2024-09-09 15:39:42Elijah Norton woke up early in the morning.
He felt something soft in his left hand, so he turned his head to the left and discovered a woman with a veil lying beside him.
His left hand was gripping her... Elijah subconsciously pinched it.
Sophia Donald was startled awake by the pinch, realizing she was completely naked except for the veil on her face.
"Ah!" Her scream echoed throughout the hotel.
Breathless with fear, she clutched the bed sheets tightly to cover her body and slowly moved back to distance herself from Elijah.
"Who... who are you? What did you do to me?" Sophia asked anxiously.
"My name is Elijah. It seems we've done everything a young couple can do," Elijah shrugged casually.
"How could you do this to me? You violated me; you're a criminal!" Sophia was both angry and embarrassed, but more than that, she felt wronged. Tears welled up in her eyes as her voice trembled.
"That's not true! You were the one who made the first move last night!" Elijah defended himself.
"No way! I would never..." Sophia started to retort, but suddenly, the events of the previous night flashed through her mind like a slideshow.
Feeling dejected about her upcoming marriage to Allen Shaw, she had gone to the bar and was drugged. This man saved her. He brought her to the hotel room and was about to leave, but she took the initiative to hug him and strip him off his clothes.
Suddenly, Sophia's expression changed as she realized a critical issue.
"Oh no... my engagement to Allen Shaw. The wedding is next week. If he and his family find out about this, my future is ruined..." Sophia murmured, her eyes filled with deepening fear.
Although she was not willing to marry Allen Shaw, she knew the power the Shaw family held in Atherton. If the Shaw family learned of this, both she and the man in front of her might not survive.
Seeing her so distressed, Elijah awkwardly scratched his head and tentatively asked, "So... am I responsible for you?"
Sophia looked up at him and replied dejectedly, "Do you have any idea how serious this situation is? It could bring disaster to me and my family, as well as to you."
"Please believe me, I'm powerful and wealthy. Many important people respect me!" Elijah said calmly.
"No, you don't understand. Just forget everything; let's pretend nothing happened between us, okay? Please leave here!" Sophia shook her head, her expression pleading and sorrowful.
Elijah sensed her fear and felt a pang of guilt rising in his heart.
"Look and listen to me!" He said, his voice softening slightly, "I’m not the one to spread rumors. So you don't have to worry about that!"
He reached out, meaning to wipe away tears that had slipped down her cheek, but his fingers accidentally brushed against her veil, pulling it off.
He froze!
Her face was marred by scars and burns, twisting what must have once been delicate features.
Elijah’s breath caught, and he didn’t flinch, his eyes remaining steady all the time.
He had seen worse in wars.
Besides that, he noticed the scars on her face were the result of severe burns. He had also been disfigured by fire in the past.
Out of compassion, Elijah only wanted to gently touch her face.
However, Sophia just covered her face with hands, filled with a storm of shame and fear.
"Don’t look at me! Get out of here! Get out of this room! Leave me alone, please..." She cried, her voice almost breaking.
Elijah paused his movement, realizing that this woman was like a sensitive little cat right now.
To minimize her distress, he decided to leave her alone to calm down.
But before he left, he told her, "I'll get back to you soon! And... you are actually very beautiful!"
... ...
Two hours later, Elijah got into a car without a license plate.
"Dragon Marshal, I've investigated the identity of the girl who saved you ten years ago," A strong man in the driver's seat reported to Elijah.
"Who is she?" Elijah asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Her name is Sophia Donald. She also survived the fire, but it's said that she suffered severe facial burns that left her disfigured."
At this, Elijah's expression darkened, and a chilling aura surrounded him, causing the strong man to shiver involuntarily.
Ten years ago, the Norton family was destroyed overnight, with all its members perishing in a devastating fire—except for Elijah. If it hadn't been for a young woman who risked her life to save him, he wouldn't have survived.
When he woke up again, he found himself at the southern border, having become an ordinary soldier. Later, due to his outstanding military achievements, he rose to the rank of commander of the entire Southern Legion, earning the title "Commander Long."
