Chapter 275: Power is power
The trio of Reggie, Gunther, and Randal stood in the dimly lit safe house, their eyes fixed on the doorway through which Blake had just departed. As the echo of his footsteps faded into the night, a heavy silence settled over the room, punctuated only by the soft hum of distant city sounds filtering through the windows.
Reggie, the eldest and most diplomatic of the three, broke the silence with a weary sigh. "He's still finding his way," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of understanding and concern.
Gunther, the stalwart guardian, nodded in agreement. "But at what cost?" he grumbled, his frustration evident in the furrow of his brow and the set of his jaw.
Randal, the silent observer, remained stoic, his expression betraying nothing as he absorbed the weight of their words.
They exchanged knowing glances, a silent acknowledgment of the delicate balance they walked with Blake. They understood that attempting to force him to see things from their perspective would only push him further away.
With centuries of experience at their backs, having served by Rose's side for eons, they had witnessed their master's evolution firsthand. They had seen her grapple with moral dilemmas and make choices that defied conventional wisdom. Through it all, one principle remained constant: the sanctity of life.
"All life is sacred," Reggie mused, his voice carrying the weight of their shared history. "It's a lesson Blake has yet to fully grasp."
Gunther nodded, his eyes clouded with memories of battles fought and lives lost. "Power isn't just about what one can do," he added. "It's about knowing when to exercise restraint."
Randal remained silent, his gaze fixed on the door through which Blake had departed. In his silence, there was a wisdom born of centuries of observation, a quiet reminder of the complexities of their immortal existence.
Reggie surveyed the aftermath with a measured gaze, his features reflecting a blend of resignation and determination. "Well, it seems Blake has left us quite the mess to clean up," he remarked, his voice tinged with weary amusement.
Gunther grunted in agreement, his eyes scanning the room for any lingering traces of violence. "A bit of a show-off, that one," he muttered, though there was a hint of begrudging admiration in his tone.
Randal, ever silent but observant, nodded in acknowledgment. His gaze flickered to the scattered bullet shells and the telltale signs of struggle that littered the room.
Reggie shook his head, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I can only imagine the look on their faces when they realized they were dealing with something... beyond the ordinary," he mused, his mind drifting to the hapless victims of Blake's display of power.
But there was no time for idle speculation. As loyal servants of Rose, they had a duty to fulfill. "Clean-up time, gentlemen," Reggie declared, his tone firm and decisive. "We can't afford to leave any trace of what happened here."
"We have our work cut out for us," he said, his voice low and steady. "Just like with the young woman we left in the alley, we need to ensure there's no trace of what transpired here before the authorities arrive."
Gunther nodded grimly, his expression mirroring Reggie's determination. "Indeed," he agreed, his eyes scanning the room for any overlooked details. "The last thing we need is a trail leading back to us. Especially Blake who should be in prison,"
Randal remained silent as he moved methodically around the room, his movements precise and purposeful. Though he spoke little, his actions spoke volumes.
Reggie's thoughts drifted momentarily to their mistress, Rose, and the solemn vow they had made to her. "No matter how much Blake may resist our guidance," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret, "our loyalty remains with Rose. Her final order was to find and protect Blake, and that's a duty we're bound to fulfill."
With a shared sense of purpose, the trio set to work, their movements coordinated and efficient. They knew the stakes were high, and failure was not an option.
For as long as they lived, their loyalty would remain steadfast, their resolve unyielding. They were the guardians of Rose's legacy, bound by duty and bound by blood. And they would stop at nothing to protect their charge, no matter the cost.
With a shared sense of purpose, the trio set to work, summoning waves of shadows that coiled and writhed at their command. Like silent sentinels, the shadows moved with eerie precision, swallowing up every dismembered body, every drop of blood, every lingering echo of chaos left in Blake's wake.
As the room was gradually restored to its former state of tranquility, Reggie couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their efficiency. Despite Blake's defiance and unpredictability, they remained steadfast in their commitment to Rose's final order: to find and protect him at all costs.
*********
Blake walked back into the safehouse, the atmosphere shifted, the air heavy with tension. Nana, who had been quietly eating her dinner alone, froze mid-bite as she caught sight of Blake's bullet-riddled shirt.
With a sense of urgency, she rushed towards him, her concern evident in her voice. "Blake, what happened?" she asked, her eyes wide with worry. "Where did you go? Reggie and the others went out looking for you."
Blake's demeanor was cold as he brushed past her, his gaze fixed straight ahead. He didn't offer her a response, shoving her away as he made his way upstairs without a word.
Nana's heart sank at Blake's dismissive behavior, her concern deepening. She watched him retreat upstairs, unsure of what had transpired.
Nana remained in the same position in the living room, her mind still reeling from Blake's sudden and cold departure moments earlier. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her, wondering what could have possibly caused him to return with bullet holes in his shirt and such a dismissive attitude towards her.
Lost in thought, she was startled by the sound of the door swinging open once again. Her eyes widened as Reggie, Gunther, and Randal entered the room. Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed towards them, eager to share the news of Blake's return.
But as she looked at their subdued expressions, she realized that they might have already encountered Blake while out searching for him. Their somber demeanor only added to her growing sense of concern.