The Black plate
In Ravenmoor, martial artists were ranked by plates once they reached a certain level. There were five plates- Silver, Bronze, Gold, Red, and the highest, Black.
There were only five known ranks: Silver, Bronze, Gold, Red, and the highest of them all–Black. The Black Plate was sacred. It wasn’t something you earned through politics or influence. Only one man in the history of Ravenmoor had ever qualified for that rank–the King of War.
Even Kael, the feared Reaper of the Thornfells, hadn’t been granted a Silver Plate.
So when Kael saw the obsidian gleam of the Black Plate shining on the stranger’s shoulder, his mind froze.
No. Impossible.
“That… must be a forgery,” Kael said, his voice low with disbelief. “He must have bought it from some black market to deceive fools. How dare you impersonate the King of War!”
Kael’s body tensed, muscles coiling as he launched himself forward with a murderous strike. His arm crackled with destructive energy, ready to obliterate the imposter.
But Jaden didn’t flinch. In a blink, he vanished.
Kael’s strike met only empty air.
In the same heartbeat, Jaden reappeared–in front of Derek. 1
Jaden’s fingers clamped around Derek’s jaw like a vice, lifting his face upward. 1
“I’m going to ask you one last time,” Jaden said calmly, cold eyes locked on Derek. “Where’s the music box I asked for?”
Derek’s knees buckled. A chill ran down his spine as he tried to gather himself, his mouth twitching as he chuckled nervously.
“You… you idiot. You’re asking that now? With Kael standing right there?” he muttered. “You think he’ll let you walk out of here?”
Kael narrowed his eyes, already sprinting toward Jaden again, rage exploding through him. “You arrogant fool- DIE!”
He hurled his fist forward. It tore through the air, crackling with sheer power–enough to demolish a stone wall.
“Yes Master Kael, kill him!” Dusk jumped in excitement.
“Master Kael is finally making a move. This kid is good as dead!” Another onlookers said.
Donald and Hannah were worried about Jaden. “I know he’s a good fighter, but can he withstand the Reaper?” He said to himself, the fear evident in his eyes.
But before the punch could land, a radiant golden sphere burst around Jaden, shimmering like a celestial barrier.
Boom!
Kael collided with it, and the force launched him backwards, crashing through two columns before slamming into the floor. Dust clouded the room.


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