From Prison To Power: Rise Of The War Goddess

A baby's cry cut through the sterile room.

Just once.

Thin. Fragile.

Then silence.

Fear surged through Scarlett as she strained against the chains binding her wrists and ankles to the hospital bed.

"Where's my baby?" she asked, her voice barely steady.

The nurse hesitated.

Then, quietly, "We're sorry. He didn't make it."

....

"Commander?"

Scarlett opened her eyes.

The private jet cabin sharpened into view.

For a brief second, her breathing remained uneven. Then the emotion vanished, buried beneath the same calm control she had worn for years.

Howard stood a respectful distance away.

"We'll be landing any minute now."

Scarlett turned toward the window.

Below, the city stretched beneath the clouds-the same skyline that had once destroyed her.

Her reflection stared back at her in the glass.

Cold. Composed. Untouchable.

Outside-

"Clear the terminal!"

The command rang across the airport.

Within seconds, armed personnel moved into position with flawless precision, locking down the arrivals hall and forming two rigid lines along the center path.

On the tarmac, military helicopters circled overhead while black armored SUVs stood in perfect formation. Officials, business leaders, and decorated officers waited in silence.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Every eye remained fixed on the private jet as its door opened.

Then she stepped out.

She moved through the aircraft doors in black tactical gear, the tailored fit sharp against her frame. Every step was measured, effortless-yet the quiet authority in her presence made the entire crowd hold its breath.

She looked far too young for the kind of power that followed her.

But the instant her boots touched the tarmac, no one questioned who she was.

"Commander Hayes."

The senior officer nearest the runway lowered his head.

In the next breath, every soldier dropped to one knee.

The sound rolled across the airstrip.

Scarlett paused, her expression unreadable as she took in the display.

Then her gaze shifted to the man behind her.

"Howard," she said, calm but unmistakably displeased, "I asked for discretion."

Her voice was quiet.

It carried anyway.

Howard straightened at once.

"My apologies, Commander. I wasn't aware they planned this."

For a brief moment, the tension in the air sharpened.

Then Scarlett looked away.

"Stand them down."

"Yes, ma'am."

Within minutes, the helicopters peeled off, the vehicles cleared, and the officials dispersed.

The spectacle vanished as quickly as it had formed.

Howard stepped closer.

"Where to now?"

Scarlett's gaze remained fixed on the runway ahead.

"Prison."

For the first time, Howard faltered.

"...Prison?"

She didn't answer right away.

Her expression remained still, unreadable.

Five years ago, she'd been dragged back into a family that had never wanted her.

Raised far from the city, she was treated like a stain on their polished reputation-the forgotten daughter they only acknowledged when it suited them.

She spent years trying to earn their acceptance.

Trying to be enough.

Trying to belong.

So when they told her to marry James Whitmore-the heir to one of the city's most influential families-she agreed.

She thought maybe, just maybe, that if she played the role they wanted, things would finally change.

She was wrong.

On the day of the wedding, everything unraveled.

James had already been sleeping with her stepsister, Sadie.

Together, they accused Scarlett of infidelity.

They claimed she was pregnant with another man's child.

That was when Scarlett realized the truth.

The man she had spent the night with weeks earlier-the one she believed was James-had never been him.

It had all been arranged.

Every detail.

And when Sadie staged a miscarriage to make it look as though Scarlett had attacked her, the family turned on her without hesitation.

Her parents never asked for the truth.

They never cared.

They made their choice.

Scarlett was beaten, humiliated, and thrown into prison.

Later, Sadie came to visit.

Smiling.

She admitted everything.

The pregnancy had been fake.

The blood had been staged.

The miscarriage had never happened.

It was all a performance.

Scarlett had lunged at the glass, desperate to tear her apart.

But bars and chains had a way of making fury useless.

There was only one reason she survived those months.

The child growing inside her.

The child whose father she had never known.

And then, after a brutal labor in a prison infirmary-

the baby died.

She never got to hold them.

Never saw their face.

James took the body.

And that was the end of it.

Or at least, that's what they thought.

Because fate had other plans.

A classified military recruitment program identified Scarlett's combat aptitude during her incarceration.

She was transferred under sealed orders.

What followed was years of war zones, black-ops missions, and survival in places designed to break people.

Instead, she rose.

She became one of the most decorated commanders in modern military history.

She built an intelligence and security network powerful enough to rival governments.

And she earned a reputation that made enemies surrender before she ever stepped onto the battlefield.

Now she was home.

And this time, she wasn't coming back as the girl they destroyed.

She was returning as the woman they would fear.

Howard cleared his throat carefully.

