Victor found himself taken aback by Zac's audacious demeanor; his eyes aflame with seething anger.
"Young man," Victor said, his voice dripping with menace, "I offered you the opportunity to ascend to the heavens, yet you've recklessly barged your way into the depths of hell."
Zac, unfazed, replied with a casual expression, "You may not be aware, but I consider Hell to be my home turf."
--------------
In the tense moments just before Victor lunged to rescue Gavin, Bella's voice resonated in Zac's mind, a sense of urgency in her tone. "Zac, I've detected an abrupt surge of energy nearby, concealed from our senses. Considering our past data and analysis, the likelihood of this energy belonging to Damien exceeds 90%."
Zac, ever the observant one, calmly remarked, "So, it appears Damien has graced us with his presence."
He had also noted Carmen's discreet exit to inform Damien, leaving no room for surprise regarding his arrival. A sly grin formed on Zac's face as he turned his attention to Victor, who remained oblivious to Damien's stealthy entry.
However, Bella, the brilliant mind behind the scenes, was quick to quell Zac's confusion. "It seems Damien possesses an extraordinary ability to obscure his presence from Victor's senses," she elucidated.
Zac's furrowed brow betrayed his curiosity. "But how on earth did you manage to discern him?" he inquired; his perplexity evident.
Bella's response was delivered in her customary composed manner. "Zac, individuals at such levels harness their soul senses to navigate their surroundings. Damien's unique skill appears to have the power to elude detection by others' soul senses. Nonetheless, I am not just reliant on the supernatural; I harness the power of science. I detected an abrupt alteration in the composition of the surrounding air particles. Through meticulous analysis, I was able to pinpoint his concealed presence."
Bella furrowed her digital brows, grappling with the enigma before her. "I'm struggling to grasp why he's shrouding himself and refraining from intervening in this situation," she mused, her virtual gears turning in search of answers.
Zac, the shrewd strategist, leaned into his mental musings and shared his insights. "I believe I may have a clue. If my deductions hold true, an astute character like Damien likely harbors multifaceted motives for keeping his presence concealed. Firstly, he seeks to test my mettle further, probing for any concealed aces up my sleeve. Secondly, he yearns to unveil the true intentions of Victor and his lineage, searching for a pretext to extinguish their power. And, lastly, he bides his time, poised to rescue me at my most vulnerable juncture, thereby forging a debt I would feel obliged to repay in the future." A self-assured smirk danced across Zac's thoughts.
Bella, though, couldn't help but voice her apprehension. "So, does this imply that we must endure the wily maneuverings of this seasoned antagonist until you are in dire straits enough for Damien to make his grand entrance?" Her concern rang clear in her voice, her digital heart evidently fretting for her companion.
Zac's self-assured demeanor persisted as he outlined his audacious plan to Bella, a sly grin adorning his face. "Fear not, Bells. I have a stratagem to draw him out of hiding. Follow my lead, and ensure your main body remains still and unresponsive, no matter the circumstances," he instructed, his eyes locking onto the concealed position Bella had pinpointed for Damien.
Damien, lurking in the shadows, was taken aback as Zac seemed to peer directly into his hiding spot, a playful smile etched across his face. Doubt flickered across Damien's mind, "Has he truly spotted me? It's inconceivable; not even Victor could pierce through my 'Soul Cloak' method. Perhaps it was a mere coincidence," he attempted to reassure himself, though unease still lingered.
Meanwhile, Victor surged forward, his determined charge aimed at Gavin and Zac, with Damien remaining poised on his heels, ready to intervene at the slightest provocation.
Then, in a surprising twist, Zac issued a bold command: "Bella, detonate his hands." As the explosive force shattered Gavin's hands, Victor ground to a halt, a bewildered and furious expression marring his face.
Damien, who had watched the chaos unfold, couldn't help but curse under his breath. He realized that with Gavin injured, coming to terms with Victor became harder, and he berated himself for not acting sooner.
---------------
Back to the current situation,
In the midst of the intense confrontation, Victor delivered a menacing ultimatum, his tone dripping with malice. "You impudent youngsters, challenging me comes at a steep cost. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - that's my way of settling scores," he declared, casting a cold, appraising gaze upon the gruesome toll on Gavin's arm. His next target was Bella, whom he intended to subject to the same merciless fate.
However, just as he advanced toward Bella, a sudden and enigmatic figure materialized before him, an impenetrable barrier to his menacing path.
It was Damien, standing resolute and unyielding before Victor. In a composed and conciliatory tone, he addressed his uncle, "Uncle, perhaps we should halt this grievous course of action. I can procure the necessary medicines to restore Gavin to his previous state of health. Let's cease this strife before it escalates further."
The oppressive aura exuded by Victor was met with an equally formidable presence, exuded by Damien. The equilibrium of power hung in the balance, and a collective sigh of relief emanated from Zac, who had once again regained control of his body. The disconcerting sensation of losing control over one's own form was not something he wished to experience again, and it had occurred twice in a disconcertingly brief span of time.
