GOD OF WAR WITH POWERS

Ethan stood at the edge of his estate, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun dipped below the jagged skyline. His secretary, Alan, approached and bowed deeply, flanked by a line of soldiers who knelt in unison.

"Welcome back, sir," Alan said, his voice firm yet reverent.

Ethan nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you, Alan. Are the preparations complete?"

"Everything is as you requested. The soldiers are ready, and the staff awaits your orders. Shall we proceed to acquire the gift for Madam Maria?"

Ethan’s piercing gaze lingered on Alan. His appraisal ability flared, revealing Alan’s unwavering loyalty and a hint of concern buried beneath the surface. Ethan’s voice softened. "You seem... uneasy, Alan. Is there something on your mind?"

Alan stiffened, startled. "It’s nothing, sir. Only that... after five years, I hope Madam Maria is as deserving of your kindness as you believe."

Ethan’s lips twitched in a sardonic smile. "Time reveals all truths, Alan. Let us hope she has not disappointed me."

Inside the luxurious jewelry store, Ethan held the diamond necklace in his hand. The appraisal power coursed through his veins, dissecting the gem with clinical precision.

"Perfect cut. Flawless clarity. This is the one," Ethan murmured.

The jeweler bowed, hands trembling as he wrapped the necklace. "An excellent choice, sir. Fit for a queen."

"Not a queen," Ethan corrected, his voice laced with both hope and uncertainty. "For someone who saved my life."

Alan watched silently, his thoughts unreadable. Ethan turned to him and gestured toward the exit. "Let’s head home. It’s time."

The grand estate loomed ahead, its opulence dimmed by the weight of unease Ethan felt. As he stepped inside, his appraisal ability sparked to life. Something was wrong—he could sense it before even crossing the threshold. The air was thick with tension, an unnatural heaviness that made his dragon ancestry stir.

Ethan paused, his hand tightening around the necklace box. "Alan," he said quietly, "stay here."

Alan hesitated. "Sir, is everything all right?"

"It will be," Ethan replied, stepping into the living room.

The sight that greeted him froze him in place. Maria, the woman he had vowed to cherish, was entwined with Mark, the smug heir of the XX family. Their laughter, their touch—it all mocked the years of devotion he had poured into her.

"Maria," Ethan said, his voice a mixture of disbelief and fury. "What... what is this?"

Maria looked up, her expression unbothered, even amused. She disentangled herself from Mark and sauntered toward Ethan.

"You’re back," she said coldly. "Did you think I was waiting for you all this time? Don’t be ridiculous."

Ethan’s grip on the necklace tightened. "I came here to thank you—for saving my life five years ago. For standing by me when no one else did."

Maria laughed, a sharp, cruel sound. "Saving you? Is that what you think? Oh, Ethan, if I’d been there, I would’ve let you die. That wasn’t me—it never was."

Mark stood, smirking. "And what’s this?" He snatched the necklace box from Ethan’s hand and opened it with mock surprise. "A necklace? How thoughtful. What is it, a hundred bucks?"

Ethan’s jaw clenched as Mark tossed the box onto the floor. The diamond necklace glittered against the cold marble.

Maria sneered, kicking the box toward Ethan. "This?" she said. "This is what you think I deserve? Mark gave me something worth millions. You’re pathetic."

Ethan’s thoughts swirled, memories of the near-fatal attack five years ago flooding back. His healing power hummed faintly, as if reminding him of the moment his life had been saved—not by Maria, but by an unknown force.

"Maria," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "if you hated me so much, why did you agree to marry me? Why pretend?"

Maria leaned in, her breath brushing against his ear as she whispered, "I didn’t marry you out of love. Grandfather wanted a live-in servant. That’s all you’ve ever been to me."

Ethan stepped back, the sting of betrayal replaced by a growing, unfamiliar sensation. His dragon ancestry stirred, a coiled power waking deep within him. His appraisal ability flared, scanning Maria and Mark. The depths of their deception, their selfishness, became crystal clear.

Mark laughed, wrapping an arm around Maria’s waist. "Face it, Ethan. You’re nothing compared to me. Go back to whatever hole you crawled out of."

Ethan bent down, retrieving the discarded necklace. His hands shook, not from weakness, but from the barely contained energy coursing through him.

"You mock me now," he said, his voice calm yet chilling. "But you will regret this. Both of you."

Maria crossed her arms, her smirk unwavering. "And how do you plan to make me regret anything? You’re nothing, Ethan. Always have been, always will be."

Ethan straightened, his gaze locking with hers. His dragon powers surged, an imperceptible ripple of energy making the air around him vibrate. The necklace in his hand began to glow faintly, though neither Maria nor Mark noticed.

"Five years," Ethan said, his voice steady. "Five years of exile, humiliation, and lies. You thought you broke me. But you only forged something far stronger."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Spare me the speeches. Just leave."

Ethan turned on his heel, his footsteps echoing through the grand hall. As he reached the door, he paused and glanced back.

"Enjoy your moment," he said softly. "It won’t last."

Outside, Alan waited, concern etched on his face. "Sir, what happened?"

Ethan handed him the necklace. "Keep this safe. I’ll need it later."

Alan hesitated, then nodded. "Of course, sir. And... Maria?"

Ethan’s eyes gleamed with a fire that hadn’t been there before. "She made her choice. Now, it’s my turn."

As the estate disappeared behind them, Ethan’s thoughts were razor-sharp. His powers were awakening, and this betrayal was only the beginning of a reckoning that would leave no stone unturned.

"She has no idea what’s coming."