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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 170. Threads of Betrayal
The brisk night air stung Elijah’s face as he slipped through the narrow alleyway behind the warehouse. His movements were calculated, each step cloaked in silence. The syndicate meeting had been as dangerous as it was illuminating, but the risks had paid off. His mind churned with the intelligence he had gathered.“Marshal, are you clear?” Doug’s voice crackled through his earpiece, steady and composed as always.“Yes,” Elijah replied, his tone low but firm. “I have enough to start unraveling their next move. Pull back the team and meet me at the fallback point.”“Understood, Sir,” Doug responded. “We’ve got you covered.”
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 171. The Invitation
Elijah leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the wooden desk. The tension in the air was palpable, as Doug stood nearby, his usual calm demeanor masking concern. “This meeting could be a trap,” Doug stated matter-of-factly. “Nathaniel isn’t the type to play fair, Marshal. If you go, you’ll be walking into his arena on his terms.” Elijah nodded, his gaze fixed on the glowing phone screen where Nathaniel’s message remained open. “It’s a risk I have to take, Doug. If I don’t, we lose any chance of getting ahead of him.” Doug sighed, stepping closer. “Then let me prepare the team. We’ll secure the perimeter and provide backup.” “No,” Elijah replied firmly, his voice steady. “This has to be face-to-face. No distractions. He needs to believe I’m alone.” A soft knock interrupted their conversation. Sophia entered, her determined expression leaving no room for debate. “You’re not going alone,” she said, her tone resolute. Elijah rose, shaking his head. “
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 172. A Desperate Plan
Elijah sat at the head of the table in the secure briefing room at Arthur Palace, the glow of the monitors casting sharp shadows across his face. Doug stood beside him, his posture as sharp and professional as always. “Marshal, these are the targets we’ve identified so far,” Doug said, gesturing toward a map projected on the wall. Red markers dotted the screen, each one representing a key syndicate location. Elijah’s eyes scanned the map, his mind already calculating the steps needed. “We’ll start with their supply chain. If we cut off their resources, Nathaniel will have no choice but to surface.” Doug nodded, his tone measured. “Understood, Sir. But we need to be cautious. Nathaniel’s not operating alone anymore. Lando’s intel suggests he’s recruited someone with political ties, someone with enough power to shield his operations from the shadows.” “That complicates things,” Elijah muttered, leaning back. “Have we identified this ally yet?” Doug shook his head. “Not yet, bu
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 173. The Forgotten Estate
The journey to the old Norton property was tense. The road, winding through overgrown trees and crumbling stone walls, seemed to mirror Elijah’s unease. Sitting beside him, Sophia watched his face, his usual stoic demeanor now shadowed by something deeper. “This place,” she began softly, “you haven’t spoken much about it.” Elijah kept his eyes on the road ahead. “There’s not much to say. It was a sanctuary once. Now, it’s just another scar.” Sophia reached over, placing a hand on his arm. “We’ll face it together. No matter what we find.” The sight of the estate took them both by surprise. Once a grand property, it now stood as a hollow shell, its majestic stone walls marred by signs of wear and its gardens overtaken by weeds. But as they approached, it became clear that the estate wasn’t abandoned. Vehicles were parked discreetly along the edges, and faint lights flickered through boarded windows. “Doug was right,” Elijah muttered, pulling the car to a stop at a safe distanc
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 174. The Syndicate Strikes
The battle began before either Elijah or Sophia could catch their breath. The sound of boots echoed through the corridors as Nathaniel’s forces swarmed the estate, armed and ready for bloodshed.“Stay close to me,” Elijah said, his voice firm as he positioned Sophia behind him. His pistol was already raised, his sharp gaze scanning for the first sign of movement.Sophia nodded, clutching the small weapon Elijah had given her earlier. “I’ll do what I can,” she promised, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface.The first group of attackers burst through the doorway, but Elijah was quicker. His shots rang out, precise and deadly, taking down two of the intruders before they coul
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 175. The Battle Lines Drawn
Elijah stood in the boardroom of Sophia’s company headquarters, the city skyline a stark backdrop behind him. He surveyed the plans laid out on the table, his mind racing as he considered every possible angle the syndicate might take. “Marshal,” Doug said, stepping forward, his tone respectful but urgent. “Our men have secured all entry points. The syndicate won’t breach this place easily.” “Good,” Elijah replied, his voice low and steady. “But we can’t underestimate Nathaniel. He’s not just coming with brute force—he’ll have something planned, something precise.” Sophia entered the room, her demeanor calm but commanding. “I’ve informed my team about the situation,” she said, addressing both men. “They’re prepared to follow instructions, but most of them are scared. This isn’t exactly a normal day at the office.” Elijah met her gaze, admiration flickering in his eyes. “Fear is natural. But you’re leading them, and that will keep them grounded. Just make sure they listen to Dou
