Twenty - Honor

Siniestro Palacio

"Secure the chateau and prepare my chopper!" Luthor shouted to his men.

The whole palace felt the intensity of the visit of Councilman De Lutherbergh. After the heavy conversation, Luthor became frantic. Frightened for his position. Hector's arrival is yet to be determined and Luthor is now left alone to defend their crumbling house. Felipe Acosta assisted in the preparation. Moderating the tension that spread. Additional security was placed at the main gate. Surveillance cameras were tightly watched. Every suspicious vehicle driving near the estate was tagged. The head of Luthor's security team contemplated the message he received. Councilman De Lutherbergh's convoy was ambushed. Thankfully, the powerful man was not injured. De Lutherbergh is now taking shelter at the Constantine Chateau.

"Sir, Councilman De Lutherbergh's convoy was ambushed." He silently informed the young master.

"On our grounds?" Luthor anxiously asked. Hopeful enough that the atrocity did not happen on Drax soil.

"Unfortunately, sir."

"Santa Maria! Hesus!" Luthor cupped his face with both hands and cursed under his breath. "Defend this house at all cost!"

It was too late for them to prepare as the assassins of the two ancient houses in the council were already outside their gates. The Loyal Vagabonds of House De Lutherbergh and the Vipers of the House Constantine. Together with the elite team of the High Order, they were mandated to take down the rogue member of the Order. The defense of the Sinister Palace is weak. Most of their special forces were sent to set up Hector and now currently transporting him back to France. The Hellfires of the Hiatus clan were no longer under the ward of the Drax. They will lose.

Acosta immediately secured the rest of the innocent maids and staff to the shelter. They may have no participation in their master's malevolence activities but the bullets will not make an exception. The old man disappointingly watched the expensive interior of the palace. This will all fall to pieces. He brought the blueprint of the house to Luthor.

"The house was built a long time ago, sir, and was designed to have emergency exits if something like this happens. There are tunnels you can use to escape," He looked at Luthor and smiled awkwardly. "If necessary."

"What about my chopper, Lucien?" Luthor impatiently inquired ignoring Acosta's sentiments.

"I highly discourage such transportation, sir." Acosta walked towards the huge window. "Hector skipped his death. I doubt the devils will favor your bloodline one last time."

The alarm reverberated along the hallway. Scaring the staff and heightening the panic. The first line of defense fell.

"We lost communication with the main gate, sir." Lucien nervously said. "We need to get you to safety."

His pride will not let him admit but he knew if he stays he will not be spared. Accepting his initial defeat, he agreed to Lucien. They let Acosta led the way to the hidden doors. Luthor was safeguarded by five elite members of the Drax security. He did not glance to the expected casualties of the onslaught that will befall the Sinister Palace. The rest of the housemaids were hopelessly looking at their master leaving them behind.

"What on earth is going on?" Adam descended from the grand staircase. Completely disoriented by the chaos. "Luthor! What in God's name is happening?"

Their reunion was interrupted by an explosion at the main door. Gunshots roared as both sides strike each other. The windows shattered, separating Luthor and Adam. The Drax's defense was outnumbered. The main door was easily taken as the rest of the defense lines. Invaders have taken the main entrance. Luthor's team retreated to the main hallway while Adam's receded back to the second floor. All remaining house staff cowered to every corner. Some were hit by stray bullets and some lay down on the floor. Crying for their lives.

The foyer was taken. It became the starting point of the enemies. They spread like fire all through the house. Killing every resistance on their way. Porcelain vases, ornaments, and chandeliers littered the carpeted floor as the commotion continued. Incoherent noises echoed in the old hallways.

Luthor's team moved to the back, tightly defending their position. The enemy added more forces. Lucien has doubts. If they hold their position, they will die. Their defenses are starting to lose their numbers while the offenses they received doubled. He convinced Luthor to escape. Sinister Palace will have to be surrendered.

Felipe Acosta magically vanished in the mayhem. He was either displaced by the raid or is now lying lifeless in one of the decimated rooms. As the resistance slowly became scarce, the head of of the assault team stepped inside the palace. Francis Constantine was disgusted by the outcome.

The Loyal Vagabonds located Adam's position. It was softly reinforced. Consisting of two men, Adam's life was at the helm. He was rushed towards the main balcony where there was a staircase interconnecting to the back porch. Enemies aggressively followed them. Firing randomly to their location.

Luthor's team reached the garden. It has the entire view of the back side of the palace. The second floor has a lot of activities. Gunshots illuminating through its windows, bodies falling as they were brutally hit. Lucien held Luthor closely. Adam is in the balcony. Trying to make a run down the stairs but the rain of bullets were straining his escape.

"We have to help him, por favor!" Luthor begged.

"It's dangerous! We are still locating the main tunnel!" Lucien declined.

They watched Adam and his two security details tirelessly defended themselves from the strong offenses of the enemies. It was at that moment that Luthor was brought back to his childhood. Again, from afar, he watched as another father figure of his fight for his survival. A situation he caused. Adam looked at the grounds. He saw the young master. It was the scariest moment of his life but it was also the brightest. He saw in the eyes of Luthor the same boy he found in street of Tondo, Manila. Lost. It kept him alive.

Luthor fell silent. He no longer tried to let go of Lucien's strong arms. This time, he closed his eyes. The trauma flooded back. He could not bear to watch. Adam was cornered at the balcony. His two security details succumbed to the darkness. Luthor turned away. He trembled at the noise.

Adam crawled down the stairs. Blood all over his robe. He knew he won't survive but he tried. For Luthor. He is the only reminder of the young boy's humanity. He felt a pain pounded on his chest. Death came for him and with one last wish. He hoped Luthor would look back but the young boy did not, and never will.

***

The news about the dissolution of the house Drax spread throughout the entire hierarchy of the High Order. The outer council immediately denied any connections with the Drax. Afraid to receive the heat from the ancient houses. It was a very bold move for the council to finally descend upon a solution for the rogue member of their organization but it was also a provoking moment to those in favor with the rebellion.

Hector was immediately informed about the circumstances and how the position of the Drax in the council plummeted. Disappointed, but he was not surprised. He was expecting this moment to come. Now that they were entirely stripped off of privilege, the Drax Industry will be completely absorbed by the Alderige International. Any form of a request for reconsideration will not be entertained. They attacked an ancient house. De Lutherbergh house is known for its blunt nature and they are not easily intimidated. Hector will be asked for a trial. The house Drax was under his ward and he has to answer for everything, even if he did not order such operation.