Location: St. Monarch University – The Pinnacle Forum
Broadcast globally.
Live-streamed to over a hundred elite circles.
Attended by CEOs, politicians, legacy families… and monitored silently by the FBI.
Tonight's main event: Vale Holdings' Founder Keynote
Speaker: Damien Vale.
But behind the curtain?
The man adjusting his cufflinks…
Wasn't just a businessman.
He was a legend buried in flames.
Now reborn in silence.
Pre-Event: Observers Watching Closely
Nova sat in the third row, eyes locked on the stage.
Beside her, Zeke, jaw tight, arms crossed.
In the VIP balcony:
Damon's estranged family, silent, wide-eyed
Old enemies, leaning forward, curious
Two FBI agents, transmitting facial scans in real time
Former allies, unable to shake the chill
Everyone watching for a crack in the mask.
Everyone waiting to hear something they could recognize.
Damon Steps on Stage
He walked slowly. No rush.
Perfectly tailored midnight suit.
Tie pinned with a silver dragon tooth.
When he stood at the podium, he didn't speak immediately.
He looked out across the room.
And he smiled.
Not with warmth.
With precision.
The Speech – Calm. Calculated. Cold.
"Good evening."
"For years, I've watched the world from the outside—silent, studying.
I've seen dynasties collapse from arrogance,
And empires rot behind curtains of gold."
"But tonight, you're not witnessing a startup.
You're witnessing the beginning of a structure the world can't ignore."
"A name. A force.
Not built to fit into the world's order—
But to replace it."
His voice dipped.
His eyes locked briefly with Nova's… then Zeke's… then a federal agent.
"Some of you may remember a name that vanished.
A boy who disappeared.
An empire that crumbled overnight."
"You were so sure it died.
So sure he died."
Silence spread like fire.
"But the thing about ghosts…"
He leaned slightly forward.
"…is they don't disappear.
They evolve."
"And when they come back?
They bring consequences."
"So to those who whispered over graves,
Enjoy the quiet."
He smiled again.
Sharper this time.
"Because peace…
is about to end."
And he stepped back.
No applause at first.
Just shock.
Then the room erupted — half in awe, half in panic.
Aftermath – Global Ripples
FBI scanners failed to match his face.
His family didn't speak a word.
Old enemies called emergency meetings.
Nova sat still, stunned. Her eyes burning.
Zeke whispered:
"It's him."
Nova answered:
"No.
It's more than him now."