Ray received more detailed instructions from his father through the communicator embedded in his wristwatch. The quiet buzz of the device broke the anxious silence as he listened intently. His father informed him that the battle had taken place at the Spencer estate. He was told to check on his mother immediately. A small breath of relief escaped his lips upon hearing that Diana was out of danger—injured, yes, but alive. More details, however, would only come once he got there.
Without wasting a second, Ray set off. He reached the estate within the hour, the carriage jolting with urgency on the uneven path. As he arrived, the guards at the entrance didn't stop him—recognition and urgency in their eyes. He pushed through without a word.
The aftermath of the battle was painted across the once-pristine estate like a violent memory. Cracks split across marble walls. The scent of scorched earth and ash clung to the air. Burn marks, broken pillars, and shattered formation glyphs scarred the grounds. Every step Ray took was accompanied by the groans of wounded men, the soft sobs of the grieving, and the sound of boots carrying away the fallen—brave soldiers wrapped in cloth and silence.
His heart thudded louder with each stride. He stopped a passerby, barely getting a coherent answer before breaking into a full run toward his mother's room. The corridor blurred. His breath grew shallow, dread curling in his gut.
And then he saw her.
Diana lay on the bed, propped up against white cushions, her face pale but eyes sharp and open. Beside her, Robert sat in quiet vigil, calmly reading a book, a quiet strength emanating from his posture.
"Mother, are you okay?" Ray asked, his voice tight with fear and barely controlled emotion.
Diana's gaze flicked toward her son. She cast a subtle glare toward Robert before answering with a soft, "I'm fine, son."
Ray, however, didn't buy her assurance. He turned to his father instead. "How is she?"
Robert looked up, his expression calm but edged with pride. "She's injured, but nothing life-threatening. You calling me at the last moment was actually a good thing you did."
Ray's jaw tensed. "What happened?"
Diana's second glare at Robert was sharper, tinged with frustration. Then she looked at Ray and began to recount the events.
"After giving you a lift to the village, I came directly to the Spencer estate. That's when your grandfather confessed everything about the rights to producing and selling. But Daniel… he didn't believe it. He came prepared. That's when the fighting started. It escalated into a full battle between our side and the warriors he brought with him.
"They had golden stage warriors, several of them. Thankfully, because of your advice, I brought warriors of our own. We managed to hold them back at first. The battlefield was balanced—until Daniel revealed a powerful anti-formation meant to disrupt ours."
She paused, swallowing hard.
"That formation shattered ours. It turned the tide. Then, four golden stage warriors descended upon me at once. Again, thanks to you, I had some of Selene's talismans ready. They protected me from the initial assassination attempt. Two protective formations were destroyed in the process, but they bought me enough time. I retaliated with an explosive talisman… it killed two of them. The other two were gravely injured.
"And for the third time, I owe you. Your message to your father brought him here just as another assassin struck from behind. That blow could have ended me… but Robert arrived just in time. He killed the assassin and then went directly for Daniel, cutting off his dominant arm before they all retreated using teleportation talisman."
Ray's throat tightened, and he blinked back tears. His voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "You were too focused on your formations… too dependent on them. You were overconfident, Mother. Look what nearly happened. If I hadn't insisted on extra measures, if I hadn't called Father—" he stopped, the rest stuck in his throat.
Robert looked at both of them and added, "This is why I always make the Walkers train in physical combat. Formations and techniques are secondary. Relying solely on one strength breeds vulnerability."
Just then, Brenda entered, the scent of fresh coffee and warm cookies filling the tense air. She placed the tray down and shot a stern look at Diana.
"See? Even little Ray is telling you to be careful. You've acted like a tomboy since you were a child—and still do. Now look what you've done. You've made my grandson cry."
She walked over and wrapped Ray in a firm, maternal hug. Her voice softened. "Thanks to you, we've evaded a massacre. If not for the soldiers from the Walkers and your father arriving with reinforcements, we would've been overwhelmed. They came prepared, and they came for blood. My husband might've apologized, but it's clear Daniel only wants revenge."
Diana sighed deeply, her voice low. "I didn't want to make them enemies… but it seems we have no choice now."
Robert nodded, his tone colder. "This wasn't a general attack. They didn't strike until you arrived. First, they destroyed your formation. Then four warriors attacked you, followed by an assassin from the shadows. This wasn't about your father. This was about you. They were waiting for you."
Ray's brows furrowed. "And they had inside knowledge—about the formations, about the Spencer family's defenses. Daniel gave it all away. They used that information to strike at your weakest points. But they didn't expect the talismans. They didn't expect Father. They thought a few sacrifices were worth taking Mother down. But now they've lost more than they gained. And with Daniel's wanted posters now circulating, their next move won't be so easy."
Robert stood up, his eyes like flint. "They targeted my wife and my in-laws. That means we must retaliate."
Brenda shook her head solemnly. "They'll be expecting that. They'll be lying in wait. They had the advantage last time because they knew us. We know nothing of their inner circle or kingdom. If we strike blindly, we may walk into a trap."
Ray leaned forward, his voice sharp and certain. "Then we do something they would never expect… How about we—"
He leaned in and whispered the rest.
When he finished, silence fell. Then, one by one, nods of agreement followed. Robert. Diana. Brenda.
It was a bold plan.
It was brilliant.
And it would be set into motion that very night, once everyone was ready.
Later, Ray visited his grandfather, who lay recovering from his injuries. He stayed for a while, speaking gently, then handed his grandmother a wristwatch communicator—just in case.
Then, with a final glance back at the family he nearly lost, Ray left with his father. Together, they would begin preparations. The only two uninjured members of the family now carried the weight of vengeance and strategy.
Everything would depend on the success of their next move.