Lucien exhaled, his mind sharp despite the exhaustion. The weight of everything pressed down on him—his past, his identity, and now, the truth about his father.
Darius Falkner. His father. The leader of Red Fang.
Lucien had always thought he was dead. But now, standing in front of him, he realized the truth was far more complicated.
Darius stared at him, waiting for an answer.
Lucien's gaze didn't waver.
"I won't join you."
Darius narrowed his eyes. "What?"
Lucien took a deep breath. "I won't fight for Vermilion Oath. But I won't fight for Red Fang either. I'm done with all of this."
Silence.
Lucien met his father's eyes, his voice steady.
"I'm leaving VO. I don't want war. I don't want power. I just... want a normal life."
Darius remained still.
"I want to live peacefully with Evelyn."
The moment those words left his lips, Darius's expression shifted.
His eyes darkened—but not with anger.
He hesitated.
For the first time since this confrontation began, Darius looked uncertain. His mind drifted back—to years ago. To the moment he first met Sarah.
She had been just like that.
Unwavering. Brave. Refusing to be controlled by anything.
Darius clenched his jaw. His grip on his gun loosened.
Finally, he sighed.
"Fine."
Lucien blinked, surprised.
Darius slowly stepped back. "I'll let you go."
Lucien remained cautious, waiting for a catch.
Darius stared at him for a long moment before adding, "But I have one request."
Lucien tensed. "What is it?"
Darius's voice was calm but firm.
"Stay out of my way."
Lucien didn't respond.
"And one more thing," Darius continued. "Tell Damian, Caius, and their mentor to resign from VO. If they truly care about you, they'll leave before it's too late."
Lucien studied his father's face. This was a warning.
After a long moment, he nodded. "Fine."
Darius said nothing more. He simply turned around—and released Lucien.
—
Just as Lucien stepped forward, the doors suddenly burst open.
Caius and Damian stormed in.
The moment Damian laid eyes on Darius, his entire body froze.
His voice came out in disbelief. "No way… Darius?"
Lucien glanced at him, then back at Darius. "It's a long story."
Damian still looked shaken, but he knew better than to question things now.
Lucien turned to them both. "We're leaving. No fights."
Damian hesitated before nodding. Caius chuckled. "Gladly."
With that, Lucien walked out of the Red Fang base—without looking back.
—
Their next destination was clear.
Vermilion Oath.
Lucien entered the headquarters without hesitation, heading straight for Viktor Echelon's office.
The old man sat behind his desk, hands folded, eyes cold as ever. "Lucien."
Lucien didn't waste time. "I'm resigning."
Silence.
Then—Viktor smiled.
Lucien frowned. "You're not stopping me?"
Viktor exhaled. "If this is your decision… then so be it."
Lucien studied him carefully, expecting a trap. But instead, Viktor simply gestured to the door.
Lucien nodded. He removed his Vermilion Oath dog tags, weapons, and gear.
And then—he left.
He was finally free.
—
Lucien walked through the city, a strange weight lifted off his shoulders.
For the first time in years, he had no orders, no mission.
Only one thing remained.
Evelyn.
He had to tell her.
—
But the moment he arrived at her house, something felt off.
Lucien stopped in his tracks. The front door was broken. The windows shattered.
His heartbeat quickened.
Something was wrong.
Lucien stepped inside, his instincts flaring.
The house was a mess. Furniture overturned. Blood on the floor.
And then—he saw them.
Evelyn's father and little brother—both tied up.
Lucien rushed forward, quickly untying them. "What happened?"
Richard gasped for breath, his hands shaking. "They... they took her."
Lucien froze.
"Who?"
Richard's voice trembled.
"A masked group. They broke in and kidnapped Evelyn."
Lucien's blood ran cold.
Everything stopped.
—
To be continued.
End of Chapter 59.