The skies over Los Angeles had shifted again—gray, trembling, unsettled—as if the city itself sensed something beneath its skin. It had been days since Venessa's vision. Days since she told Jason and Alexander the hard truth: If we don't find Annie soon... she's going to die.
Now, every breath the siblings took was a countdown. Every hour they didn't see her face—another weight pressed on their hearts.
The warehouse that had become their base was no longer quiet. Weapons hummed on charging tables. Blood runes glowed in circles of preparation. Maps were scattered everywhere, and their once-chaotic search had become a coordinated crusade.
Venessa stood at the center of the room, surrounded by paper trails of Annie's movements. Receipts. Camera stills. Witness reports. All leading to one single truth: Annie had gone underground—and not by choice.
Alexander stormed through the sliding door, sweat still trailing down his temple. He'd just finished interrogating a supposed demon informant near the city limits. Empty lead. Another dead end.
"She's still here," he said, panting, his fists clenched. "I can feel it."
Jason entered next, wiping demon ash from his shirt. "Something's going on. There's movement—whispers about a ritual. The kind that involves royal blood."
Venessa turned sharply, eyes wide. "Annie."
That's when they heard the knock.
Three slow taps. One pause. Two quick ones.
The exact signal they'd agreed to if they were being watched.
The siblings jumped into formation—Alexander by the wall, axes ready. Jason vanished into shadow. Venessa's fingers pulsed with bloodlight.
The door opened slowly… and standing there was Lydia.
She wore a brown coat over a casual tee and jeans. Her hair was tied in a loose bun. She didn't look like danger. But the silence she carried behind her wasn't innocent either.
"Lydia?" Alexander's voice cracked.
"Hi," she said gently. "I… I hope it's okay I came."
Alexander lowered his weapon just slightly. "What are you doing here?"
Lydia stepped in and closed the door behind her.
"I saw the news. The attacks. The portals. Something told me I'd find you here."
Jason reappeared from the shadows, narrowing his eyes. "She knew where our base was?"
Venessa didn't speak. She simply stared—her instincts burning beneath her skin.
"Please," Lydia added. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
"No," Venessa said coldly. "You talk here. Now."
Lydia sighed and looked at Alexander. "This isn't just about me showing up. I came because… I need to tell you the truth."
Jason folded his arms. "Start talking."
Lydia hesitated. Then reached into her coat pocket and slowly pulled out an old silver pendant—shaped like a half-moon wrapped in flame. The moment Venessa saw it, her vision cracked.
A flash.
Jason, bleeding.
Alexander, screaming.
A demon child, laughing.
And a name whispered from Hell itself: Damon.
Venessa staggered.
Alexander caught her.
"What did you see?" Jason asked sharply.
Venessa's voice shook. "That pendant… it belongs to someone I've seen before. The demon Jason fought. His name was Damon."
Lydia's lips trembled. "Damon… is my brother."
Silence.
Even the air paused.
Alexander stepped back. "What?"
Lydia's eyes welled with tears. "I didn't know until recently. I was adopted. My family never told me anything. But a few months ago, Damon came to me. He told me the truth."
Jason's swords had already slid halfway out of their sheaths.
"He said our father… isn't human. That he's one of the Six Demon Lords."
Venessa whispered the name like it was a curse: "Which one?"
Lydia looked at Jason.
Then Alexander.
And then, with tears in her eyes, she said: "Razok. The Blade Eater."
Jason's heart skipped.
Alexander's jaw clenched.
Venessa's blood ran cold.
The silence exploded.
Jason roared, drawing his blades. "You came here to spy for him?!"
"No!" Lydia cried. "I didn't come for him—I came because I'm afraid! Damon said if I didn't help, he'd burn this entire city down!"
Venessa grabbed Alexander's arm. "She's telling the truth. I can feel it."
Jason looked at his sister, conflicted.
Alexander stepped forward slowly, his voice low. "So what does your brother want?"
Lydia's eyes fell. "He wants you. All of you. Especially you, Alexander."
"Why?"
Lydia took a deep breath. "Because you hurt him. And now… he's going to use me to hurt you back."
Suddenly, every light in the warehouse flickered.
Venessa gasped. "He's here."
Outside, the skies cracked open.
The streets below trembled.
And from the shadows, five cloaked figures stepped out—Damon's lieutenants.
Jason cursed under his breath. "This is a setup."
"No," Lydia whispered. "He's giving you a choice. Surrender… or he'll take Annie."
Venessa's voice dropped into a growl. "He has her?"
Lydia nodded, crying. "He's keeping her alive… for now."
A burning rage filled the room.
Alexander's axes ignited with golden fire.
Jason's blades screamed with light.
Venessa's blood flared around her like wings of war.
They didn't need to speak.
The choice was already made.
Alexander turned to Lydia. "Get somewhere safe. You're not your brother."
"But I am my father's daughter," she said sadly.
Jason looked at her. "Then prove you're more than that."
As the siblings stormed outside, the five cloaked figures were waiting, armed with weapons forged in shadow.
Alexander took the lead.
Jason stepped left.
Venessa hovered behind.
And together, they unleashed everything.
The fight that followed wasn't just war.
It was declaration.
That even if Razok was coming
Even if Damon returned stronger
Even if the world turned against them
The Hunters would not kneel.
And Annie?
They would burn the realms apart to bring her home.
TO BE CONTINUED...