Episode 27 — The Sister’s Request

  Morning light slipped through the curtains of Lee’s room, swaying softly with the air that entered from the open window. He opened his eyes slowly, already awake before his body moved. His expression was firm — as if he had already made a decision long before this day began.

  Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.

  The door burst open.

  Lara entered, her dress wrinkled and her face soaked with tears. She could barely breathe as she approached him.

  “Lee… please…” her voice trembled. “I can’t take it anymore. I don’t want to get married.”

  She clenched his shirt with shaking hands.

  “Mother won’t stop insisting… and Darian said that if I refuse, he’ll cut every tie between our families.”

  Lee stood up and gently held her shoulders. The light from the window outlined both of them in a pale glow.

  “Sister… I had an experience,” he said calmly. “With the God Leon serves.”

  Lara looked up, confused.

  “He answered my prayer. I called Him… and He came to me.”

  Her crying slowly quieted.

  “Don’t worry,” Lee continued. “I’ll solve this.”

  He paused for a moment, then added softly,

  “And your goddess… she isn’t helping you at all. Do something different. Call for Jesus.”

  Lara’s eyes widened in shock.

  “You? Lee? I thought you didn’t believe in any divinity.”

  “Just do what I told you,” he replied, already turning away. “Tell Mother I went out… but not where.”

  Dark particles — black and red — began to swirl around him. A burst of pressure filled the room and a muted shockwave pushed the curtains outward.

  In the next instant, Lee vanished.

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  He reappeared inside the dark hall of Lord Vharon.

  Massive pillars rose toward the ceiling, and red light reflected across the polished floor. At the center of the chamber stood the throne, and seated upon it was Vharon, both hands resting on the sword planted into the ground before him.

  “What brings you here, Lee?” Vharon’s voice echoed like metal striking stone. “Today is not your training day.”

  Lee stepped forward without hesitation.

  “Many things are happening… but I came because I can’t keep watching my sister cry. She doesn’t want to marry Director Doria’s son.”

  His voice hardened.

  “I’ve been an obedient son. So please… grant me this request. Free her from that Xprian tradition. She will marry who she wants, when she wants. And I don’t want her living under anyone’s orders.”

  A faint smile formed on Vharon’s face.

  “Jealous of your little sister?”

  Lee’s gaze sharpened.

  “No. I already have three Xprian lives on my hands. I don’t want two more.”

  Vharon chuckled quietly.

  “Calm yourself, my boy. Very well… I will handle it.”

  Lee hesitated before asking,

  “And my father?”

  Vharon leaned forward slightly.

  “You will face áris… only when you can defeat me.”

  Lee’s fist tightened.

  “I will prepare the perfect stage,” Vharon said. “Be patient.”

  Memories surfaced in Lee’s mind as he walked away.

  Before Vharon… there had only been hatred.

  He remembered his small hands stained with blood. He remembered being eight years old, standing before áris with tears running down his face. His claws had cut into his father’s chest in desperate fury.

  Vharon had seen not only anger… but potential.

  From that day forward, Lee trained relentlessly — dark arenas, secret missions across deserts and forests, and lies he told his mother and sister, claiming he was only working for the organization.

  Every step shaped him into a weapon meant to one day face his own father.

  Later that day, the leaders of the organization gathered in the conference hall.

  Murmurs filled the room — until the doors opened.

  Lord Vharon entered.

  Silence followed him.

  “It has been a long time since I stepped into this place,” he declared. “And I want changes.”

  He turned his gaze toward Director Doria.

  “You are no longer the director.”

  Gasps spread across the room.

  Then Vharon pointed to Lee.

  “He will assume the position.”

  Lee’s eyes widened in shock.

  Vharon then looked at Laura.

  “And your daughter… why isn’t she here? I have discovered how useful she has been.”

  Laura lowered her eyes. “I don’t want her involved in serious matters. She is about to marry Darian.”

  “No,” Vharon said calmly. “She will not marry.”

  He paused.

  “Until Lee has the strength to defeat áris… I must follow his orders. Sacrifices are necessary for the greater good.”

  Laura bowed her head.

  “Yes… my lord.”

  That same night, inside her room, Lara knelt beside her bed. Starlight entered through the window and illuminated her face.

  She clasped her hands nervously.

  “Alright… God of Leon… if you free me from this marriage, I promise I’ll serve you. I want to see if you are stronger than my goddess.”

  The door suddenly opened.

  Her mother stood there, breathless.

  “Daughter… it seems you won.”

  Lara stood up quickly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lord Vharon changed many things,” Laura said. “Your brother is now the director… and you will not marry Darian.”

  Lara turned toward the window, staring at the stars.

  A small smile formed on her lips.

  “That was the fastest prayer I’ve ever seen answered.”