Chapter 20: Rising Admiration and New Allies
Lena stood in the shadows, her heart racing as she watched the final moments of the battle unfold. Quinn, glowing with a surge of untamed power, had torn through the enforcers with a force she had never imagined. The way his movements were swift and decisive, how the energy seemed to pulse through him—Lena could barely believe what she was seeing.
She had followed them into the mines, curious about where Quinn was going and what he was hiding. She hadn't expected to witness the full force of his abilities. As Quinn and his group stood victorious amidst the unconscious bodies of the enforcers, Lena felt a strange mixture of awe and excitement swell within her chest.
Quinn was unlike anyone she had ever met. He wasn't just powerful—he was driven, determined to break the system that had held them all in place for so long. There was something captivating about that, something that made Lena's admiration for him grow even stronger. It wasn't just his power that drew her in—it was his courage, his will to fight against the impossible.
As Quinn, Rhea, Anais, and Jaren began to leave the mines, Lena remained hidden, her eyes locked on Quinn's figure. She clenched her fists, a spark of determination igniting within her. She wanted to be part of this. She wanted to experience that same drive, to fight alongside him and his group.
But more than that, she wanted to be close to Quinn—to understand what made him tick, to be by his side as they faced whatever came next. Lena's resolve solidified. She would join them, no matter what it took. And she would prove herself to Quinn. She watched them disappear into the distance, whispering to herself, "I'll fight too… and I'll stand with you, Quinn."
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Meanwhile, at the House of Calderon...
Isla Calderon paced in her family's grand estate, her heart heavy with worry. Her father, Joseph Calderon, had not been himself lately. For weeks, he had been distant, his once warm and commanding presence reduced to something cold and mechanical. He would leave in the middle of the night without explanation, returning at odd hours, his eyes vacant and his voice flat.
Isla had tried asking the maids about his behavior, but every time she mentioned it, they would dismiss her concerns, offering vague excuses about his duties or the pressures of his position as patriarch of the House of Calderon. But Isla knew her father better than anyone. Something was wrong—terribly wrong—and she couldn't ignore it any longer.
Frustrated and desperate for answers, Isla decided to reach out to someone she trusted, someone outside her family's influence. She had heard whispers about Quinn and his group, rumors about their actions against the system. Quinn, the boy with white hair, had been making waves in the academy and beyond. If anyone could help her, it would be him.
Later that evening, Isla made her way to the academy, seeking out Quinn's group. She found them in one of the quieter parts of the campus, gathered and discussing their next steps. Rhea and Anais stood nearby, their faces serious, while Jaren leaned against a pillar, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
Isla approached, her heart pounding in her chest. "Quinn," she called out, her voice steady but laced with urgency.
Quinn turned, his eyes locking onto hers. "Isla Calderon," he said, surprised to see her. "What's going on?"
She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin, but then the words tumbled out. "It's my father. He's… he's been acting strange for weeks now. He leaves in the middle of the night, and when he comes back, he's… different. The maids won't tell me anything, and I don't know who else to turn to. Please, I need your help."
Quinn exchanged a glance with Rhea, who nodded subtly. They all knew what was happening to Joseph Calderon, but telling Isla the truth would be difficult. Still, Quinn knew that if Isla was going to be part of this fight, she deserved to know the truth.
Quinn sighed, stepping closer to her. "Isla… your father isn't acting on his own will," he began carefully. "He's being manipulated by someone—a powerful noble family, the House of Virdan. They've placed a brainwashing rune on him and are using him to control the enforcers."
Isla's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. "What? How… how could this happen?" she stammered. "My father is strong—how could they do this to him?"
"The House of Virdan has been planning this for a long time," Rhea interjected, her voice calm but firm. "They've taken advantage of his position, using him as a tool to command the enforcers to do their bidding. This is part of a larger scheme to maintain control over the city and the system."
Tears welled up in Isla's eyes as the weight of their words sank in. "So… my father… he's just a pawn to them?"
"I'm afraid so," Quinn said gently. "But we can help him. We're working to stop the House of Virdan and undo the damage they've caused. But it won't be easy."
Isla wiped her eyes, her expression hardening with resolve. "Then I'll help you. I can't sit by and let them use my father like this. Whatever it takes, I'll fight with you."
Quinn studied her for a moment, seeing the determination in her eyes. He nodded. "We'll need all the help we can get. If you're willing to fight, then you're welcome to join us."
Isla nodded firmly, her resolve unwavering. "I'm in. Let's bring my father back."
---
As the night deepened, the group sat together, planning their next move. With Isla now in their ranks, they had another strong ally in their fight against the system. But as they prepared to face the powerful House of Virdan, they knew the stakes were higher than ever.
And somewhere, hidden in the shadows, Lena watched from afar. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and longing. Soon, she would make her move. She was determined to be a part of this group—to fight, to grow stronger, and to stand beside Quinn, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
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Hey it's me mrTurtleMaster from now on I won't be using Quinn Holloway alias "Finn O'Reilly" as it has been getting harder to remember because I have other things in my daily life that I tend to forget things easily 😅. But I hope this doesn't effect you guys to much. If you guys have any problems about my novel please leave a comment I would love to know your thoughts 🤔. Anyway hope you guys are enjoying Fiction NPC!.