Timeless Assassin - Chapter 1178 Joy And Trap
(One Year Later, The Cult Of Ascension)
For nearly an entire year following Leo’s visit to Planet Makwana, the universe entered what appeared to be a strangely peaceful phase, as no major wars erupted openly between the dominant powers while the Cult continued expanding and consolidating its territories steadily.
The Dragons stopped pushing deeper into Great Clan territory, and in return the Great Clans also stopped attempting any large scale counter offensives, as the peace deal that Mauriss made held strong.
To ordinary citizens scattered throughout the Rainbow Stream, it genuinely looked as though the universe had finally entered a period of relative stability once again.
However, that appearance of peace was nothing more than a facade, because although the universe looked peaceful outwardly, countless hidden developments quietly unfolded behind closed doors.
And more often than not, most of them were being planned by one man, the Deceiver Mauriss.
———–
Meanwhile, within House Skyshard itself, perhaps the single most important development during this period came through Caleb.
Because during one of his recent military campaigns upon a newly conquered frontier world, Caleb unexpectedly fell deeply in love with a young woman belonging to a respected local family.
And surprisingly enough, unlike his usual cold and duty driven personality while operating as a Commander, Caleb genuinely seemed happy while spending time beside her.
Eventually, after properly receiving the blessings of both families involved, the two officially married during a small private ceremony held within the Eternal Garden itself.
Only close friends and family attended the occasion, with Leo, Amanda, Mairon, Luke, Alia, Leonardo, Dumpy and the girls’ parents being the only ones present, while Moltherak, Mauriss and the other gods secretly sent treasures as wedding gifts to congratulate the eldest Skyshard child upon his marriage.
For several weeks, the atmosphere surrounding the Eternal Garden remained unusually warm and peaceful while celebrations quietly continued between the families involved.
And perhaps for the very first time in many years…
Leo genuinely felt like House Skyshard was finally becoming a proper family once more instead of merely a collection of powerful warriors constantly preparing for war.
Meanwhile Caleb himself appeared happier than anyone had seen him in a very long time.
The endless stress of commanding armies, conquering worlds, managing logistics, and handling politics finally seemed lighter upon his shoulders whenever his wife stood beside him.
Which was precisely why…
Nobody noticed the danger approaching until it was already far too late.
———–
(Several Months Later, Caleb’s POV)
Late one evening, following an exhausting day filled with Commander duties, military reports, and administrative meetings, Caleb finally returned toward his private residence expecting nothing more than a peaceful night beside his wife.
However, the moment he stepped inside his bedroom…
His instincts immediately screamed that something was wrong, because although the room seemed largely undisturbed, there was a faint trail of mana going outward from his bedroom window, while his wife was not in bed.
‘Was someone here?’
Caleb wondered, as his eyes narrowed sharply while his gaze swept across the chamber, as despite the complete lack of visible signs of struggle, a terrible feeling immediately settled within his chest.
Then finally…
His gaze landed upon a single folded letter resting calmly atop the bed.
The moment Caleb picked it up and began reading its contents, his expression darkened instantly.
“I have kidnapped your wife in a way that your father’s shadows and the security surrounding House Skyshard remain completely unaware of.
If you wish to see her alive again, leave this planet immediately without informing your father or any member of his shadow network.
Meet Lord Mauriss alone within the void of space at the following coordinates:
11.11.15.255.11.16.11.11
The clock is already ticking.
We are watching.
If you fail to arrive alone within two hours…
Your wife dies.
Signed,
Terrence.”
For several long moments, Caleb simply stood there silently while tightly gripping the letter between his fingers.
Because deep within himself…
He already understood exactly what this meant.
This was a trap.
A deliberate one.
And yet despite understanding that fact perfectly…
He also understood something else.
He had absolutely no choice except walking directly into it anyway.
*Clench*
Caleb slowly closed his eyes while crushing the letter tightly inside his palm.
“Damn it…”
He muttered quietly while frustration and self hatred surged violently within his chest.
Because at that moment, he could not stop blaming himself for what happened.
He was supposed to be smarter than this.
And yet somehow, despite all the shadows surrounding House Skyshard constantly…
Despite all the security precautions established around his family…
Terrence still managed to abduct his wife without anyone noticing anything at all, as that realization alone made Caleb feel sick to his core.
“How the hell did I allow this to happen…?”
He questioned himself bitterly while staring toward the empty room around him.
For years now, he spent most of his life commanding armies successfully while crushing countless enemies through strategy and discipline.
And yet now…
The one person he genuinely cared about beyond military duty had been taken from directly beneath his nose.
‘This is not the time to think about that…. First I must go and save Sophia.’
Caleb thought, as without hesitation, he immediately turned before leaping straight through the bedroom window, in a way where nobody would be able to track that he had left.
Within minutes, Caleb reached one of the merchant hangars positioned near the outskirts of the district before stealing a small merchant transport vessel, as he left the atmosphere to head towards the provided co-ordinates at once.
*FSSSHHH*
The engines ignited quietly while the ship slowly lifted into the skies, as throughout the entire journey toward the coordinates, only one thought endlessly repeated itself inside Caleb’s mind.
‘What the hell does the Deceiver want? Does he want me to betray my father?
Does he want to take me captive?
Am I making the right choice here by going to meet him alone?
Will I make it back alive?’
As although he had impulsively decided to go save his wife at once, he did not feel assured on whether or not he even had the ability to save her on his own or not.
