2024-09-10 00:40:53Sophia 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 if she couldn’t believe that anyone would accept her.
Elijah stopped and turned to her.
"Because I owe you," he said simply.
"And because you deserve better."
He reached for her veil. Sophia instinctively pulled back.
"What are you doing?" she gasped, her hands flying to her face.
"Let me see," Elijah said, his tone softer.
"You don’t need to hide."
She hesitated, fear gripping her heart.
"I don’t like people seeing… this," she murmured, her fingers trembling on the fabric.
She was afraid to be mocked by Elijah like others did with her.
"Trust me," Elijah said, his voice gentle but firm.
Slowly, she allowed him to remove the veil. She watched his face closely, expecting disgust.
Surprisingly, she couldn’t find that in his eyes.
On the other hand, Elijah didn’t flinch.
He looked at her scarred face with calm eyes, and momentarily, she saw something like compassion.
"Does it hurt?" he asked gently.
Sophia blinked, shocked.
"N-not anymore," she whispered, her voice wavering.
"Good," Elijah said. "Because we’re going to fix it."
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat.
"Fix… it? How?" she asked, unsure whether to feel hope or fear.
Elijah nodded. "I’m going to help you heal," he said.
"But you have to trust me."
She studied his face, searching for any hint of mockery or deception.
Finding none, she nodded slowly.
"Okay… I trust you," she replied, though a part of her still felt nervous.
He led her to a room with a large bed and motioned for her to sit.
"Take off your clothes," he instructed, his tone matter-of-fact.
Sophia’s eyes widened, and she clutched her dress.
"W-What? W-Why?" she stammered.
"Are you trying to humiliate me?"
Elijah sighed, shaking his head.
"Relax, Sophia," he said.
"I need to treat your burns. The medicine needs to be applied everywhere."
She still hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Turn around," she muttered.
Elijah smiled and turned his back to her.
"I’m not here to hurt you," he said over his shoulder.
"I just want to help."
Sophia took a deep breath and slowly began to undress, feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Elijah turned back around and carefully applied the medicine to her burns and wounds, his hands gentle.
"This might sting a bit," he warned.
Sophia winced, but his touch was surprisingly tender.
"Why are you so different from what I expected?" she asked, her voice soft, almost shy.
Elijah chuckled.
"And what did you expect? A brute who only knows how to fight?" he replied, smiling.
"Something like that," Sophia admitted, a small smile playing on her lips.
"You’re not what you seem."
Elijah wrapped her in gauze, his expression thoughtful.
"Neither are you," he said quietly.
"You’re stronger than you think."
...
Days passed, and Sophia’s wounds began to heal.
During her ten-day recovery, Elijah was always there, making her laugh, sharing stories, and even cooking meals.
She found herself smiling more and more.
"I think I’m falling in love," she thought to herself, blushing.
Elijah seemed to sense the change.
"You seem happier," he remarked one evening as they sat on the terrace, watching the sunset.
Sophia nodded, her cheeks pink.
"I am. Thanks to you," she said.
He smiled at her slightly, guessing that he was able to give her happiness.
...
Ten days later, Elijah carefully removed the gauze from her face and body.
As he peeled away the last layer, Sophia saw herself in the mirror.
Her reflection took her breath away.
Her skin was smooth, her scars nearly gone.
She looked… beautiful.
"Is this… really me?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Elijah stood behind her, smiling.
"Yes, Sophia. This is you," he said.
"The real you."
Sophia turned to him, her heart swelling with emotion.
"Thank you, Elijah," she said, her voice choked with gratitude.
"Thank you for giving me back my face."
Elijah reached out and gently touched her cheek.
"No one will ever hurt you again," he promised.
"Not while I’m around."
Sophia’s eyes shone with tears.
"I… I believe you," she whispered.
Later, Sophia decided to take a bath.
"I need to clear my head," she said, trying to steady her emotions.
She slipped into the warm water, feeling more at peace than she had in years.
While she bathed, Doug arrived at Arthur Palace.
He handed Elijah a folder. "Here’s the information about the four major families," he said.
Elijah took the folder but didn’t open it.
"Thanks, Doug," he said.
"But I’m not interested right now."
Doug raised an eyebrow.
"You’re not? That’s new. What’s changed, Marshal?" he asked stunned.
Elijah chortled.
"I came here for peace, not war. At least for now," he said, glancing toward the bathroom where Sophia was.
"I just want to spend time with her."
Doug nodded, understanding.
"Alright, I’ll head back to the South. Call me if you need anything."
Elijah inclined. "I will."
Before leaving, Doug added with a sly grin, "You’re going soft, Dragon Marshal."
Elijah smirked.
"Maybe," he said, "or maybe I’m just finally waking up."
Doug laughed. "Fair enough. But don’t go too soft. The South still needs its Dragon."
He was trying to maintain his posture to show respect to the Marshal.
Elijah's eyes darkened a bit, but he smiled.
"I know, Doug. But right now, this is what I need."
That evening, Sophia joined Elijah in the garden.
They walked together under the stars, the cool breeze brushing against their skin.
"You’ve been so good to me," Sophia said, her voice filled with sincerity.
"I never thought I’d feel this… safe again."
Elijah stopped and looked at her.
"I meant what I said," he replied.
"You’re with me now. And I don’t plan on letting you go."
Sophia blushed, her heart fluttering.
"Elijah… would you… would you marry me?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope.
Elijah smiled, his eyes softening.
"Yes, Sophia," he said.
"I will marry you."
They stood there for a moment, the world around them fading away.
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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 6. The First Steps of Revenge
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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
