Emperor Of War

Chapter Six: The Fortress of the King

Adam Swift's POV

The black military convoy moved through the brightly lit streets of Quinzerland.

From the back seat of the lead vehicle, I stared through the window at the city that had once belonged to my family. Ten years. Ten years had changed many things. New skyscrapers dominated the skyline. New businesses filled the streets.

New rulers controlled the city.

But beneath all the changes, one thing remained the same. Jackson Carter still sat on the throne built from my father's blood.

Tonight, that would begin to change. Dax sat across from me. A tablet rested in his hands.

"Boss," he said, "we've arrived."

I looked through the windshield. The convoy slowed to a stop. My eyes immediately landed on the massive estate ahead. Even from a distance, it looked more like a fortress than a private residence.

The property occupied several acres of land. Towering walls surrounded the entire compound. Bright security lights illuminated every corner. Dozens of surveillance cameras rotated continuously.

Armed guards patrolled the perimeter. Jackson Carter clearly feared enemies.

Perhaps somewhere deep inside, he knew his sins would eventually catch up to him. The estate had two massive gates. The first gate guarded the outer perimeter. The second gate protected the main mansion itself. Between both entrances stood additional checkpoints and armed security personnel. Luxury vehicles lined the driveway.

Important guests continued arriving one after another. Politicians. Business leaders. Military officers.

Everyone wanted to attend Jackson Carter's exclusive gathering. Everyone wanted to remain close to power.

I stepped out of the vehicle. The night air felt cool against my face. Dax immediately followed.

"So this is where the snake hides," I said.

Dax smiled slightly. "Quite a fortress."

I nodded. "It won't matter."

No fortress was impossible to enter. Not after everything I had endured. I started walking toward the entrance. The guards quickly noticed me. Several immediately became alert.

Their hands moved toward their weapons. I ignored them and continued forward. The first gate opened to allow another guest's vehicle inside. I walked directly toward it.

Before I could enter, two guards stepped into my path.

Both men were large and heavily armed. One raised his hand. "Stop."

I came to a halt. The guard looked me over from head to toe.

His eyes narrowed. "I don't recognize you."

I said nothing.

The second guard spoke. "This event is private." His tone carried obvious authority.

"Only invited guests are allowed inside."

I remained calm. "I have business with Jackson Carter."

The two men exchanged glances. Then they laughed. A mocking laugh. The kind that irritated me.

The first guard shook his head. "Get lost."

The second guard stepped closer. "If you're looking for work, submit an application tomorrow."

Several nearby guards laughed as well. I looked at them silently. Their amusement didn't bother me. Their ignorance did.

The first guard grew impatient. "Didn't you hear me?"

He pushed my shoulder. "Leave."

Dax took a step forward. I raised my hand slightly.

He immediately stopped. There was no need. I could handle this myself. The guard pushed me again. Harder this time.

"Are you deaf?"

His hand reached for my collar. That was his mistake. In a single movement, I caught his wrist. The laughter instantly disappeared. The guard's eyes widened.

"What the—"

Before he could finish, I twisted. Pain flashed across his face.

The second guard reacted immediately.

"Attack him!"

Several guards rushed forward. The first guard attempted to pull away. He couldn't.

My grip tightened.

The confidence vanished from his expression. Fear replaced it. He finally realized something. He wasn't dealing with an ordinary man.

The second guard threw a punch. I moved slightly. His fist missed completely. My elbow struck his chest.

The impact sent him stumbling backward.

Chaos erupted instantly. Shouts filled the entrance. More guards rushed toward me.

Dax simply watched. His expression remained calm. He had seen far worse.

The first guard finally broke free and reached for his weapon. Too late. I stepped forward. One strike. The weapon flew from his hand. A second strike. He collapsed to the ground.

The second guard tried to recover. I appeared in front of him before he could react. His eyes widened in disbelief. Then he joined his partner on the pavement. Silence followed. The remaining guards froze. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke.

The scene had happened too quickly.

Two trained security officers had been defeated within seconds.

The guards stared at me. I stared back. The difference was simple. They were afraid. I wasn't.

One of them finally spoke into his communication device. "Intruder at the main gate." His voice shook slightly. "We need backup immediately."

I continued walking forward. The guards instinctively stepped aside. None of them wanted to be the next person blocking my path.

The first gate stood open before me. Beyond it stretched a long road leading toward the main mansion. Bright lights illuminated the path. Luxury cars continued arriving. Guests stepped out wearing expensive suits and elegant dresses. Many of them stopped when they noticed the commotion.

Whispers spread quickly. "Who is he?"

"What happened?”

"Did he attack security?"

"Is he insane?"

I ignored them all. Their opinions meant nothing. My focus remained fixed on the enormous mansion in the distance.

Jackson Carter was somewhere inside.

For ten years, I had waited for this night.

For ten years, I had dreamed of standing before him. No wall. No army. No amount of money could stop me now. More security personnel appeared ahead. At least twenty of them. They formed a defensive line. Weapons ready. Faces tense.

The guests immediately retreated. Nobody wanted to get caught in whatever was about to happen.

Dax approached my side. "Boss."

I glanced at him. "Yes?"

He smiled. "Should I handle them?"

I looked toward the mansion. Then toward the guards.

A faint smile appeared on my face. "No."

The security team slowly advanced.

Determination filled their expressions.

Unfortunately for them, determination wasn't enough. Not tonight.

I looked toward the towering wall surrounding part of the inner compound.

The height alone would have discouraged most people.

To me, it was merely an obstacle. I took a few steps backward. The guards looked confused. The guests looked confused. Even Dax raised an eyebrow.bThen I moved. One step. Two steps. Three. I accelerated.

My body surged forward. The distance disappeared instantly. Before anyone understood what was happening, I launched myself upward. Gasps echoed throughout the entrance. The world seemed to freeze.

I landed briefly on the edge of a decorative structure. Then pushed off again. Higher.

Far higher.

The crowd watched in disbelief. I cleared the wall completely. For a brief moment, I was suspended against the night sky.

Then I disappeared to the other side. Silence. Absolute silence. Nobody moved.

Nobody breathed. The guards stared at the wall. The guests stared at the wall. Their mouths hung open in shock. One security officer blinked repeatedly. Another rubbed his eyes. As if trying to convince himself he hadn't imagined it.

Finally, someone spoke. "Did he..." The man swallowed hard. "...fall from the sky?"

Nobody answered. Because nobody had an explanation. The only question remaining echoed through the crowd.

Who was he?