With a heavy heart Xiran landed outside the private hospital belonging to Rivan, folding his wings he carried him inside. The guards were on high alert outside.

"I need a doctor," his panicked voice echoed in the hospital and the on-duty doctor quickly made his way to him and guided him to a room where they would be able to examine Rivan.

Reaching the room, Xiran laid him down on the bed and explained the situation to the doctor. Since Rivan didn’t have pure vampiric genes due to his father being human, it took him a bit more time to heal than pure vampires.

He would be needing medical attention and medicines to speed up the recovery process. The doctor asked him to step outside so they could operate on him. He gave one final look to his unconscious friend who hadn’t said a single word to his father even after this painful torture. Xiran’s eyes held back tears and he walked out of the door.

Taking out his phone he called Rumail and told him to meet him here. Xiran then called Carios but no one picked up and a dreadful feeling crept up and settled inside his stomach. He tried several times but no answer, he called Frila and her number was inaccessible. This never happened, they never missed his call.

His father’s words rang in his mind and he knew he had to go back to his hotel but he couldn’t leave Rivan in this state. Mazitine and Warise along with all their forces were battling it out there while Rivan had held his father at bay from gathering sensitive information on Aselia and inflicting more damage on the city.

He then called Aldridge and briefed him about the situation they faced. Aldridge promised to send more hunters to tackle the problem and keep the city safe in case of future attacks.

"Keep Aselia safe, that’s all I ask. Keep her hidden and don’t let her out for any missions. It’s too dangerous now, my father knows and it’s only a matter of time before he will come for her," Xiran informed him in a low voice.

"White Falcon will be protected at all costs, you needn’t worry. I know how to hide her well," Aldridge answered.

"Good, I will be visiting your headquarters in a few days. There are a few important decisions I have to take. Make sure I am allowed to enter your city and headquarters."

"You will be, we are allies now," call was cut after that and Xiran paced outside the room for a few minutes when Rumail arrived with his slumped shoulders and his shining eyes dimmed. His face and clothes had traces of blood on them and his light-brown hair was a mess today.

Xiran swiftly moved and hugged the young boy and said: "I am sorry, he got hurt because of me."

"Señor, it’s not your fault, all of us will lay down our lives for each other and we knew what we were getting in when we started all this. How is he?" Rumail was dejected but calm, he had been fighting the Phantom’s forces outside his club when Xiran had called him. Finishing them off, he arrived as soon as possible.

"Doctors are operating on him, I am sure he will pull through. Stay with him, I have to go assess the situation now, but I promise I will be back soon," Xiran patted Rumail’s shoulder.

"Go save our city Señor, we believe in you and will always stand by you against the evil that is your father," the boy oozed determination and it gave Xiran strength to keep standing up to his father and his evil forces. Strength to keep fighting because he had people around him whom he could trust, people who placed their faith in him.

"Stay safe until I am back. Call if something happens," Xiran instructed before leaving.

Once outside he flicked his wings open and flew towards his hotel, evaluating all the damage on the way. He would interfere wherever someone innocent would be in danger, ripping apart his father’s minions wherever he would find them.

His face, hands and clothes were bloodied while his heart seemed to have been tainted from all this gore and massacre he was forced to commit in the name of peace.

He found several hunters battling it out along with his forces, putting their lives online just to keep the city and innocent lives in it safe. This elevated his hope, swelled his heart and eased the pain it carried.

Finally, he reached his hotel and softly landed outside. The building was ramshackle, the glass windows were broken, the front door was missing and the bodies of his guards and enemies were strewn all over the ground and at the entrance.

He had put his heart and soul into designing this hotel and it had been his home for decades now, never had it seen such extensive damage. Xiran slowly walked towards the entrance and stepped inside the lobby. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The air was thick with the smell of blood and gloominess. All his senses were on high alert, he kept an eye out for any hidden enemies but didn’t find anyone stirring. One of his subordinates came running toward him from the left side of the building.

"Señor, we killed all the invaders but very few of us have survived the onslaught," he was covered in blood from head to toe.

"Good job on standing your ground. I am proud of you, Horuis. Where are Carios and Frila?" Xiran placed his hand on his shoulder and inquired. He bowed his head and slumped his shoulder before replying with hesitation:

"You have to see the dungeon hall for yourself, Señor."

Xiran’s heart sank at his words and with heavy steps, he made his way to the dungeon hall. Descending the stairs his heart thumped so loudly at what he might find down there. Were they even alive? Has he failed them too like he failed Rivan?

The sight which met his eyes once he reached the bottom stairs transfixed him to the spot and he fell to his knees as a frustrated scream erupted and filled the hall.