The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 4:

The atmosphere tenses as Riven’s eyes dart around with unspoken questions. He had never heard about the Ryugan before or dynasties but Damon had never lied to him before, only kept secrets away from him.

“I know you have questions to ask. But know this, certain bloodlines throughout history possess instincts and perception that exceeds humans. Abilities tied to ancient conflicts hidden from the modern world.”

He pauses, letting his words sink into Riven before continuing with a warning edge to his voice.

“Awakening this abilities comes with problems, Riven. It’s both dangerous and irreversible because once these signs become visible, others connected to different bloodlines will eventually notice you. You must keep this hidden, only show it when it’s necessary. Control, my child, control.”

Riven inhaled sharply, understanding the deep implications of Damon’s words.

He could be hunted and… killed.

“Is this why my parents were murdered?”

Damon goes silent for a long time before he responds. “Years ago, I had told you to survive long enough to find answers to your questions because some truths become burdens when the time isn’t right to speak them out.”

Riven’s fists clench as rage surges through him. He grits his teeth to try to contain his anger.

“You have been hiding this from me. Why?”

Damon senses the anger inside Riven. His lips form into a thin line resembling a smile.

“Uncovering secrets about yourself slowly is more better than rushing into revenge blindly, Riven Wei. Remember that.”

“Did my father have these abilities too?”

Damon slowly shook his head.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t. He only had fragments of it, but he was strong. Stronger than most. Your father wasn’t just only a successful man but was also connected to powerful forces that could destabilize a whole nation…”

He stops himself before he could say more. In his mind,

Riven was not stable emotionally to handle the truth.

Riven noticed the hesitation in Damon however, a Zhao guard along with Orion walks into the study unannounced before he could questioned him more.

“Father, there have been reported movements along the northern mountain routes on our territory.”

Damon’s attention shifts immediately, his eyes relieved, grateful for the interruption, before looking solemn.

Although the Zhao territory is heavily protected, several outer patrols have already lost contact with them, creating a need for an even more tighter surveillance.

“Orion, Riven. Investigate the disturbance and do not let this news create a disturbance amongst the younger trainees.”

The men nod and Damon dismisses them with the wave of his hand.

…

Night slowly falls as the wind blows through the trees. Orion and Riven, fully armed walk through the forest, their minds alert as they scout the area.

“Why did father call you today?” Orion asks, trying to lift the silence between them.

Riven’s eyes dart between two trees, his mind reeling with the conversation he had with Damon few hours ago.

“Your father does know how to hide secrets…”

Orion lets out a chuckle.

The years spent together are visible in the way the both of them move through the forest simultaneously without having to communicate openly.

“There are tracks here,” Orion commented, pointing at the broken branches and footprints on the wet grounds.

Riven nods, his eyes narrowing at the traces of blood partially hidden beneath the rocks.

As the two venture further into the forest, Riven suddenly stops. His face distorts into a frown as he stares around, listening to the almost silent forest.

Orion stops beside him.

“What?—”

Before he could complete his sentence, arrows fly from the darkness towards him. Orion reacts but Riven moves quickly, pulling him to the side as the arrows strike the ground where they had stood.

Orion immediately draws out his sword as the bushes rattles. Several masked figures emerge from the trees, they charge instantly, forcing Orion and Riven into combat.

The clashing and colliding of metals fills the air as Orion tackles two men, slicing their throats cleanly. They fall to the ground with a thud.

Before he could have time to breathe, two more charge towards him.

Riven, on the other hand clashing with three other men. His ability unlocks as he sees their moves before they could even make them.

With a heavy blow, he lands a punch to the mouth of one. The sickening sound of teeth breaking and soft tissues tearing fills the air.

CRACK!

Riven lands a kick to the opponent nearest to him before he strike him with his sword. He falls backwards, a sharp wood piercing through his back and out of his stomach, killing him instantly.

The battle grows intense, with bodies falling to their death and the ground soaking up their blood. One attacker sees an opening and proceeds to ambush Orion from behind while he is defending himself from the attacks of another.

However, before he could strike Orion, a dart flies through the air and pierced through the side of his neck. His eyes bulges as his hands let go of his sword.

Orion freezes briefly while stabbing the opponent in front of him. His eyes flicker to Riven who is preoccupied with five other men a few distance away, his back turned to him.

How did he know?

Riven moves with a speed of lightning as he avoids, and attacks. His moves clean as he cut through the attackers. Their bodies dropping in piles. The world seems to slow down in his eyes as his eyes pick up the sounds of footsteps pressing against wet leaves.

One of them sees a dragon shaped scar behind his neck and his eyes grow wide with panic.

“This can’t be—”

“The son of the Wei’s family!”

Riven’s eyes darkened, the image of his family’s massacre as clear as day forms in his head. He slices the head of the man off in a clean sweep.

…

Back at the Zhao’s residence, Damon Zhao fiddles around his study with different documents and folders scattered around.

His expression softens slightly as he stares at a photo of him and Cassian Wei taken many years earlier. Suddenly, his throat tightens and his chest becomes heavy, his breathing becomes slow and haggard.

He drops to the chair in front of him and coughs out violently, covering his mouth with a white handkerchief. He lowers it slowly only to see a fresh layer of blood on it.

Damon lets out a tragic smile.

“Time is precious,” he mutters to himself.

For the first time, exhaustion is visible on his face. He opens a compartment on his desk and brings out a sealed document.

Inside it contains a marriage agreement signed by the heads of Wei and Chen families. As the wind blows one of the candle lights off, Damon takes in a deep breath.

“Very soon, it won’t be long.”