Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord-Chapter 270: Merciful Defeat

"No," Tasha protested, but her voice had lost its edge. She was still trying to break free, but her movements were weak, unfocused. "It’s not... I can still..."

Jayden squeezed tighter, applying pressure in very specific points... not enough to truly hurt, but enough to target the nerve clusters in her back and sides.

Tasha let out a soft gasp, her entire body going limp in his arms. The lightning blades dissipated, dissolving into motes of blue light that faded away. Her legs gave out, all strength leaving her body as the carefully applied pressure shut down her motor control.

She couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak beyond a whisper. Could barely keep her eyes open.

"What... did you... do?" she managed to ask, her voice barely audible.

"I gave you a merciful defeat," Jayden replied softly.

He shifted his grip, sliding one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her effortlessly in a princess carry. She weighed almost nothing to him.

He walked over to the spectator area, Jessica and Aileen watching in stunned silence. Carefully, tenderly, he set Tasha down with her back against the wall. He reached over and brushed a strand of sweat-dampened hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

Tasha looked up at him, her eyes barely able to focus. "This... isn’t... over..." she mumbled weakly.

Jayden chuckled softly. "It is. I won." He paused, then added, "And nothing really happened between me and Cassie, okay? You should just let it go."

Even in her paralyzed state, Tasha managed to scoff. "You’re... a terrible... liar..."

Then her eyes fluttered closed, consciousness slipping away.

Jayden stared at her peaceful face for a long moment, then sighed deeply. He stood and turned to Jessica and Aileen, who were both looking at him with expressions of disbelief.

"That was..." Jessica started, then stopped, struggling to find words. "Jayden, you didn’t fight back once. Not a single attack. And you still won. You didn’t even break a sweat."

"How strong are you, exactly?" Aileen asked with a chuckle. But her eyes studied him with renewed interest, and perhaps a hint of wariness.

Jayden just shrugged uncomfortably. "I’m just... trying not to hurt people I care about."

He turned toward the center of the arena, clearly wanting to change the subject. "Come on. Let’s practice with the Xenobots for a bit. We’re here to train, right?"

Aileen exchanged a glance with Jessica, then nodded. "Computer, load Program Xeno. Level 15. Three units."

"LOADING XENO PROGRAM..." the system chimed

The air shimmered and three combat robots materialized, their red optical sensors locking onto the two girls.

Jessica cracked her knuckles, a determined grin on her face. "Alright. Let’s do this."

-----

They spent the rest of the afternoon training with the holographic robots, working through different levels and configurations. Aileen would adjust the difficulty, sometimes throwing in environmental hazards or multiple enemy types. Jessica’s ability proved devastating against the mechanical opponents, while Aileen continued to showcase the terrifying versatility of her electricity manipulation.

Jayden participated too, though he held back significantly, using the sessions more to observe and analyze his teammates’ combat styles than to showcase his own abilities.

About an hour into the training, Tasha finally woke up. She was still sore, her muscles protesting every movement, but the paralysis had worn off. Without a word she joined the training as well.

She didn’t use her lightning constructs. That technique had apparently drained her too much to attempt again so soon. But she still fought well, her regular lightning manipulation working in tandem with Jessica’s wind ability to create devastating combinations.

Time passed quickly, the four of them falling into a comfortable rhythm. Combat. Rest. Tactical discussion. More combat. Aileen proved to be an excellent instructor, pointing out weaknesses in their forms and suggesting improvements with the same analytical precision she applied to everything else. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Eventually, the light streaming through the mansion’s windows shifted from bright afternoon gold to the softer amber of early evening.

"That’s probably enough for today," Aileen said, calling a halt to the current simulation. "You guys did great. Really great."

"My everything hurts," Jessica groaned, sprawling on one of the spectator benches. "How are you still standing, Tasha? You got paralyzed earlier."

"Pure spite," Tasha replied with a grin, though she did lower herself carefully onto the bench beside her sister.

Jayden’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out to see a message from Jacob: [Outside. Ready when you are]

"Jacob’s here," he announced.

They gathered their belonging and headed out of the training room. Walter was waiting in the foyer, appearing as if summoned by telepathy.

"I trust the training went well?" he asked politely.

"It was amazing," Jessica said enthusiastically. "Your house is incredible, Aileen. Thanks so much for having us."

"Anytime," Aileen replied warmly. "You’re all welcome here whenever you want."

They made their way to the entrance, stepping out into the cool evening air. The sun was low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Jacob’s car sat on the driveway, its engines humming softly.

Aileen walked with them to the golden gates, which opened automatically as they approached.

"Same time next Saturday?" Tasha asked.

"Absolutely," Aileen confirmed. "We’ll need to keep this up if we want to be ready for the tournament."

"We’re gonna crush it," Jessica said confidently.

They exchanged goodbyes... hugs from the girls, a nod from Jayden, and began walking toward the car.

"Jayden," Aileen called out suddenly.

He stopped, turning back to face her. She stood a few feet away, her expression unreadable behind her glasses.

