The Untouchable God of War

Chapter 8

Shepherd didn't hesitate for a single second. "Yes! Yes! Anything, Whatever you want!"

Gabriel looked over at Arthur Fletcher, who was trembling on the floor alongside Julian, both of them were stunned by the terrifying display of power unfolding before them.

"Old man," Gabriel said softly, keeping his face angled away from Julian. "How much was the cargo in those hijacked trucks worth?"

Arthur swallowed hard, his voice trembling violently. "The... the two truckloads were worth about three million dollars total, sir,"

Gabriel looked down at Dominic. "You heard him, three million dollars for the goods, transferred right now."

Shepherd frantically pulled out his mobile phone with trembling fingers. He accessed his private account and transferred the funds directly to the business account number printed on the Fletcher Logistics invoice hanging near the desk.

PING.

Arthur’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out with shaking hands. His eyes widened to the size of saucers.

An official bank notification confirmed an incoming deposit of $3,000,000.

"It... it's there," Arthur whispered, tears bursting from his eyes. "It's really there..."

"Now," Gabriel commanded, staring down at Shepherd. "Apologize to them."

Shepherd, the feared head of The Iron Syndicate who had ruled the docks for ten years, turned on his knees, bowed his head until his forehead touched Arthur's dirty boots, and wept.

"I'm sorry!" Shepherd sobbed hysterically. "Forgive me, Mr. Fletcher. Forgive me, young man. I was wrong, I will never step foot on these docks again!"

Shepherd looked up at Gabriel, his eyes filled with desperation and tension. "I did it, I paid them. I apologized! Please... spare my life, I'll leave the city! I'll do anything!"

Gabriel looked down at Shepard's hands resting on the floor.

"Andrew," Gabriel said calmly.

"Sir," Andrew replied.

"Cut off his ten fingers."

Shepherd screamed, but two soldiers pinned his shoulders to the ground. Andrew drew a sharp tactical blade. Ten quick, precise movements followed. Shepherd agonizing screams echoed off the high rafters as his fingers were severed one by one.

"Now his toes," Gabriel added.

Andrew executed the command without a second's delay. Shepherd lay floating on the consciousness, sobbing in a pool of his own blood, his hands and feet ruined forever.

“Take them to the old mining site and make them work with hard labor.” Gabriel commanded.

Without hesitation, the men dragged Shepherd and Silas out.

Arthur and Julian slowly stood up, their bodies trembling as they looked at the tall stranger standing before them in the dark coat.

Gabriel finally turned around to face them.

Julian stared at Gabriel’s face, a strange feeling washed over the young man, a familiar warmth that he couldn't quite explain, as if he had known this man in a long-forgotten dream.

"Who... who are you?" Arthur asked, his voice filled with overwhelming gratitude and awe. "Why did a man like you come to a small warehouse like this?"

Gabriel offered a smile, keeping his eyes fixed gently on Julian.

"I was just looking for a job," Gabriel said softly, lying with ease. "But it seems you don't need any extra hands today."

Arthur shook his head frantically. "Sir, you saved our lives, You saved my family How can we ever repay you?"

"You don't owe me anything," Gabriel replied. Then, his face grew serious. "I overheard you earlier, your daughter is sick?"

Arthur’s eyes dimmed with sadness. "Yes... My little girl has a rare blood degeneration disease. The doctors say she only has a few months left unless she gets a specialized treatment, but we couldn't afford it..."

"She needs the Helios Blood Serum," Gabriel said smoothly.

Arthur blinked in confusion. "What?"

Julian stepped forward, his eyes lighting up with sudden realization. "I know that name, I read about it in an old medical journal at the library, The Helios Serum can completely rebuild damaged blood cells, but it was developed by a top-tier military lab years ago. It hasn't been available on the public market for over a decade. It's impossible to find."

"Nothing is impossible," Gabriel said, locking eyes with his younger brother. "I will find the serum and bring it to you."

Arthur gasped, tears streaming down his face once more. "Sir... why are you doing all this for us? We're strangers to you!"

Gabriel looked deep into Julian's eyes, holding his brother's gaze for a long moment. He fought back the overwhelming urge to pull Julian into an embrace, knowing that keeping his distance was the only way to keep the boy safe from the war he was about to wage against the Top Five.

"You'll find out when the time is right," Gabriel said quietly.

He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a plain black card with a private phone number written on it, and handed it directly to Julian.

Julian’s fingers brushed against Gabriel's as he took the card.

"If you are ever in danger," Gabriel whispered to Julian, "call this number, no matter where I am, I will come."