Henry watched as Max led Rosalia away, his blood boiling with silent rage. This was never part of his plan. He had intended to control Max like a living weapon, a tool he could point at any enemy he chose. How had the boy changed so suddenly overnight? When had he stopped being afraid?

Only now did the old chief realize the terrible mistake he had made in judgment. Marrying Rosalia to Max had not bound the outsider to him; it had handed the beast the key to its own cage. And now there was no chain left that could hold him.

"Listen up," Max said, stopping before the gathered crowd. His voice rang loud and clear, infused with power that shook the air itself. "I know that to many of you I am still an outsider. I am well aware of that. The enemy is approaching us, and this time I will not be able to protect you alone."

He clenched his fists, and everyone could see the visible struggle etched across his face.

A warrior stepped forward from the crowd. It was Marcus, the same man who had once wanted to kill Max to protect the clan when they first found him. "We will fight alongside you," Marcus declared, his voice steady. "You don’t have to carry this burden on your shoulders alone. If we die, then it is the fate of our clan."

He dropped to one knee, drawing shocked gasps from the entire gathering. "I swear my utmost loyalty to you, and from this moment on, I will follow Chieftain Max, no matter what decision he makes. I renounce the old leader."

"Thank you, Marcus," Max said, patting the warrior’s shoulder and helping him rise. "I will not let you down. But fighting here, in this place, would be pure madness."

He turned to face the entire crowd, his voice ringing with power that shook the air itself. "If you choose to follow Rosalia and me, I will lead every one of you to a glory this clan has never known. But we need more than courage. We need real strength. We need a stronghold we can actually hold!"

A voice cut through the stunned silence from behind the crowd. The clansmen parted as William strode forward, his expression hard and serious. "And what exactly do you suggest to make that happen? Where can we even go? We have food here. We have shelter. When the enemy comes, we fight to the death like true warriors. You expect us to run?"

"William, I know we have our differences," Max replied evenly, "but you’re right. We would run out of food if we simply fled. Unless..."

"Unless what?" William scoffed. "You’ll magically make it appear? Do you think you’re a god just because you have powerful magic?"

"I’m not a god," Max said calmly, "but I have a plan."

"A plan?" William laughed bitterly. "Well, entertain us then. What brilliant plan can a piece of human filth like you possibly give us?"

The air turned ice-cold in an instant. Purple flames erupted around Rosalia as she stepped forward. The blast of icy fire slammed into William’s chest, sending him tumbling backward several meters across the ground.

"Don’t you dare speak to my husband like that," she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "You’re worse than trash, William."

She moved to step forward again, but Max caught her arm, holding her back gently.

"You don’t need to bother yourself with him," Max whispered to her. "I can handle this."

"But—"

"It’s okay," he said softly, shaking his head. "He’s not worth you wasting your energy on."

A sudden burst of void energy crashed down on William from above, slamming his face into the dirt. "I’m not the type to use force against others, and I never planned on it," Max continued, his tone dangerously calm. "You can voice your opinion about me, however you wish. You can spit on my shoes, and I will simply ignore you. But if you ever speak to my wife like that again, William... I will kill you."

His black pupils flashed with a faint crimson light for a split second. Rosalia noticed it immediately.

"Please, have mercy on my son," a woman’s voice called out. Lucia stepped forward, arms spread protectively in front of William. "He’s a fool, I know, but he is family, just as you are to us."

Max canceled his magic at once, afraid to hurt her. "I know," he said, relaxing his shoulders. "I will not kill him. But he has been warned."

Lucia dropped to her knees, twisting William’s ear hard enough to make him growl in pain. "We swear our loyalty to you, Chieftain Max." She bowed her head low.

"I will never—" William started to rebel, but his mother twisted harder, forcing his face back into the dirt.

"Shut up, you idiot," she hissed angrily.

Max didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the sight.

But like dry grass catching fire, the sight of two respected elders willingly submitting to Max spread through the crowd. Fear of total destruction proved stronger than loyalty to a broken leader. They knew that staying here meant death. Following someone as powerful as Max offered a chance at survival. Whatever his plan was, they were ready to risk everything to keep the next generation alive.

Henry’s heart shattered as he watched his people drop to their knees one after another. The chant of their vows cut through him like a blade.

"Wait! Stop!" he wailed, rushing forward desperately, trying to pull each clansman back to their feet. But no one rose. Their knees remained planted firmly on the ground. "He is not fit to lead! He’s too young, too foolish! He will drag you all to your deaths! Stay here with me! We can submit to the other clans! Yes, we can live if we submit! We can give them Max. Anything they ask! I promise I will keep you all alive, I—"

A loud slap rang out, cutting through his madness.

Rosalia’s palm struck her father’s face. She could no longer bear it. "Please stop, Father..." she cried, her voice breaking. "Please... no more."