Episode 28 — The Turning Point

  The main hall of the organization had never felt so heavy.

  No one spoke above a whisper. Agents stood along the walls, exchanging tense glances, as if even the air itself feared being disturbed. The torches burned quietly, their golden light reflecting across polished floors and armored uniforms.

  At the center of the chamber sat Lord Vharon.

  His green armor gleamed faintly as his sharp gaze swept across the room. It felt less like he was looking at people… and more like he was weighing them.

  Lee stood upright before him, calm but alert. Beside him, Lara kept her eyes lowered, fingers tightly clasped together.

  Then Vharon spoke.

  “It is decided.”

  His voice echoed through the hall, deep and absolute.

  “Lee will become the new Director General.”

  A wave of shock spread instantly.

  Doria’s fists tightened. The sound of his knuckles cracking broke the silence louder than a shout.

  Vharon continued.

  “And let this be clear… Lara is forbidden to marry Darian.”

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  Murmurs erupted throughout the chamber.

  Vharon slowly rose from his throne, his cape dragging across the floor with a heavy sound.

  “Any attempt to oppose my order will be considered treason.”

  Silence followed.

  No one dared challenge him.

  Later that afternoon, Lee walked through the training corridor.

  The distant sounds of impacts echoed from the reinforced training room. When he entered, he found Leon sitting on the floor, shoulders slumped, drenched in sweat. His breathing filled the otherwise empty space.

  Dark circles lingered under his eyes.

  He had not slept well.

  Fragments of nightmares still clung to him — endless corridors, hands emerging from walls, and whispers that did not belong to any living being.

  “Leon,” Lee said.

  Leon looked up slowly.

  “There will be no marriage between Lara and Darian. Lord Vharon has forbidden it.”

  Silence.

  Leon blinked once, as if his mind struggled to accept what he had heard.

  “…Say that again.”

  “It’s over,” Lee replied, a faint smile forming.

  For a moment, Leon said nothing.

  Then he stood.

  The exhaustion faded from his posture, replaced by something steadier… something alive.

  “Then,” he said quietly, “it’s time to train for real.”

  The training began immediately.

  The room echoed with strikes and impacts. Leon moved with renewed energy — faster, sharper, more focused. His blows carried weight, and his footwork no longer hesitated.

  At times, faint sparks of energy formed around his body.

  Lee crossed his arms, observing.

  “This kid…” he muttered. “When he finds a reason, nothing can stop him.”

  Near the doorway, unnoticed by them, Lara watched for a moment. A small smile appeared on her face.

  Then she quietly turned and left, the sounds of training fading behind her.

  Hours later, in the dim western corridor of the base, another figure walked alone.

  Darian.

  His footsteps echoed heavily in the darkness.

  “They think they’ve won…” he murmured, bitterness thick in his voice.

  He stopped.

  Behind him, stretching along the wall, his shadow twisted unnaturally.

  Something else moved within it.

  A distorted shape… breathing.

  “Leon will pay for every humiliation.”

  The lights flickered once.

  The corridor fell silent.

  And from the darkness, a monstrous breath echoed softly.