Draven was suspended in the air, one foot forward, claws of fire half-formed around his fists. Behind him, the members of the Draco family were frozen as well—their mouths open mid-chant.Time has stopped.Barry exhaled slowly.He reached into his pocket and drew out a strange black ring with an obsidian gem set at it's center. Barry slipped it onto his finger and clenched his hand into a fist.Then he moved, closing the distance until he stood directly in front of Draven. They were so close their foreheads were almost touching.Draven remained frozen in the air, his burning eyes locked on Barry’s indifferent gaze.Barry lowered his stance. His body coiled like a spring, spine tightening and muscles compressingEvery ounce of power he could muster gathered around his fist. The obsidian gem in the ring flared with a deep purple light.Time resumed slowly, unfreezing Draven and the Draco family. Draven’s flaming fist was inches from Barry’s face.But Barry struck first.His fist moved

"What kind of power exactly," Barry asked. Elara rubbed her temple, as if trying to refresh her memory. “I don’t know exactly. Some of my father’s loyal alias returned to the nation to see if they could regroup, to fight back and end the coup.”Her gaze dropped.The room fell quiet for a moment.Then the girl spoke again, her voice heavier than before.“The last message I received, came from one of my remaining sources inside the capital. They said the counter-coup failed. It ended without a single shot fired.”Veronica frowned. “Without fighting? How is that possible?”Elara turned to reply to her. “My supporters surrounded the palace. They had the numbers and weapons to counter the coup. Everything was in their favor.” She paused, her hands clenched by her sides. “But the moment they confronted my uncle, something unexpected happened.”"What happened?" Barry asked. She swallowed. “In the blink of an eye, every single one of them lowered their weapons and bowed to my uncle. They s

The hawk-nosed envoys' face flushed with anger as he faced Barry. “You’re threatening the king of our nation,” he said sharply. “Do you even understand what you’re saying?” Corvus lifted a hand, signaling his companion to sit back down, though his own eyes were chips of ice. “Do you know the consequences of your actions?” Corvus asked coldly. “A threat against our king’s life is no small matter. It could mean war. Is that what you want, Barry Sullivan? To drag your city into a conflict with a sovereign military power?” Barry listened, unfazed. He took a slow breath before responding. “I don’t know Princess Elara’s uncle personally,” he said. “But I know this much—he is not worthy of being called a king. He took the throne from his brother by force. A man like that doesn’t deserve the title.” He leaned forward, his gaze locking with Corvus’s. “Which is why I’m giving him three days. Three days to step down, release the true king, and surrender himself for judgment.” Corvus’s ja

King Roland Lionheart sat upon his throne like a conquering tyrant. He crossed his leg lazily over the other while his fingers drummed quietly on the armrest."My Lord," a messenger rushed in. "The envoys have returned."Roland raised his chin. "Let them in."The heavy doors creaked open, and the three envoys entered the throne room in silence. They knelt before him, their heads bowed low against the floor."Your Majesty," General Corvus greeted him, his voice unsteady.Roland’s eyes narrowed. He didn't see Elara with them. They had all returned empty handed. “Where is my niece?” he demanded sharply. "Did you succeed on your assignment?"The envoys exchanged uneasy glances. A brief hesitation passed between them before Corvus swallowed and spoke.“Your Majesty, the Big Man of Liberty City refused to release the princess.”Roland surged forward in his seat. “What?” he roared. The hawk-nosed envoy lifted his head slightly. “The Big Man threatened the throne, Your Majesty. He said he i

Roland staggered back a step, his eyes darting between the two men who had just appeared in his private chamber.“Who are you?” he demanded hoarsely. “How did you get in here? What are you doing in my palace?”Barry met his gaze calmly, hands buried deep in his pockets. He looked very relaxed as if he was standing in his own living room.“I’m the Big Man of Liberty City,” Barry said casually. “I’m sure you’re surprised to see me. Don’t worry—most people don’t know what I look like either.”Roland’s pupils shrank.For a split second, panic flashed across his face. Then he forced himself to straighten, drawing himself up with the pride of a king.“This makes no sense,” he snapped. “My nation’s defenses are impenetrable. My guards are everywhere. How did you get past them?”Barry glanced sideways at Sebastian.“Oh, we didn’t sneak past anyone,” he replied. “My butler has the power of teleportation. We simply appeared here.”Roland’s head snapped toward Sebastian, staring at him as if he