<b>Chapter </b><b>541 </b>
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“I was nning to arrange their transport out, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Why don’t <i>you </i>take them with you?”
“Alright.”
Zeke gave the order, and soon after, Zinnia’s parents and her twelve–year–old brother were brought into the living room.
They all looked thinner, clearly worn down by their time in captivity. During that period, they had suffered plenty, though thanks to Zeke’s orders to lift their confinement and treat them decently, they had avoided physical abuse.
“I’m Trinity, a friend of Zinnia’s. I’vee to take you with us,” Caitlin introduced herself.
Zinnia’s mother, Qin, recognized her immediately. They’d met back in S Nation.
“Trinity! Yes, yes, we’lle with you!”
Qin clutched Caitlin’s hands excitedly and asked, “Did you see my daughter? Is Zinnia alright?”
“She’s fine. She’ll be so happy to see you. Let’s get going.”
With that, Caitlin and Sebastian escorted Zinnia’s family away from Zeke’s private estate.
At the hospital.
Zinnia stayed by Xavi’s bedside until he finally stirred awake.
“You’re awake, Xavi.”
When he tried to move, Zinnia rushed to his side and gently held him down. “You’ve got injuries on your back. Don’t move too
much.”
“Zinnia…”
Seeing he was alive and she was still by his side, Xavi was overwhelmed. He grasped her hand, eyes slightly misty. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Everything’s fine,” Zinnia replied, gratitude filling her heart. “Thank you for protecting me back there. But… you shouldn’t havee<i>. </i><i>You </i>got hurt because of me.”
Seeing him lying there in pain made her chest ache.
“For you? I didn’t think twice. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. It’s my job to protect you.”
Xavi was proud of himself for finally stepping up when it mattered most. He’d taken a hit for her–like a man should.
Their eyes locked for a moment, a soft emotional current passing silently between them.
The moment was broken by Caitlin’s call. After listening, Zinnia stood up, her face lighting up.
“You’ve brought my family back? Thank you.., I’ll be right there.”
She turned to Xavi and exined, and he nodded. “Go see them. Don’t worry about me.”
<b>1/4 </b>
18:43 Mon, 25 Aug <i>07 </i>
“I’ve arranged for someone else to look after you. I’ll be back.”
She left a nurse to care for him and rushed to DanCa Estate, where Caitlin had brought her family.
As soon as she entered the living room, she saw them–her parents and younger brother, safe and sound.
“Dad! Mom!”
“Zinnia!”
They rushed into each other’s arms, crying uncontrobly. The reunion was deeply moving.
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Caitlin, watching from the side, felt her own eyes sting. She longed to reunite with her own mother–but who knew how long she’d have <i>to </i>wait?
After their emotional reunion, Zinnia and her family spent a long time catching up. They repeatedly thanked Caitlin and Sebastian. for everything they had done.
“There’s no need to thank us. Seeing you reunited is thanks enough,” Caitlin said with a warm smile. “For now, don’t go back to S Nation. Stay here until things settle down.”
“Thank you, Caitlin.”
Zinnia didn’t know how to express the depth of her gratitude. Not only had Caitlin rescued her family, but she had also offered them shelter. She owed her more than words could repay.
After settling Zinnia’s family in, Caitlin and Sebastian returned to The Vanderbilt Family estate with <i>Xero</i>.
It was Xero’s first time visiting Sebastian’s home, and the couple weed him warmly, grateful for how he had helped rescue them from The O’Malley Family back in S Nation.
Then came good news–Caitlin received a call from her brother James. He had arrived safely and located Ashfall. If everything went well, he’d be back in New York by tomorrow.
Her heart swelled with anticipation. Maybe, finally, she’d get closer to finding her mother.
At the private estate.
After seeing the guests off, Zeke sat alone in silence. He stared at the pocket watch Alicia had left him, lost in thought.
No one could understand the depth of pain he felt in that moment.
“You didn’t die in vain. I promise.”
He gently ced the watch in a box and tucked it deep into his drawer.
A subordinate entered. “Commander, all vice leaders are assembled. They’re waiting for you to preside over the meeting.”
“Let’s go. To the base.”
All members of Shadow Moon Pavilion who had relocated to the US were now stationed at the newly constructed headquarters.
<i>2/4 </i>
18:43 Mon, 25 AU
Zeke arrived to host the organization’s first official meeting in the US. At that meeting, he made a bold announcement:
The organization would be renamed–Lightwing**.
The announcement stunned the room.
“Commander, why are we renaming Shadow Moon Pavilion to Lightwing?” one vice leader asked.
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Zeke stood firm. “Because we are no longer aligned with the Graystone headquarters. Lightwing is a new identity, a new direction.”
“Commander, does this mean… you’re breaking away?”
“You can see it that way,” Zeke replied. “Lightwing will have its own mission and code. It is no longer Shadow Moon Pavilion. I will be the leader of this new organization. From today forward, you don’t need to call me vice leader anymore.”
The room was dead silent, everyone reeling from the significance of the shift.
A vice leader in charge of intelligence spoke up. “But headquarters sent word. They want Samir returned to S Nation immediately.
What should we do?”
“We’ll deal with thatter,” Zeke said.
He continued, “By establishing Lightwing, I am also abolishing the death contract–an outdated rule from Shadow Moon Pavilion. This organization will no longer bind its members through threats to their lives.
“From now on, loyalty will be earned, not forced. There will be a proper reward and promotion system. Lightwing will grow with fairness and integrity.
“Those who wish to stay and follow me–raise your hands. If you choose to leave, I won’t stop you.’
The room buzzed.
“No more death contracts? Finally–something humane!”
“I’ll follow you, Commander. I’m with Lightwing.”
“Count me in.”
One by one, hands went <i>up</i><i>. </i>
It was clear–just by abolishing the death contract, Zeke had already won their hearts.
The meeting adjourned with Lightwing officially founded. The announcement was to be disseminated swiftly throughout the
ranks.
This marked the formal severing of ties between Zeke and Shadow Moon Pavilion in Graystone.
But Zeke wasn’t finished yet.
He had one more surprise in store for Zorro.
18:43 Mon, 25 Aug 7 W