The chapter began with Cade entering the grand throne room of King Argon. The air was heavy with tension as Cade approached the throne. King Argon sat tall, his expression stern but contemplative, the weight of recent events evident in the lines of his face. The flickering torchlights cast long shadows across the room, adding to the gravity of the moment.
Cade bowed respectfully before standing upright, his voice steady but firm. "Your Majesty, we need to talk about the state of the city and the leadership moving forward."
King Argon tilted his head slightly, gesturing for Cade to continue.
Cade sighed before speaking. "With the recent events—Shenlog's death, the council's attack, and the chaos in the Free World—Seiji hasn't been himself. He's been reckless, consumed by rage. His marks have been flaring uncontrollably. It's clear he's grieving, but that grief is clouding his judgment. I fear giving him the General Commander position at this time would put us all at risk."
The king listened intently, his fingers steepled. "I understand your concerns, Cade. Seiji is strong, but his emotions are raw. What do you propose?"
Cade paused, choosing his words carefully. "I suggest we convene a meeting of all the officials to discuss our next steps. We need to ensure the leadership of the Free World remains stable."
The king nodded in agreement. "A wise suggestion. Send word to the officials. Ensure that everyone is present. And…" he paused, his gaze sharp, "invite Jin as well."
Cade frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, Jin isn't an official. He's powerful, yes, but he hasn't been sworn in. He doesn't hold rank within our structure."
The king's voice grew firmer. "Without Jin, Cade, we would have suffered far greater losses. His power has been pivotal. He may not hold rank, but he holds influence. Bring him."
After a moment's hesitation, Cade relented. "As you command, Your Majesty." He bowed again and turned to leave. As he reached the door, the king added, "Oh, and Cade—watch him. Jin is more than what we see, and we need to understand him."
Cade nodded silently and left the throne room, his mind already strategizing.
The scene shifted to the bustling streets of the Free World, where construction was underway. Workers were rebuilding walls and structures damaged during the recent attacks. The sound of hammers and saws filled the air, accompanied by the murmur of citizens trying to restore their lives. Amidst the chaos, Jin and Rebekah walked side by side.
Rebekah, always lighthearted and teasing, leaned slightly toward Jin with a playful smirk. "You know, Jin," she said, her voice carrying a sultry tone, "you've been developing some pretty impressive abilities lately. I'd love to show you something cool I've been working on. Think you can handle it?"
Jin raised an eyebrow, his usual stoic demeanor softening slightly. "Oh? Let's see what you've got, Rebekah."
Rebekah stopped walking, her expression growing serious. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Slowly, she began to channel her energy. Her body tensed as her aura shifted, a faint crimson glow enveloping her. Her once playful features transformed into something more predatory—her eyes sharpened, her fangs extended, and her movements became almost too fast to track.
In a blur, Rebekah blitzed forward, disappearing from Jin's sight before reappearing behind him. She repeated the movement several times, each time faster and more precise, creating small gusts of wind as she darted back and forth.
She stopped in front of him, grinning. "Impressed? I've been refining my vampiric abilities. It's not perfect yet, but I think I'm getting the hang of it."
Jin clapped his hands slowly, his face betraying only a faint smile. "Not bad, Rebekah. Not bad at all. But if you really want to improve, you should reach out to Cade. He's the expert on all things vampire. He might be able to help you unlock your full potential."
Rebekah rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'll think about it. But I'm pretty sure Cade's a lot less fun than you."
Jin chuckled lightly, though his mind remained elsewhere. His gaze drifted to the distant horizon, his thoughts consumed by Jiangshi's words and the looming war.
Meanwhile, in Shenlog's quarters, Drake sat cross-legged on the floor, finishing the last of his meal. The empty plates and bowls scattered around him told the story of someone who had eaten more than his fair share. His loud chewing and satisfied sighs filled the room.
SLURP. CRUNCH.
Drake leaned back, patting his stomach. "Ah, nothing like a full belly to make you forget your problems," he said lazily.
Across the room, Jingwei paced angrily, his fists clenched. He shot a glare at Drake, who seemed entirely unaffected by the weight of their father's death. "How can you sit there and stuff your face when Father's gone?! Do you feel nothing?! Do you even care?!"
Drake paused, his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. He looked at Jingwei, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "This… this is how I mourn, Jingwei. I don't know how to cry or scream or punch things like you. So I eat. It's what I know how to do."
Jingwei stared at him, his anger momentarily giving way to confusion. "That's… ridiculous."
Drake shrugged, resuming his meal. "Maybe. But it works for me."
Jingwei shook his head, exhaling sharply. "You're impossible."
Drake put down his bowl and stood up, his tone shifting. "Hey, Jingwei. There's something I need to tell you."
Jingwei narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"
Drake hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "I've been having visions… weird ones. And I think they might mean something."
Jingwei's eyes widened slightly. "Visions of what?"
The chapter ended there, the tension between the brothers hanging heavily in the air as Drake's cryptic words hinted at something greater.