CHAPTER 81: BETRAYAL OF BLOOD

"I just came now, and I’m wondering who is actually the mother here, since Mira is bossing you around," Nolan said with a small smirk.

Aria smiled faintly.

"Aria, move closer. Stay by my side. This isn’t a small matter. The sorcerers with him are powerful. Your brother has joined forces with them, and the curse they’re preparing is stronger than the last."

"Yes this might be dangerous?" Nolan asked.

"I want to confront him. I want to see it for myself—I already said this," Aria replied firmly.

"It’s fine, you can follow us," Nolan said, his tone calm but serious. "But don’t charge in. Stay behind us. If you rush forward, you’ll be putting yourself in danger."

"Okay, fine. Thank you," Aria said softly. "I can’t just stay in my inn doing nothing while my own brother is trying to destroy me. I’ll come. I only hope I won’t be a burden to you all."

"It’s fine. There’s no problem," Nolan reassured her. He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. Quietly, without her noticing, he cast an invisible protective shield over her.

"That settles it. Let’s move," Lyra said with determination.

"Wait—what’s going on? No one is telling me anything!" Mira protested.

"Darling," Aria said, gently rubbing her daughter’s head, "when I return, I’ll explain everything to you."

"Now, let’s move," Nolan said.

The three of them left Aria’s inn and crossed the street toward her brother’s place. His inn stood larger, but darker, with two massive bodyguards stationed at the entrance.

"Hey. Did you make a reservation?" one of them asked gruffly.

Aria stepped forward. "No, I’m here to see my brother."

"Then leave. He doesn’t want to see you," the guard said flatly.

"What do you mean, he doesn’t want to see me?" Aria snapped.

"Orders. You’re not allowed in. Your daughter sometimes comes when you’re ill, but you—no." The bodyguard folded his arms.

Nolan stepped forward. "You going to let us through the easy way, or the hard way?"

The two guards exchanged looks, then burst out laughing. "We’re two, you’re one. We’re bigger. Get lost."

"So, the hard way," Nolan muttered.

"Yeah. Show us what you’ve got," one of them sneered, stepping closer.

In a blur, Nolan flicked his finger against the first guard’s forehead. The man was sent flying backward, crashing through the doors of the inn, splintering wood, and landing unconscious in front of shocked diners. Silence filled the hall inside.

The second guard gawked. "How... how did you—?" He drew a knife and rushed at Nolan. But Nolan caught his wrist with one hand.

"What? I... I can’t move my arm!" the man shouted, panic in his eyes.

Nolan slapped him casually across the face. Three teeth clattered to the floor.

"Who are you?!" the guard stammered.

Another slap sent him spinning to the ground, unconscious.

Aria stepped inside with Nolan and Lyra, addressing the stunned patrons. "Please, continue your meals. Forgive us for the disturbance."

The customers slowly resumed eating as the three climbed the stairs.

Halfway up, four men came charging down with weapons drawn. Nolan sighed. "I don’t have time for this."

He threw a single punch into the first man’s chest, launching him backward into the others. All four collapsed in a heap, groaning and unable to move.

"Keep moving," Nolan ordered.

At the top, a swordsman blocked their path. "Hey! What are you doing here? Who gave you permission—" He froze, scanning the three of them. "Wait... where’s the man who was just—"

"I’m right here," Nolan’s voice came from behind him.

The man spun, only to feel a sharp strike at the back of his neck. He crumpled, unconscious.

Finally, they reached the door. Nolan kicked it open.

"Who dares interrupt me?!" a voice snarled from inside.

Aria’s eyes hardened.

"It’s me," she said.

"Aria, what the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?" Sylvester demanded, eyes widening in anger.

"You’re really evil," Aria snapped. "How dare you! So it’s true—you’re the one who cursed me?"

Sylvester froze for a moment. "Wait... how do you know that?"

"You’re not even going to deny it," Aria said bitterly.

Before Sylvester could answer, Lyra stepped forward. Her eyes narrowed at the glowing spell circle forming at his feet. "This spell... it’s the sorcerer’s incantation. I’ll dispel it." She raised her hand—

—but two cloaked assassins suddenly lunged at her, knives flashing.

In the blink of an eye, Nolan appeared in front of Lyra. He grabbed both men by the neck and slammed their heads together with a sickening crack. One collapsed instantly. The other staggered back, bleeding but still standing, and charged Nolan with his knife.

Nolan didn’t even flinch. He ducked the strike and delivered a brutal uppercut. The man flew back and crashed unconscious against the wall.

"Who the hell are these people?!" Sylvester roared. "And how did you even get them inside here, Aria?!"

But Lyra ignored him, her hands glowing. The incantation circle fizzled and shattered into sparks. "It’s done. The sorcerer’s spell is dispelled."

Nolan frowned. "Wait... I know that man." His eyes locked on a pale figure at the far end of the room. "I saw him today. He’s the one I bumped into on the street."

The man smirked, raising his staff. "Finally. I’ve been waiting for your order." He turned to Sylvester. "Shall I kill them?"

"Yes," Sylvester snarled. "Kill every single one of them. Don’t even leave their bones. Burn them to ashes."

"With pleasure." The sorcerer’s smile widened. He lifted his staff, crimson fire swirling around the tip. "Fire from hell—consume them!" He hurled a blazing torrent at Nolan, Aria, and Lyra.

"Lyra!" Aria screamed.

Lyra thrust out her hand, her voice steady. "Dispel." The fireball shattered midair, disappearing into sparks.

"What?!" the sorcerer shouted, stunned. "How... how can you just erase my spell like that?!"

"He actually a fool," Nolan thought. " He doesn’t even realize he up against a behemoth.