Page 15 of The Darkness Within

Scar squeezes his shoulder, his grip firm. “You didn’t fail her. You’re here for her, doing everything you can. That’s what matters. And we’re all in this together. We’re going to find Rake, and we’re going to make him regret ever coming after us.”

Blade nods, the anger still simmering but tempered by Scar’s words. He knows that Scar is right, knows that he can’t let his emotions cloud his judgment. He has a duty to Rayne, to his brothers, and to himself. And he will see it through, no matter what it takes.

Blade steps back, taking a deep breath as he allows his demon powers to settle, the dark energy fading from his vision. He can feel the strength it gave him, the surge of power that coursed through his veins, but he knew better than to let it consume him. He needed control, precision, and he knew he could only find that through calm focus.

Scar moves toward the training mats, motioning for Blade to join him. “Come on. Let’s spar. You need to work off some of that energy before you break something.”

Blade smirks, nodding as he joins Scar on the mat. They circle each other, their movements measured, their stances low and ready. Blade allows a hint of his demon power to flow throughhim, feeling the surge of strength that makes his movements quicker, more agile. He launches into a series of attacks, each strike calculated, his body a blur of motion as he presses Scar, testing his friend’s defences.

Scar responds in kind, his own movements precise and deadly, a reflection of the years they had spent training together. They move as one, a dance of strength and skill, each one pushing the other, their breaths coming hard and fast as they spare. Blade can feel the tension easing, the anger fading as he loses himself in the rhythm of the fight, each strike a release, each block a reminder of the control he fought so hard to maintain.

When they finally stop, both of them breathing heavily, Scar nods in approval. “Better?”

Blade manages a small smile, the fury tempered by the familiar burn of exertion. “Better. Thanks, Scar.”

“Anytime,” Scar replies, clapping him on the shoulder. “Now, let’s get back to the others. We’ve got a lot of planning to do.”

Back in the war room, the rest of the Elite have gathered, their faces grim and focused as they wait for Blade and Scar to join them. The map of the city is spread out on the table, marked with pins and annotations that track Rake’s movements. Gage is standing at the head of the table, his gaze sharp as he addresses the team.

“We’re not letting him get away this time,” Gage warns, his tone leaving no room for argument. “We’ve pinpointed his location to an abandoned estate on the outskirts of the city. He’s been using it as a base, and our intel suggests he’s planning something big.”

Talon leans forward, his eyes narrowing. “The estate is surrounded by old wards, but they’re weak. We should be able to get through without much trouble, but we’ll need to be fast. He’ll have it fortified.”

Reed nods, his expression steely. “We go in hard and fast. No more games. We take him down, and we make sure he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Blade felt a surge of determination, his fists clenching as he imagined the final confrontation with Rake. “I want him alive, if possible,” he says, his voice cold and controlled. “I want him to answer for what he’s done.”

The others agree, their expressions fierce as they prepare for the battle ahead. They had all suffered at Rake’s hands, had all felt the weight of his darkness pressing down on them. But now, they were ready to strike back, to put an end to his reign of terror once and for all.

“We’ll split into teams,” Gage continues, his voice steady as he outlines the plan. “Blade and Scar, you’ll lead the main assault. Reed, Soren, you’re with me on the east flank. Talon and Kade,you’ll take the rear, covering our exit and making sure Rake has nowhere to run.”

The plan was clear, each man nodding as he took in his role, the familiar rhythm of preparation easing the tension that had settled over them. They were ready, united in their purpose, their bond strengthened by the losses they had faced and the vengeance they sought.

As they move to gather their gear, Fynn approaches Blade, his expression filled with quiet determination. “We’ll keep Rayne safe here. I’ll set up additional wards around the building, and Gage has agreed to leave a few of our allies to watch over her. You can focus on the fight, knowing she’ll be protected.”

Blade nods, gratitude softening his gaze as he looks at his friend. “Thank you, Fynn. I couldn’t do this if I didn’t know she was safe.”

Fynn clasps his shoulder, his grip reassuring. “We’re family, Blade. We take care of our own.”

As the team gather their weapons and prepare to head out, Blade takes a moment to look around at his brothers, the men who have stood by his side through countless battles, who have fought and bled with him, who have become his family. He felt a surge of pride, of gratitude, knowing that he isn’t alone in this, that they will face whatever came together.

Scar claps him on the back, his grin fierce. “Ready to show Rake what happens when he messes with us?”

Blade’s eyes darken, the familiar pulse of his demon power thrumming through him as he prepares for the fight. “More than ready.”

They move as one, their steps steady, their resolve unshakable, as they make their way into the night, ready to confront the darkness that awaits them. This was more than just a mission—it was a reckoning. And Blade knew that they would not rest until they had brought Rake to justice, until they had avenged Rita’s death and secured a future free from the shadows that had haunted them.

As they approach the estate, Blade feels the familiar rush of adrenaline, the sense of purpose that fills him every time he goes into battle. But this time, there is something more—a fierce determination, a burning need to protect the woman he loves, to make sure that she will never have to face the pain of loss again.

The final confrontation is near, and Blade knew that he would do whatever it took to end this, to ensure that he and Rayne could finally find peace. Together, they would face whatever came next, ready to fight, to protect, and to avenge. And as the team moved into position, Blade felt the weight of their shared purpose, the strength of their bond, carrying him forward into the darkness, ready to confront whatever lay ahead.

The night was unnaturally still as Blade and the Elite approach the abandoned estate, their steps soundless as they moved through the shadows. The building looms before them, a skeletal silhouette against the sky, its once-grand walls now cracked and crumbling under the weight of time. But there is something else, too—a sense of foreboding, a dark energy that seems to pulse from the very stones, as if the estate itself were alive and watching, waiting.

Gage took point, his hand raised in a silent signal for the others to stop. He kneels, his sharp gaze sweeping over the grounds, taking in every detail, every potential threat. Talon moves to his right, his steps light and sure, while Kade positions himself at the rear, his watchful eyes scanning their surroundings. Blade felt the familiar tension in his muscles, the steady hum of adrenaline that courses through him as they prepare to enter the lion’s den.

The entrance to the estate is blocked by an ancient iron gate, its bars twisted and rusted, as if warped by some malevolent force. Scar inclines his head toward Blade, stepping forward and gripping the gate with both hands. With a surge of strength, he pulls it open, the metal groaning in protest as the Elite slip through, one by one, their bodies merging with the darkness that shrouds the grounds.

They move silently, their eyes sharp, their senses on high alert. Blade could feel the weight of the night pressing down on them, the air thick with the scent of decay and something else—something darker, colder. It is a familiar feeling, one he hadcome to recognize as the presence of dark magic, the kind that twists and corrupts everything it touches.

---