The Forgotten War God Son-in-law

Chapter 4: Shadow's Of Betrayal

‎The morning sun barely pierced the thick clouds over Westbridge City, casting long shadows across the streets. Inside the Kingsley villa, Ethan Cole stood in the study, the remnants of the Nightshade Syndicate attack still scattered across the floor. Broken glass, scorched wood, and overturned chairs were silent witnesses to the storm he had unleashed the night before.

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‎Lucas sat huddled in the corner, muttering prayers under his breath. Mrs. Kingsley frantically tried to clean, though it was clear the damage went far beyond furniture. Ariana, however, remained silent, leaning against the window frame, her eyes scanning Ethan like she was trying to read a book in a language she didn’t understand.

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‎Ethan’s attention, though, was elsewhere.

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‎Something isn’t right.

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‎He moved to his private study, where his laptop and encrypted files awaited. The Syndicate’s attack had been too precise too informed. Someone had inside information.

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‎A faint knock echoed at the door. Ethan didn’t move, listening instead. The sound was subtle, but deliberate.

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‎Not a servant. Not a spy.

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‎The door opened slowly, revealing Detective Marcus, a man Ethan had once saved during a city-wide raid. His eyes flicked nervously toward Ethan.

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‎“Commander… I need to warn you,” Marcus said quietly. “I traced some anomalies… financial transfers, encrypted messages… someone in your circle is feeding information to the Syndicate.”

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‎Ethan’s hand tightened around the edge of the desk.

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‎A traitor… in my family’s circle?

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‎“Who?” Ethan asked calmly, but his voice carried the weight of a storm.

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‎“I… I don’t know yet,” Marcus admitted. “But I have my suspicions. Someone close to the Kingsleys.”

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‎Ethan nodded, his mind calculating, analyzing every face, every whisper, every smile he’d ever been given.

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‎ They mocked me. They used me. But now… they will see the truth.

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‎The doors of the study creaked open again. Ariana stepped in, voice quiet but firm.

‎“Ethan… what will you do?”

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‎He looked at her, eyes cold, precise.

‎“I will find the traitor. And when I do… they will regret every lie, every betrayal, every doubt cast upon me.”

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‎From the corner, Marcus passed him a small device, showing a list of encrypted contacts. Ethan scanned it quickly, recognizing several familiar names. One stood out a trusted aide who had been with the Kingsleys for over a decade.

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‎Ethan’s lips curved into a faint, deadly smile.

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‎The first shadow falls tonight.

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‎Outside, the city moved on, unaware that betrayal lurked in the very halls they called safe.

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‎Night fell over Westbridge City, but inside the Kingsley villa, tension burned brighter than any flame. Ethan had spent hours analyzing the encrypted messages Marcus had uncovered. Every line, every transfer, every contact pointed to the same conclusion: the traitor was closer than anyone imagined.

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‎Lucas paced nervously, muttering to himself. Mrs. Kingsley tried to maintain a façade of composure, but her trembling hands betrayed her fear. Ariana remained silent, watching Ethan with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and something unspoken.

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‎Ethan’s eyes, cold and sharp as a blade, swept over the room.

‎“Bring them here,” he ordered, voice calm but commanding.

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‎A moment later, the traitor was escorted into the study. A middle-aged man, loyal on the surface, yet his eyes flickered with subtle guilt as they met Ethan’s gaze.

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‎“You’ve betrayed me,” Ethan said simply, his tone deadly. “Tell me why.”

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‎The man swallowed hard, stammering.

‎“I… I had no choice! They threatened my family! The Syndicate… they”

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‎Ethan’s voice cut him off, low and icy:

‎“No excuses. You chose to betray the house that trusted you, the man who spared your life. You will pay for that.”

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‎With a flick of his wrist, Ethan activated a small device. A holographic projection filled the room, showing real-time locations of Syndicate operatives across the city all traced from the traitor’s communications.

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‎“You see,” Ethan continued, “you are not the only one they depend on. And I am not the man you underestimated.”

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‎Fear took over the traitor. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.

‎“Please… I can help! I can fix this!”

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‎Ethan knelt slightly, voice almost calm:

‎“You will help… by telling me everything. Every move, every contact, every plan. And then, maybe, I’ll decide if your life is worth sparing.”

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‎Outside the window, lightning split the sky. The Syndicate had no idea the storm was already inside their ranks.

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‎Ariana stepped forward, voice hesitant.

‎“Ethan… what happens next?”

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‎He looked at her, expression unreadable.

‎“Next? We strike first. We cut out the rot before it spreads. And anyone foolish enough to stand in my way…” His gaze flicked to Lucas, who flinched instinctively. “…will learn what it means to betray the Forgotten War God.”

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‎Marcus, standing nearby, nodded subtly.

‎“The Syndicate won’t know what hit them.”

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‎Ethan straightened, the weight of command radiating from him like an invisible force. He tapped a few commands into his device, sending signals to his hidden allies scattered throughout the city.

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‎Let the city believe it sleeps safely tonight…

‎When dawn breaks, they will realize the heir of the War God has returned.

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‎The traitor whimpered at his feet. Ethan’s cold smile lingered.

‎“Remember this night,” he said softly. “The first shadow has fallen. And the next… will be even darker.”

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‎The villa fell silent. Outside, the city lay in the mist, unaware that the storm had only just begun.

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