"You don't have to go back there."

Scarlett turned to him.

Her expression was calm.

Too calm.

"You face the place that broke you."

Then she added, almost quietly-

"And you make sure it never can again."

...

At the correctional facility, Scarlett changed into a plain prison uniform, stripped of anything that made her recognizable.

No medals.

No rank.

No armor.

She wanted to see who would come for the version of her they thought still existed.

When she stepped outside, two people were waiting.

James Whitmore.

And Sadie Hayes.

Of course.

Her mother was nowhere in sight.

James approached first, holding a folder in one hand.

He looked at her with open contempt.

"Sign the divorce papers. You'll receive five hundred thousand dollars as settlement."

Scarlett glanced at the folder, then at him.

A laugh slipped out-low and cold.

"Five hundred thousand?"

She tilted her head.

"That's what you think my silence costs?"

James's jaw tightened.

"Don't make this difficult. I'm marrying Sadie. We're giving you more than you deserve."

Scarlett looked at him for a long moment.

Then her gaze shifted to Sadie, who stood smugly at his side.

"So this is generosity?"

Her voice sharpened.

"Tell me, James... can you return the child you stole from me?"

Neither of them answered.

"Can you give me back the five years I lost?"

His face hardened.

"That child was a mistake. An embarrassment. You should've been grateful we cleaned it up."

The world seemed to stop.

Howard, standing at a distance, felt the temperature in the air drop.

Scarlett's fingers curled into a fist.

When she looked back at James, there was nothing human in her eyes.

Only judgment.

Only death.

Slowly, she reached for the divorce papers.

James smirked, assuming victory.

She signed.

Then, with one swift motion, she slapped the folder across his face so hard it sent him staggering backward.

The crack echoed through the parking lot.

He stared at her in disbelief.

Scarlett stepped closer.

"This divorce?"

Her voice was razor-sharp.

"You don't get to request it."

She met his eyes without blinking.

"You were never worthy of me."

A pause.

Then-

"I'm the one leaving you behind."

***

James looked like he was seconds away from snapping.

"Scarlett... Hayes."

Her name came out through clenched teeth, each syllable heavy with barely contained rage.

Just as he was about to lose control, Sadie reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve.

"James... maybe I should talk to her," she said softly, her voice trembling. "At the end of the day... I'm the one who hurt her first."

The sight of her teary, guilt-stricken face made his chest tighten.

In his eyes, Scarlett had wronged Sadie over and over again-she had even cost them their child.

And yet Sadie had never blamed her.

Instead, she blamed herself-for "taking him away," for everything that had happened.

How could someone be this selfless?

"Please... let me talk to her," Sadie whispered, fragile and pleading.

James hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped aside.

The second she stood in front of Scarlett-

Everything about her changed.

The tears disappeared. In their place came a cold, mocking smile.

"Scarlett, that prison uniform really suited you," she said with a sneer. "Honestly, you should've stayed locked up for life."

Scarlett's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across her face.

"I'm not in the mood for your games," she said flatly. "But don't worry-you won't have to wait long."

Her lips curved slightly.

"I heard your wedding's in three days. I'll be there."

A brief pause.

"To settle the score."

Sadie's heart skipped.

For just a split second, unease flickered across her expression.

What was Scarlett planning?

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came.

She scoffed, her gaze full of disdain.

"As if you could do anything," she said with a laugh. "Go ahead. Try."

Her tone sharpened, turning vicious.

"Let me make one thing clear-no matter what you do, you'll always be nothing more than a rat living in my shadow."

"James is mine."

"Your mother? Mine too."

"You've already lost, Scarlett. Completely."

Scarlett looked at her the way someone might watch a clown on stage.

One brow arched slightly, her expression lazy, almost amused.

"Don't you think you're celebrating a little too early?"

"Oh? Still not giving up?" Sadie smirked.

Then, glancing quickly at James-making sure he wasn't watching-

She lifted her hand and slapped herself.

SMACK-

Instantly, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry, sis!" she cried, her voice shaking. "It's all my fault! I shouldn't have taken James from you! I-I didn't mean to... I just love him too much... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Scarlett felt a wave of disgust watching the performance.

And yet-

There were always fools willing to believe it.

James rushed forward, pulling Sadie into his arms.

"Sadie! Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine..." she whispered weakly. "Don't blame her... it's my fault..."

Her trembling voice and tear-streaked face only fueled his anger.

He spun around, glaring at Scarlett, his eyes blazing.

"Scarlett! How can you be this cruel?! If you're angry, take it out on me! This has nothing to do with her!"

Scarlett's gaze drifted lazily toward Sadie.

