The Wyndham family. A family that, in recent decades, had grown immensely in power and influence, both in the normal world and among Paragons.
Such a powerful family, with their wealth and reach, had chosen an unusual place to build their family house and base. Instead of a grand city or a prominent location, they had settled deep in the woods, far from towns and cities. This secretive location was believed to be unknown to the outside world—or at least, to ordinary people.
Now, Alex, his mother, Anna, and her friend Sera were being brought to this hidden mansion. The air inside the car felt heavy, the atmosphere tense as they approached the towering golden gate. The gate itself was intricately designed with detailed patterns that shimmered under the light as it slid open.
Sera silently drove the car forward, entering the massive estate.
The car rolled into a space so large it was comparable to a football stadium, with plenty of extra room left over for other activities or structures. The sheer size of it was overwhelming.
In the vast open area, a group of people stood waiting for them. Their postures were stiff, and their presence gave off an air of authority and expectation.
Sera slowed the car as they neared the group, eventually coming to a stop directly in front of them.
The tension grew thicker, and Alex could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him as he prepared for what was to come.
The group of people waiting for them consisted of Anna's father and her brothers: John Wyndham, Jake Wyndham, and Jim Wyndham. Together, these three were often referred to as the "Triple J's" due to their matching initials and close bond.
Among them were Alex's cousins as well: Zephyr Wyndham, the son of John Wyndham, and Lennox Wyndham and Isla Wyndham, the sons of Jim Wyndham.
Standing slightly apart from the family was Lucius Vanderbilt, a man who had been with the Triple J's for as long as anyone could remember. Yet, despite his years of loyalty, Lucius remained a stranger to Anna.
There were also several unfamiliar faces among the group—people Alex and his mother had never seen before.
What stood out most, however, was the clothing they all wore. Each person was dressed in sleek, white outfits made of an elastic material. The fabric clung to their forms, yet it appeared durable and flexible.
Alex immediately recognized the significance of the attire. These were training clothes, specifically designed for Paragons. Made from a unique elastic material, the outfits provided both enhanced flexibility and increased durability, perfect for intense physical activity or combat practice.
Anna and Alex bowed respectfully toward John Wyndham, who stood before them, his expression cold and unreadable. He didn't respond, merely observing them in silence. Meanwhile, Sera, standing beside them, didn't bow or make any gesture of respect. Her defiant gaze met the deadly stares directed at her without flinching.
"I heard what happened in the office," John Wyndham said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm yet commanding. "I was concerned about your safety. Rest assured, I've already sent people to investigate the matter, and it will be resolved soon."
Despite looking like a man in his late sixties, John exuded a powerful aura that was impossible to ignore. His presence alone seemed to demand attention and respect.
Alex wasn't surprised. He already knew his grandfather was a Paragon. The aura confirmed it.
Anna, however, seemed taken aback by her father's words.
"You know what happened?" Anna asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Yes," John replied, his gaze unwavering. "Though I don't have all the details yet, I'm looking into it."
Anna wanted to ask more, to probe deeper into how much her father truly knew. But the weight of the moment and John's authoritative tone made it clear she couldn't press for answers right now.
Meanwhile, John's sharp eyes shifted to Alex, scrutinizing him.
"You look like a mess," John said bluntly, his tone dripping with disapproval. "I wonder what made you end up looking like this?"
Alex stiffened under his grandfather's gaze. "It... it was an accident," he stammered. "I got blood on me while I was at the hospital."
John's lips curled in disdain as he shook his head. His disgust at Alex's appearance was evident, and it stung. Alex noticed, of course, but he could only grit his teeth and remain silent.
"You can go now and clean yourself up," John said dismissively. "I have more important matters to attend to."
With that, John turned away, signaling the end of the conversation.
Alex was the first to leave, walking ahead of Anna and Sera without saying a word. As he moved through the large space, his eyes landed on his cousins. They stood nearby, smirking at him in a way that made Alex's blood boil.
'God help you if you bother me this time,' Alex thought, smirking back defiantly before continuing on his way.
Meanwhile, after the scene had settled, John turned to Lucius Vanderbilt.
"Have there been any updates on what happened at the hospital?" John asked, his tone calm but demanding.
Lucius glanced to his side, where another man stood silently. This man was thinner than most, and even the white training clothes that fit perfectly on the others appeared oversized on him. His name was Eddie, one of John's trusted informants.
"Yes, there's an update," Eddie said, stepping forward. "It seems the reports we received weren't false."
John raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for Eddie to continue.
"However, there are a few complications," Eddie added. "According to the reports, something truly abnormal occurred at the hospital. This has been confirmed by several of our spies, who also noted that other factions are now investigating the matter."
"Go on," John said, his expression tightening slightly.
