Chapter 127

The air outside the shattered Thornfell building still crackled with tension. Glass crunched underfoot as Drax stepped toward Shadow, cracking his knuckles with slow, deliberate menace. His eyes burned with quiet contempt.

“Heh...” Drax let out a dark chuckle, his voice low and mocking. “Don't get it twisted. You're still breathing because my boss-" he jerked his chin toward Jaden, "—wants answers. Otherwise, I'd have snapped your spine already."

Shadow wiped blood from his mouth, still struggling to steady himself after Drax's earlier strike. His pride screamed, but his mind calculated. His eyes narrowed, lips curling into a sly grin.

“A man of your caliber... a master of core strength..." Shadow's voice slithered with persuasion, "—wasting your loyalty on Jaden Rift? What can he possibly offer you? Stick with me—" his voice dipped into temptation, "-you and I could split Ravenmoor down the middle. No one would dare challenge us.”

Drax stared at him, unimpressed. Then-Ptu!-he spat at Shadow's feet, eyes cold as stone.

Shadow's face darkened with fury.

"You-!" His words snapped off as movement caught his eye.

Jaden emerged from the building, his coat fluttering, his presence radiating

unshakable dominance. Calm. Dangerous. Untouched.

Shadow's bravado wavered, and desperation slipped into his voice.

"Jaden... since you've got a master of core strength backing you, why don't we call this... a misunderstanding?" His fake smile barely concealed the fear creeping beneath the surface. "There's no need to escalate."

But Jaden's smirk sharpened like a blade.

"You call yourself noble, yet the first thing you did was resort to violence," Jaden replied coolly, each word dripping with contempt. "But now that the tables have turned, you suddenly want peace?" His eyes glinted with disdain. "You look exactly like what you are... a third-rate villain grasping for control when your arrogance slips through your fingers."

Shadow's jaw tightened, his pride fracturing.

Behind him, Brown staggered to his feet, his face still twisted in pain. Williams—the young Thornfell lackey-hurried to his side, helping him upright.

“Master Kendal!” Brown barked, voice shrill with frustration. “Why are you groveling to that bastard? He humiliated me! Crush him-kill him-avenge the Thornfell name!"

The crowd stirred, whispers flooding the street.

But Shadow straightened, masking his faltering pride with a sneer. He unsheathed his sword in a flash of silver, the blade gleaming under the city lights.

"You really think you can challenge me?” His eyes narrowed to slits. "I am Kendal

the Shadow-the greatest swordsman in Ravenmoor. One strike—just one—and your head will roll."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"That's Kendal..."

"No one's ever survived his blade..."

"Jaden Rift's dead meat now."

Just then, Anthony and Fate

emerged from the building. Anthony clutched his chest, his breathing

labored, coughing as he stepped

beside Jaden Fate hovered anxiously at his side.

"Jaden... be careful," Anthony

wheezed, his voice strain

with

Concern My life isn't important but Fatè... Fate is still young. Please..."

S.W.

But Jaden's gaze never wavered, calm as ever.

"Relax, Mr. Anthony," he replied coolly, his voice dripping with quiet confidence. "To me... they're nothing but insects."

Gasps rippled through the bystanders.

"Insects? Is he insane?"

"Does he know who Master Kendal is?"

"Arrogant fool... he has a death wish."

But Drax stood like a stone pillar beside Jaden, his silence more terrifying than words.

Across the broken courtyard, Shadow's mind churned. His eyes flicked to Drax, calculating, hungry.

"If I kill Jaden... and make that monster beside him mine... I'll own Ravenmoor." A dark grin stretched across his face.

Then Jaden took a slow step forward, his eyes never leaving Shadow.

"I'll give you a choice," Jaden's voice dropped, sharp as steel. "Tell me

how you want to die." He tilted his head,

"Don't waste your

nting breath worrying about Drax. He

won't interfere... You'll lose... by my

hand."

Shadow's face twisted with rage.

"You dare..." His voice cracked, trembling with fury. His blade flashed from its

sheath, pointed directly at Jaden's heart.

"Insult me again and I'll carve your corpse into pieces!"

The sword gleamed inches from Jaden's chest.

Jaden's smile never faded. "Pathetic!" He spat.