"I didn't touch her."

"You're still denying it?!" James snapped, his fists clenching.

Scarlett let out a quiet, almost amused breath.

"I can prove it."

Prove it?

Both James and Sadie froze, confusion flashing across their faces.

How could something like that even be proven?

Before either of them could react-

Scarlett raised her hand.

Then-

CRACK-

Her arm lashed out like a whip.

The impact was explosive.

Sadie spun in place like a top, stumbling in circles before crashing hard onto the ground, limbs sprawled.

Her hair fell into complete disarray.

The right side of her face swelled almost instantly, turning an ugly shade of red.

When she opened her mouth-

Blood poured out.

Along with several teeth.

She looked utterly wrecked.

Sadie stared at Scarlett in shock, her jaw slack.

James stood frozen, his mind completely blank.

No one had expected-

That Scarlett would actually hit her.

And certainly not like that.

In the suffocating silence, Scarlett gave a faint smile.

"See the difference?" she said lightly. "That's what it looks like when I hit someone."

If they insisted on framing her-

Then she'd make it real.

Not just real-

Unforgettable.

James's hands trembled with rage.

"You need to apologize to Sadie!"

Scarlett let out a soft scoff.

"Idiot."

Even after that, he still couldn't tell?

She didn't bother sparing him another glance.

Turning on her heel, she walked away.

"Don't ignore me!" James roared, lunging forward and grabbing for her shoulder.

Scarlett stopped abruptly.

Her eyes darkened.

Cold. Sharp. Dangerous.

Without even turning fully, she shifted slightly-effortlessly dodging his hand.

Then she moved.

Fast.

She caught his wrist, twisted, and-

In one smooth motion-

Flipped him over her shoulder.

James flew through the air in a clean arc before slamming face-first into the ground.

Hard.

A sickening crack echoed.

Blood gushed from his nose.

Sadie's face drained of all color.

She had expected James to defend her-

Not... this.

Her neck turned stiffly toward Scarlett, disbelief written all over her face.

Since when was she this strong?

James staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his nose.

The way he looked at Scarlett now-

Was pure hatred.

Scarlett casually raised her fist, a wild grin tugging at her lips.

"What? Want more?"

She took a step forward.

James immediately backed away-again and again-putting distance between them.

Scarlett let out a mocking laugh.

"Pathetic."

Humiliation burned through him, but he didn't dare move.

Not after that.

Scarlett turned and walked toward the car parked by the road.

Without looking back, she lifted a hand in a lazy wave.

"See you at the wedding in three days."

She didn't have time to waste here.

There were people she needed to see-

Her adoptive parents.

Her brother.

Five years.

It had been five long years.

"Damn it!"

James ground his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter.

He had always been the one standing above everyone else-untouchable.

And today?

He had been humiliated like never before.

Not only that-

He was supposed to go to the airport with his father to welcome an important figure.

Instead, he came here to force Scarlett to sign the divorce papers.

And what did he get?

Nothing.

He missed everything.

All because of her.

Scarlett.

His expression darkened.

Fine.

If she wanted to show up at the wedding in three days-

Perfect.

He'd make sure she paid for everything.

But remembering her terrifying strength, his eyes narrowed.

He'd need backup.

This time-

He'd make her kneel.

Beg.

...

Inside the car, Howard glanced at Scarlett through the rearview mirror. She had changed into civilian clothes. Her eyes were closed, resting.

"Where to, Commander?"

"My adoptive parents' place," she replied calmly. "And from now on, call me Boss. I don't want my identity exposed."

"Understood."

Just then-

A child suddenly ran into the road.

"Shit-!"

Howard jerked the wheel sharply.

The car screeched, barely avoiding the roadside barrier.

Scarlett's eyes snapped open, her hand gripping the overhead handle.

"What happened?"

"A kid ran out!"

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and stepped out.

A small boy lay on the ground ahead, struggling to push himself up.

He looked about four or five years old.

"Hey-are you okay?" she asked, hurrying over and helping him to his feet.

Then-

She froze.

The boy's face...

Why did he look so much like her?

The child's eyes widened.

He stared at her, bright and clear.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

Then slowly, uncertainly-

"...Mommy?"

That single word-

"Mommy..."

It hit Scarlett like a shockwave.

Her heart jolted.

For a split second, she was dragged back four years... back to the tiny life she had lost the moment it entered the world.

If her child were still alive-

He'd be about this age now.

The thought tightened painfully in her chest.

As she looked at the boy, her gaze softened without her realizing it.

A storm of emotions surged through her-

Longing. Grief. Guilt. Tenderness.

