Chapter 6 Crimson Vengeance

Neon POV

The first light of dawn was barely touching the rooftops of Ravenport, but the city already felt alive with danger. The streets were silent for now, but I knew that would change. The Vale family and Vincent Korr were planning something. They had power, wealth, and deception on their side—but I had something they couldn’t measure.

Crimson.

I felt it surging in my veins, a fire that matched the rage in my heart. Every betrayal, every death, every secret Seraphine had revealed fueled me. Today, the Crimson General would make his mark.

Seraphine stood beside me, watching the streets below from the broken window of our safehouse. Her eyes were sharp now, no longer just fearful. The events of last night had changed her. She had seen what I could do, and I could see the resolve in her.

“Leon…” she whispered. “Are you sure about this? There’s no turning back now.”

I turned to her, letting my eyes glow faint red in the dim morning light. “I’m sure. They killed my parents. They betrayed everyone who trusted them. And they think they can control you, me, and this city. Not today.”

Her lips trembled slightly. “Then… let’s do this together.”

I nodded. “Together.”

We moved quickly, exiting the building through the back alley. Shadows clung to us like loyal companions, bending slightly toward the power that radiated from me. My senses were sharper than ever. I could hear footsteps blocks away, the faint rustle of wings in the air, even the heartbeat of the city itself.

“The Vale mansion is just ahead,” Seraphine whispered, pointing. “Vincent Korr will be there, and the Heir… he’s supposed to arrive soon.”

I nodded. “Then we wait… until the perfect moment.”

We crouched behind a stack of crates at the edge of the estate, surveying the area. Guards patrolled casually, unaware of the danger looming over them. They were professionals, trained to spot threats—but they couldn’t see me. Not fully. Not yet.

I felt the Crimson power flowing through me, warming my blood, sharpening my reflexes. The first guard approached, walking past our hiding spot. I could feel the heat in my hands, the energy in my chest, like it wanted to explode.

I whispered to Seraphine, “Stay quiet… and trust me.”

She nodded. “Always.”

The guard passed. I didn’t strike. Not yet. Timing was everything. The moment had to be perfect.

Then, I heard a familiar voice over the estate speaker system.

“Leon Hawke… Crimson General…” Vincent Korr’s voice was smooth, calculated, and full of arrogance. “I knew you would return. But you are too late. Your parents… your life… it was all a mistake.”

I gritted my teeth. “Vincent Korr… I’m going to make you pay.”

“Crimson General,” the Heir’s voice joined him, deeper and colder. “And now… you will witness true power. The city is mine, and you cannot stop it.”

I tightened my grip on the rod. The Crimson power inside me flared. It wasn’t just fire; it was control, strength, rage, and focus all at once.

“Seraphine,” I whispered. “Stay close to me. Whatever happens, do not fall behind.”

She nodded, stepping even closer. “I won’t.”

The first wave of guards moved toward us, alerted by the voices. I didn’t hesitate. Crimson energy pulsed outward from me in waves, knocking them back before they could react. Their weapons flew from their hands, and some stumbled to the ground, gasping.

Seraphine’s eyes widened. “Leon… it’s amazing.”

“Stay focused,” I said, moving forward. My every step radiated energy. The air seemed to hum with the power that belonged to me alone.

We pushed through the first line of guards quickly. I used my rod with precision, enhanced by the Crimson power. Each strike was faster, sharper, more deadly. The guards never stood a chance.

“Leon… you’re unstoppable,” Seraphine whispered, holding a small dagger she had picked up. She moved beside me, confident and agile, striking anyone who tried to stop us.

I smiled faintly. “Good. Keep it that way.”

The courtyard was ahead, and I could see Vincent Korr waiting by the main doors of the mansion. His expression was calm, almost smug. The Heir stood beside him, dark and imposing. Both men underestimated me. They always did.

“You’ve returned,” Korr said smoothly. “But you’re too late. Your parents’ deaths were the only lesson you needed. And now, you will pay for your defiance.”

“Defiance?” I laughed, the Crimson power making my voice stronger, sharper. “This is revenge.”

The Heir stepped forward, his presence alone enough to make most men tremble. But not me. Crimson energy surged, and I could feel my body moving faster than thought.

“Leon Hawke,” the Heir said, voice deep and commanding. “You cannot stop me.”

“I already have,” I said, stepping forward. Every strike I threw, every movement I made, was enhanced by the Crimson power. I moved like a storm, unstoppable and precise.

Vincent Korr’s guards surged forward, but I struck them down effortlessly. Rod met metal, energy met flesh. Sparks flew. Shadows bent toward me, drawn by the Crimson force.

“Seraphine!” I shouted. “Stay close!”

She moved beside me, striking with speed and precision. Together, we carved a path through the guards. I could feel the adrenaline mixing with the Crimson energy. The world seemed to slow, every movement perfectly timed.

Vincent Korr’s eyes widened slightly. He realized I wasn’t the same man they had thought. I was stronger, faster, and completely untouchable.

“You…” he muttered. “You’re… different.”

“Yes,” I said, energy flaring around me. “I’m more than different. I’m Crimson.”

I pushed forward, the ground trembling slightly with each step. The Heir raised his hand, and shadows surged from the mansion itself, trying to block me. But I didn’t falter. Crimson energy burst from my body, cutting through the darkness, scattering the shadows like leaves in the wind.

“Leon Hawke…” the Heir growled. “You cannot fight destiny.”

“I make my own destiny,” I shouted, the energy pulsing stronger. “And my destiny is revenge!”

With that, I lunged forward, moving faster than the eye could follow. The Heir struck at me with dark energy, but I parried effortlessly. Every strike I made was powered by the Crimson energy, every movement precise, every attack deadly.

Seraphine moved beside me, her daggers slicing through any guard foolish enough to stand near us. She was no longer just my ally—she was a fighter, a survivor, a force to be reckoned with.

Vincent Korr tried to escape, but the Crimson power flared outward. He stumbled, crashing to the ground. “No… this cannot be…” he muttered.

“You betrayed my parents,” I said coldly. “And now… you die.”

The Crimson energy surged fully, lifting me slightly off the ground. My rod glowed red, slicing through the air with lethal precision. Korr tried to run, but I caught him mid-step, slamming him against the wall.

The Heir stepped forward again, angered. “You’re strong… but you cannot win!”

“Watch me,” I said, my voice echoing with power. Shadows twisted around me, responding to my will. The Crimson energy flowed into every strike, every movement, every breath.

I moved faster than thought, overwhelming him. He struck, I countered. He lashed out, I blocked and returned tenfold. The fight was brutal, precise, and unstoppable.

Finally, the Heir staggered back, realizing he couldn’t match me. My Crimson energy flared brighter, filling the courtyard with a faint red glow.

“Leon…” Seraphine whispered.

“I’m not done yet,” I said. “Not until every last person responsible for my parents’ death pays.”

The remaining guards fled, terrified of the power radiating from me. Vincent Korr lay groaning at my feet, and the Heir stared at me with fury and disbelief.

“This… isn’t over,” he hissed.

“It is,” I said, my voice calm but deadly. “For now, Ravenport knows the Crimson General is back. And I won’t stop until every betrayal is repaid.”

I turned to Seraphine. “Come on. Let’s move. We have work to do.”

She nodded, a small smile forming. “Together?”

“Together,” I said.

And as the sun rose over Ravenport, the city fel

t different. The Crimson power had awakened fully. The hunters had become the hunted. And the Crimson General… had returned.