Chapter 46: – By the Blood I Bear
"Victory doesn't always silence chaos. Sometimes, it only lights a new flame."
📍 [OPENING – HERO CITY, DAY]
Social media exploded.
Clips of Hant's broadcast.Fragments of the battle between Ryan and Zen.News anchors, commentaries, theories.
Famous influencers debated the so-called "end of the Guild era."Phone screens buzzed with headlines:
— "The Aura-less Hero Defeated the Predator — But at What Cost?"— "Did the Old Guard Fail the People?"— "Zen Kagetsune: Villain or Symptom?"
🌆 [SCENE – CENTRAL STREET OF HERO CITY]
Amid the chaos, Ryan Valeborn walked slowly, drenched in sweat, still catching his breath after the brutal fight.Photographers surrounded him. Reporters shouted:
— "Ryan! How did you win against someone that powerful without an aura?"— "How did you become a hero?"— "Do you feel responsible for the recent deaths?!"
But Ryan didn't answer.
He walked past them, heading toward his injured allies: Ryu and Kane.
Ryan (hoarse):"Are you two okay?"
Ryu gave a tired smile.
Ryu:"Yeah… barely."
Kane crossed his arms, his stare cold and sharp.
Kane:"I didn't fall. That's enough."
Ryan smiled faintly. For a moment… the world paused.
But only for a moment.
🚔 [SCENE – ZEN UNDER CUSTODY]
Zen Kagetsune was handcuffed, being escorted by elite agents.Two titans of the old guard approached:
— Darius Valtier, in his white, deep violet, and gold hero gear.— Kelvin Nox, in a shadow-black coat with purple accents, his dark aura simmering beneath.
They stared at Zen — Kelvin, cold and silent. Darius, slightly intrigued.
Darius (quietly):"This is the man who faced my students…"
Kelvin stepped closer, locking eyes with Zen.
Kelvin:"He'll talk.Or he'll break."
Zen said nothing. His silence was his last shield.But inside, a new war had begun.
🪧 [SCENE – HERO CITY SQUARE – PROTEST]
A furious crowd.Signs. Screams. Shoving."DOWN WITH HEROES!" — "WE DON'T TRUST THE STORMBREAKS!" — "WHERE'S THE TRUTH?"The city teetered on the edge of revolt.
On the containment stage stood Rose Eldara, Diana Flamesoul, and Lorien Valtier, trying to calm the masses.
Diana (shouting):"Please, listen! We will restore order! We hear you!"
But the voices drowned hers.
Until…
⚔️ [TRIUMPHANT ENTRY – INAVY STORMBREAK]
Inavy Stormbreak walked through the soldier-lined corridor.Heavy steps. Sword on his back. Eyes like blades.
The crowd stilled.Cameras turned.Even the other heroes held their breath.
Inavy climbed the stage and stared at the sea of rage before him.
Then, his deep, shaking voice broke the silence:
Inavy (emotionally):"I wasn't born here. That's true.I was born in a cursed land, marked by chaos.But this city… it's where I learned to love.Where I was raised by a father who taught me to protect, even at the cost of my life."
Diana clutched her chest.Ethan, in the back, trembled.
Inavy:"You call me a monster…But it was this 'monster's' blood that saved you."
He slowly unsheathed his Blade of Chaos, and without flinching, drove it into his own hand.
Blood dripped onto the metal stage. Crimson. Steady.
Inavy (shaky but resolute):"I swear… by my blood —Half Stormbreak, half of Nionderland…You can trust us.As long as I breathe, I will protect you.Even if you hate me."
A sacred silence took the plaza.
Then… a single clap.Another.And more.
Some left.But others clapped.Some wept.
The Stormbreak name… began to rise again.
🎥 [FINAL SCENE – RENEGATES' HIDEOUT]
Hant, alone before a holographic screen, watched everything unfold.
His expression was unreadable. But a faint, ironic — almost sincere — smile escaped.
Hant (whispering):"That… is a hero."
The screen faded to black.
🌀 End of Chapter 46
"Sometimes, the most impure blood carries the purest promise of salvation."