The King Of War Returns

Chapter 6

The Thornfells Estate.

Calling it a mansion would have been an insult.

The Thornfells Estate was an empire carved into stone and steel, sprawling across acres of land like a private kingdom. High concrete walls crowned with electric fencing surrounded the property. Watchtowers stood at every corner, armed guards patrolling relentlessly.

More than three hundred elite guards protected the estate.

Two massive iron gates blocked the main road. Past them lay another fortified checkpoint, and beyond that—the heart of the estate itself. Getting inside without an invitation was nearly impossible. The guards were not what made the estate powerful and beyond reach for just anyone. It was because of who it guards. Lucian Thornfell, a god in human flesh.

Tonight, however, the gates were wide open.

Golden lights illuminated the entire property as luxury vehicles lined the entrance. Laughter, music, and celebration filled the air. It was Derek Thornfell’s birthday—one of Agatha and Lucian’s sons—and the Thornfells had spared no expense.

Politicians. Tycoons. Military contractors. Crime lords disguised as businessmen.

All were present.

Jaden and Drax arrived at the outer gate, their car slowing to a stop. Guards immediately approached, eyes sharp, hands resting on their weapons.

But Jaden didn’t look at them.

He stared past the gates.

At the land beyond.

His fists clenched slowly.

This ground—this stolen empire—had once been home.

Right there, where the main building now stood, used to be his house. Where his mother laughed. Where Julie played in the yard. Where life had once felt safe.

After Naomi Rift was murdered, Agatha White took everything. The company, houses and lands. And built her throne on top of his family’s Home.

The pain in his eyes, seeing his mother’s hard work going in vain.

“I’ll be going inside alone,” Jaden said calmly, his gaze never leaving the estate. “Stay here.”

Drax straightened immediately. “Yes, General.”

Jaden walked calmly toward the main gate, his footsteps steady against the polished stone driveway.

Two massive guards stood stationed at the entrance, both dressed in black tactical gear, rifles slung across their chests. Their physiques alone were enough to scare off most people, and their eyes immediately locked onto Jaden as he approached.

“Invite only,” one of them said flatly. “Young master’s party. Turn around.”

“I wish to see Agatha,” Jaden replied coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.

The guards exchanged a glance.

“Didn’t you hear me, kid?” the first guard snapped, stepping forward. “No invitation, no entry.”

Jaden didn’t respond.

The silence stretched, uncomfortably.

The second guard’s patience snapped. He raised his gun and pressed the barrel firmly against Jaden’s forehead.

“Alright, kid,” he growled. “I’m going to count to three. If you don’t move, I’ll blow your head off.”

Guests nearby slowed their steps, sensing tension but unsure what was happening. Music from inside the estate continued to play, blissfully unaware of what was about to unfold.

“One…”

Jaden’s expression didn’t change.

“Two…”

The guard tightened his grip on the trigger.

“Thre—”

Slash!

Steel flashed.

The guard’s wrist was severed cleanly from his arm, hitting the ground with a wet thud as blood sprayed violently across the gate.

“ARGHHHH!” he screamed, collapsing to his knees, clutching the stump as blood poured freely onto the stone floor.

The other guard froze in shock, eyes wide, weapon slipping from his hands.

Jaden stood there calmly, a dagger held loosely at his side, crimson dripping steadily from its blade.

“I hate when someone points a gun at me,” Jaden said nonchalantly.

“What the fuck?!”

The second guard snapped instantly, shock turning into blind rage as he ripped his gun free.

“How dare you?” he roared. “You’re dead!”

He squeezed the trigger—

But Jaden was already gone.

In the blink of an eye—

Slash! Slash!

Steel flashed twice.

The guard froze mid-motion, eyes wide, confusion flickering across his face. A thin red line appeared across his chest… then another, cutting in a brutal zigzag pattern.

His body split apart and collapsed to the ground like dry wood, blood splashing across the marble floor.

Jaden straightened slowly, flicking the blood from his blade.

“I guess you didn’t listen to my last statement,” he said calmly.

He turned toward the remaining guard.

The man was on the ground now, clutching his severed wrist, sobbing uncontrollably. His entire body shook as Jaden’s shadow fell over him.

“P-Please,” the guard begged, voice breaking. “Please don’t kill me… I have a family…”

Jaden looked down at him, expression unreadable.

“What do you want?” the guard cried. “Money? I’ll give you anything!”

“Where’s Agatha?” Jaden asked coldly.

The guard swallowed hard. “T-The Thornfells… they’re at the last gate,” he stammered. “Please, I was only hired—I’m just doing my job!”

Jaden nodded once.

“Thanks for the information,” he said flatly. “I’ll spare you.”

Relief flooded the guard’s face as Jaden turned and began to walk away.

But in that instant—

The guard’s expression twisted.

With his remaining hand, he grabbed the fallen gun and raised it toward Jaden’s back, finger tightening on the trigger as he tried to shoot.

But Jaden was already moving.

His arm snapped forward.

The dagger flew like a silver streak, spinning once before slicing clean through the air—and severing the man’s remaining arm at the elbow.

“ARGHHHH!!”

The guard collapsed, screaming as blood sprayed across the stone floor. He writhed helplessly, eyes wide with disbelief, pain ripping through every nerve.

“I shouldn’t have given you a chance,” Jaden said calmly as he walked toward him, each step sending shivers down the man’s spine.

“Stay back!” the guard cried desperately, his voice cracking. “If you kill me, the Thornfells will destroy your family! This place is protected by Elder Dusk—he’s here tonight!”

Jaden stopped.

The guard’s eyes flickered with hope.

“Elder Dusk is a master of martial arts,” the man continued frantically. “He’s the Thornfells’ chief enforcer. Anyone who hears his name kneels. He’ll tear you apart!”

Dusk.

One of the Thornfells’ main enforcers. A butcher dressed as a warrior. A man whose reputation alone was enough to make seasoned fighters drop to their knees. Known for brutal efficiency. Known for never losing. 

So immediately he mentioned Dusk’s name, he expected Jaden to flinch or even run for his life.

Jaden’s expression didn’t change.

“I don’t care who sent you,” he said coldly. “I don’t care who’s protecting this building.”

He raised his blade.

“I’m going to kill Agatha.”

The color drained completely from the guard’s face.

Before he could scream again—

Slash.

The blade cut through flesh and bone in one clean motion.

The guard went silent.

Jaden didn’t look back.

He took a step, then leapt.

With a single powerful bound, he cleared the massive gate, soaring through the air before landing hard on the other side.

Thud!

The ground cracked slightly beneath his boots.

Inside the inner compound, more than fifty armed guards were stationed across the courtyard. Conversations died instantly. Weapons were raised. Eyes widened in shock.

“What the hell?!”

“Where did he come from?!”

“Did he just land from the sky?!”