Chapter 7 Strategy and Plans

Neon POV

The Vale family, Vincent Korr, and the Heir wouldn’t wait. They were already planning their next move. I could feel it.

I led us to a small abandoned warehouse on the edge of the district. Safe for now, but not for long. The Crimson energy hummed through me, a steady pulse reminding me that I wasn’t just any man. I was the Crimson General, and Ravenport would remember that today.

We entered the warehouse, and I set down the rod. “We need a plan,” I said. “We can’t just charge in blindly. The Heir is powerful, and Korr is clever. Both will have traps, guards, and surprises.”

Seraphine nodded, sitting on a crate. “So… what do we do?”

I crouched next to her, letting the Crimson power settle in, sharpening my mind. “We gather information first. I need every detail about the Vale mansion—guards, entry points, hidden rooms. Anything Korr and the Heir use to manipulate the city.”

She bit her lip. “I can do that. I’ve watched them for months. I know some routes, some secret entrances. But… it’s dangerous. If they see me…”

“You won’t be seen,” I said. “Not while I’m with you. I’ve learned to move without leaving shadows. And now… with the Crimson power fully awake, nothing will escape me.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “It’s… amazing. How do you do it?”

I smiled faintly. “It’s not about strength. It’s about control. Focus. Anger and trust. And it helps to have someone watching your back.”

She laughed softly. “So… me?”

“Yes,” I said simply. “You. Always.”

We spent the morning mapping the mansion in our minds, discussing guards, patrol routes, and the likely location of Vincent Korr and the Heir. Seraphine’s knowledge was valuable. Every observation she made added pieces to the puzzle.

“Leon…” she said, pointing at a small window in the mansion’s east wing. “This window… it’s not monitored. If you go in here, you could bypass most of the outer guards.”

I nodded. “Good. That’s our entry point. From there, we move fast, silent, and precise. We hit Korr first. Then the Heir.”

Her hand brushed mine. “Leon… I’m scared. What if we fail?”

I looked at her. My Crimson energy pulsed softly, warming her hand. “We won’t fail. Not while we trust each other. Not while I’m here. I’ve survived worse than this. And now… we have a plan. That’s all we need.”

She nodded, still trembling slightly, but determination in her eyes. “Alright… I trust you.”

I felt the Crimson power surge again. It was like a living thing inside me, ready to protect, ready to destroy. Every muscle, every nerve, every thought sharpened. I was ready to act.

We waited until the evening. The sun dipped below the skyline, shadows stretched across the streets, and the city felt tense, aware. Ravenport knew danger was coming, even if it didn’t know from where.

“Time to move,” I whispered.

Seraphine followed closely as we approached the mansion. The east wing was dark, quiet, and unguarded. Exactly as she had said. I motioned her to stay low. “Step lightly. Watch for traps.”

She nodded, barely breathing. “I’m right behind you.”

I felt the Crimson energy surge through my arms and legs, sharpening my reflexes. Every shadow became visible, every step precise. We slipped through the window, landing silently inside.

The mansion smelled of polished wood, expensive leather, and hidden danger. I moved forward, scanning each corridor. Guards patrolled in predictable patterns. My Crimson power allowed me to anticipate their moves, step by step.

“Leon…” Seraphine whispered, “they’re close.”

I nodded. “I know. Stay calm. Stick to me.”

We passed the first hallway. A guard turned the corner too early. I caught him by the arm, twisted, and knocked him unconscious silently. Seraphine followed, striking two guards with her small dagger. Together, we were unstoppable, moving like shadows, silent and deadly.

“Leon… I think they know someone’s here,” she whispered, voice trembling.

“Good,” I said softly. “That means they’re panicking. Fear weakens them. We use that.”

We reached the main staircase. The Heir’s presence was stronger here, dark energy lingering in the air. I felt it pressing against the Crimson power, testing my control.

“I feel him,” I said quietly. “Seraphine… stay close. Watch every corner.”

She nodded, gripping my arm. “I’m ready.”

We moved silently upstairs. A single door at the end of the hallway was guarded by Vincent Korr. His smug expression vanished the moment he saw me.

“Leon Hawke…” he growled. “You’ve come for revenge. But this time… you won’t succeed.”

I smiled faintly. “Vincent… you’re going to regret underestimating me.”

The Crimson power flared. I could feel it surrounding my body, making every movement faster, stronger, and sharper. Korr lunged at me with a dagger, but I caught it mid-air. My energy radiated outward, knocking him back against the wall.

Seraphine moved beside me, throwing a dagger that pinned one of his guards to the floor. “Leon… hurry!”

I nodded, surging forward. Korr tried to escape, but I grabbed his collar, pulling him toward me. “This ends tonight,” I said, my voice echoing with Crimson energy.

Vincent laughed nervously. “You… can’t… kill me…”

“Watch me,” I said. The Crimson energy flared, my rod glowing red. With a swift strike, I disarmed him, leaving him defenseless. He stared at me, eyes wide with fear.

The Heir appeared then, stepping through the doorway. His dark energy met mine, shadows colliding in the hallway. “Leon… you’re powerful,” he said coldly. “But not enough.”

“You’ll see,” I said, stepping forward. Crimson power enveloped me fully. Every strike, every step, every breath was controlled by it. The hallway seemed to bend around me, responding to my will.

He lunged, striking with shadowy tendrils, but I countered, sending bursts of Crimson energy outward. He staggered back, surprised by my strength.

Seraphine moved beside me, taking down another guard. “Leon… we can do this!”

“Yes,” I said, charging toward the Heir. “We can! And we will!”

The battle intensified. Crimson energy clashed with dark shadows. The mansion shook with the force of our power. I could feel my parents’ presence with me, their courage, their love, driving me forward.

“You betrayed me, Korr!” I shouted, delivering a final strike that sent him sprawling. “And now… you pay!”

Korr groaned, defeated, unable to rise.

The Heir glared, fury in his eyes. “You’ve only delayed the inevitable…”

“I make my own inevitable,” I said. Crimson energy pulsed stronger than ever. “And my path… ends tonight.”

I surged forward, moving faster than thought. The Heir struck, but I countered, my energy overwhelming him. Shadows bent and broke. He faltered.

“Seraphine… now!” I shouted. She lunged, striking his side with a dagger infused with Crimson energy. He screamed, staggering back, powerless against the combined force of us.

Finally, he collapsed, defeated but alive. The Crimson power surged, enveloping the room, purging the darkness, marking our victory

.

I turned to Seraphine. “Are you okay?”

She smiled faintly, bruised but alive. “I… I am. Thanks to you.”