Chapter 4 The Vale

Neoen POV

The streets of Ravenport had quieted after the first wave of attackers. But I knew better. Silence didn’t mean safety. Not here. Not tonight.

I led Seraphine down a narrow street, our footsteps light but deliberate. Her hand was still in mine, trembling a little, but she didn’t let go.

“Leon… do you think they’ll come again?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“They will,” I said. “And not just tonight. The Vale family knows we’re here. And they won’t wait long to act.”

Her eyes widened. “They know you’re the Crimson General…”

“Yes,” I replied. “And that’s exactly why we need a plan.”

We ducked into a small café that had long been closed. Its glass windows were cracked, the door hanging loosely on its hinges. Perfect hiding spot, for now. I set Seraphine behind the counter and took a quick look outside. Shadows moved across the street, but I couldn’t see anything clearly.

“Leon…” Seraphine’s voice shook slightly. “I don’t know how you do it. I’ve never seen anyone fight like that.”

I smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “I wasn’t always like this. I had to survive.”

She tilted her head. “You make it sound easy. But I know it isn’t.”

“It’s never easy,” I said. “But I can’t let them win. Not after what they did to my family. And not when you’re here.”

Her gaze softened. “I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt again.”

“You’re not,” I said firmly. “You gave me a reason to live, Seraphine. That’s all the reason I need.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, twisting her fingers. “I… I just don’t want to lose anyone else.”

“You won’t,” I promised. “Not tonight. Not ever.”

A sudden sound cut through the quiet. Metal scraping against metal, faint but deliberate. I froze, scanning the café. “They’re close,” I whispered.

Seraphine flinched. “Close? How close?”

“Too close,” I said. “Stay behind me.”

I grabbed my metal rod and moved to the door, peering outside. Two figures were advancing slowly, silent but deliberate. They stopped at the edge of the street, scanning the area like predators.

“Leon…” Seraphine whispered.

“Quiet,” I said.

The first man stepped forward, and I lunged. My movements were precise, swift. He didn’t expect the strike. He went down hard, hitting the pavement with a grunt.

The second one reacted immediately, swinging a baton. I blocked it with the rod and pushed him back. He staggered but regained balance quickly. These weren’t amateurs. They were trained.

“Seraphine!” I shouted. “Stay close!”

She moved instinctively, holding tightly to my arm. “I’m right here!”

Another movement caught my eye. Darkness shifted across the street. More men. And then I realized, they weren’t alone.

I pulled out my phone, quickly tapping a code. “Phoenix! We have more! Multiple targets, immediate engagement!”

“Understood, Crimson General,” came the calm reply. “Reinforcements en route. ETA three minutes.”

“Three minutes…” I muttered. That wasn’t much. But it was enough to turn the tide if we stayed smart.

The men outside surged forward, and I met them head-on. Metal clashed. Sparks flew as rods struck batons. Each movement counted. I had to protect Seraphine and buy time.

“Leon!” she shouted, dodging a swing. “They’re fast!”

“I know!” I yelled back, blocking another strike. “Stay low!”

One of the attackers tried to flank me. I pivoted, using his momentum against him, and threw him into the wall. He crumpled, but wasn’t out. The fight wasn’t over.

Seraphine’s hand brushed mine again. She whispered, “Leon… I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m not leaving you,” I said. “Not tonight.”

The fight carried us toward the alley again. I could see the faint glow of Phoenix’s backup in the distance. Reinforcements were coming. Soon. But until then, every second counted.

“Leon… what if they bring more people?” she asked.

“Then we deal with them,” I said calmly. “Like we always do.”

She bit her lip. “I’m scared.”

“Good,” I said softly. “Being scared keeps you alive.”

Her eyes widened, but she nodded. I could see the trust in her gaze. That trust fueled me more than any weapon.

The attackers regrouped, trying to circle us. I made a split decision. “Seraphine, follow me closely!”

We ducked into a side street, turning corners sharply. I could hear their footsteps behind us,My heart pounded. But I wasn’t just surviving. I was fighting to take control.

“Leon…” she whispered.

“Yes?”

“I… I trust you.”

I squeezed her hand lightly. “I know. And I won’t let you down.”

We turned another corner. A car screeched to a halt ahead of us. Phoenix’s men jumped out, surrounding the attackers. Guns trained, commanding the street.

I exhaled sharply. The tide was turning. The attackers faltered, realizing the Crimson General wasn’t alone tonight.

“Phoenix,” I said quietly into my phone. “Engage carefully. Protect civilians if you see them.”

“Understood,” the reply came. “We’ve got it covered.”

The first attacker charged at me again. I blocked and countered, using my weight and strength. He went down hard. The others hesitated, looking at the backup surrounding them.

Seraphine watched closely, her hand still in mine. “Leon… I’m glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I said softly. “Stay close.”

The attackers tried to flee. Phoenix’s men advanced, capturing them systematically. The street filled with shouts, gunfire, and chaos. I moved forward, making sure Seraphine was safe at every step.

When it was over, silence fell again. The attackers were either captured or retreating. Phoenix’s men secured the area, keeping their guns ready.

I looked at Seraphine. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” she said, shaking slightly. “But… I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“Then consider tonight a lesson,” I said, offering a small smile. “Ravenport is dangerous. But we’re stronger.”

Her lips curved faintly. “Stronger because of you.”

“No,” I said. “Stronger because we’re together.”

Her eyes met mine. There was a quiet understanding between us. A bond forged in danger and trust.

Then she whispered, “Leon… what now?”

“Now…” I paused, looking at the streets ahead. “We prepare. Sunrise will bring more. And I intend to be ready.”

Her hand brushed mine again. This time, it wasn’t fear—it was determination. “Then we face it together.”

“Yes,” I said. “Together.”

We moved back toward the temporary apartment. The night was still young, but I felt the weight of the city pressing down. The Vale family’s secrets, the attackers, the danger surrounding Seraphine—it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

But for the first time in a long while, I felt ready.

Phoenix’s backup stayed near. I coordinated with them, setting positions, planning routes, ensuring Seraphine’s safety. Every detail mattered. Every second counted. Ravenport’s streets were mine to control tonight, but only just.

Seraphine stayed close, helping where she could. Observing, listening, learning. She was more than just someone I protected. She was someone who could survive this. Someone who could fight. And maybe… someone who could change everything.

I sent one last message before sunrise:

“Phoenix. Full perimeter. Vale family at risk. Crimson General in position. No mistakes.”

She looked at me, eyes wide. “Leon… are we really ready for what’s coming?”

I put my hand on her shoulder. “No. But we’ll be ready enough. And we survive. That’s what counts.”

The city remained dark, shadows hiding threats we couldn’t see. But I didn’t fear them. I had Seraphine, I had Phoenix’s men, an

d I had my own skill.

And the Crimson General never ran from a fight.

Not now. Not ever.

The hunt had started.

And this time, we were hunting back.