The Path Of A True King.-Chapter 3: Elijah (4)

Elijah arrived at the entrance of the Pool Club just after nightfall.

The street outside was quiet, the air thick with the scent of rain on pavement.

A neon sign buzzed overhead, casting shifting colors on the wet sidewalk.

From inside, faint music and the clink of glasses signaled life, the hum of conversations barely audible through the thick wooden door.

He stepped inside.

The Pool Club was more refined than its rough exterior suggested—polished wooden floors, vintage pool tables, and warm, low lighting.

A grand mural spanned the far wall: an abstract sunburst-like star, its design mirroring the symbol worn by the men in dark suits scattered across the room.

Each of them bore the emblem on their jackets—metallic spikes radiating outward like blades.

Elijah’s presence was noticed immediately.

Tristan, a tall teen in a tailored black suit, met his gaze across the room.

With a quiet nod, he excused himself from his conversation and walked over, his steps silent on the wood.

Mia followed beside him, her purple hair and matching eyes sharp, always calculating.

"Elijah," Tristan greeted, his voice measured. "Didn’t expect you."

Elijah’s expression was unreadable. "Where’s Kai?" he asked, eyes scanning the room.

"Downstairs," Tristan said smoothly, tilting his head toward the back. "Private room."

Elijah didn’t respond, but Tristan, catching the stiffness in his posture, exchanged a glance with Mia before motioning to the guard at the door.

The burly man, another star-bearing soldier, stepped aside without a word, allowing them through.

The stairs led down to a stark, utilitarian space—a concrete-walled room centered around a long table with mismatched chairs. The air was thick with anticipation.

Five people were waiting.

Aurora: A striking woman in her twenties, white hair framing sharp blue eyes that seemed to see more than she let on. She stood with arms folded, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

Kevin: Lean, dark brown skin, black eyes, and neatly twisted hair. At seventeen, he carried himself with an edge beyond his years, his sharp stare always assessing.

Jack: Blond, red eyes, and a perpetual smirk. Restless energy practically radiated from him, like a man itching for a challenge.

Ben: The oldest in the room at twenty-nine. Blue hair cropped short, violet eyes sharp and unforgiving. He stood close to Kai, arms crossed.

Kai: Relaxed as ever, leaning casually against the table, his tousled brown hair falling over keen blue eyes. He gave Elijah an easy smile—one that hid more than it showed.

Elijah’s gaze swept the room before locking onto Kai. "Why were you leaving me behind?"

Kai’s smile didn’t falter. "Elijah, let me introduce you properly." He gestured to the group. "Aurora, Ben. They’re key to what we’re building."

Ben scoffed. "Expected more."

The room shifted.

Elijah’s red eyes turned cold.

A weight settled over the room, thick and suffocating.

Knees buckled, breath caught in throats.

One by one, the group collapsed under the pressure—except for Mai.

King’s aura.

Elijah stepped forward, gripping Ben’s chin and forcing their eyes to meet. "Watch your mouth." His voice was quiet but carried a dangerous edge.

Sweat beaded on Jack’s forehead, but his smirk remained, eyes gleaming with excitement.

Kevin’s fingers twitched, itching for the tension to break.

Kai finally raised his hands, voice calm but firm. "Elijah. Ease up."

Slowly, Elijah released the pressure.

The suffocating weight lifted, but the room remained thick with unspoken tension.

Ben inhaled sharply, staggering to his feet.

His fists clenched at his sides, his face twisted with residual fury.

He hated being forced to his knees, but more than that, he hated that he had no choice. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Around him, the others straightened, brushing off the lingering weight as if it hadn’t unsettled them.

But it had.

Elijah saw it in the way their shoulders tensed, in the fleeting glances they shot him.

Elijah folded his arms, his red eyes burning with quiet scrutiny. "Why so many moves behind my back?"

A brief silence followed before Kai exhaled and exchanged a look with the others.

He was always the first to speak when things got messy.

"We’ve been getting attacked. Our neighbors caught wind that we took over this territory and think we’re an easy target while we stabilize."

Elijah’s gaze sharpened. His tone was calm, but there was a blade hidden in it. "And you thought defending was the answer?"

Jack let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders. "Not my style," he admitted, "but there’s no other way. We’re stretched thin."

Aurora crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. "We need time to organize. A defensive stance gives us breathing room. If we hold position, we can at least prevent a full collapse."

Ben, still bristling from being forced to submit, muttered, "We don’t have enough men to hold every weak spot. Attacking now is a mistake."

His voice was firm, but there was an edge of frustration.

He wasn’t just resisting Elijah’s command—he was genuinely torn between pride and logic.

Elijah exhaled, his voice a blade cutting through the debate. "Kai, you told me before—if we let them breathe, they’ll keep coming."

Kai smiled, watching Elijah closely, his blue eyes glinting with interest.

Elijah let the weight of his words settle before continuing, "When we’re weak, we don’t show weakness. We show strength."

The room went silent. No one shifted. No one spoke.

Kevin, who had been listening quietly, tapped a pen against his palm, thoughtful. "So? What’s the play?"

Elijah let the moment stretch, his voice cold with resolve when he finally spoke.

"We don’t just defend. We hit back—hard. They think we’re fragile? We prove them wrong." His gaze swept the room, lingering on each of them, measuring their readiness.

"And whatever you’re planning, Kai... I trust it."

Kai’s smirk widened. "I was already planning to strike once we had Ben’s men under control."

His tone turned calculating, his posture shifting as he fully embraced the role of strategist.

"If we use our small group and remove that obstacle first, we can deal some real damage.

Catch them off guard, crush their confidence before they can gain momentum." His eyes flickered toward Ben.

"That is—if your guys are up for it."

Ben scowled, but there was something reluctant in his expression.

He wasn’t stupid.

He knew the logic behind Kai’s words. After a long pause, he muttered, "They’ll fight. Just tell me when."