Chapter 58: The Blood of the Serpent

Back at the Sterling Villa, the atmosphere was heavy.

Margaret sat on the sofa, holding a cup of hot tea. Her hands were no longer pale; the color was returning to her cheeks. Mia was sitting on her lap, fascinated by her "magic grandma" who came back from the dead.

"I have missed so much," Margaret stroked Mia’s hair. "Grandchildren... a daughter-in-law... a kingdom."

"Mother," Jackson sat across from her, holding Serenity's hand. "Arthur... he shoved a reporter across the room today. He moved faster than any 60-year-old man should. What did he do to himself?"

Margaret sighed. She put down her tea and looked at them with serious eyes.

"We call it Element X," Margaret began. "Or in ancient Montbert legends, 'The Serpent's Blood'."

"It’s a liquid mineral found only in the deepest bedrock beneath the Montbert Royal Palace. Twenty years ago, Arthur and I discovered it. We thought it was a miracle cure."

"It accelerates cell regeneration," Margaret explained. "It stops aging. It makes you stronger, faster. But it has a side effect."

"Madness," Serenity whispered.

"Yes. And addiction," Margaret nodded. "The human body rejects it. It poisons the mind. Arthur has been taking a diluted version for decades. That’s why he looks young, but his soul is rotting. He has become a monster."

"So he wants to open the Vault to get more?" Jackson asked.

"No," Margaret shook her head. "He doesn't just want more. He wants Evolution."

She looked at Serenity.

"He wants you, Serenity."

Serenity froze. "Me? Why?"

"Because of your blood," Margaret leaned forward. "My research found that normal humans die if they touch the pure source. But there is one bloodline... one genetic mutation... that can absorb the power without dying."

"The Royal Family of Montbert," Jackson realized.

"Exactly," Margaret said. "The Grand Dukes of Montbert didn't just guard the mine. They co-existed with it for centuries. Your DNA, Serenity... it holds the enzymes needed to stabilize the Element."

"Arthur wants to use you as a human filter," Margaret’s voice trembled. "He wants to drain your blood to create a serum that will make him a god. An immortal being."

Silence filled the room. Jackson gripped Serenity’s hand so tight it hurt.

"Over my dead body," Jackson growled.

"That's not all," Margaret added, looking at the window. "Arthur isn't working alone anymore. 'The Order' isn't just a club. It’s a private army of enhanced soldiers. Men he has injected with the unstable serum. They feel no pain. They have no fear."

"So we are fighting an army of super-soldiers led by an immortal madman?" Alex, who was listening from the stairs, asked coolly.

"Basically," Margaret smiled sadly.

"Great," Alex adjusted his glasses. "I'm going to need a bigger server."

Jackson stood up. He walked to the window, looking out at the perimeter guards.

"He thinks he has super-soldiers?" Jackson smirked, but his eyes were deadly.

"I have money. I have technology. And I have something he doesn't have."

"What?" Serenity asked.

"I have a family worth fighting for."

Jackson turned to them.

"If Arthur wants a war of evolution, let's give him one. Mom, can you synthesize a neutralizer? Something to strip away his powers?"

Margaret’s eyes lit up—the brilliant scientist was back.

"If I have access to a lab... and a drop of Aurelia's blood... yes. I can make a weapon that turns him mortal again."

"Then let's get to work," Jackson rolled up his sleeves. "It's time to kill a god."