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 176. The Ledger of Secrets
Elijah placed the heavy, leather-bound ledger on the table in front of him. The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with the weight of the history it contained. Sophia leaned closer, her eyes scanning the intricate lettering on the cover.“This is it,” Elijah murmured, his voice low but firm. “The Norton ledger.”Sophia brushed her fingers lightly over the aged leather, sensing its significance. “It looks like it holds everything,” she whispered. “All the alliances, betrayals… even the answers you’ve been searching for.”Doug entered the room, his expression serious as he surveyed the ledger. “Marshal,” he said with a nod. “The syndicate won’t let you
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 177. The Nexus Point
Elijah spread the ledger across the large wooden table in the Arthur Palace study, his eyes scanning each entry with laser focus. He marked locations on a map, connecting dots that had eluded him for years. “Marshal, this is starting to look like a web,” Doug remarked, standing nearby with arms crossed. “Nathaniel’s been moving pieces into place for decades. He’s methodical.” Elijah nodded. “Every move he’s made has led to this central point.” His finger landed on a location circled repeatedly in the ledger—an isolated compound in the mountains. Sophia, seated across from him, leaned forward. “That’s where he’s consolidating his power,” she said, her tone resolute. “Elijah, you have to stop him before he solidifies control.” “Not me, Sophia,” Elijah said firmly, meeting her gaze. “We will stop him.” ...Lando Yale arrived later that day, a file in hand and his demeanor as sharp as ever. “Elijah, I’ve managed to pull some strings,” he said, sliding the file across the table.
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357. No More Goodbyes
“Elijah…” A soft voice broke the quiet evening. Elijah stood at the edge of the city, watching the last light of the sun fade into the horizon. The sky burned with hues of orange and deep crimson, a reflection of the journey that had brought him here. The wind carried a familiar scent, one that stirred memories he had buried deep. Years had passed since the war ended. Evendore had changed under his leadership, rising from the ashes of corruption into something new. The people called him a legend—the Black Dragon who had defied fate and rewritten history. Statues had been built, songs had been sung, and yet none of it truly mattered to him. Because for all his victories, a part of him had remained empty. He turned at the sound of his name, his breath catching in his chest. Sophia stood a few feet away, bathed in the golden light of dusk. She had changed, yet she was still the same—strong, beautiful, and filled with a fire that had never faded. Her eyes held a depth that spoke
356. A New Dawn
“The world is finally changing, Sir.” Doug stood beside Elijah, overlooking the city from the tallest watchtower. Below them, the streets of Evendore bustled with life. Merchants called out their wares, children played freely, and workers repaired buildings that once stood in ruins. The scars of war remained, but hope had taken root. Elijah’s gaze swept across the city. “It’s changing, but not fast enough.” Doug crossed his arms. “Progress takes time.” Elijah exhaled, his shoulders tense. “Time isn’t always on our side.” The past few months had been filled with rebuilding, restructuring, and keeping order. He had expected resistance, and he was right. Not everyone welcomed the new Evendore. Former enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A soldier approached, saluting. “Marshal, we have visitors at the southern gate. They claim to be old allies.” Elijah exchanged a look with Doug. Doug’s expression darkened. “Old allies? Or old enemies?”
355. A Leader’s Burden
“Elijah Norton, the world is waiting for your next move.” Elijah glanced up from the map spread across the table. Across from him sat an elder statesman, his expression calm but expectant. Others in the council chamber watched Elijah closely, their gazes filled with a mix of respect and uncertainty. Doug stood at Elijah’s side, his posture rigid. He could feel the tension in the room. The war was over, but leadership brought its own kind of battle. Elijah leaned back in his chair. “The world doesn’t need me to rule it,” he said. The elder gave a knowing smile. “Perhaps not. But it does need someone to guide it.” Elijah tapped a finger on the table. “Evendore must rebuild first. There are still families in mourning, cities in ruin. People need stability, not another ruler.” A younger council member frowned. “But without you at the forefront, chaos could return. Power-hungry men will see this as an opportunity.” Doug finally spoke, his voice firm. “The Marshal is not a kin
354. The Final Goodbye
“I have to leave.” Sophia’s voice was quiet but firm. The air in the room seemed to shift, as if even the walls understood the weight of her words. Elijah stood by the window, his back partially turned. He had expected this. The moment she woke up different, he knew. Still, hearing her say it felt like a blow he wasn’t ready for. Doug stood near the door, tense but silent. He watched his Marshal closely, waiting for his response. Elijah inhaled deeply before turning to face her. “Where will you go?” Sophia hesitated, as if the answer wasn’t clear even to her. “I don’t know yet. But I need to figure out who I am now.” Her fingers gripped the fabric of her sleeve. “Everything feels… wrong. Familiar, but different. I can’t stay like this.” Elijah studied her carefully. The woman before him was still Sophia, yet there was a distance between them, an invisible wall that had not been there before. Doug finally spoke, his tone careful. “Miss Sophia, the city is still in recover
