The Boy Next DOOR.

Sebastian walked into his house, carrying an unconscious Dave in his arms. Valerian had already prepared a room for Dave, having received a detailed explanation of the situation beforehand. Everything necessary had been arranged.

Entering the room, Sebastian gently laid Dave on the bed, tucking him in with a warm duvet.

"How is he?" Valerian asked, adjusting the warmer.

"He's fine, just unconscious," Sebastian replied.

"I have to leave now," Sebastian said, his voice steady. "As you know, I need to protect Kelvin's family. Those fools will surely come for them." He glanced back at Dave. "Look after him. If any chance he wakes up, feed him some warm soup."

As Sebastian turned to leave, Valerian hesitated, tugging on his cloak. "I don't want to say this, but… please, be careful," he said, his voice timid as his gaze dropped to the floor.

Sebastian smiled and leaned down to kiss Valerian's forehead. "Of course, I will."

Valerian jerked back, his cheeks reddening. "Did I ask you to kiss me? I just told you to be careful!" he said grumpily.

"You're already catching feelings for me, aren't you?" Sebastian teased.

"In your dreams," Valerian shot back, brushing past him.

Sebastian smirked. "Don't worry, wife. I'll be very careful."

"Ew! Who's your wife? You must be dreaming!" Valerian retorted, stomping off to the kitchen to prepare the soup.

Sebastian chuckled softly as he left. "Wife, my foot," Valerian muttered under his breath. "Who said he could call me that? Nonsense."

---

Kelvin arrived at a hidden armory where Sebastian had stashed an assortment of deadly weapons, each capable of taking down magical beings with a single strike.

Dressed in a black cloak lined with multiple inner pockets, Kelvin methodically armed himself with daggers, axes, guns, machetes, and more.

Fully equipped, he set out to confront his enemies.

---

A Few Hours Later

Kelvin arrived at the Dark Water Clan unnoticed, his movements shrouded in the shadows of the night. The increased number of guards confirmed his suspicion—they were ready for him.

Moving silently, he crept behind two guards stationed at the gate and slit their throats in one swift motion, their bodies collapsing to the ground. Kelvin stepped over them, his expression cold and fearless.

He knew this fight would take days. He would have to eliminate every guard standing in his way before reaching Arthur and the others.

No guard was spared. Every soul that crossed his path met their demise as Kelvin carved a bloody trail through the clan.

---

Back at Kelvin's House

Sebastian lounged on the couch, watching TV when—

BANG!

The door flew open with a loud crash, and a man strode in, flanked by guards.

Sebastian didn't flinch. "Seriously? No manners? You're all so blind you couldn't see the doorbell?" he asked nonchalantly, his attention still on the screen.

"You must be Sebastian. I've heard a lot about you," the intruder said, his tone arrogant.

"If you've heard so much about me, surely you've been warned not to mess with me. If you value your life, leave now, and I'll forget about the door you destroyed," Sebastian replied, his tone icy.

"Hand over Dave and the others, and we'll let you go," the man demanded.

Sebastian finally stood, his presence commanding. "Let me make this clear: no one under my protection will be harmed. If you won't leave peacefully, I'll make sure you leave this world permanently."

The man smirked. "Big words, Sebastian. Let's see if you can back them up." He signaled his guards to attack.

---

Minutes Later

Sebastian stood, his sword dripping with blood. "Fools," he muttered, wiping the blade clean before sheathing it. "I warned them, but no one listens anymore."

He uncorked a small bottle and poured its contents over the bodies, watching as they dissolved into ash.

"You can come out now," he called, and Rebecca, Haymen, and Jordan stepped into the living room.

"I'll leave now," Sebastian said. "No one will bother you again, but Jordan, I suggest staying here for a few days to be safe."

He traced a symbol in the air, casting a protective barrier around the house. "This will keep anyone out, except for those within the barrier now. As long as Dave isn't here, no force will be drawn to you."

"Thank you," they said in unison before Sebastian nodded and left.

---

The Next Day

Around 3 p.m., Dave's eyes fluttered open. He sat up, wincing at the throbbing pain in his head.

Memories of the previous day came flooding back—Ortho, the attack. Panic seized him as he looked around.

"Where am I? Where am I?" he muttered, his voice trembling. "Is anybody there?" he shouted, his heart racing.

Moments later, Valerian and Sebastian entered the room.

"Are you alright, Dave?" Sebastian asked, sitting beside him on the bed.

"Who are you? Who the fuck are you? And why am I here?" Dave demanded, his voice rising in panic. "Why have you abducted me? What do you want?"

"Calm down, Dave," Sebastian said gently. "Kelvin asked me to bring you here. My name is Sebastian, and this is Valerian. You're safe here, I promise."

"And how do you expect me to believe you?" Dave asked, his eyes darting suspiciously.

"I know it's hard to trust us, but you've been here since yesterday. Look—you're safe, unharmed. Kelvin saved you from Ortho. He's dealing with him now, but he'll come back for you when it's over."

Sebastian placed a bowl of soup on the nightstand. "Drink this. It'll help you regain your strength. When you're done, freshen up and put on these clothes."

Without another word, Sebastian left.

After staring at the soup for a while, Dave cautiously took a sip, then another. To his surprise, it was delicious, and nothing happened to him.

Feeling better, he finished the meal, cleaned up, changed into the fresh clothes, and headed downstairs.

Two Days Later...

The Dark Water Clan lay in ruins, its stronghold transformed into a graveyard soaked in blood. Kelvin stood at the center of it all, his word sword dripping crimson as his chest heaved with controlled fury. Sweat ran down his brow, mixing with the blood of those who had dared to stand against him.

The battlefield was littered with lifeless bodies, their vacant stares a testament to Kelvin's wrath. His fiery gaze swept over the carnage, unwavering and merciless. None had been spared, and none of the remaining would be.

Whispers of fear spread among the survivors who cowered in hidden corners. They had awakened a storm they were never prepared to face, and now their hope had turned to despair.

Kelvin had systematically eliminated every guard, leaving only the handful stationed in Arthur's chamber alongside the clan's elders. His determination was unshakable as he strode through the wreckage, each step radiating like hell knock.

Reaching the towering gates to Arthur's sanctuary, Kelvin gripped his sword tightly. With a powerful swing, the gates shattered, crashing to the ground with a deafening roar.

Inside, Arthur and the elders recoiled, their faces pale as they quivered in terror. Kelvin stepped into the chamber, his presence commanding the air itself to grow heavy. The silence that followed was suffocating, broken only by the faint, trembling breaths of those who knew they stood at death's door.