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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 80. The Battle for Control
Elijah sat at the head of his study table, the weight of his plans settling over him like a thick fog. The message he had received about Duke West and William Winter had been clear. They were preparing to strike, and Elijah knew the confrontation was no longer avoidable.He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the scattered papers detailing the Winters’ business operations and Duke West’s moves. Doug stood in the doorway, waiting for instructions.“I need more intel on Duke West,” Elijah said, his tone sharp.“Every move he makes, every business deal he’s involved in—I want to know about it. We can’t afford to be blindsided.”Doug nodded. “Understood, Marshal. I’ve already set up surveillance, but I’ll dig deeper. I’ll have a report for you by the end of the day.”“Good,” Elijah replied, his gaze drifting toward the window.“And keep a closer eye on the Winters. Something tells me they’re not far behind Duke West in this.” Doug left without another word, and Elijah remained i
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 81. Family vs. Love
Elijah sat quietly, watching Sophia across the room as she flipped through some documents. He could sense the frustration bubbling inside her, her movements stiff and deliberate.She’d been like this for days—distant, tense, and more upset than usual. He knew she was starting to feel the strain of her family’s pressure, but it wasn’t just that. Elijah’s constant disappearances were wearing her down, too.Finally, Sophia broke the silence. “Elijah, we need to talk,” she said, her voice controlled, but he could hear the edge of frustration.He looked up from his laptop, meeting her eyes. “What’s on your mind?”Sophia set the papers down, crossing her ar
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 82. The Battle Begins
Elijah paced across his office, the tension in the air thickening with each passing second. Doug stood nearby, his face grim as he delivered the latest update."Duke West’s men are already making moves, Marshal," Doug said."They’ve infiltrated some of the key personnel tied to Sophia’s deal with Lando Yale. William Winter is also playing his part, trying to sabotage it from the inside."Elijah clenched his fists. He had expected this, but the sheer coordination of the attack showed how determined Duke West and William Winter were to ruin Sophia’s progress—and his."We can’t let them win," Elijah said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him."This deal is too important for Sophia. I want you to secure every corner, Doug. No loose ends."Doug nodded sharply."Already on it. I’ve got eyes on Yale’s top advisors, and we’ve neutralized a few of Duke’s informants. But it’s a battle now. Duke’s going to push harder."Elijah’s jaw tightened. He had dealt with Duke West before,
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 83. Facing the Family
Sophia stood at the window of her room, her eyes focused on the view outside but her thoughts miles away.Elijah had been distant, vanishing at odd times, always with vague explanations. It was wearing her down, the constant wondering if he was hiding something dangerous from her. She turned when she heard footsteps. Elijah entered the room, his face tense, clearly preoccupied with something."Where were you, Elijah?" Sophia asked, her voice quiet but heavy with emotion.Elijah paused, sensing the weight of the question. He’d been expecting this confrontation for some time now, but he still wasn’t ready for it."I had to take care of something, Sophia. It’s not something you need to worry about."Sophia’s frustration boiled over, her fists clenching at her sides."That’s all you ever say! 'Don’t worry about it.' But how can I not worry? You’re disappearing at random times, coming back with bruises, and acting like everything’s fine. It’s not fine!"Elijah sighed deeply, moving closer
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 84. The Trap is Set
Elijah stood in his study, going over the plans laid out before him. His mind was sharp, calculating every possible angle, every move Duke West and William Winter might make. He needed to get ahead of them.This time, he’d lure Asher and the remnants of the Shaw brothers' forces into his trap, weakening Duke West’s resources in one decisive move.Doug entered, his expression grim but resolute."Marshal, our men have confirmed Asher’s gathering Zack and Kevin Shaw’s remaining forces.""Perfect," Elijah replied, his voice edged with determination."Make sure he’s led straight into our setup. I want Asher to believe he’s closing in on me, not the other way around."Doug nodded, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "He’ll walk right into it. Just say the word.""Then let's start," Elijah ordered, his tone final....The tension between Elijah and Sophia had been thick lately, and Elijah could feel it growing by the day.Sophia had been hurt by her family’s manipulations and was dea
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 85. The Gathering of Enemies
Elijah straightened his suit in the dimly lit hallway, adjusting his mask to fully embrace his James Hamesworth persona.Olivia had arranged this meeting, and he knew it would bring him face-to-face with some of Duke West’s most influential allies.The information he could gather tonight would be invaluable if he wanted to protect Sophia and keep Evendore from falling into chaos.As he entered the secluded venue, a low murmur filled the air, the weight of secrecy and power lingering in every corner.High-ranking members of Duke West’s faction, notorious figures in the underground network, stood gathered around a central table.Olivia spotted him from across the room, her face lighting up as she approached him."James," she greeted warmly, her hand lightly touching his arm."I’m glad you could make it. Tonight, you’ll see just how powerful we can be."He offered her a subtle smile, keeping his voice calm. "Olivia, I wouldn’t miss this for the world."She leaned in closer, lowering her
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 86. Only Hope
Back at Arthur Palace, Sophia paced the long hallway, worry etched across her face. Elijah’s strange behavior and frequent absences had started to weigh on her heavily.It wasn’t just the secrecy that troubled her—it was the feeling that he was involved in something dark and dangerous, something he was determined to keep her from understanding.Finally, she called Doug, hoping for some answers. She waited as the line connected, her fingers tapping nervously against the phone."Doug, can you tell me where Elijah is?" she asked, her voice tight with worry.Doug hesitated."Miss Sophia, the Marshal is… handling important matters. He’s doing everything he can to protect you and the life you both have."Sophia sighed, frustration clear in her voice."I just wish he’d tell me the truth. It feels like he’s slipping away, and I don’t know why."Doug’s voice softened."He’s doing all of this for you, Miss Sophia. He’s protecting everything that matters most to him. Just trust him… he’ll come b
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 87. A Plan of Defense
Elijah took a steadying breath, forcing his mind to focus on the task at hand.His plans had been intricate and hidden, but now, with the threat to Sophia and Lando Yale rapidly closing in, he knew it was time to strike back.“Doug,” Elijah’s voice was low, calculated, “we need to act quickly. Duke West and William Winter are moving against Yale’s operations, and it’s only a matter of time before they come for Sophia.”Doug nodded, his face grim.“We have our best men on standby, Marshal. Just say the word, and we’re ready.”“Good,” Elijah replied, his gaze hardening.“Gather them. I want every approach secured and no one getting near Sophia. Tonight, Duke West is going to learn that coming after those I care about has consequences.”As Doug disappeared to rally the forces, Elijah climbed the stairs to check on Sophia, his mind weighed down by the words she’d spoken on their last encounter.He hadn’t expected her suspicions to grow so rapidly, and it pained him to know how much his se
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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,
