Chapter 7

"It's obvious you're in a hurry to meet your maker, old man," Jaden said calmly, his voice low but sharp enough to slice through the tension in the air like a blade.

Elder Dusk's eyes narrowed. "You arrogant bastard! I've had enough of your mouth!"

Without another word, he lunged forward, his clenched fist radiating a soft but unmistakable glow of energy. The crowd erupted, rising to their feet with excitement as the atmosphere charged with anticipation.

"Get him, Elder Dusk!"

"Teach this cocky stranger a lesson!"

"Crush him!"

The elders of Ravenmoor were feared for a reason, and Dusk was among the most ruthless. People held their breath, certain they were about to witness Jaden's body sprawled lifeless on the ground.

Dusk's fist cut through the air like a missile, accompanied by a fierce gust of wind.

It was a strike meant to shatter bones and crush pride. Check latest chapters at Fɪnd-Novel.net

But instead of the expected outcome, the entire hall froze in disbelief.

Jaden had caught the punch.

Effortlessly.

With one hand.

The glow from Dusk's fist fizzled out like a candle flame. His expression twisted in disbelief.

"Too much talk for such a weak punch," Jaden said, his grip tightening.

A collective gasp echoed around the hall.

"He... he caught Elder Dusk's fist?"

"Is he even human?!"

Jaden's eyes remained locked onto his opponent, unblinking and cold. "My turn."

He drove his other hand forward in a precise, devastating blow straight to Dusk's chest.

Crack!

The sickening sound of bone fracturing filled the room.

Dusk flew backwards like a ragdoll, his body slamming into the wall with enough force to fracture the bricks. Blood burst from his mouth as he slumped to the ground, wheezing, clutching his chest in agony.

"W-What... what are you?" Dusk stammered, pain etched across his face. "You're a monster..."

The once-feared elder lay helpless, his strength and pride crushed under Jaden's foot.

Jaden didn't respond immediately. He took a slow step forward, his gaze drifting around the hall as memories returned-memories wrapped in grief.

"There used to be a swing right here," Jaden said quietly, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "White ropes, wooden seat. My sister loved it."

He paused, eyes narrowing.

"Did you destroy it too?"

Dusk blinked, confused.

"I and my sister used to swing all day until we got tired," Jaden continued, lost in the memory. "Then she'd run to her music box. It played her favorite tune. She said it sounded like peace."

His voice hardened as he stepped closer to Dusk. "Did you get rid of that too?"

Dusk growled through the pain. "What the hell are you talking about? Answer my question-who the hell are you?!"

A guard rushed to his side and helped him to his feet.

"I don't care who you are," Dusk spat. "You might be strong, but I serve the Thornfells. And Lucian Thornfell the current Patriarch-is the strongest man in Ravenmoor. He runs this city. No one stands above him."

Jaden's eyes darkened at that name.

Lucian Thornfell.

The man who once chased after his mother like a hound in heat. Who, after she rejected him, somehow ended up married to Agatha-the very woman who mocked their family.

Back then, Lucian was invincible in the eyes of Ravenmoor. No one could beat him. No one dared challenge him.

Jaden had once admired him.

Until the day he overheard the truth.

"I'm the most desirable man in the city," Lucian had sneered. "And I come from one of the most powerful families. Do you seriously think I'd fall for some pathetic divorcee with two brats? I only wanted to get her in bed. That should've been an honor for her."

"Oh Lucian, you're so cunning," Agatha had laughed.

That memory cut deeper than any blade.

Lucian was part of the reason his mother jumped off that rooftop. Jaden never forgot. And he never forgave.

"You've messed with the wrong people," Dusk warned. "Ruined his son's party. If you kneel now and squat a thousand times, maybe our master will be merciful."

Dusk smirked. Jaden was quiet. Too quiet.

"He's silent now," Dusk thought. "As soon as I mentioned Lucian, he froze. No one dares defy the Thornfells."

But his confidence evaporated with Jaden's next words.

"I asked about my sister's music box," Jaden said, voice laced with fury. "Not to hear your delusional garbage."

Without warning, he stretched out his palm. A pulse of kinetic energy exploded from it, slamming into Elder Dusk and hurling him back into the wall with double the force of the first strike. This time, bones cracked audibly-more than one.

"Argh!" Dusk screamed before falling limp, unconscious.

"Wh-Who is this guy?!" someone shouted, terror in their voice.

"He just took out Elder Dusk again! Like it was nothing!"

Lady Mary clutched her chest, trembling. "It can't be... No one's ever defeated Elder Dusk!"

Chaos broke out in the hall. Guards stepped back, not daring to intervene.

Jaden straightened his coat, then calmly turned toward Derek Thornfell, who had been frozen in his seat the entire time, pale and wide-eyed.

He stopped a few feet away, voice calm but threatening.

"What about you, little Thornfell?" Jaden asked. "Have you seen my sister's music box?"