Next, he'll be asking for the rings of Saturn as a wedding gift. Can you imagine?"Chucklingy, someone said, "my friend, the only moon you'll own is the one in your dreams.""Better start saving now; the lunar market is really taking off!" "Wait, let me guess, he plans to commute from Earth on his private spaceship?" "And I was just considering buying the Sun, but I was worried about the heating bills. Any advice, Darien?"The laughter and mockeries filled t
51The man Darien pointed to, flinched to the book and gaped at him, as he absentmindedly pointed at his chest, he gasped before he stuttered out,“H-hey! Take that back! Do you think I'm like the lady over there who you casted your stupid spell over?!” He snarled and snapped at Darien, before he stomped his feet, “Well news flash! I'm not!"Darien quirked his eyebrows at him and shook his head, there was no need to try to explain anything to a dead horse.The people began to murmur amongst themselves, they didn't know what to make of the situation, the lady was lying unconscious on the floor just as soon as the man had spoken, and now he had targeted another fellow, they truly didn't know what to make of the situation. It was disturbing and alarming to say the least.In a split second, as everyone's eyes darted between Darien and the said man, their widened eyes trying to take in whatever drama that would occur.“This man is a wizard!"“Next thing we'll hear is someone's going to die
52Darien looked the man over and smiled calmly, the echoes and agreements of all the other patrons did nothing to sway him."Yes! I support!""Someone have the police on dial!""This man should really be arrested!"Darien’s smile widened slightly, a mixture of amusement and regret evident in his eyes. “I assure you, I have done nothing that needs undoing. My intentions here were never to harm or frighten anyone.” His voice was steady, cutting through the crescendo of accusations and panic.The crowd, however, was not easily placated. Fear had taken root, and with it, the need for a scapegoat.“But you did something to him!” a woman shouted, pointing at the man struggling for breath on the floor.“And about her, the lady!” another chimed in, her voice tinged with hysteria.Darien sighed, his gaze sweeping over the faces around him, each twisted in fear, suspicion, or anger. “Fear often leads us to seek blame outside ourselves. These...incidents, though unfortunate, are not of my makin