Chapter 225: The New Generation 2

"Good. I look forward to seeing your growth." Arias's parting words echoed in the air, his figure dissolving into nothingness, leaving Kara alone with her swirling emotions. A mix of fear and relief coursed through her veins as she pondered the implications of his so called "help".

Simultaneously, Arias rematerialized in his private quarters aboard the yacht, as if he had never left. A satisfied smile played on his lips as he sauntered towards his bed, sinking into its plush comfort with a contented sigh. His eyes fluttered shut, surrendering to the tranquility of the moment.

beep

The soft chime of his digital watch stirred him from his repose. His eyes flickered open, the alarm's mild ring echoing in the otherwise silent room. Almost on cue, a knock resonated at his door.

"Finally here." Arias rose, drawing in a deep breath. His eyes sparkled with renewed energy as he swiftly crossed the room to answer the door. A grinning Cheshire greeted him.

"We're here, boss, sort of." She cryptically announced, her arms folded across her chest.

"Sort of?" Arias echoed, curiosity etching itself into his features.

"We're being denied entry into the port to dock." Cheshire shrugged, her own confusion mirrored in her explanation.

However, instead of frustration, a smile slowly spread across Arias's face. "On whose orders?" he inquired, his tone laced with intrigue.

Meanwhile, within the opulent confines of Markov Castle, two figures convened in a grand dining hall. Seated at opposite ends of a long, rectangular table were Fredrick Delamb, the current regent of Markov, his face adorned with a congenial smile, and Vandal Savage, his stoic demeanor commanding respect.

As they dined, an imperial guard hurriedly entered the room, whispering urgent news into Fredrick's ear. His eyes widened in surprise, concern etching itself into his features.

Fredrick quickly turned his attention to Vandal Savage, his voice laced with apprehension. "Arias Markovic is requesting to dock; should I allow it?"

Vandal Savage swirled the glass of fine wine in his hand, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Now why would there be a need to do that? Regardless of what he's done for Markovia, he must still follow its laws. Or do you think he now represents the light?"

As Savage posed this question, he calmly placed his glass on the table, meeting Fredrick's gaze. The intensity of his stare sent a shiver of fear down Fredrick's spine. He swallowed nervously before chuckling and shaking his head.

"Aha, of course not; I wouldn't dare make such a bold claim. You tell Arias Markovic or whoever else requests special entry into Markov that I, Fredrick Delamb, forbid it as I am entertaining a very important guest at the moment."

Fredrick spoke with feigned confidence, quickly dismissing the guard before turning his attention back to Vandal Savage. "So, about Tara, I've done my best to try and convince her, but she will no longer even take my calls. Do you think she spoke of this matter to Arias?"

"It's highly possible." Vandal casually confirmed, his gaze devoid of emotion. This nonchalant attitude toward a formidable opponent left Fredrick taken aback. "Are you not worried he'll retaliate?"

Fredrick found himself on the receiving end of a light, almost dismissive chuckle from Vandal. It was as if he were a naive child, easily amused and quickly dismissed. Vandal's gaze, once filled with amusement, hardened as he turned to face Fredrick. His voice, usually calm and collected, took on a chilling tone that echoed ominously in the grand hall.

"Everyone seems to be in awe of this child. They see his actions as victories, but I, who have lived through countless eras and witnessed the fall of many like him, am not impressed. He has served the light well, but he is starting to overstep his boundaries. That is why I've decided to intervene and remind him who truly holds the reins here."

Vandal's voice, as terrifying as it was commanding, left no room for doubt. Fredrick could only nod along, his heart pounding in his chest.

Fredrick was about to voice his agreement when a deafening crash echoed through the room. The grand windows that adorned one side of the room shattered violently, sending shards of glass flying across the room.

Pa!~

Before either of them could react, several bodies of imperial guards were flung against the opposite wall with such force that they were reduced to a gruesome mixture of bone and organs.

Vandal Savage, ever the stoic leader, merely frowned at the sight, his composure unbroken. Fredrick, on the other hand, was left speechless, his mouth agape in horror at the sight before him.

The grand doors to the dining area swung open, revealing the solitary figure of Arias. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, and a nonchalant smile played on his lips.

"Forgive the mess; these guards of yours seemed to forget who was really in control. Funny, wouldn't you agree, Fredrick?" Arias's tone was chillingly cold, and his gaze was sharp and deadly.

Vandal, however, remained unfazed. He met Arias's gaze head-on, his voice steady as he retorted, "I think it is you who has forgotten who's in control."

Arias responded with a soft chuckle, his eyes glowing eerily in the dim light.

"Why don't you remind me?" His voice boomed through the castle, causing the very foundations to shake. Even Vandal, who had remained composed until now, showed a hint of concern as he rose to his feet to face Arias. "It seems I have no choice but to do just that-."

Vandal could barely process the situation before Arias's figure flashed right in front of him, a silhouette of impending doom. His fist was clenched, primed for a devastating blow. Vandal was frozen, unable to react, as Arias delivered a punch to his gut with a force so tremendous that it seemed to warp reality itself. Everything behind Vandal Savage was obliterated in an instant. Walls crumbled, people were swept away, and objects disintegrated into nothingness.

Rather than the air being forced out of his lungs, the immense pressure exerted on them caused them to rupture like overblown balloons. This led Vandal to cough up a torrent of blood as he collapsed to his knees, his eyes flickering in shock and disbelief.

He slowly raised his head to look at Aria's towering figure, whose face was adorned with a large, triumphant smile as he asked, "Well? Where's my reminder?"

Vandal was absolutely shell-shocked, and he wasn't even given the chance to answer the rhetorical question. Arias grabbed his face and slammed him into the ground with such force that the entire castle trembled, as Savage's body fell through multiple floors.

Upon finally reaching the bottom, his entire body was a grotesque sight, disfigured and riddled with wounds. Yet he could still move, struggling to get up. His efforts, however, were only met with a vicious kick to the face that sent him flying through multiple foundations of the castle.

"I asked you a question, Vandal." Arias repeated, his figure consistently appearing near Vandal with each successive attack.

Vandal's gaze grew blurry, but Arias approached, held him by the collar without remorse, and looked at him pitifully.

"Where's my reminder, Vandal? We're not done here until I see it. or you die. Which do you think will come first?"