Daughter Of Shadow's King

Chapter 3: A Father's Vow

"A Father's Vow"

The dimly lit study was a space of quiet contemplation, usually reserved for the Shadow's King to ponder the intricacies of his empire. But tonight, it was filled with the sound of hushed whispers and the scent of cigar smoke. The five sons of the Shadow's King stood around the large mahogany desk, their eyes fixed on their father as he unfolded a map of the world.

"Gather 'round, boys," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "We start tonight."

The eldest son, Dominic, with eyes as cold as steel, spoke up, "Dad, we need a plan. We can't just-"

Lorenzo cut him off, his hand slicing through the air. "I have a plan. We're going to tear this world apart, brick by brick, until we find her."

The sons exchanged glances, sensing the raw emotion beneath their father's words.

"Second son, Matteo, you're with me. We'll take the east side, hit the underground clubs and bars. Third son, Stefano, you take the west side, dig into the street gangs and informants. Fourth son, Vincenzo, you're on tech. I want every camera, every microphone, every digital footprint scoured. And fifth son, Nevan, you're on watch. Keep your eyes open, keep your g*n closer."

The sons nodded, their faces set in determination.

"What about person who adducted her?" Dominic asked, his voice dripping with venom.

The Shadow's King's eyes turned black. "We'll get to him. But first, we find my daughter."

The room fell silent, the only sound the rustling of papers and the scratching of pens on paper as the sons began to scribble notes and make plans.

Matteo looked up, his eyes meeting his father's. "We'll find her, Dad. No matter what it takes."

The Shadow's King nodded, a small, cold smile playing on his lips. "I know you will, son. I know you will."

Lorenzo look out of the window "We each will take one country at a time with the armies of my men and allies"

Looks back at his sons "Each of us will go to the different country and we will dig the whole country to look for her"

"I will come along with you" Francesca enter the study. Her eyes are swollen and puffy from crying. It's been eighteen years but it still hurts her so much. And how could it not when her precious little daughter was taken away from her. For nine months she carried her and when she enter the world, her little gem was taken away.

The sons walk towards their mother and embrace her together and she break down yet once again. Lorenzo join them and kiss her forehead. He will find their daughter even if he had to ask help from his enemies because their daughter is more important than his pride.

"Let's go and start packing. I will call my men and tell them what to do" with that said he left the study and call his men in the conference hall.

The Shadow's King stood at the head of the conference table, his eyes scanning the room filled with his most trusted men. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of a chair.

"Gentlemen, gather 'round," he said, his voice low and commanding. "We have a situation."

The men quieted, their eyes fixed on their leader.

"My daughter, Hazel, has been taken. At birth by someone who is yet to be found"

The room erupted into a chorus of angry murmurs and growls.

"Silence!" The Shadow's King slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "We will start finding her. Starting Tonight."

He unfolded a map of the World, pointing to various countries. "You, Victor, take a team to Canada, hit the underground clubs and bars. You, Marco, cover the west side, dig into the street gangs and informants. And you, Sophia, get me everything on the hospital from where it all started"

The men nodded, scribbling notes and making mental checks.

"I want every inch of this world scoured. I want every ear to the ground. I want my daughter back."

The room fell silent, the only sound the rustling of papers and the creaking of chairs as the men stood, ready to move.

The Shadow's King's eyes locked onto his men. "This is personal. This is family. Let's bring her home."

The men nodded, a low rumble of agreement and determination filling the room as they filed out, ready to execute the plan.

He sits on the chair looking at the one and only picture of his daughter, he had taken when she was handed to him. He secured it in his pendant. He open it and lost himself in it.

"No matter how much time passes,

No matter how many sunrises I have

survived since you've been gone

There's a part of me that's still there..

on that floor, on that day you were taken,

begging the world to bring you back.."

As he was talking to himself, his one of the enemy was watching him and hearing him from the corner. For some reason he forgets the reason he came for and just stare at Lorenzo. At this moment he doesn't see the Shadow King, he saw just a father whose whole life has been torn apart. The enemy sigh and left but only with one promise that he make it to himself

"I will help you find your daughter. Not as an enemy but a father who knows the pain of losing a daughter"

The quest has been started and now no one can survive the wrath of a Shadow King nor the person who will help him.

Right now there's no revenge, no enemy but only fathers who will find the missing piece of the family