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"F-Father!!" Kayden's voice trembled as he recoiled at the sight of Theo's limbless body, the grisly scene reminiscent of his own recent ordeal. The trauma of the moment was etched across his features, his eyes wide with fear as he sought solace in the familiar presence of his father.
"It's okay, no one is going to hurt you, my son," Richard reassured him, his voice a soothing balm to Kayden's frayed nerves. He sighed inwardly, understanding the profound impact this sudden turn of events had on his son. Kayden, like a frightened animal, sought refuge behind Richard, seeking safety in his father's protective embrace.
Beside Richard, Rock observed the scene with a quizzical expression, his gaze flitting between father and son. "Your son truly takes after you," he remarked, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.
Richard's irritation flashed across his face at the comment. Despite his efforts to instill courage and resilience in his son, Kayden's reaction betrayed a vulnerability that Richard found frustrating. After all, he had exposed Kayden to the world, hoping to impart the lessons of strength and independence, yet here he was, trembling like a leaf in the wind.
The green-haired girl seated nearby watched Kayden with a furrowed brow, her gaze sharp and penetrating. Sensing her stern scrutiny, Kayden flinched, his anxiety mounting as he met her gaze. With a shaky voice, he addressed her tentatively, "H-Hello, B-Big sis."
However, the girl offered no response, her silence unnerving in its intensity as she continued to fix him with an unwavering stare, like a predator assessing its prey.
Beads of sweat formed on Kayden's brow as he squirmed under her scrutiny, his fear mounting with each passing second. Realizing what she was waiting for, he swallowed hard and stammered, "I-I am sorry."
Still, the green-haired girl remained impassive, her expression devoid of emotion as she spoke in a monotone voice, "I want that ring."
Kayden's face drained of colour at her demand, his gaze darting to his father for support. However, Richard offered no assistance, his hands raised in a gesture of resignation. "Deal with it yourself like a true man," he declared, refusing to intervene in his daughter's decision. He knew all too well that his wife would have his head if he dared to meddle in her affairs.
"You're not going to help your king?" Suddenly, Aadya materialized on the separate floor, her presence eliciting a mixture of relief and apprehension from Kayden.
At the sight of Aadya, Kayden's face lit up with hope, but his joy was short-lived as he caught the disdainful look in her eyes. Aadya's expression soured as she recalled the incident involving Kayden naming a creature after her, a slight that still rankled within her.
Sensing the tension, Rock interjected, directing his question to Aadya. "Why aren't you putting a stop to this, my daughter?"
"...." The world, which had just begun to heal, now crumbled once more around Kayden. He desperately wished it was all a mistake, a cruel fabrication born from fleeting lies and shattered dreams, but deep down, he knew the truth.
"AARRRHHHHHHH!!"
The agonized scream shattered the illusion....
The green-haired girl cast a solemn glance at her brother before fixing her gaze on the Arena, her expression unreadable as before...
"Come on, Carter... The clock is ticking, just like your son's limbless body," Asher Eli taunted, his grip tightening around Theo's neck as he manipulated the boy's body like a marionette, each movement a grotesque dance of cruelty.
"P-Please... S-Stop," Carter pleaded, his face drained of color as he watched in horror at the sight of his son being manhandled like a mere plaything.
He lunged forward, desperate to intervene, but Eli was too fast, slipping through his grasp with an agility that defied comprehension. No matter how hard he tried to apprehend him, Eli remained just out of reach, a fleeting specter mocking his futile attempts.
A Monarch Level Ranker, revered for their prowess and strength, reduced to helplessness in the face of a mortal. It was a cruel irony, a testament to the unfathomable power wielded by this seemingly inconsequential youth.
"Stop this instant!" Lucian's voice thundered as he arrived on the scene, his hands now healed from their earlier injuries. He levelled a fierce glare at Eli, his resolve unwavering as he confronted the perpetrator. "What do you think you're doing?
Why are you subjecting an innocent child to such cruelty, and forcing his anguished father to bear witness to your atrocities?" His words reverberated throughout the arena, a challenge tinged with a hint of strategy.
And yet, despite Lucian's defiant stance, Eli remained unfazed, his calm demeanour belying the chaos he wrought. "Ah, yes. I asked you to summon your son, did I not? So where is he?" Eli inquired, his gaze piercing as he fixed Lucian with a blank stare.
"!!!!" Lucian's unease deepened with each passing moment, a sense of foreboding settling over him as Eli's composure belied the gravity of his actions. Something was amiss, and Lucian couldn't shake the feeling that something going to happen to him.
He just entertained the idea of running away but since he had many spectators.... He could only resort to words of play.