The formidable Dragon Marshal made several nations in the south tremble in fear. Now that he had successfully stabilized the turbulent southern region, he returned to Arthurton, determined to find that girl and repay her.
"Sophia, I will make you the happiest woman in the world!"
The strong man paused for a moment before continuing, "Marshal, Sophia has had a very difficult life since her disfigurement. Her classmates bully her, and her family sees her as a disgrace. She is engaged to a member of the Shaw family, but from what I know, her fiancé despises her and often humiliates her in public."
Elijah furrowed his brow tightly, shocked to learn that his savior had endured such hardship over the years.
"By the way, here are some details about her, including her current photo," the man said, pulling out a stack of documents and handing them to Elijah.
Elijah opened the file, his eyes widening in shock as he looked at the girl in the photo.
She was wearing a veil, appearing somewhat self-conscious and timid—the same as the girl he had spent the night with in the hotel.
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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 2. Trapped in the Nightmare
"What a small world! This is the fate between us, Sophia" Elijah murmured to himself.He never expected that the woman he had been searching for had just slept right beside him the night before."Sophia, you saved me ten years ago. Now, it's my turn to save you!" Thinking of her difficult situation, Elijah resolved in his heart to make her the happiest woman in the world."Doug, head to the Donald family!""Yes, Dragon Marshal!" ... ... Sophia walked up the steps to the Donald family mansion, her legs feeling like lead.Her heart pounded in her chest, dread settling in her stomach like a stone. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, only to be met with a room full of angry faces.Her fiancé, Alan Shaw, stood at the front, his arms crossed, staring at her, like a predator sizing up its prey.The rest of the family members filled the room, their eyes like daggers, full of judgment and contempt.At the head of the table was Ethan Donald, who's the family patriarch and Sophia's g
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 3. The Start of Something New
"Who dares to cause trouble here?!" Ethan bellowed, his face red with fury.Elijah's gaze fixed on him, steady and fearless, saying confidently, "I do!” His voice calm and commanding, carrying an authority that made everyone in the room tense up."And if you lay another finger on her, you'll regret it."The room fell silent.All the members of the Donald family were in disbelief that someone had barged into their home and threatened them.Who was he? What was he doing here?Suddenly, Reno recognized him and shouted, "It's you!"He then pointed at Elijah and yelled excitedly at Ethan, "Grandpa, he's the one who had an affair with Sophia—the culprit behind the breakdown of our alliance with the Shaw family!""Guards, come quickly and capture this guy!" Reno shouted, trying to summon the guards to seize Elijah.Elijah crossed his arms and scoffed, "No need to waste your effort; the guards outside have already been taken care of by me."Everyone stared at Elijah, sensing the danger he rad
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 4. A New Beginning
Sophia stared in disbelief as the car pulled up in front of a massive, elegant villa."This… this is where you live?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.Elijah glanced at her and nodded."Arthur Palace," he said casually. "Home, for now."He loved Sophia’s bewildered state.Sophia’s eyes widened as she took in the towering pillars, the sprawling gardens, and the grand entrance. She had never seen anything like it."I thought… I thought you were just some arrogant soldier," she muttered.It’s not that she was from a poor family but it was more than her expectations.Elijah smirked."A soldier, yes. But arrogant? Maybe," he said with a shrug."I like to keep people guessing. Come inside."He encouraged Sophia to walk ahead.Sophia felt the cool air as they stepped in and smelled the fresh flowers that decorated the luxurious interior. She couldn’t help but feel out of place."Why are you helping me?" she asked cautiously."You don’t even know me," her voice was mixed with surprise.As
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 5. A Challenge for Honor
