The haze of disbelief that shrouded his features dissolved into a resolute determination, and his swift response belied his hesitation. He recognized the urgency, the unwavering command in my voice, and without a second thought, he embraced the weight of his fatherhood. His hands encircled my mother, Crystal, drawing her into his protective embrace as he positioned himself as a shield between her and the encroaching threat.

"Jay," he murmured, his voice both soothing and filled with a fierce sense of purpose. "I've got her."

His words, though few, carried a depth of trust that was almost palpable, a silent affirmation of the bond that bound us as family. It was a gesture of faith that resonated through his touch, his gaze, and the way he held my mother as if vowing to safeguard her from all harm.

As he shielded her, my focus shifted back to the leader who stood across from me. His haughty demeanor remained unchanged, his smug grin a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that enveloped us. The words that had once dripped with arrogance now dripped with venom, a twisted echo of his former self-assurance.

"OH, look at this pitiable pup," he sneered, his tone laced with cruel amusement. "What could such a feeble existence possibly muster against me? You possess no means, no iota of power to even graze a finger upon me. Truly, you are an inconsequential speck, utterly mismatched in this encounter." He sneered, laughing.

A chilling smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, fueled by a reservoir of resolve that had ignited within me.

The derision in his voice, the mockery in his gaze—it all became a catalyst, fanning the flames of determination that had flickered to life in my heart. His words weren't merely an insult; they were a challenge that I was more than ready to accept.

"You piece of shit, rest assured, I shall ensure that you descend to the very abyss of hell, where torment shall be your sole companion, and suffering shall etch its mark upon your very soul." I alleged.

In response, I let my actions speak louder than words. With a fluid motion, I extended my arms before me, palms outstretched. It was as if I was beckoning forth a force that resided deep within the very earth itself. The air around us seemed to ripple with energy, a subtle hum that whispered of the power I was about to unleash.

A stone, unremarkable in appearance, emerged from the earth at my bidding. The dagger-shaped rock spun lazily in the air, a prelude to the transformation that was about to unfold. Its brown-gray surface began to shimmer, engulfed by an aura that was both sinister and captivating—a maelstrom of dark and pulsating purple energy that swirled around it like a tempest.

The very atmosphere seemed to grow denser, laden with the searing heat generated by the fervent rotation of the rock.

The air, once still and tranquil, became charged with an almost electric energy, the very vibrations of which resonated with the incantation I was about to utter.

It was as if the air itself was surrendering its presence, dwindling and compressing around me, my lungs struggling for each breath. With a voice that resonated with both command and conviction, I pronounced the single word that held the key to unleashing the rock's devastating potential.

"IMPEL!"

In an instant devoid of forewarning, the spiraling purple rock hurtled forward with a ferocity that defied reason, a manifestation of my unleashed power and unwavering intent.

The very syllable seemed to reverberate through the air, setting off a chain reaction that propelled the transformed rock forward with a velocity that defied comprehension. The spiraling purple rock hurtled forth with a ferocity that seemed to defy the laws of nature, a manifestation of the untamed power I had channeled into it.

The leader's expression, once filled with arrogance, shifted to one of startled realization as he registered the impending threat. However, his belated attempt to react was futile—the rock's trajectory was relentless, its destination locked onto him with a precision that was almost eerie.

In an instant, the world seemed to hold its breath. The tension was palpable, an invisible thread that connected all of us in that fleeting moment. And then, with an intensity that seemed to resonate through the very fabric of reality, the rock made contact.

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The collision was accompanied by a deafening explosion, a concussive force that shattered the tranquility of the night. Darkness and chaos enveloped the leader of the thieves, his form disappearing within the maelstrom of destructive energy.

The very ground beneath us trembled as shockwaves rippled outward, a testament to the sheer power that had been unleashed... The workshop and house shattered, the blast sending ripples of destruction in all directions. The force of the impact was overwhelming, the night sky momentarily swallowed by the chaos I had unleashed.

As the dust and debris began to settle, the silence that descended was heavy, punctuated only by the ragged sounds of our breaths. My father, still holding my mother in his protective embrace, gazed at the aftermath with a mixture of astonishment and pride. The man who had threatened to tear our lives asunder was nowhere to be seen, consumed by the relentless force I had harnessed.

Crystal lay unconscious, her body protected by the shadow of the blast. My father, Michael, staggered to his feet, his sword clenched in his hand as he scanned the aftermath. His gaze met mine, a mixture of concern and pride in his eyes.

I stood there, the weight of the moment settling upon me like a heavy shroud. The echoes of my actions reverberated through the air, mingling with the lingering energy of magic and the scent of blood.

The moon, a distant and silent witness, cast its pale light upon the scene—a scene that would forever mark the boundary between innocence and the harsh realities of survival.

The battle had come to an end, but the scars of the night would linger—etched in our memories, in the ruins of the workshop, in the knowledge of what we were capable of in the face of darkness.

Exhausted and overwhelmed, I collapsed, the weight of the night's events finally taking their toll. My vision blurred, my body numb as I surrendered to the darkness that beckoned me.

"Jay," I whispered to myself, the sound of my own voice a distant echo. "Is it over? Did I do enough?"

As my consciousness began to fade, a soothing warmth enveloped me. It was as if a gentle embrace was cradling me, offering solace in the midst of chaos. The ultimate sacrifice I had made, the power I had harnessed, and the fury I had unleashed—all of it converged into a moment of profound clarity.

"I protected them," I thought, my mind finding solace in that simple truth. "I protected my family."

//// NEXT CHAPTER: ROYAL DEMEANOR I ////