Inspector Lui, and his colleague, Inspector Chan, stood at the edge of the dark alley where Tiara had disappeared. Cheong had called to inform the police and they had come immediately to investigate what had happened.They had arrived a bit late as Cheong was already gone by the time they got to the scene. Though there was no one there to ask what had happened, the remnants of Tiara's struggle were evident— scuff marks on the ground. Inspector Lui's brow furrowed in thought as he pieced together the clues. It was obvious that the victim wasn't killed, at least from what he could conclude. There were no blood stains anywhere."It doesn't make sense," Inspector Chan said, scratching his head. "Why take her and not kill her like she did to the male victims leaving the skull mark on all of them? What's different about her?"Inspector Lui pondered for a moment. "It’s unusual, that's for sure. Maybe there's something about her that the spirit needs or can't bring herself to destroy. We nee
Tiara, groggy and disoriented, slowly opened her eyes to a nightmarish sight. Her hands were tied to wooden poles, the rough rope digging into her wrists. The surroundings were dark and ominous, with flickering shadows cast by dim torches lining the stone walls. The last thing she remembered was being dragged and pulled by someone she couldn't see his or her face. She remembered having spoken with Cheong and how they've settled their differences.They were just about to leave when the strange figure appeared from nowhere. They had tried running but the strange creature got to her and pulled her away.She cried out for help, her voice echoing through the eerie silence, but no one responded."Help!" She cried again but there was still no response.Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. Her heart pounded in her chest as the sound grew closer. Emerging from the shadows was a figure she thought she'd never see again—her mother, who had died and was buried long ago. Her eyes widened in
Jack Brynner stepped out of the sleek black limousine, straightening his tailored suit as he gazed at the grand entrance of the conference center. The annual business conference was in full swing, with men in sharp suits milling around, exchanging firm handshakes and business cards.Since Yul's death, he had not not attended any of the business summits in Draketown. Highly priced fishes were becoming a rare commodity and a lot of investors were ready to throw in their money for an upscale.The Brynner's holdings were facing more competition than ever before as more businessmen were investing in the business. Two of his prominent competitors were the Qingyues's corporation and the Chang's Group of companies.Walking towards the registration desk, Jack scanned the crowd, taking in the familiar faces of competitors, partners, and old acquaintances. Suddenly, his eyes locked onto a woman he hadn't seen in years—it was Kim Qingyue, Director Lan's mother. His heart skipped a beat. Kim had
Kim arrived at the upscale restaurant, a sophisticated blend of modern and classic decor. The ambient lighting and soft music set the stage for an intimate evening. She couldn't remember the last time she ate out with a man after Sam died. Sam had died when Lan was just ten years old. Since then, she had lived her life as a single mother who wasn't ready to open her heart ever again no matter how many men came her way.She spotted Jack at a corner table by the window, his silhouette familiar and comforting. She couldn't help but admire him. Even with the passing years, Jack was still looking as handsome as ever.As she approached, Jack stood up, a warm smile spreading across his face. They greeted each other with friendly kisses on the cheek, a gesture that felt both nostalgic and natural."It's so good to see you again, Kim," Jack said, pulling out her chair."You too, Jack," she replied, settling in.A waiter appeared, offering menus and taking their drink orders. Kim opted for a g
Serpens had to go back home after spending the entire evening at the hospital. His wounds were healing naturally and he was getting stronger. He only wished he still had his dragonic powers with him but that was no longer the case."Hope you're feeling much better?" Dr. Sun asked, just as he was about to take his leave.He managed a smile, "Yes, I am."With Rose's condition still the way it was and him not losing his powers, it was obvious he wasn't fine.Stepping out of the hospital, his phone buzzed and it was a call from Lan. They've not spoken to each other for a while now and she was already missing him."Hello, Serpens," she greeted."Hey, Lan," Serpens replied. "How have you been?" "Fine, just missing you."Serpens heaved a sigh, not knowing what to say. He thought he already told her that things were complicated and that his heart was with someone else."If you're not busy this weekend, let's meet." Lan suggested.Serpens couldn't refuse, "Alright, just text me the time and t
Serpens and Serena, reeling from the shock, quickly called for an ambulance. Serpens wished he still had his dragonic powers to at least stabilize him before the ambulance arrived but sadly, he didn't.He tried to see if he could connect to his source of powers but he couldn't. Every attempt he made proved futile and it wore him out in frustration."Why aren't you working?" He cried in frustration.He stood up in anger and kicked his Harley bike which was parked by the side."How long will I have to feel so helpless? Why can't I just connect to my powers? Why does it feel like I'm losing my mind?" He asked himself, all in one breath.He turned towards Serena who was still crying and pulled her up. "It's enough. None of this was your fault." He said, placing his hand on her shoulder."Cheong, please don't die.. help is coming," Serena cried, as she stood up. "Help is on its way."Cheong wasn't saying a word, his breath had faded away. His eyes shut to the darkness of death but Serena s
Serena stayed in her room all night after the funeral and refused to come out. All attempts by Serpens to make her come out proved futile. He could understand what she was quite going through but he wished she could accept the fact that Cheong was gone and wasn't ever going to come back.Returning to his room, he decided to go through a couple of things from school even if he wasn't able to fully concentrate. Xin had called him earlier and they had already decided to visit the Buhai sea the following day. With Winter now being chased by the police and the CIA, he felt it would afford them enough time to get the draconic gem before he did.His phone buzzed and it was Lan. He had almost forgotten that he had promised to go out with her during the weekend and the following day was the beginning of the weekend, the supposed day of their outing."Hello," Lan began, her excitement palpable from the tone of her voice."Hey, Lan, what's up?" He greeted me."Fine, just called to remind you of
Serpens woke up feeling so scared. He couldn't believe he would have to sacrifice Rose in order to defeat Bahamut. There was only one way to stop the prophecy from coming to pass and that was to prevent Winter from releasing Bahamut.He decided to go to the bathroom to wash up and to steel himself for the day's task. It was the day he will be visiting the Buhai sea with Xin. It would be the beginning of his quest to prevent Bahamut from being set free.After washing up, he walked up to Serena's room. She found her sleeping. It was obvious she was still grieving Cheong. He could understand her pains. He had felt the same way when Tiara left him for Yul. It had torn him apart.He picked up his phone and put a call through to Xin. He waited patiently as the phone rang waiting for Xin to pick up."Hello Serpens," Xin said from her own end."Xin, how're you doing?" Serpens asked."Nervous, but I'm fine. I don't know what to expect as we begin this journey today but I believe we'll succeed.
