The King Of War Returns

Elder Dusk

Mr. Alex bent down and gently helped Mary to her feet, placing a supportive hand on her lower back. His voice dropped into a soft, almost seductive tone.

“Don’t worry, Mary. Let my men take care of that lunatic. Come with me. I’ll take you somewhere safe.”

Mary looked up at him with a trembling smile, clutching his arm as though she were helpless. “Thank you, Mr. Alex. You’re so sweet. I feel much better now.”

But back on the floor, Xavier was already cracking his neck and gripping his baton with both hands. His face twisted into a snarl as he stepped forward, full of confidence now that the Thornfell name was backing him.

“You arrogant bastard,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “You’ve messed with the wrong people. With the Thornfells behind me, your death won’t even be a footnote.”

He swung the baton with deadly force, aiming straight for Jaden’s head.

But Jaden didn’t flinch. He remained seated, calmly swirling the last bit of wine in his glass. Then, in a flash, his foot slammed against the marble floor with unnatural force.

BOOM!

A wave of invisible energy burst from under him, like a shockwave from a bomb blast. Every guard within a fifteen-foot radius was hurled into the air, crashing into tables, pillars, and walls like rag dolls. Plates shattered. Wine glasses exploded. The music stopped.

Mr. Alex, who had just reached the staircase with Mary, froze mid-step. His arm was still around her waist, but his eyes bulged as he turned to see his men scattered across the floor, groaning and twitching in pain.

“What the hell…” he stammered, his jaw slack. His knees almost gave out.

Jaden leaned back in his chair and casually took a sip of wine, completely unbothered.

Upstairs, Derek Thornfell choked on his drink, spraying red wine all over the railing as he stared in disbelief at the scene below.

“Elder Dusk… did you see that?” he asked, voice cracking. “That guy—he just sent more than ten men flying like leaves in the wind! What the hell is he?”

Elder Dusk, hands behind his back, slowly stroked his grey-streaked beard. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Hm… interesting. He’s no ordinary thug. A refined martial artist, perhaps… or someone with a hidden background. Either way, I’ll go see for myself.”

“I’m coming with you,” Derek snapped. “This is my engagement party. No one gets to ruin it and walk away unpunished.”

The two men descended the staircase.

---

Back on the ground floor, Jaden placed his wine glass on the table and finally turned his full attention to Mr. Alex.

“You,” he said calmly, his voice like a sharp blade cloaked in silk. “Come here.”

Alex jolted, his face twisting with panic. “M–Me? Don’t act stupid, boy! This hotel belongs to the Thornfells! You're crashing their event—the birthday and engagement party of Mr. Thornfell himself!”

He tried to puff his chest, but his voice wavered. “You… You better get on your knees and beg for forgiveness before you regret stepping in here. Mr. Thornfell’s arriving soon. And trust me—you’ll be sorry if he sees this mess!”

Around the room, whispers grew into a chorus of threats.

“Young man, if you have any sense left in you, kneel now! Apologize!”

“You’re done for! No one defies the Thornfells!”

“You’re as good as dead!”

Jaden didn’t move. His expression didn’t change. The noise around him seemed to fade into the background.

Alex took a shaky step backward. Seeing that Jaden wasn’t reacting, he decided to bolt with Mary while he still could.

But Jaden’s eyes flicked back to him.

“I said… come here,” he repeated, louder this time.

Alex stopped in his tracks. His body went rigid.

At that exact moment, Elder Dusk and Derek reached the final step of the staircase. Alex’s fear vanished instantly, replaced by a wicked grin.

“Ha! You’re finished now!” he shouted, pointing at Jaden. “Elder Dusk! Mr. Thornfell! This bastard assaulted your men and disrespected Lady Mary! I request permission to kill him!”

Jaden slowly stood, towering now like a shadow over the room. He bent down, picked up a fallen baton from the shattered floor, and with a flick of his wrist, hurled it straight at Alex’s legs.

CRACK!

The baton struck his shin like a hammer to dry bone. A sickening snap echoed across the hall. Alex collapsed instantly, screaming and clutching his leg, blood staining his pants.

“ARRRGH! My leg! You broke my leg!”

Jaden walked toward him with steady, unhurried steps. The crowd backed away in terror as the air seemed to grow colder with every footstep.

“You said you were going to kill me,” Jaden said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t show mercy to men with death wishes.”

“No—please, wait! I didn’t mean it! I was just trying to scare you!” Alex whimpered, crawling backwards. “Please—have mercy!”

Jaden didn’t stop. He planted his boot on Alex’s head and began pressing down slowly.

“Then you picked the wrong man to scare,” he said coldly.

Cracks began to echo again—Alex’s skull creaking under the pressure.

“AAHH! It hurts—stop—please!”

The audience watched in horror. Mary had dropped her act entirely, trembling as she clutched the wall behind her.

Suddenly—

“STOP RIGHT THERE!”

The commanding voice echoed like thunder.

Derek Thornfell stepped forward, flanked by three stern-looking men in black suits and Elder Dusk walking behind, his hands still calmly behind his back.

The air shifted. The temperature seemed to drop even further as the two forces faced off.

And still, Jaden didn’t take his foot off Alex’s head.