The morning sun streamed through the window as Elijah and Sophia stood before a modest altar, their hands clasped together.The ceremony was simple but heartfelt. Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest."I do," she whispered, her voice steady with determination.Elijah's eyes met hers."I do," he said firmly, sealing their vows.After the ceremony, they returned to the Donald family home where Sophia's father, Bob, lived in a small, worn-down wing of the estate.His influence in the family was minimal, and it showed in his modest surroundings.Sophia's eyes were saddened at the sight."Father," she called softly, approaching him.Bob looked up, his eyes dull."Sophia?" he mumbled, his voice weak.He hadn’t expected her to visit, let alone look so radiant."I’m back, Father," Sophia said, smiling warmly."And I’m married now."Bob’s eyes widened."Married? To him?" he asked, glancing at Elijah with a mix of confusion and fear.Elijah nodded, stepping forward."Yes, sir. I’m Elijah Norton,
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 6. The First Steps of Revenge
Sophia paced nervously around the room, her hands twisting together."How are we supposed to do this, Elijah? The Yale Group is a multinational corporation. Why would they even look at us?" she muttered, her voice filled with doubt.Elijah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression calm."Stop worrying," he said softly."We’ve got this."Sophia shook her head, still unconvinced."You don’t understand," she said."I know someone there, a high school classmate. Maybe she can help… but it’s a long shot."Elijah blinked."Contact her. It’s worth a try," he encouraged."But I have my own way of handling things. Trust me, by tomorrow, the Yale Group will be begging to work with us."Sophia glanced at him, trying to read his confidence."How can you be so sure?" she asked, biting her lip.Elijah smiled."I’m the Dragon Marshal," he replied simply."And people tend to listen when I speak."Sophia took a deep breath."Alright," she said, nodding."I’ll try my way, and you do yours."
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 7. A Gift for the Shaws
"Ladies and gentlemen, a toast to my father, Rick Shaw, on his eightieth birthday!"Kobe Shaw raised his glass high, his voice booming through the grand hall.The crowd erupted in applause, a sea of elites gathered to honor the Shaw family patriarch. Everyone was so excited.Rick Shaw, seated at the head of the long banquet table, smiled with satisfaction.The grand chandelier above cast a golden glow on his wrinkled face, highlighting the pride in his eyes."Thank you all for being here," he said, his voice strong for his age."The Shaw family has always stood tall, and tonight is proof that we always will."Ethan Donald, standing near the table, stepped forward, his tone humble."Mr. Shaw, I must apologize for the recent troubles caused by my granddaughter," he said, bowing slightly."We are here to mend any rifts and assure our continued loyalty to the Shaw family."Rick Shaw nodded, his expression softening."Ethan, it's good to see you know where your loyalties lie," he replied."
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 8. The Next Move
"Grandfather, I’m back," Elijah whispered as he stood in front of his grandfather’s tombstone at the Norton family cemetery.In his hand, he held the severed head of Rick Shaw, blood still dripping from the neck."I’ve brought you a gift," he continued, his voice low but filled with a cold determination.He placed Rick’s head in front of the grave, eyes blazing with vengeance."This is just the beginning," he said."They took everything from us. But I promise you, Grandfather, I will retrieve the Lava Heart. I will restore the Norton name."Doug stood behind him, watching silently."Marshal," he said after a moment, "what’s our next move?"Elijah stared at the head of Rick Shaw, his face expressionless."First, we deal with the rest of the Shaw family. Then we go after the others," he replied."I’m not done until every last one of them pays."Doug nodded, a grin spreading across his face."I’m ready when you are," he said."The Shaw family won't know what hit them."Elijah turned away
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 9. Beauty and Bargains
"Elijah, I have great news!"Sophia’s voice was bright with excitement over the phone.Elijah smirked, leaning back in his chair at Arthur Palace."What is it, Sophia?" he asked."My high school reunion worked out! Linda helped me secure a potential partnership with the Yale Group!" Sophia exclaimed."We just need to finalize it in person."Elijah chuckled softly."Good job. I knew you could do it," he said."I’ll come to pick you up. Be ready in ten minutes."Sophia giggled."I’ll be waiting!"Elijah hung up the phone and called out, "Doug, get the car. We’re picking up Sophia."Doug grinned, already grabbing the keys."On it, Marshal," he replied....As they drove through the busy streets, Sophia chatted away in the backseat, her excitement bubbling over."It’s been so long since I’ve seen Linda. I was worried she wouldn’t even remember me," she said.Elijah, sitting beside her, glanced over."And how did it go?" he asked.Sophia smiled."Better than I expected. She was really helpf
