"Lionel didn't mourn Sanathiel's departure. He saw it as an open door... to absolute power."
Sanathiel's absence had left the Circle of Thirteen teetering on a fragile balance. The leaders vied for control, each trying to seize the vacuum left behind, while silent betrayals cracked former alliances. Lionel, ever the strategist, saw in this chaos a golden opportunity. He didn't just want to claim Sanathiel's throne — he wanted to outshine him, humiliate him, and if necessary, destroy him.
His rise was paved with manipulation. During his brief engagement to the youngest daughter of the Ghali family, he exploited political connections to infiltrate the criminal underworld. But his most dangerous move was forging a secret deal with Skiller Snova — a dark alliance known only to Noah and held together by the thinnest thread of trust.
Meanwhile, Noah, weighed down by the consequences of his mistakes, returned to the Verona Estate in search of Kerens — the Exiled One. It wasn't just redemption he sought, but a desperate plea for purpose in a world that seemed to have forgotten him.
The Encounter with Kerens
The Verona Estate felt suffocating — a reflection of the man who ruled it. Power and disdain clung to every corner, and the shadows seemed to breathe. Noah, heart pounding, fell to his knees — not out of reverence, but because his shame had weakened his legs.
"I've never asked you for anything… but now I kneel before you," he said, his voice trembling with desperation. "Don't cast me aside for one mistake. You're the closest thing I have to family. Please."
Kerens, cloaked in an aura that swallowed light, looked at him briefly. Indifference. That was the worst punishment — not wrath, not violence... just that empty stare.
"You learned nothing at my side."
That was what shattered Noah.
Kerens vanished into the shadows, leaving him alone in the vast chamber. Humiliation and rage burned in Noah's gut.
"No! You abandon me... for the Chosen One!" he screamed, his voice breaking as he struck the floor with clenched fists.
Back with Sanathiel
Broken and humiliated, Noah returned to Sanathiel's mansion. The atmosphere there was different — opulent, yet laced with danger.
Sanathiel awaited him in the main hall, "like a hunter watching prey that still believes it can escape."
"Here to lick your wounds... or confess your sins?" he asked calmly.
Noah poured himself a drink from the crystal cart nearby, trying to recover a shred of dignity.
"I appreciate your concern… and the fact that you've kept my secrets," he replied with defiant tremor in his voice.
Sanathiel studied him in silence, savoring his discomfort.
"So tell me... what did you bring from the Verona Estate? A final order from your master, perhaps?"
Noah clenched his jaw, eyes shifting away.
"Nothing that should concern you. But there's something you should know... The Snova brothers are back. And the Council is considering restoring your rights."
Sanathiel raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"The Snova brothers in the capital? This should be fun."
Noah leaned in, lowering his voice.
"More than that... Skiller is on the move. Lionel's involved. That fool still doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut."
Sanathiel let out a cold laugh.
"Well then... sounds like a reunion worth attending."
The Interception
On the way to the Council gathering, Sanathiel's limousine was intercepted by a black vehicle that blocked the road. The door creaked open slowly, revealing Skiller Snova, wearing a smile that dripped with danger.
"Sanathiel," he whispered, eyes brimming with challenge.
Sanathiel watched from inside the limo, unfazed, a faint smile playing on his lips. This performance was merely the prologue to something far greater.
He knew him well. Skiller never made a move without leaving chaos in his wake...
Sanathiel's guards reacted instantly — but Skiller was no ordinary threat. Each step he took echoed on the asphalt like a war drum.
The first guard lunged, but didn't even manage a scream. Skiller hurled him against the windshield like a ragdoll. With monstrous force, he charged the rest — every blow deadly, precise. Blood sprayed across the ground as cries of pain tore through the night.
When Skiller neared the limo's door, a sudden gunshot rang out. The bullet pierced his shoulder, forcing him back. Dimitri Snova emerged from the shadows, gun still smoking.
"I should've left you to rot in that cell, Skiller. After what you did to my pet… you don't even deserve to breathe."
Skiller, wounded but relentless, stood up slowly, a twisted laugh escaping his lips.
"Brother... brother," he whispered, his eyes glowing with wicked glee.
From inside the car, Sanathiel rolled the window shut, murmuring:
"So, all the pieces are on the board... finally."
The tension between the three of them was palpable — like a string pulled to its limit, ready to snap. The air itself seemed thick with rivalry, hatred, and a legacy of betrayal none of them could outrun.