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The Return of the Hades Failed plan
107In a dimly lit room, the air was thick with the smell of old leather and cigar smoke. Marco DeSilva, the formidable leader of the Texas family, lounged in an oversized armchair, a glass of whiskey in hand. Across from him sat a man known only by the name Gangatsu, his presence alone enough to fill the room with an aura of danger. Gangatsu, the iron warrior and revered healer, he was a figure shrouded in mystery. His reputation as a formidable fighter was matched only by his skill in crafting poisons and antidotes.Adding to this formidable duo was Lucas Blackthorn, the enigmatic leader of the Crimson Shadows, whose presence seemed to make the air around him thrum with power. The tension in the room was palpable as they discussed the fate of Amelia Fairchild, the spirited young woman who had unknowingly become entangled in their plans. Marco’s face was a mask of amusement as he contemplated the situation, his lips curling into a smirk at the thought of Amelia's predicament.Marco’
The Return of the Hades Marco DeSilva
108Lost in his thoughts, he was caught off guard when a powerful punch came at him from behind. Instinctively, he dodged the attack, his years of training and quick reflexes coming to his aid. He swiftly turned around to face his assailants, his eyes narrowing in suspicion."I've noticed that you've been following me all along," Darien calmly remarked, his voice filled with a hint of authority. "Who sent you?""Who sent you?" Darien demanded again, his voice steady but laced with an edge that betrayed his readiness for a fight. The assailants, momentarily taken aback by Darien's calm demeanor and quick reflexes, exchanged a quick glance before the taller of the two sneered, "That's none of your business."The shorter attacker, muscles bulging under his tight shirt, cracked his knuckles and added with a grin, "Yeah, just stand still, and this will be over quick."Darien couldn't help but let out a short, derisive laugh. "You really think it's going to be that easy?" he taunted, shifti
The Return of the Hades How is he still alive?
109Finally, he reached the room. The door was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the dim hallway. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room."Miss Fairchild?" His voice was softer now, tinged with concern.From the shadows, a figure emerged, and Darien felt his heart leap. Amelia. She was here, and she was safe.Darien's heart was a frenzied drumbeat in his chest as he stepped into the room, the soft call of "Amelia?" escaping his lips. The tension in his body was palpable, muscles coiled like a spring, ready for any threat.Standing with Amelia was a burly man, his features rough and menacing. Darien's fists clenched at his sides, the instinct to protect surging within him. However, the sight of Amelia engaged in what seemed to be a calm conversation with the man tempered his initial rush of aggression. She looked unharmed, her posture relaxed.The man turned, and Darien caught a glimpse of his face. It was Marco DeSilva, but Darien did not kno
The Return of the Hades Blue Monkshood
110Marco DeSilva stalked through the dark halls of his compound, his mind ablaze with schemes of retribution. He had to eliminate Darien French, but sending ordinary thugs would no longer suffice. French had proven himself a formidable opponent, too clever and skilled to be taken down by brute force alone. No, Marco mused, French demanded a more sophisticated approach. As he pushed open the heavy oak doors to his inner sanctum, an icy smile crept across his face. Seated within was the man he needed—Gangatsu, his most valued and dangerous asset. At Marco's entrance, Gangatsu rose fluidly to his feet, bowing his head in a show of respect. "You summoned me, sir?""I have a new task for you, one that requires your unique talents," Marco replied, pouring himself a drink and taking a slow sip. He recounted the failed assault on French, barely containing his anger. "This man has evaded me for the last time. I want you to devise a plan to eliminate him, permanently."Gangatsu's eyes gleame
The Return of the Hades Feared Gangatsu
111Hearing the name "Gangatsu," Lavinia's expression shifted. Her brow furrowed in confusion, her eyes narrowing slightly. She'd heard rumors of Gangatsu before—stories of his skills as both a formidable fighter and a healer. Yet, these stories painted a portrait far different from the man described in whispered tones by the frightened herborist. Darien, who had been inspecting the vivid blue flowers, turned sharply at Timothy's words. He attempted to project confidence, trying to lighten the mood. "No problem. I'll just have a chat with Gangatsu," he said. His casual dismissal masked an undercurrent of tension; his jaw was set, his eyes alight with a mixture of challenge and curiosity.Timothy chuckled nervously, the sound more of a choke than a laugh. He wiped his forehead with a tremulous hand, his earlier apprehension blossoming into outright fear. "You don't understand, Mr. French," he said, his voice cracking. "Gangatsu isn't just a healer or a warrior; he's a force of nature
The Return of the Hades Kaida
112"So, the infamous Darien French finally steps into the light," Gangatsu mused aloud, his voice now calm but laced with dark anticipation. "This may actually simplify matters. Timothy, you may have inadvertently done me a favor. But listen closely, don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. If I find out you have, it’ll be the last mistake you ever make."Timothy’s voice was barely audible as he replied, "Yes, sir. I understand. I won’t say a thing.""Good. Keep it that way," Gangatsu said before abruptly ending the call.As the line went dead, Timothy stood frozen, his heart racing. He was both terrified and relieved, unsure if he had just averted disaster or if he had stepped further into it. He glanced around his small, cluttered office, filled with reminders of a life spent walking on the edge of danger, and shuddered.Meanwhile, Gangatsu stared at the now-silent phone, his mind already weaving new, more sinister plans for Darien French. The game, he decided, had just become much
The Return of the Hades 113
113The next morning, Darien and Lavinia made their way to the old coffee shop where they were meeting The Viper. It was a small, worn down place in an unremarkable strip mall. Just the type of location where discreet conversations could be had without drawing attention. They settled into a corner booth with their coffees and waited anxiously. After a few minutes, a grizzled man in worn jeans and leather jacket slid into the seat across from them. His face was weathered, and his eyes scanned the room warily."Viper," Darien greeted him with a nod.The man returned the nod. "Darien. Been a long time. And you must be Lavinia," he said, glancing at her. She nodded politely in return. "Alright, let's get to it. What do you need to know about Gangatsu?" Viper asked, taking a sip of his black coffee.Darien leaned in. "Anything you can tell us about his background, affiliations, operations. We need to get a handle on what we're dealing with." Viper sighed, scratching at the stubble on hi
The Return of the Hades 114
114 Darien's house, Darien thumbed the contact on his encrypted phone, the screen lighting up his furrowed face in the dimly lit room. He paused, taking a deep breath before hitting 'call.' His thumb hovered momentarily over the button, his mind racing through the possibilities of what was to come. Amelia picked up on the third ring, her voice a comforting melody amidst the cacophony of his worries. "Darien! It's been ages. How are you holding up?" He hesitated, his voice a notch too casual. "Hey, Amelia. I'm... well, it's complicated." There was a pause on the other end as Amelia shifted gears, her tone now laced with concern. "That doesn't sound like the Darien I know. What's going on?" Darien exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "It's a bit of a mess. Do you know someone named Gangatsu?" Amelia's response was immediate, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Gangatsu? Yes, I've heard of him. Marco DeSilva's right-hand man at one point. Quite the reputation—powerful, fe