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324. Unlikely Allies
“Elijah Norton.” Elijah barely looked up as Lando strode into the dimly lit war room. His hands tightened into fists at the sound of the man’s voice, but he remained still, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating. Doug stepped forward, his voice rigid with contempt. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, Yale.” Lando smirked, completely unfazed. He moved with an air of confidence, like he belonged—like he hadn’t been one of the reasons Sophia had been taken in the first place. “I could say the same to you, Commander,” Lando replied smoothly, then turned his gaze back to Elijah. “I assume you know why I’m here.” Elijah’s eyes darkened. “That depends. Are you here to waste my time, or do you actually have something useful to say?” Lando chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Straight to the point, as always.” He folded his arms, leaning slightly against the table. “Sophia has escaped.” Silence. Elijah’s fingers twitched, but his expres
323. The Chase Begins
“She’s gone.” The soldier stood stiffly, his breath shallow, waiting for The Warden’s reaction. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. But instead of rage, The Warden merely smiled. His eyes, sharp and knowing, gleamed under the dim light. “Let her run,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. The soldier hesitated. “Sir, should we—” The Warden’s gaze flicked to him, freezing him in place. “She thinks she’s free,” he murmured, turning toward the massive map stretched across the wall. “But freedom is an illusion. She will learn that soon enough.” ...Sophia ran. Branches slashed at her arms, her legs ached, and every breath was a fight. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The cold night air burned her lungs, but it was nothing compared to the fear clawing at her chest. She had heard them. The hunters. They were coming. The eerie silence of the forest was the worst part. No birds. No rustling leaves. Just the whisper of the wind and her own rag
322. Breaking Point
“Do you see it now, Sophia?” The Warden’s voice was calm, almost soothing. “This is who you are meant to be.” Sophia gasped, her body trembling. The air around her pulsed with raw energy, crackling like a storm barely contained. The sterile white chamber seemed to shift, bending under the sheer force radiating from her. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “This… isn’t me.” The Warden watched her with a knowing smile. “But it is.” Sophia’s breaths came shallow and fast. Moments ago, she had been strapped to a machine, her mind forced into visions—visions of fire, destruction, and a power beyond her control. She had seen herself standing atop a ruined city, people kneeling before her in fear. Her hands curled into fists. “You forced this,” she spat. “You’re making me see what you want.” The Warden folded his hands behind his back. “I only unlocked what was already inside you.” Sophia wanted to deny it. To scream that he was wrong. But the lingering heat in her veins, th
321. The Ruins of Truth
“There it is,” Cassian muttered, lowering his scope. “Or at least, what’s left of it.” Elijah stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the ruins below. The lost research facility lay in shambles, half-buried under rubble, its structure barely holding together. Wind howled through the broken metal beams, carrying the scent of dust and decay. Doug stepped forward, his expression tense. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for years, Sir.” “That’s what worries me,” Elijah said, his eyes narrowing. “If The Warden didn’t bother to salvage this place, then either it’s worthless… or it’s too dangerous.” Cassian adjusted his gloves. “Either way, we need to get inside.” The descent was rough, loose debris making every step a potential hazard. When they reached the entrance, they found their first obstacle—massive steel doors, rusted but still intact. A faint red light flickered on the control panel beside them. “Security’s still active,” Doug noted. Elijah glanced at Cassi
320. Sophia’s Chains