The priest stood solemnly at the edge of the grave, his weathered hands clasped around a simple wooden cross. His voice, steady and calm, reverberated through the air as he spoke the final prayers, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of the moment. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound as Rose was laid to rest, the earth slowly covering her.Serpens stood nearby, tears silently welling up in his eyes, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony ended, people began to approach him one by one. Xin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his face solemn. Lan, always reserved, offered a quiet nod of respect. Serena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered her condolences. Dr. Sun, with a grave expression, grasped Serpens' hand in solidarity, while Inspector Lui, ever the stoic, simply said, "I'm sorry." Finally, Tiara approached, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy, and she gave him a brief, supportive hug.After everything was said and done, as the crowd disper
In an instant, Rose disappeared into the portal, her figure merging with the energy of the Dragon Stone. There was a flash of blinding light, and the portal sealed shut, its power absorbed into Rose’s being. The energy of the Dragon Stone flowed through her, and the stone itself crumbled to dust, its dark power dissipating into the air.Serpens and Xin watched in awe, their hearts heavy with the sacrifice that had just been made. Rose had given herself to save the world, her courage and selflessness breaking the cycle of darkness that had threatened to engulf them all.For a moment, all was quiet, and then, from the stillness, a gentle breeze began to blow, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn."No!" Serpens cried as he rushed towards her. Rose fell on his arms, her form as cold as ice. "Don't leave me, Rose," Serpens cried. "Please come back," The strange lady spoke, "This was bound to happen, greet dragon. She's your fourth sage, the one who would help you win the war agains
Serpens struggled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and frustration. Winter was too strong, even with the combined might of the dragon lords. They couldn’t overpower him—not like this. But what frightened him more was the sight of Xin, now standing on the rock, her hand trembling as she raised the dragon stone toward the point where the sunlight met the sea."No!" Serpens cried out, his voice breaking with the weight of his despair. But his words fell on deaf ears. Xin, lost in Winter’s spell, placed the stone on the rock. The moment the stone touched the surface, the sunlight intensified, its beams converging on the stone and then spreading outwards, enveloping Bahamut in a blinding light.The light was quickly swallowed by a sudden darkness, a pitch-black void that seemed to emanate from Bahamut himself. The last chain around the dragon’s neck glowed fiercely for a brief moment before shattering into a thousand pieces. The sound of the chain breaking echoed like thunder acro
The Third World Sea stretched endlessly before Serpens, a vast expanse of shimmering waters that reflected the dark, starless sky above. The air was thick with a mystical energy, a sensation both familiar and foreign, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. As he stood on the shore, the quiet lapping of waves against the rocks was the only sound, but Serpens could feel the presence of something ancient and powerful nearby.From the depths of the sea, a massive form began to rise, the water cascading off its scales like liquid silver. Doromu emerged with a grace that belied his immense size. His golden eyes, warm and wise, fixed upon Serpens with a gaze that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a soft, radiant light, contrasting the dark waters around him."Welcome, Serpens," Doromu said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing across the stillness of the sea. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow. "Great Dragon, it is an honour to
The uproar in Draketwon that night increased people ran to find safety from the threats of the dragons which descended upon the city like a flock of birds.It wasn't long after that the armed forces of Draketwon set into action. Helicopters, their blades slicing through the night air, emerged from the darkness. It was a show down of the humans versus the dragons, as fire bathed the entire city like a flood.The roar of the engines filled the cockpit as Captain Marcus Rourke, the seasoned leader of the air force squadron, adjusted his headset. His eyes were steely, focused on the horizon where plumes of smoke rose from the city below. The once-vibrant metropolis was now a war zone, engulfed in chaos as dragons soared through the sky, their fiery breath raining destruction upon the streets.“Echo Squadron, this is Captain Rourke,” he spoke into the radio, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “We’ve got eyes on the target. Multiple dragons are engaged, laying waste to the city. They’re
Tiara sat at her usual spot in the school courtyard, the sun dipping lower in the sky as the hours ticked by. The news of the Zorvath's going through Serpens' locker in school, had become the news of the day, but that wasn't her problem.Her concern was in the fact that Serpens whom he had called to tell what had happened didn't show up in school. She couldn't help but wonder why he didn't show up after he told her he was already on his way when she called him earlier that day.After the first set of classes of the day, she decided to go to the courtyard and hoped that before the afternoon classes would commence, Serpens would show up.Her gaze flicked anxiously toward the school gates every few minutes, hoping to see Serpens' familiar figure stride through. But as the shadows lengthened and the students trickled out in groups, laughing and chatting, there was no sign of him.By now, the courtyard was almost empty, save for a few stragglers. Tiara’s worry had shifted to a gnawing unea
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n