Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies

Chapter 166 - 165 : Hostage

On one of the many islands owned by Yuna Akatsuki, space twisted open.

A blue teleportation portal bloomed in the air like a vertical whirlpool, its edges crackling with residual mana.

One by one, figures stepped out onto the stone pathway leading toward a vast Japanese-style mansion built at the base of a mountain.

Arina was the first to be thrown through.

She stumbled out of the portal, barely catching herself before she fell, her golden hair whipping around her face.

A second later, Aiden, Julia, Aaron, Isabella, Evangeline, and Elizabeth emerged behind her, their silhouettes solidifying as the portal stabilized.

A cool sea breeze brushed against their skin.

The mansion loomed ahead, all dark wood and sweeping tiled roofs, surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens, koi ponds, and stone lanterns.

Beyond it, jagged mountains rose in a protective ring around the island, their peaks wrapped in mist.

The distant roar of waves told them they were far from any mainland.

Aiden whistled under his breath.

Julia looked around, her eyes gleaming with appreciation.

Aaron’s nervousness eased slightly as he took in the peaceful scenery.

Isabella stretched her arms and inhaled deeply.

"This place..." Aiden murmured. "It’s like something out of an old movie."

Evangeline slowly turned in place, taking in the mountains, the sea, and the isolation.

"It’s a wonderful place to hide," Evangeline said. "If you didn’t know it existed, you’d never find it."

A voice came from behind her.

"It’s a hideout that only Yuna and I know about," Arthur said, stepping fully out of the portal as it closed behind him. "She told me to use it if there was ever an emergency."

The doors of the mansion remained shut, but there was a warmth lingering in the air—a sense of familiarity and safety left behind by the woman who owned it.

Which made the next voice sound even harsher.

"Hey, you bastards," Arina snapped, spinning around to face them. "Now tell me already—why did you bring me here?"

She took a step forward, her eyes blazing.

"You know the consequences, right?" Arina continued. "I’m not just anyone. You’ve made enemies of one of the most powerful countries in the world. We rule it. You idiots have no idea what you’ve gotten yourselves into."

She started laughing, sharp and mocking.

Evangeline looked at Arthur.

Arthur gave a small nod.

The next second, Arthur’s aura flared.

It spread outward like a silent shockwave, pressing against the air, the stone, and the very island itself.

The koi in the ponds darted deeper into the water.

The wind stilled for a brief heartbeat.

Evangeline moved.

She stepped forward and slapped Arina across the face.

SLAP!

The sound echoed throughout the courtyard.

Arina’s head snapped to the side, and she stumbled backward before falling onto the ground.

She stared up at Evangeline in disbelief, one hand flying to her cheek, which was already turning red.

"What the hell...?" Arina muttered. "My bloodline... it didn’t activate. How is that possible?"

Even now, her first instinct was to rely on that power—to expect the world itself to bend and protect her.

Arthur’s voice came from behind her.

"It’s no use," Arthur said. "Your so-called bloodline is inferior to mine. That’s all you need to know."

Arina turned her head and glared at him, her eyes burning with fury.

"As for why I’m doing this," Arthur continued, "your daddy dearest abducted my master. He wants to turn me into his obedient lap dog."

His gaze sharpened.

"So remember this," Arthur said. "You’ll remain a hostage here until she’s free."

Arina froze.

Then she let out a disbelieving scoff and pushed herself back to her feet.

"That’s it?" Arina asked. "You’ve caused all of this chaos just because of some bitch you’ve only known for a few months?"

She stepped closer, closing the distance until she stood directly in front of him.

"You should be grateful Father wants to take you back," Arina said, meeting his gaze with cold contempt. "After the shame you put him through. People laughed at him because of you."

She jabbed a finger into his chest.

Looking down on him with the same arrogance she showed the entire world.

"So stop this madness already," Arina demanded. "Take me back to Damian. Who knows if he’s still in pain? Just let that bitch die. We are your real fami—"

BAM!

Arthur’s fist buried itself in her face.

CRACK!

A sharp crack echoed through the courtyard.

One of her teeth flew from her mouth and landed on the stone pathway with a tiny, almost comical clink.

Tink.

Arina crashed to the ground once more, both hands flying to her mouth as a guttural groan escaped her lips.