"The people we sent reported that all the patients in the hospital have been mysteriously cured of their ailments," Eddie explained. "But here's the strange part: everyone in the hospital is acting like nothing unusual happened, as though these miraculous recoveries were completely normal."
John's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean? Are you saying the hospital is behind this?"
Eddie shook his head. "No. From what our initial report indicated, the hospital staff was in a panic when this all began. But then, suddenly, everything stopped. It's almost as if... something or someone made them forget."
John's gaze darkened as he processed this information. The pieces didn't add up, and that only made the situation more troubling.
"There's something I need to show you," Eddie said, his tone serious.
Immediately, everyone began walking toward one of the cars that had arrived with Alex. Once they reached the vehicle, Eddie opened the trunk. Inside, a man lay crushed into the small space, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"This is one of the doctors from the hospital," Eddie explained. "His name is Doctor Guity. He works there as part of the medical staff."
John raised an eyebrow. "What about him?" Lucius asked, stepping closer.
Eddie sighed. "He was found in this condition at the hospital. What's even more shocking is that when he was asked how he ended up like this, he couldn't give an answer. He just kept trembling, unable to say anything coherent. So, I had him brought here for further examination."
Lucius frowned and moved to inspect Guity's body. The doctor's hands and legs were visibly broken, though whoever had transported him had attempted to set the limbs back into position.
Lucius placed a hand on Guity's head, closing his eyes as if concentrating. After a few moments, he stepped back and turned to face John, his expression grim.
"Something significant happened in that hospital," Lucius said. "Something far bigger than any of us realize. If you care at all about your daughter, make sure she never returns to that place."
John's eyes darkened, and his posture stiffened at Lucius's words.
Lucius continued, his voice steady. "I'm certain other factions are already looking into what happened. If they find out anything that leads back to Anna, it could become a problem for all of us."
"Did you at least manage to find anything about this man?" Jake asked, his tone sharp.
Lucius didn't answer immediately. He glanced at Doctor Guity, who was still trembling and broken, before finally speaking.
"I didn't find anything yet," Lucius admitted, "but I know someone who might be able to get something out of him."
Jake frowned, but before he could respond, Lucius continued, "For now, he should be taken care of and healed. I'll arrange the rest."
Without waiting for a reply, Lucius turned and walked away, leaving the others standing silently, their eyes fixed on the trembling man in the trunk.
---
Meanwhile, after being dismissed, Alex quickly headed to his room in the mansion.
Although he no longer lived there, his childhood room had been left untouched. It was still intact but neglected, with dust and cobwebs scattered around. Alex didn't care much about the state of the room. He had other things on his mind.
Without wasting time, he headed straight for the bathroom.
Now, Alex stood under the shower, letting the water cascade over him. The blood that clung to his body slowly washed away, staining the water red as it swirled down the drain.
As the water hit his skin, Alex's mind raced.
Since the incident at the hospital, he hadn't had the chance to reflect on everything that had happened—or the actions he had taken.
He couldn't stop thinking about the people he had killed. The ease with which he had ended their lives disturbed him. They had fallen before him like animals, with no hesitation on his part.
'Tamsin was right... If I hadn't acted, I would've been the one lying dead,' Alex thought. 'Even though I hate it, it's something I know I'd do again and again if I had to.'
As this thought crossed his mind, Alex's axe appeared in his hand. He stared at it, the weapon glinting under the stream of water. It was a reminder of what he had done—and what he might have to do again.
Now holding his axe, another important thought crossed Alex's mind.
Saka... I wonder what he'll do now that he knows what my mother is, Alex thought, his grip tightening on the weapon.
---
Meanwhile, at the base, Saka was standing in Peter's office, giving his report.
"So, Saka… are you saying you couldn't find anything at that hospital?" Peter asked, his frustration evident.
"Yes," Saka replied calmly. "I found nothing."
"Damn it!" Peter growled, slamming his fist on the desk. "This has been the same answer from all our agents. How many more hospitals are we going to search? Maybe I should take up this research myself!"
Saka bit down on his lips, his jaw tightening as Peter continued to rant. Before Peter could go any further, a system notification beeped, appearing in front of him. The sound made Peter pause, his demeanor shifting as he focused on the message.
"Alright, Saka, you can leave now and continue your usual duties," Peter said with a wave of his hand.
Saka gave a slight bow before leaving the office, his footsteps echoing faintly as he walked away.
The moment Saka was out of sight, Peter turned on his computer. The screen lit up, displaying a live call with Caspian, one of his trusted informants.
"You better have good news for me," Peter said sharply. "I've had enough bad news lately."
Caspian shook his head. "Unfortunately, it's not about the hospital search," he said. "But it's just as important."
"Spill it out already," Peter snapped, his frustration boiling over.
Caspian hesitated for only a second before delivering the news. "Alright... I just received a report. The location of Arthur's sword has been found."
Peter's eyes widened slightly, his frustration momentarily replaced by intrigue.