The young Leonel saw a colossal and majestic figure, with disheveled hair and a filthy visage, surrounded by an ominous black aura when he was a kid. Just a shadow was enough to consume him entirely. If not for his father’s timely arrival, he might have already met his doom.
His father had knelt before that figure, pleading desperately for a long time, negotiating until the turmoil finally subsided. When Leonel grew older, Gerry revealed that his life had been spared because Gerry had promised that shadow three lives in exchange.
The stone statue they worshipped at home was not merely a representation but rather a humanoid existence. No, more accurately, it was a demon, one that literally fed on human flesh-this was not a metaphor but a grim reality.
Leonel couldn’t comprehend why his father had forged a bond with such a creature and had offered it lavish meals for years without interruption. His father had warned him that unless absolutely necessary, they would not summon this monster, as calling it forth would cost the Ford family at least one life.
This cost wasn’t merely a bodyguard or servant; it referred to a descendant of the Ford family. His father had explained this was an agreement they reached long ago, which is why the Ford family would never summon the demon lightly.
Unless the Ford family faced extinction, they would never call upon it. After a long period of worship, the stone statue suddenly stirred.
Then came a roar from below the temple, akin to a beast’s cry! It was a long-buried howl, sounding both mournful and terrifying, laced with a hint of excitement. The sound made everyone feel a rush of anxiety.
Startled by the terrifying roar, Leonel quickly rose and fled the temple.
Moments later, the temple began to shake, the stone statue toppling to the ground as if an earthquake had erupted within. Even those standing two walls away could feel the tremors radiating from the temple.
“What’s happening? Is it an earthquake?” some confused woman from the Ford family asked.
A smirk spread across Gerry’s face as he laughed heartily, fixing his gaze on Kayden. “Kid, I told you long ago, anyone who steps into my Ford Villa won’t leave alive. Just wait for your death!”
The roar bolstered Gerry’s confidence, making him feel the Ford family’s dignity and power had returned.
Kayden remained silent, calmly observing the commotion.
Fearless, he was merely curious about the source of such a deafening sound. In the hustle and bustle of this busy city, witnessing something so shocking genuinely astonished him.
Another roar erupted, reminiscent of an old bull’s bellow, powerful yet haunting.
“Father, what on earth is that? A dragon? Or some kind of monster?” Finally, a woman couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“Shut up!” Gerry shouted angrily, his fury erupting like a volcano.
“My old friend!” Suddenly, the roar transformed, sounding like a hellish beast, the cry almost a gargantuan effort, raspy yet commanding, carrying a power that could devour the sky.
Gerry looked around, feeling warmth wash over him. The term “my old friend” was surprisingly comforting, prompting a satisfied smile on his face.
In reality, they were not true friends. To put it bluntly, the initial aid to that creature was solely to bolster the Ford family’s position, which had been in a state of instability. To stabilize things, they had no choice but to compromise.
After his intervention, their issues were resolved, and they reached a sort of agreement.
Yet in this moment, when that creature referred to him as a friend and created such an uproar, it was clear he was merely trying to bolster his influence. With that thought, Gerry’s voice trembled as he replied, “My old friend, I’m here, I’m here.”
“Fifty years have passed, and I can’t believe you’re still alive. I thought you had long gone! Hahahaha!” This wild laughter threw the Ford family into chaos.
While it might sound like a jest, it struck Gerry heavily.
“Oh! Please, don’t mock me anymore, my old friend. Come help the Ford family!” Gerry implored, bowing deeply.
Silence enveloped the scene, and about a minute later, the figure burst into laughter, declaring, “I’ve waited for the day the Ford family would be in trouble. I’ve waited for fifty years.”
Laughter erupted again, catching the Ford family off guard and leaving them bewildered. They couldn’t comprehend the entity’s intent. From his laughter, it seemed he reveled in the Ford family’s misfortune.
Cold sweat broke out on Gerry’s forehead as he realized that speaking like this in such a situation brought no benefit to the Ford family.
Yet he had no choice but to respond, “My old friend, please reveal yourself! The Fords need you now.”
“I’m already here!” As soon as he spoke, a tremendous crash resonated, causing the ground to shake. Everyone struggled to remain upright, some women and children even falling to the ground with cries of pain.
Once they regained their balance, they noticed another figure had appeared inside the room. No one could see how he arrived. It was as if he had suddenly materialized here, ghostlike. All eyes turned toward him. He was disheveled, chains and shackles wrapped around him, and his bare torso revealed tattoos, with a string of large prayer beads around his neck.
He was standing barefoot; the ground beneath him had caved into a large pit, cracks radiating like a spider’s web, a shocking display of the force he wielded.
Although he wasn’t particularly tall, comparable to Kayden, he cast a massive shadow behind him. Indeed, there seemed to be an enormous figure standing in his shadow, at least three meters wide and extraordinarily imposing.
What Leonel had seen all those years ago was the vast shadow behind the Stone Chief.
Standing on the ground, the Stone Chief yawned, sighed, and spread his arms wide, as if embracing the entire sky, saying meaningfully, “Fifty years have passed, and I’ve finally come back to the light!”
As he opened his arms, the chains and shackles clanked loudly, and the shadow behind him moved in tandem.