The wind howled as Rex stood at the bow, cloak snapping violently in the storm. His eyes burned inland, cold and unyielding.
"You're right," he said, his voice cutting through the gale. "I am nobody. But you want to know something?"
Faith tilted his head, rain plastering his hair. "What could you possibly say to me?"
Rex's gaze darkened, thunder rolling behind him like applause. "I have walked the earth through every era. I am the salvation the world needs… though not the one it desires. I am justice, and I am death. I am hatred incarnate, and I have known love. I cannot lie… for I am truth. I have held everything, and I have lost everything. I am you, and I am me. I am the king. I am Rex… Draven… Kane."
Miguel's voice trembled. "If you were here… before I lost everything… including my faith—"
"Then follow me," Rex interrupted, his eyes glinting like steel. "Step outside and see what I have done… only for you."
Outside, Miguel gasped. The docks had been transformed into a battlefield frozen in time—every cartel and police force lined up before him, silent and still.
Rex stepped forward, voice booming. "I have conquered them for you! I will conquer the world for you! Justice… for you… and with you!"
Tears glistened in Miguel's eyes. "You are truly the king. I will follow you without question—my king, Rex Draven Kane."
"Now," Rex thundered, "know this—I will kill without hesitation."
"Yes, my king!" came the unified roar.
Rex's voice softened slightly, almost intimate. "Find Dr. Ghosthead. He is crucial. Do not harm him. Dismiss."
Artemis stepped forward, flushed with urgency. "But my king, I must—"
"No," Rex's words were sharp as a blade. "This is vital. With Dr. Ghosthead, we will achieve what has never been done. Only you are trusted with this."
Artemis bowed, her face hot. "Yes… my king."
Rex turned to Cyrus. "Ensure Faith receives his training. Meet me at the mountain base later. Prepare a boat—we sail for France tomorrow night. We search for Pacifism."
Cyrus hesitated. "Shouldn't the people know they're saved, my king?"
"They will thank me… but their government will hate me," Rex replied, eyes closing. "We leave before they strike."
Thunder exploded, waves battered the boat. Rex opened his eyes.
"What's happening?" Cyrus shouted over the roar.
"The sea… the weather… they rage against us," Cyrus stammered.
Rex's eyes narrowed. "It must be them. But their little trick will not stop me. Follow my lead—don't go this way."
The storm shifted violently, and as the boat obeyed his command, the skies cleared just enough for stars to pierce the night.
"Since you won't come to me," Rex muttered, "I will come to you. Destiny cannot be stopped."
Cyrus glanced at him, confused. "Who… who are you talking to?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Rex said, fury lacing his words. "The real enemy…"
Cyrus's brow furrowed. "The world is our enemy, isn't it?"
"No," Rex growled, eyes like molten steel. "The worlds… are only part of it."
They arrived at the abandoned port of a French town. Shadows of ruined buildings stretched like specters in the moonlight.
"Where is Pacifism, my king?"
"In the heart of France. We move at night."
"Who is Pacifism?" Cyrus asked.
"She is innocence itself. She has never sinned… but if we do not act, endless sins will consume her."
Back in Mexico City, chaos erupted. Explosions lit the sky as Artemis led the cartel forces, cutting through government soldiers with brutal precision.
Flashback: Artemis had orchestrated ambushes along the border, clearing a path to the airfield. Cartel members fell, blood mingling with dust, until finally, the plane roared into the sky. Explosions swallowed the base behind them, half the army obliterated. Artemis leaned back, smirked, and whispered, "My king will take you down… recover, or be first to fall."
Aboard the plane, Dr. Ghosthead trembled. "Who are you people?"
"I am Artemis, Royal Guard of King Rex Draven Kane," she said, voice cold as steel.
"The… terrorist?" the doctor stammered. "Wanted worldwide?"
"Governments spread lies to control the people," Artemis replied smoothly. "You'll see the truth when you meet him."
"No one knows his past… or future," the doctor whispered. "There is no salvation. He's barely human."
Artemis's eyes blazed. "You lie. He is more human than any of us."
The doctor's face paled. "He was made by men… he is no savior. I've seen the flies."
Artemis's mind raced—if she played this right, the Dr. would believe the deception.