353. A World Without Chains
“She’s waking up.” Elijah turned at Doug’s words. His hands, stained with ink from writing orders, clenched slightly. He had spent days dismantling the last of the corrupt families, ensuring Evendore would never fall into the same darkness again. But none of it had mattered more than this. He pushed the heavy door open, stepping into the dimly lit room. Sophia lay on the bed, her skin no longer deathly pale, but there was something… different. Her eyes, once warm and familiar, now held an eerie stillness. She blinked slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Elijah.” Relief surged through him, but it was laced with caution. He sat beside her, studying her carefully. “You’re awake.” She exhaled, as if testing the very act of breathing. “I feel… strange.” Doug remained near the door, standing guard as always. “Marshal, should I call the healer?” Elijah shook his head. “Not yet.” He looked back at Sophia. “What do you remember?” She frowned slightly, as though pulling me
352. The Price of Victory
"It's over." Doug's voice carried across the battlefield, but no one responded. The silence was heavy, broken only by the crackling flames and the distant groans of the wounded. Elijah stood still, staring at the Warden’s lifeless body. His hand was clenched at his side, his knuckles white. Victory had come, but at what cost? Doug stepped closer, his face grim. “Marshal, we should regroup.” Elijah exhaled slowly. “What’s the status?” Doug wiped the sweat and dirt from his forehead. “We won, but barely. Our forces are in bad shape. Too many losses.” He hesitated before adding, “Lando… he’s gone.” Elijah’s gaze snapped to him. “Gone?” Doug nodded. “Vanished after the fight. No one knows where he went.” Elijah’s jaw tightened. Lando had always been a threat lurking in the shadows. If he was still alive, this war wasn’t truly over. “We’ll find him,” Elijah said, though exhaustion pulled at his voice. Doug gave a firm nod. “Understood, Sir.” A sudden gasp made them tu
351. Breaking the Cycle
"You were never free, Elijah." The Warden’s voice echoed through the ruined battlefield. Dust and ash hung in the air, swirling around his towering figure. Sophia stood beside him, her expression unreadable. Elijah’s grip tightened on his sword. “Enough of your lies.” The Warden chuckled. “Lies? No, Marshal. Only the truth. You and Sophia—your entire existence has been leading to this moment.” He gestured around them. “Did you really think your survival was coincidence? That your strength was simply fate?” Elijah’s jaw clenched. He had spent years fighting, carving his own path through blood and loss. The thought that someone else had been pulling the strings made his stomach turn. Doug stepped closer, his breathing ragged. “Sir… don’t listen to him.” But Elijah had to know. “Explain.” The Warden smiled. “Very well.” He turned his gaze to Sophia. “You, my dear, are the key. The final piece of a long-buried project. Your blood, your abilities—none of it was natural.” So
350. A Battle of Ideals
“The choice was always yours, Elijah,” the Warden said, standing tall amidst the chaos. “And you chose wrong.” Elijah gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening around his sword hilt. The battlefield around them was in shambles. Soldiers clashed, blades rang, and shouts of agony filled the night. Smoke curled into the sky, and the ground was slick with blood. Doug and the others fought desperately, their forces barely holding on against the Warden’s elite warriors. The battle had tipped dangerously out of their favor, and Elijah knew it. He could hear Doug’s grunts of effort, the sharp clash of steel, but he kept his focus on the man before him. “You think I’d ever stand beside you?” Elijah growled, his eyes burning with fury. “You’ve destroyed lives, torn families apart. And for what? Power?” The Warden chuckled. “Power is what shapes this world, Marshal. Not honor. Not justice. You cling to those things like a drowning man clutching a broken raft.” He spread his arms. “But lo
349. The Last Betrayal
“Sir, we’ve got a problem,” Doug said, his voice tense as he approached Elijah. “Something’s wrong.”Elijah’s gaze shifted from the map spread out on the table to Doug, his expression already darkening. “What is it, Doug?”“There’s been a breach. A leak,” Doug said, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Someone’s been feeding information to the Warden. They knew our plans, our movements.”Elijah’s heart sank. He had always trusted the men and women under his command, but now, doubt crept in like a shadow. “Who?” he asked, his voice tight with anger.“I don’t know yet,” Doug replied, his voice steady. “But we’re working on it. We’ll find out who’s behind this.”Elijah clenched his fists. “They betrayed us. They’ve been working for him all along.”Doug nodded grimly. “Yes, Sir. The Warden knew exactly when to strike. It’s too perfect.”The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the camp, and Elijah’s attention shifted. Sophia appeared, her face pale and her eyes wide with worry. “Elijah,
