Chapter 002
1002 Words
Steel doors clanged shut one after another, each sealed with layers of electronic locks. Even the air carried a cold, metallic weight.
In the deepest cell, nine white-haired men sat cross-legged in a circle, their breaths calm and steady—like nine immovable mountains.
At the center stood a tall young man, eyes sharp as tempered steel.
“Masters, you’ve guided me for three years. A teacher for a day is a father for life. Today I walk out a free man—thank you for everything.”
Adrian Steele bowed deeply.
Three years ago, he thought imprisonment was punishment.
Now he knew—it was destiny.
Because these nine men, though called criminals, were anything but ordinary.
One was a martial arts grandmaster whose strike could crush boulders.
One a doctor who could bring the dying back to life.
One commanded the mystic arts, able to twist destiny itself.
And one once ruled the world of commerce, his fortune rivaling nations.
Together, they took Adrian as their only disciple.
Three years later, he had mastered almost all of their arts.
“Go,” said the Second Master with a faint smile. “When you miss us, come back.”
Adrian smiled bitterly. “Coming back here won’t be easy.”
The Third Master chuckled. “Then take the blame for someone else again—you’ll be back in no time.”
Adrian’s eyes flickered. No one was supposed to know that secret. He had gone to prison for someone else—and they all saw through him.
Before he could reply, the First Master raised a finger.
A streak of golden light flashed through the air.
“Take this token.”
Adrian caught it midair—a golden badge etched with two ancient words: War God.
“Adrian Steele, your sentence is complete. Prepare for release!”
The guard’s shout echoed down the corridor.
Adrian clasped his fists and bowed. “I take my leave.”
As the heavy door shut, the nine old men exchanged knowing smiles.
“That boy’s no ordinary man.”
“Three years and seventy percent mastery—he’ll shake the world soon enough.”
Outside the prison gates, sunlight blazed across Blackwater City.
Adrian breathed in freedom for the first time in three years.
Three years passed. The world forgot him.
He turned to leave the prison—but the roar of an engine tore through the quiet.
A red BMW screeched to a halt before him.
The window rolled down.
“Get in.”
He froze. That voice—Evelyn.
Inside the car, silence pressed heavy. Her knuckles whitened on the wheel.
“Evelyn,” he said softly. “Thank you for coming.”
“I came for one thing,” she replied coldly. “That night… did you really do it?”
He hesitated, bound by his oath to Marcus Hale.
“Yes.”
Her hands froze. Pain and disbelief clouded her eyes.
“Then we’re going to the Marriage Bureau,” she said flatly. “We’re getting divorced.”
“All right,” he answered calmly. No protest, no excuse.
For him, her safety was enough.
The car sped down the highway. For a long while, neither spoke.
Evelyn broke the silence with a bitter laugh.
“When my husband went to prison for r**e, I was stripped of everything. My family disowned me. I became the city’s joke.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Wait—Marcus didn’t help you?”
“Help me? He’s the one who spread the rumors.”
Rage boiled in Adrian’s chest. He swore to protect her!
Just then, a deafening horn blared.
A massive truck barreled toward them.
“Evelyn—look out!”
He lunged without thought, wrapping her in his arms.
BOOM!
The impact sent the red BMW flipping through the air. Glass shattered, metal screamed, blood streaked the sky.
When everything stilled, the BMW lay crushed in the roadside flowerbed.
Adrian, soaked in blood, clung to Evelyn—shielding her with his own body.
Evelyn trembled, realizing she was almost unhurt.
Then she saw him—bleeding, barely conscious.
Minutes later, sirens wailed.
Doctors rushed him into surgery, astonished he was still alive.
Inside the ward, she asked quietly, “Why did you risk your life for me?”
“Because you’re my wife,” Adrian said simply.
Her eyes softened, then hardened again. “Don’t think saving me changes anything. You claim you were framed—prove it in seven days. If not, we divorce.”
“Deal.”
Just then, voices came from outside.
“Evelyn! Are you alright?”
Her parents, Joshua and Fae Wainwright, burst in, panic on their faces.
When they saw Adrian, their expressions darkened.
“Adrian Steele? You should’ve stayed in prison!” Fae snapped. “You’re a curse! She nearly died because of you!”
“Mom, he saved me,” Evelyn said coldly, silencing her.
Police officers soon arrived, reporting it was a drunk driver.
But Adrian remembered the driver’s eyes—cold, deliberate.
This wasn’t an accident.
Whoever wanted them dead would regret it.
That evening, as Evelyn watched him silently, he asked, “You’re not leaving?”
“If I leave, who’s going to look after you?”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” he teased with a faint grin.
“Don’t get the wrong idea,” she said stiffly. “If you hadn’t saved me, I’d be gone.”
By afternoon, Adrian stood up.
“I’m checking out.”
“You’re still hurt!”
He tore off his bandages—his wounds had already closed.
Evelyn froze. “How is that even possible?”
“Guess I’m built different,” he said lightly.
After the doctors confirmed his miraculous recovery, Evelyn finally agreed to discharge him.
Outside, she said curtly, “Come home with me.”
“But your mom—”
“Until we’re divorced, you’re still my husband. The Wainwright house is your home. First, we’re getting you new clothes.”
- Writer
