Rise Through the Ruin

Chapter 21 : Rise Through the Ruin

Upstairs in Aurelia's room

Grim's black eyes remained fixed on Aurelia, his gaze colder than ice. The irritation radiating from him was palpable, like a storm held barely in check.

Aurelia's voice trembled with worry as she spoke. "Seraphine is down there. Bring her as well."

The response she received was brutal, merciless. "It's good experience for her," Grim's voice rumbled, a dark edge of annoyance threading through his words. "And for her trauma."

Before she could protest, he dropped heavily onto her bed, his shoulders slumping as though the weight of the world clung to him. His gaze drifted to the distance, a hint of madness flickering in his eyes as he muttered aloud, "Feel like killing someone."

Aurelia stood frozen by the door, her golden eyes locked on him. His words, his freezing demeanor — they should have stirred fear, even anger. But all she felt was a reckless pull toward him. A desire so raw and dangerous it clawed at her sanity.

Without hesitation, Aurelia crossed the room and slid between his legs, her body pressing close as her face tilted up to meet his unyielding stare. Those black eyes of his, darker than the abyss, bored into her own with an intensity that sent her heart racing.

And all Aurelia could think was, I am crazy, falling for this man.

She leaned back slightly, her golden eyes never leaving his face. She made no effort to calm him or offer comfort. No, she simply wanted to be near him — to drown herself in his chaos. And Grim, for all his wrath and resentment, allowed her to stay there. His expression unreadable, his thoughts unknowable.

___

Downstairs

Kade and Raven stood in the grand hallway, the tension between them taut as a drawn blade. Kade's fists were clenched, his gaze locked on the entrance with ruthless focus.

Raven's voice sliced through the silence, sharp and commanding. "Why don't you go and stand by Seraphine? I'll handle this."

Kade's blue eyes snapped toward Raven, his expression flickering between surprise and disdain. But there was something in Raven's tone — something that brooked no argument. It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order.

Kade's eyes narrowed, his gaze lingering on Raven with newfound interest. The aura surrounding Raven was raw, dangerous — a predator's presence that resonated with his own.

A sly grin tugged at the corner of Kade's lips. This is exciting, he thought, intrigued by the challenge Raven represented.

Without a word, Kade turned and walked toward Seraphine. His imposing frame cast a shadow over her, his blonde hair glistening under the dim light. Their gazes locked — Seraphine's golden eyes eerily calm, staring beyond his soul with an unsettling clarity.

Amused, Kade watched as Seraphine activated her ability. For a brief moment, her brows furrowed when the words appeared above Kade's head

"Can't detect stats. Your level too low to see his stats. Level up first."

The shock was brief, her expression returning to a mask of composure. But Kade caught the flicker of surprise, and it only deepened his amusement.

"You look just like your sister," Kade remarked, his voice low and taunting. "Just… a smaller version."

Kade glanced back at Raven, his eyes glinting with a twisted curiosity. "And him… a smaller version of the monster." Kade stood firm, blocking Seraphine's path, but his attention remained on Raven.

---

Raven stood his ground, the fury within him building like a storm. His voice was a snarl, sharp and unforgiving. "Seraphine is your daughter and sister. How dare you treat her like that? I was holding myself back, but now there's no reason. Come at me — all of you."

Seraphine's brother sneered, arrogance dripping from his expression. "Big talk for someone like you. Kill him."

The order sent his bodyguards surging forward, their movements quick and brutal. But Raven was quicker.

He sidestepped the first guard's lunge with ease, delivering a powerful kick to the man's temple. The body crumpled to the floor, unconscious before it even hit the ground.

The second guard charged at him, swinging a punch that Raven dodged with precision. His fist shot upward, connecting with the man's jaw in a devastating uppercut. Another one down.

The last guard, blinded by rage, lunged at Raven with all his might. Raven's body twisted with elegance, his spinning flying kick crashing into the guard's face. The man dropped, gasping in pain before the darkness claimed him.

Raven lowered his leg, his breathing steady as he surveyed the damage. His anger still smoldered, his gaze burning with a merciless edge.

Raven made his way to the door, expecting more of the same. But as he stepped out into the hallway, his steps faltered.

The guards he had anticipated facing were already lying unconscious on the ground, defeated before he even had the chance to engage them. The realization came quickly — Kade had done this. And he'd done it effortlessly.

Fast, Raven thought, his eyes narrowing. The sheer brutality of Kade's efficiency was a shock.

But something else caught his attention. The unconscious bodies of Seraphine's father and brother lay crumpled on the floor, their arrogant glares replaced by blank, motionless expressions.

Kade stood over them, his hand gripping the collar of Seraphine's father's shirt as he dragged him outside. The blonde man's tone was nonchalant, almost lazy. "I'll handle the rest. You and She should enjoy yourselves now."

He threw a final, amused glance at Raven before slamming the gate shut behind him, leaving Raven and Seraphine alone in the eerie silence of the now-empty room.

___

As the door shut behind Kade, a heavy silence filled the grand hall. Raven and Seraphine stood there, the tension gradually easing as their eyes met.

Raven stepped forward, his black eyes filled with genuine concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer than usual, worry etched across his handsome face.

Seraphine's golden eyes glimmered under the dim lights, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders. Yet, her smile was warm and reassuring. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied gently.

A hint of relief washed over Raven's face, but it quickly turned into a troubled frown. "Should I… go after that blonde guy and ask him to go easy on your father and brother?"

Seraphine's expression remained calm as her golden eyes searched his dark ones. "No," she said firmly. "I don't care about them. They've done worse to me and my sister. For so long, I was afraid of them. But… seeing them beaten like that, it feels… good. And I want them to suffer more."

Seraphine gaze flickered down, doubt shadowing her features. "Am I a bad person?"

Raven's answer came without hesitation, his black eyes glinting with sincerity. "No. They deserve to suffer."

Their eyes locked for a moment — golden meeting black, kindness mingling with something darker.

Raven cleared his throat and nodded toward the nearby sofa. "Why don't we sit down?"

They moved to the plush sofa and sat side by side, the elegant room somehow feeling warmer with their presence.

"Damn," Raven said aloud, his voice half-amused, half-awed. "That Kade guy is strong. I don't even know if I could go against him right now."

Seraphine didn't respond immediately, but her thoughts echoed his concern. She had tried to assess Kade's strength through her ability, but all she got was a disappointing message: "Can't detect stats. Your level too low to see his stats. Level up first." But Kade's presence was far more intimidating. And even Raven, who had the highest stats she'd ever seen yesterday — an impressive average of 89 — was now a mystery. She couldn't see his stats anymore. Because he was a player.

But Kade… he was beyond her comprehension. And that terrified her.

"How do I get stronger?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper, her golden eyes never leaving Raven's face.

Raven blinked, surprised by her sudden question. "You want to get stronger?"

"Yes." Her voice was steady, her determination clear. "I know I'll face stronger people eventually. And I refuse to be weak."

Raven scratched the back of his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well… if you want to get stronger, why don't you join a gym or join a martial art club? I mean, I'm pretty sure people get strong there."

A small, amused smile played on Seraphine's lips. "Alright then. We'll go to the gym starting tomorrow."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "We?"

Seraphine's smile widened as she looked at him, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes. Because you're now my manager. And of course, wherever I go, you would also go."

Raven chuckled softly. "I guess that's true."

But behind their playful exchange, a silent understanding passed between them. They both needed to get stronger.