Victor's gaze bore into Damien's eyes, his own orbs bloodshot with seething rage. He questioned his nephew with a hint of accusation, "Damien, that young upstart wounded my grandson, and they have brought disgrace upon me. Are you truly willing to shield an outsider at the expense of your own flesh and blood?"
In response, Damien maintained his composure, offering Victor a stern but well-intentioned advisory. "Uncle, this is not only for your benefit but also for your own well-being. The consequences of proceeding down this perilous path will be too grievous to bear."
However, Victor's resolve remained unshaken. He erupted with fervor, a fiery retort on his lips. "Damien, are you attempting to issue a threat? Let it be known, no matter who stands against us today, I shall seize these young rascals and deliver upon them the retribution they deserve. I dare anyone to challenge me!"
"Old codger, do you believe me to be a mere phantom?" Zac's retort crackled with defiance, his voice dripping with determination. "Should you dare lay a single finger on her," he continued, his words laced with chilling resolve, "I will systematically dismantle your precious grandson, piece by agonizing piece." As Zac concluded his ominous speech, he extended a pointed finger toward Gavin's leg, unleashing a devastating surge of energy caused by the condensed energy spheres in Gavin's legs that obliterated a substantial portion of flesh, prompting a harrowing, piercing scream from the unfortunate victim, who soon succumbed to unconsciousness.
Victor, witnessing this unspeakable torment inflicted upon his beloved grandson, bellowed in anguish. Gavin held a special place in his heart, and the sight of his suffering fueled a murderous fury within Victor, causing him to yearn for retribution.
In the midst of this escalating chaos, Damien couldn't help but mutter in exasperation, "Damn it, just when I intended to defuse the situation, this young one is adding fuel to the fire."
With urgency, he swept Bella into his grasp, manifesting before Zac, positioning himself as a shield, guarding both of them from the wrath of Victor.
Clarisse and Elise, the seemingly overlooked figures in the escalating turmoil, stood at the sidelines, their presence momentarily forgotten by the tumultuous events unfolding around them. But in an unexpected twist, Dimitri materialized behind the sisters, taking them hostage in a display of wild, uncontrolled fury.
"Damien," he snarled, his voice etched with madness, "if you want these sisters to remain unharmed, you had better deliver them into my custody," the ominous threat hung heavy in the air.
Victor, already teetering on the brink of rage, erupted with an outburst, his fury unbridled. "You fool! Release them this instant!" he roared, acutely aware of the unique status Clarisse and Elise held within Damien's world. The twins were, in a sense, Damien's reverse scales, and Victor knew well the unspoken boundary that safeguarded them. Throughout their upbringing, they had faced adversity, for it was Damien's way of cultivating their resilience.
However, the line was irrevocably crossed when the threat to their lives was laid bare. Seeing Dimitri's unyielding stance, Victor's fury flared even brighter. "You contemptible wretch, release the sisters immediately!" he bellowed once more, the tremors of impending retribution coursing through the very air.
And amid this tumultuous crescendo, Damien, his calm veneer shattered, let loose a malevolent aura, his bloodshot gaze affixed on Dimitri. It was a grim reminder that Damien, no stranger to the darkness of power struggles, had ascended his own ruthless path, and woe betide those who trespassed upon his cherished boundaries.
Dimitri remained obstinate, his words a defiant counterpoint to the mounting tension. "No, father, these women have brought those two children with them. I am convinced they're conspiring against our lineage," he stated resolutely, unwilling to yield. In his eyes, the clan's power dynamic was being reshuffled, and he saw this as a prime opportunity to challenge Damien's authority.
From Victor's vantage point, his son's unwavering stance left him feeling utterly exasperated. Victor was privy to information that remained veiled from the rest. The Crimson family's history was steeped in the legends of seven brothers who had fought together during the war. Damien's lineage hailed from the eldest brother, commonly referred to as the ancestral figure of the Crimson Family. However, Victor harbored a secret knowledge that contradicted the established narrative: the eldest brother remained alive and well, concealed from view, and quite possibly more potent than ever. So, Victor had refrained from challenging Damien's leadership, knowing the perilous consequences of such an endeavor.
As the family drama unfolded, Damien released his grip on Zac, and two shadowy figures materialized at his side, taking protective positions beside Bella and Zac, their silent guardians.
Turning his attention back to Zac, Damien's voice turned frigid, with a trace of deadly intent. "Kid," he inquired, his eyes never leaving Gavin's lifeless form, "do you still retain control over that boy's body?"
Zac responded with a measure of confusion, not entirely comprehending Damien's request. "Yes," he answered tentatively.
With an unsettling command, Damien's voice was devoid of emotion as he issued his chilling directive. "Then obliterate him," he repeated, each word cutting through the air. Zac, momentarily stunned by the command, eventually grasped the gravity of Damien's intent.
"You...uh, sure..." Zac began, but his words faltered. It took a moment for the shock to subside and the true implications to sink in.
"Did you not hear me clearly?" Damien continued, his voice unwavering, "I said, BLOW HIM UP.