"Where's the king?" Raven's voice was intimidating, almost everyone's courage were moved.
The table turned themselves around. Everyone knew about the accident, and all advantageous mafia bosses planned to use it against the hailed king and his first prince.
Reed stood up, he did not bother himself with the tension filling up the air. He can't cover for Dylan anymore. They already know.
"He'll be back." Reed tried to divert the answer.
Revealing Dylan's hiding place will be foolish. The secret headquarters made room for Dylan's needs, there's no other place where he can go.
Raven smirked with Reed's answer. He knew that Dylan is still injured, perhaps asking is of no use, but he just wanted to distort Reed.
"I see... so he's injured. Remember that the blood war is still on rage. Who ever gets the chance to kill the king can take his crown. The others were already ready for the hunt. Your brother is still lucky, Victranred is still cooling themselves." Raven replied.
Reed couldn't forget about that fact, that is why he's here.
"You all want the crown don't you?" Reed's voice echoed, no one dared to interrupt.
What he said made their senses sharp. Hans just nodded at Reed, signaling him to continue his harangue. This won't be an act of deception, it'll only be a substitute for the blood war.
"Next week, the Blood Dome will host the Battle of Royals. That day will be the end of every bloodshed. The blood war will no longer continue. The boss who wins will take over the crown." Reed added.
Raven smiled even more devishly. He assured himself of an easy win. He won't let go of the chance. The crown will be his no matter what consequences it will take.
Reed saw Raven's response from his peripheral vision. It made his urge to win grow even more stronger. He cannot let any of these bosses take hold of the reign.
"Meeting adjourned." Hans declared from Reed's left side.
Everyone stood up, they're flashing similar look of triumph. All are hoping an easy combat. Dylan can't fight, and that's good news for them. He is the toughest competitor inside the underground society. No one can deny his ability both in hand to hand combat and long range battles.
Reed needs to prepare himself, he's the first prince. Nearly as good as Dylan, but his older brother is still above his capabilites. They have different sets of strengths and weaknesses.
After the room was left empty, Reed settled back into his chair. Hans can feel a lot of problems passing unto his shoulders. The first prince is not as strong as the king.
"I can't fail. Raven will surely cheat and do his best, and the others will also use dirty tactics." Reed spoke in a worrisome voice.
Hans felt sympathetic over his friend. Their gap is not that big. He is two years older than him, it won't make it hard to relate with his emotions. He knew that it's not just Reed's peace who seems to be lost but also his chance to take a glimpse to Aisling. She's highly protected, Reed needs to distant himself.
Many might use her for their advantage, and Reed can't afford losing someone as precious as Aisling. That thought made him sigh heavily. Seeing her can ease his stress but he can't take the risk. Dylecxia is an open ground for him, but the walls inside himself are the ones in control.
Hans noticed his heavy breathing. He wanted to help him, but even he is unsure of what to do. Reed is the detective who gets to decide of what shall happen. This case belongs to him.
"Everything will be alright Reed." Hans tried assuring the first prince.
Reed just looked at him with those frail eyes of his.
"You know that I'm not an optimistic person. I'm a realist. I accept things the way they are." Reed replied in a tone of defeat.
He needs to win, his legacy will be his offering for Valoria, Langston, Dylan, Aisling, and the whole underground society. Reed is not sure of how will this plan of theirs will flow.
"Yeah, but there will always be sunlight after the storm. Remember the rainbow after the flood?" Hans still continued to lift up Reed's negative insights.
The first prince can remember the story, but seems like his heart is numb from all the motivations that they're offering.
"Sometimes, we need to suffer before experience the greatness of life." Hans added.
Reed smiled, Hans' words pierced through him. It gave him courage, he needs to continue. A lot of people are hoping for his victory. Their hopes won't lead to nothing, the first prince is no failure.
Finally, Reed found the courage to stood up.
"Hans let's go, we'll give Bluemierre a short briefing about their stand in the Blood war."
Hans nodded. He's not exactly a part of Bluemierre, but he would love to serve the remnants of Valoria. Reed started the course, Hans just walked to follow him.
Bluemierre has plenty of headquarters all over the country, but they're heading towards the place where things are just starting to get interesting. It was beyond Reed's discernment to know about this. Terror and danger lurked through the walls of that building.
Their steps continued. Not for long, they've reached their very own cars. Hans hopped inside his, and Reed also did the same. The first prince will decide of where to go, so he started the drive.
The road made way for him, Hans was behind his tail. Being a royal means to be hands on with your people. They weren't born to be served, they're here to serve. It might sound unlikely for a royal blooded man, but that is what their noble queen taught them.
The darkness was subsiding through the streets. The lights weren't able to comprehend wih their aura. The tandem of these two are greater than what this world could call black.