2024-10-27 09:45:12Sophia sat alone in the dimly lit living room, frustration radiating from her as she looked at the clock.
Elijah had managed to slip in after she’d fallen asleep last night and had left again before she’d even woken up. It felt like he was there, just beyond her reach, but distant enough to leave her feeling alone.
She took a deep breath, her thoughts swirling as she paced back and forth.
Just as she was debating whether to call him, the door opened, and Elijah stepped in, his face showing signs of exhaustion.
“Elijah,” she said, her tone tense.
“Sophia,” he acknowledged with a soft nod, closing the door behind him.
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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 89. The Attack
Elijah stood in the war room of Arthur Palace, his face set with grim determination as he briefed his team. Doug was at his side, reviewing last-minute security adjustments on a detailed map.Every critical point around Sophia’s business and the palace had been reinforced, but they knew the threat was unprecedented.“They’re coming, Marshal,” Doug said, his tone grave.“William Winter’s brought in more men than we anticipated. And there’s someone else—a powerful figure. We don’t have a clear ID yet.”Elijah nodded, his jaw tight. “It’s likely Duke West himself. He wouldn’t delegate something like this.”Doug raised an eyebrow. “You really think he’d take that risk?”Elijah’s gaze hardened. “I know he would. He wants to make this personal, and that means facing me directly.”Elijah turned to the rest of his men, his tone sharp.“Listen up. Winter’s forces will go after Sophia’s business interests first, then the palace. Be ready for anything—they’re going to throw everything they have
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 90. Showdown in Shadows
The cold night air whipped through the empty alley as Elijah faced Duke West in a standoff, each man’s stance mirroring the other’s intensity.The city lights cast long shadows across the walls, adding to the tension that hung between them.The silence between them felt heavy, broken only by the distant sounds of skirmishes as their men clashed in nearby streets.“You’ve become predictable, West,” Elijah taunted, his eyes narrowing as he took a step forward.“Always hiding behind an army. When was the last time you fought for yourself?”Duke West’s lips curled into a cold smile.“Is that what you think? That I hide behind others?” He paused, letting his words sink in.“Control, Elijah. True control comes from knowing when to use power and when to let others wield it for you.”Elijah’s expression didn’t falter.“That’s not control—it’s cowardice. Real strength doesn’t hide in the shadows.”Duke let out a mocking laugh, slowly circling Elijah, sizing him up.“You’re strong, yes. But you
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 91. A Moment of Weakness
Sophia stood in the living room, her arms crossed tightly. She had been up all night, worry gnawing at her every thought.When Elijah finally entered, his face was drawn, his shirt still stained from the night’s chaos.Sophia's eyes narrowed, her frustration and concern bubbling over.“Elijah, I want answers,” she demanded, her voice steady but laced with emotion.“Every time there’s trouble, you’re gone, and I’m left in the dark. I need to know what’s going on.”Elijah sighed, pulling a hand through his hair as he faced her.“Sophia, you know I’d tell you if I could. But some things… they’re better left unsaid. It’s safer that way.”Sophia’s gaze sharpened.“Safer? I don’t feel safe, Elijah. It feels like there are walls between us, and I can’t keep guessing if—if there’s something you’re hiding.”She took a shaky breath.“Do you have enemies? Are they coming after us?”Elijah took her hands gently, his expression softening.“Yes, I have enemies, and yes, they’d do anything to hurt m
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 92. Alliance in Shadows
Elijah adjusted his collar and checked his watch, his expression tense as he waited in a quiet corner of a dimly lit restaurant.When Lando Yale entered, his usually casual demeanor was replaced with one of quiet intensity. He moved with a purpose, his sharp eyes darting around to ensure privacy.“Elijah,” he greeted with a curt nod, slipping into the seat across from him.“Lando. Thanks for coming on short notice,” Elijah replied, leaning forward.“There’s been a change of plans. Duke West and William Winter are coming for your business operations—and Sophia’s, too.”Lando’s face darkened.“Those two don’t know when to quit. They’ve been poking around my operations for weeks now. But Sophia? I thought she was safe under your watch.”“She is,” Elijah said firmly, his gaze unwavering.“But Duke West is moving faster than anticipated. They’re gathering allies, and their influence is spreading through some… unexpected channels. We need to solidify our defenses, and we need to do it toget
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 93. Veil of Intentions
The hotel room was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning filling the silence as Elijah entered, responding to Olivia’s message.She stood by the window, her silhouette framed by the city lights outside.Her gaze was distant until she noticed him; then, her face softened, a warm smile breaking through her usual guarded expression.“James,” she murmured, stepping closer, her voice low and warm. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t come. It’s been hard to get any time alone with you.”Elijah returned her smile, carefully calculated but smooth, allowing the charm she expected from him to seep into his tone.“Time’s been unpredictable lately,”
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 94. An Unmasking of Secrets
Elijah moved quickly, adjusting his shirt and straightening his sleeves as he prepared to leave.Olivia, still reclining on the bed, looked up at him, her expression slipping from warmth to confusion.“James… you’re leaving?” she asked, her voice soft but tinted with disappointment.He paused briefly, giving her a gentle, reassuring smile. “I have to go. Something unexpected came up, but I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”Olivia’s eyes searched his face, a flicker of frustration showing through her smile.“I hope so, James. It’s starting to feel like I barely get to see you anymore,” she whispered, letting her hand linger on his arm.Elijah gave her hand a slight squeeze before stepping back. “I’ll be back soon.”With that, he left the room, heading out to meet Sophia, his mind already shifting to the next steps he needed to take.The streets blurred as he navigated his way back to Arthur Palace, tension building in his chest.Sophia had never called him this urgently before, and he wa
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 95. Bound by Trust
Elijah’s gaze flickered slightly as he stood, trying to steady his voice.“There were… women at the mission site,” he managed, though his tone faltered, sounding uncharacteristically uncertain.Sophia’s eyes narrowed, and the glint of hurt flashed through them.“The Elijah I know never stammers when he talks,” she whispered, her voice trembling as her eyes filled with tears.She took a step back, her hand rising to cover her mouth, as if to contain her heartbreak.“Are you really just going to leave it at that?”As she turned, Elijah felt his heart twist painfully.In a swift movement, he was on his knees in front of her, reaching for her hands.“Sophia… please, don’t walk away.”His voice softened, full of sincerity.“Trust me when I tell you that my heart is only yours. I’m not one of those men who would ever cheat on his wife. Can you believe that? Can you believe in me?”Sophia froze, surprised to see him kneeling, and without hesitation, she knelt down in front of him, her arms c
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 96. A Night of Warmth
Elijah lay beside Sophia, the quiet night folding around them like a soft blanket, creating a world that felt like theirs alone.Sophia nestled into him, her cheek resting on his shoulder, one hand splayed over his heart, fingers tracing gentle circles across his chest.The steady rhythm of her breathing filled the silence, a comforting presence that spoke more than any words.“Elijah,” she whispered, looking up at him with a gentle smile, her fingers brushing the line of his jaw, as though tracing his features into her memory.“This is where I want to be, always. Just like this.”He wrapped his arms around her a little tighter, pressing a kiss to her forehead.“That’s exactly what I want too,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.“No matter what happens around us, Sophia, this—” he squeezed her closer, his voice soft but steady “—this will always be ours.”She sighed, a soft sound of contentment lighting her eyes with warmth.“I know you mean that,” she whispered, her fingers driftin
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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,