Blood seeped through her fingers and dripped onto the clean stone.

Aaron, Isabella, Julia, Aiden, and Evangeline watched silently.

None of them moved to stop him.

"So that was the issue, huh?" Aiden said, scratching the back of his head. "Gotta say... after listening to her yap over and over again, I kind of understand why Arthur hates his family."

Evangeline huffed.

"Couldn’t agree more."

Elizabeth merely snorted, her crimson eyes filled with amusement.

Before Arina could spit out another insult, hurried footsteps echoed from the direction of the mansion.

Several maids dressed in Yuna’s household uniform came running toward them, their faces pale with anxiety.

"Young Master Arthur!" one of them shouted the moment she spotted him. "Thank the heavens you’re here!"

They skidded to a stop before him, breathing heavily.

"Lady Yuna is in serious trouble," the head maid said quickly. "The Imperius family attacked. She’s been badly wounded. Our informants sent word for us to hurry... if we don’t do something soon, we may lose her."

Arthur’s already cold expression turned to ice.

For a brief second, the entire island seemed to hold its breath.

Then the killing intent rolling off him made his earlier aura flare seem insignificant.

Blood dripped from Arina’s lips, bright red against the white stone.

She touched her mouth, her fingers coming away stained crimson.

"You..." Arina hissed. "How dare you..."

BAM!

Arthur’s fist crashed into her face again.

This time, the impact was even heavier.

The sound echoed throughout the courtyard—a sickening combination of flesh striking flesh and bone cracking beneath the force.

Arina’s head snapped violently to the side.

She toppled over and rolled across the stone pathway before finally coming to a stop.

Her golden hair spread around her like a halo, now smeared with dirt and blood.

Arthur exhaled slowly.

Then he turned away from her.

His eyes landed on Isabella, Aaron, and Julia.

"You guys should leave," Arthur said. "You don’t want to see this."

He paused.

His gaze grew even colder.

"Honestly, it’s better if you don’t see what I’m about to do next. Go and keep watch over the island. I’m sure they’ll find this place soon enough. Report to me immediately if you spot anything suspicious approaching."

Isabella stared down at her trembling hands.

"I wish there was something I could do," she said quietly. "You look like you’re hurting."

Arthur looked at her for a moment.

Some of the hardness in his eyes softened.

"You’ve already done enough," Arthur said. "Now leave the rest to me. All of you just need to get stronger."

Isabella nodded and bit her lip.

Then she turned away and left with Aaron and Julia, heading toward the outer cliffs to establish surveillance positions.

Only Aiden, Evangeline, and Elizabeth remained.

Evangeline tilted her head and studied Arthur.

"Why don’t I be the cameraman?" Evangeline said dryly. "If you’re planning to record a video."

Arthur’s lips twitched upward slightly.

"Sure," Arthur said. "If you can handle what’s about to happen. We’ll send them a video that’ll make even their souls tremble."

He looked back at Arina.

She was glaring at him through swollen eyes, but beneath the fury lay the first flicker of genuine fear.

Arina’s voice came out hoarse.

"You can’t do this to me," she said, panic beginning to creep into her tone. "I’m your sister, remember? We share the same blood. That woman is nothing to you. Please—"

Arthur slowly cracked his knuckles.

One by one.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

"To you people," Arthur said in a low voice, "I was never anything more than a dog you abandoned."

He took a step closer.

"There was never a family," Arthur continued, his eyes devoid of warmth. "And there never will be."

Another step.

"When I sought their love, they gave me contempt."

Another.

"When I fought for my life, they abandoned me."

Another.

"When I carved my own path, they feared me."

His aura slowly rose again, heavy and suffocating.

"Since they never treated me as family," Arthur said, "I see no reason to treat them as such."

The pressure intensified.

"Let the blood they cherish so dearly become the blood that stains my hands..."

His crimson eyes locked onto Arina’s trembling form.

"...and marks their end."

The words were calm.

Almost conversational.

Yet they struck harder than any scream.

Arina went silent.

She finally saw it.

The hatred in his eyes.

The complete absence of warmth.

The boy who once brought her flowers and smiled awkwardly at her door was gone.

What stood before her now was someone she no longer recognized.

Someone she had helped create.

Minutes later, Arthur’s hands were stained a deep crimson.