Chapter 29: The Principal's Death

The next morning, everyone was stunned when the local news reported the death of the principal of Liban National High School.

Tiffany was having breakfast with Elizabeth and George when the report came on. Since the television was tuned to a local channel, the news was delivered in the Visayan dialect.

"I can't understand a thing," Tiffany complained, frowning at the screen.

She knew George and Elizabeth could speak several languages and dialects—part of their expertise as trusted members of the brotherhood—but George only raised a hand, signaling her to wait as he continued watching. Once the report ended, he turned to Tiffany and Elizabeth with a grim, worried expression.

"Well? Translation, please?" Tiffany asked impatiently.

"It's Mr. Seson, the principal," George replied in a hollow voice. "His body was found inside his office when a janitor came in this morning. The media believes this is some kind of black propaganda, linking the incident to the Illuminati and Satanic cults. But I know exactly who did this—and what it means."

Tiffany's breathing became erratic. "What is it, George? Why would they connect Mr. Seson's death to that kind of stuff?"

Elizabeth interjected, her voice calm but cold. "Señorita (Miss), it's because of how the killer left him. The janitor found the principal bloody and naked. He was stabbed fifty times, castrated, and crucified against the wall… and the symbol of the Alpha Brotherhood was carved into his forehead. The killer used a knife to mark him."

She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Other people think this was some cult ritual because, well, they don't know anything about the Alpha Brotherhood. But we do. And we know this was an Alpha assassin's work—someone willing to do anything to become the next Don."

Tiffany trembled as she listened. "There are only two assassins assigned to this mission. And my main target isn't Mr. Seson."

"He was Yuan's mission," Elizabeth stated.

"And that kind of execution?" George added. "That's a message from the Don himself. Otherwise, the killer wouldn't have performed the ceremony."

He was referring to the marking left by Yuan on his victim. Tiffany clenched her jaw. "My father really made Yuan my official competitor for the position in the brotherhood." She exhaled sharply. "I guess he never wanted me to lead. He wants Yuan, not me. But why?"

"Because you are a woman," George answered grimly.

Elizabeth got up and poured herself a glass of fresh orange juice. "That means Yuan—or should I say Yolo—is your enemy now. You need to kill your main target before he does. He's already completed his mission, so it's only a matter of time before he makes his next move on Lucio Hernandez."

Tiffany clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. "Lucio Hernandez's godfather in the Dragon Brotherhood was none other than Mr. Seson himself," she said. "I won't let Yolo kill Lucio Hernandez. I should be the one to kill him."

"If he does," George said, "you'll have no choice but to marry that politician's son. And if that happens, your chances of securing the position will only get slimmer."

Tiffany's blood boiled. 'That will never happen. Over my dead body.'

George grunted, shaking his head. "Keep an eye on Lucio Hernandez, señorita. I know you've been enjoying his company, but I'm telling you—stop fucking him and kill him already. You're wasting so much time time."

With that, he stood up and disappeared into his room, probably to grab a cigarette.

Tiffany slammed her fist on the table. Elizabeth rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you, Tiffany," she murmured.

***

Suspension of classes was declared as the faculty, staff, and students mourned the sudden death of their beloved principal. A mass was being held in the school gym, and Teacher Greg was sure the hallways were nearly deserted. He decided to walk back to the principal's office.

Mr. Seson had been a good godfather to him. He had saved him that fateful night when the Alphas killed his parents and only brother. Who would have thought Mr. Seson would arrive just in time to rescue him?

With every step toward the office, horrible images replayed in his mind.

"Lucio! Run!"

His mother's desperate voice rang in his ears, her screams cutting through the night as the men violated her in front of him and his little brother.

Grabbing Ronan's hand, Lucio ran toward the secret passage their father had built inside the house. His little brother wailed, but they couldn't stop. They kept running until they reached the hidden basement.

"Come on, hop on my back!"

Lucio crouched, and Ronan scrambled onto his back. His feet pounded against the cold pavement as they ran through the deserted streets, sobbing and gasping for breath

"Hold on, Ronan. We have to keep going. The bad guys can't catch us."

The sound of heavy footsteps chased them through the night. They ducked into a garbage can.

"Shh." Lucio pressed a finger to his lips, signaling his brother to stay quiet.

For minutes, they sat in the suffocating stench, barely breathing.

"Are they gone?" Ronan whispered when the footsteps faded into silence.

"I think so. Come on, let's get out of here."

Lucio carefully lifted the lid—

And found himself staring straight into the eyes of the man who had murdered his parents.

"Going somewhere?"

Teacher Greg clenched his fists tightly as the memories flooded back. He remembered the sound of the gunshot. How his little brother's body went limp in his arms. They had nearly killed him, too. But then, a man in black appeared, fighting them off

 Mr. Seson had saved him, though Greg hadn't escaped unscathed. The bullet had grazed his face. When he woke up, he was in a hospital bed, his face bandaged, his spirit shattered. But Mr. Seson took him in.

"They killed my parents and my little brother. And now, they've taken my godfather," he murmured, his hands shaking with rage. "He was the only one who saved me, and now he's gone."

He curled his fingers into a fist.

"They just gave me another reason to keep going."

When he reached the crime scene, his breath grew heavy. He could almost see it—his godfather in his final moments, tortured and slaughtered by an assassin. And deep inside, a voice told him: 'The person behind this is the same one I encountered in Ormon City.'

His mind rewound to that fateful night. The battle where he thought they would finally bring the Alphas down.

The man in the white mask.

The girl in the black gown.

Lucio had wounded the masked man—shot him in the arm—but the girl had managed to escape, dragging her father with her.

Most of the Dragons had abandoned the brotherhood. Only a hundred remained loyal. So many of his men had died in that encounter. But that didn't matter. Nothing would stop him. He had risen as the most powerful Dragon assassin. And with the key to the Alphas' treasury in his hands, he knew—he would win in the end.

"I'll make them experience the same hell they put me through." His voice was low, trembling with rage. "And once I find their treasury… I'll take everything for myself."

He tucked his hands into his pockets and stared at the wreckage left behind by his godfather's death.

"I will finish what we started, godfather. Thank you for saving me. For teaching me everything."

Lost in thought, he barely registered the sudden crashing sound outside the office.

His instincts sharpened. He stepped out the door, scanning his surroundings, his ears tuned to the slightest movement.

Another crash.

His hand moved to his back, fingers wrapping tightly around the revolver he often secretly carried. He advanced, his pulse steady, his grip firm. "Who's there?" he bellowed, stepping forward.

Sweat trickled down his temple as he prepared to fire. "Come out, little rascal," he hissed.

Footsteps. Someone was approaching. He lifted his gun, aiming in the direction of the sound. And then, out of the darkness, a familiar face emerged.

Steffy.