"Can I have a word?" she asked. "Just... need to talk to you about something real quick."

Jayden glanced at the car, then back at Aileen. Through the pack bond, he felt Tasha’s curiosity spike.

"Yeah, sure," he said.

Aileen gestured toward a secluded spot near the gate, partially hidden by some ornamental trees. Far enough from the car that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard, but still within sight.

Tasha furrowed her eyebrows, watching as Jayden followed Aileen to the private spot.

In the car, Jacob noticed his daughter’s expression. "Everything okay, honey?"

"Yeah. Everything’s fine, dad," Tasha murmured, her eyes never leaving the two figures by the gate.

In the secluded spot, Jayden leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. "What’s up?"

Aileen was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying him with an intensity that made him slightly uncomfortable. When she finally spoke, her voice was serious, more serious than he’d ever heard it.

"I wanted to talk to you about what happened that day. When those thugs attacked us," she began.

Jayden’s expression immediately shuttered, his body language shifting subtly into something more guarded. "I don’t really want to talk about that."

"I know," Aileen said gently. "But I need to. Because that day... you displayed multiple abilities, Jayden. Different abilities from the one you originally claimed to have."

His jaw tightened. This was the conversation he’d been dreading.

"I don’t know how it’s possible," Aileen continued, her tone carefully neutral. "And honestly? I don’t really want to know. Everyone’s entitled to their secrets. But what I need to know is..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Are you on our side?"

Jayden raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Aileen stepped closer, her expression intensely serious. "In this world, there’s good and evil. Life and death. Peace and chaos." She looked him directly in the eyes. "Which side are you on, Jayden?"

The question hung in the air between them, weighted with implications he wasn’t sure he fully understood.

Jayden opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again. What was he supposed to say? That he was a good person? He’d killed people. Drained their life force for experience points. Manipulated situations to his advantage without remorse.

Was he trying to take over the world? No. Did he want to hurt innocent people? Also no. But was he good?

He honestly didn’t know.

Peace wasn’t even in his vocabulary. To him, peace was fiction... a fairy tale people told themselves to sleep better at night. Death was something he’d experienced, been close to, caused. And chaos... chaos seemed to follow him wherever he went.

His hesitation stretched on, and Aileen’s expression shifted into a frown.

"I’m grateful that you saved us that day," she said quietly. "Really, I am. But I just need to make sure you’re not some crazed maniac obsessed with taking over the world or something."

Despite the tension, Jayden couldn’t help it... he laughed. The image of himself in some villain costume, monologuing about world domination, was so absurd that the sound burst out of him involuntarily.

"No," he said, still chuckling. "I promise I’m not a crazed maniac obsessed with taking over the world."

Aileen visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropping as tension bled out of her posture. She smiled... a genuine, warm smile. "That’s good to hear. Tasha tried to convince me, you know. Told me you were a good person with good intentions. But I needed to see for myself."

"And?" Jayden asked. "What do you think?"

Her smile softened. "I think you’re a good person."

Jayden nodded, not quite sure what to say to that. "Thanks. I should probably get going—"

"Jayden," Aileen cut him off. Her expression had shifted again, the warmth draining away to be replaced by something cold. Something that sent a chill down his spine.

"I know you have your reasons for keeping secrets," she said, her voice quiet but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. "And I respect that. But if I ever detect that you have bad intentions toward humanity..." She paused, making sure he was looking directly into her eyes. "I won’t hesitate to report you to the EVA... or put you down myself."

The words hit Jayden like a physical blow. It wasn’t just a warning... it was a threat. And the way she said it, with such calm certainty, made it clear she wasn’t bluffing.

For a moment, he saw something in her eyes... something ancient and powerful that had no business existing in a sixteen-year-old girl. Then it was gone, hidden behind her glasses and gentle smile.

"See you later, Jayden," she said brightly, as if she hadn’t just threatened his life. Then she turned and walked back toward the mansion.

Jayden stood frozen, his mind reeling. Her words replayed in his head like a warning buzzer.

She said she would put him down herself. Not "try to stop him." Not "bring him to justice."

Put him down.

Like he was a rabid animal that needed to be eliminated.

He watched her retreating figure until she disappeared through the mansion’s entrance. Only then did he turn and walk slowly back to the car, his thoughts churning.

He reached the car and climbed into the back seat beside Tasha. Jessica was already in the front, chatting with Jacob about their day. Tasha immediately turned to him, questions clear in her eyes.

"What did she want?" Tasha asked quietly, so only he could hear.

"Just... wanted to clear something up," Jayden replied, his voice carefully neutral.

Through their pack bond, he felt Tasha’s skepticism, but she didn’t push. Instead, she leaned her head against his shoulder, exhaustion finally catching up with her.

As Jacob lifted the car into the air and joined the evening traffic, Jayden stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past.

Aileen’s final words echoed in his mind, mixing with Luna’s warning from earlier. And a thought finally occurred to him:

Aileen was not an ordinary person.