“You’re wasting your time,” Sophia said, her voice steady despite the cold metal restraints biting into her wrists. The Warden sat across from her, calm, composed, his piercing eyes studying her like a specimen in a lab. “Am I?” he mused, tilting his head. “I think, in time, you’ll see things differently.” Sophia forced a smirk. “I wouldn’t count on it.” The room around her was stark white, devoid of warmth, devoid of life. A single monitor flickered to the side, filled with images—visions of destruction, cities in flames, people bowing before a figure she barely recognized—herself. The Warden leaned forward. “Look at them, Sophia. This is your destiny. A world free of weak rulers. A world that kneels only to true power.” She turned away. “You call that a future? Looks more like a nightmare.” He sighed, as if disappointed. “You resist because you’re afraid. Afraid of what you could be.” Sophia glared at him. “No, I resist because I have a choice.” The Warden’s lips twi
319. Shadows of the Past
“Keep moving,” Elijah ordered, his voice firm. The wind howled through the wasteland, carrying the scent of ash and decay. The land before them stretched endlessly, a graveyard of forgotten battles. Crumbling watchtowers, rusted weapons, and scorched earth told the tale of past wars—wars that had shaped the world they now struggled to survive in. Doug tightened his grip on his weapon as he scanned the ruins. “Sir, this place… it feels wrong.” Cassian nodded. “Too quiet. Someone’s watching.” Elijah didn’t need to be told. He felt it too—the weight of unseen eyes, the tension of an ambush waiting to happen. He glanced at his men, weary but determined. They couldn’t afford to turn back. Night fell fast in the wasteland, wrapping them in thick darkness. They set up camp within the broken remains of a collapsed building, the crumbling walls offering minimal protection from the cold. “Elijah,” Cassian muttered, crouching beside him. “We should set extra watches. If I were The Wa
318. The Hunt for Answers
“Elijah, you need to see this,” Cassian said, his voice tense. Elijah turned from the dim lantern casting shadows on the stone walls. Cassian held the decrypted data chip, his expression grim. Doug stood nearby, waiting. The flickering light barely reached the edges of the battered war table between them, but the weight of what they had just uncovered made the space feel suffocating. “What did you find?” Elijah asked, stepping closer. Cassian inserted the chip into the old projector, and a series of documents flashed onto the cracked surface of the wall. The text, though worn with age, was clear enough to read. ~Sophia Donald. Subject 09. Genetic Anomaly Detected. Experimentation Status: Approved.Elijah’s jaw tightened. He had expected something like this, but seeing her name in black and white made his stomach churn. “They’ve been monitoring her for years,” Cassian muttered. “Maybe since birth.”Doug exhaled sharply. “Sir, this isn’t just about Sophia. Look here.” He point
317. Fire in the Dark
“Move! We don’t have much time,” Elijah ordered, his voice sharp over the crackling of distant flames. Cassian was right beside him, gripping his weapon. “No resistance so far. That’s not a good sign.” Elijah nodded grimly. The underground facility stretched before them, dimly lit corridors twisting into darkness. They had expected guards, alarms, a fight—but instead, the silence was unnerving. The rebels, moving in disciplined formation, exchanged uneasy glances. Doug tightened his grip on his sword. “Marshal, this feels like a trap.” “I know,” Elijah muttered. “Stay sharp.” They advanced deeper into the facility, their boots echoing off the metal floors. Then, without warning, the lights flickered. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the corridor. Cassian tensed. “What the hell was that?” The answer came in the form of a shadow lunging from the darkness. It wasn’t a man—it was something else. Twisted. Unnatural. The creature’s body was humanoid but grotesquely alte
316. A Prisoner’s Defiance
“You look tired, Sophia.” Lando’s voice echoed in the dimly lit chamber where Sophia sat, her hands resting on her lap, her expression blank. She didn’t acknowledge him. She had stopped dignifying his words with a response days ago. Lando sighed and leaned against the cold metal table. “I know you hate me. But you need to understand—I’m the only one keeping you from complete ruin.” Sophia finally turned her gaze to him, her eyes sharp. “I don’t need saving, least of all from you.” Lando let out a dry chuckle. “You’re stubborn. I’ll give you that.” She was more than stubborn. She was determined. Every moment in this facility, she studied her surroundings—the routines of the guards, the placement of surveillance devices, the way The Warden operated. She wasn’t waiting for rescue. She was planning her own escape. The door hissed open, and The Warden entered. His presence was suffocating, commanding, as if the air bent to his will. “Sophia,” he greeted smoothly. “How are you