Feelings she couldn't quite name... all tangled together.

At that moment, Howard walked over, his eyes flicking between Scarlett and the boy.

"Bo-Boss... is that your kid?" he blurted, stunned. "He looks just like you. Same eyes, same face-it's like a copy-paste."

Good grief.

The leader of Obsidian Unit... the infamous War Goddess...

Had a child?

If word of this got out, it would send shockwaves through the entire underworld.

Scarlett shot him a look.

"I don't know him," she said evenly. "He's probably just scared and mistook me for someone else."

Still, she studied the boy more closely.

There was a resemblance.

But lookalikes weren't exactly rare...

And deep down, she knew-

It wasn't possible.

Her child...

Was gone.

The boy's expression crumpled the moment he heard her answer.

The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by quiet disappointment.

"Let me check if you're hurt," Scarlett said, her voice softening.

But before she could move-

A harsh shout cut through the air behind them.

"There he is! Grab him!"

The boy's small body stiffened.

His eyes widened in fear as he stared at the group rushing toward them.

"Hey... it's okay," Scarlett said gently, resting a hand on his head. "I've got you. No one's going to hurt you."

The warmth of her touch-

It steadied him almost instantly.

Without thinking, he leaned into her, clinging to that rare sense of safety.

Scarlett rose slowly, her expression turning ice-cold as she faced the group closing in.

"Get over here!" the scar-faced man barked at the boy.

Terrified, the child instinctively wrapped his arms around Scarlett's leg, holding on tightly.

That was when she noticed-

Bruises on his arms.

Fresh wounds along his neck.

Some still bleeding.

Her eyes darkened instantly.

The air around her seemed to drop in temperature.

They did this...

To a child?

Disgusting.

Before she could speak, the scar-faced man sneered.

"Stay out of this if you know what's good for you," he growled. "Or I'll put you in the ground."

Howard almost laughed.

Put her in the ground?

The person capable of that probably hadn't even been born yet.

Cracking his knuckles, he stepped forward-

Only for Scarlett to stop him with a raised arm.

"I'll handle it."

Her expression was cold. Merciless.

Like a judge passing sentence.

Four years ago, her child had died.

Back then, she'd been powerless.

Too weak to protect him.

But now-

She would never let something like that happen again.

Howard glanced at her, half amused.

"Boss, these guys aren't even worth it. Using you on them is like bringing a missile to a street fight."

Scarlett ignored him.

She gently guided the boy toward him.

"Keep him safe."

Then-

She moved.

A blur.

Fast as lightning.

Before anyone could react, she was already in front of them.

Her leg snapped out-

BAM-

The impact was brutal.

The man she struck let out a guttural scream as several ribs cracked on the spot. Blood sprayed from his mouth before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

Out cold.

The rest froze.

Fear crept across their faces.

What the hell was she?

Even they weren't this ruthless.

She broke bones without hesitation-

Without even blinking.

Scarlett turned slowly, her face expressionless.

Her voice was calm.

Cold.

Lethal.

"Who hurt him?"

A pause.

"Break your own arms."

Arrogant.

Unbelievably arrogant.

"Damn it! You've got a death wish!" the scar-faced man spat. "You think you can take us on alone?"

He waved his hand sharply.

"Get her! I don't care how strong she is-she's still just one person! The client's paying a hundred grand each if we bring that kid in!"

That was all it took.

Money lit a fire in their eyes.

"Boss is right! No way we lose to one woman! Get her!"

Fueled by greed, they charged forward, steel pipes raised high.

The boy clenched his small fists, his body tense as he watched Scarlett surrounded.

His eyes filled with worry.

Scarlett, meanwhile, remained perfectly calm.

She rolled her neck.

Cracked her knuckles.

Pop. Pop.

A steel pipe swung straight toward her head-

She raised her hand-

And caught it.

Effortlessly.

The man holding it froze.

He had swung with everything he had.

And she just... stopped it?

But what happened next-

Was worse.

Scarlett tightened her grip.

Creeeak-

The metal started to bend.

Right before their eyes.

Warping. Twisting.

Until-

It folded.

The harsh grinding sound echoed through the sudden silence.

Everyone stopped dead.

No one dared take another step.

Scarlett bent it into a perfect right angle-

Then casually ripped it from his hand and tossed it aside.

Silence.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

Someone swallowed hard.

"Monster... run! RUN!"

Panic broke out instantly.

They scattered in every direction.

Scarlett's gaze darkened.

The boy's injuries flashed through her mind.

And then-

Her own child.

If he had lived...

He'd be about this age.

Her eyes narrowed.

Run?

Not happening.

She crouched, scooped up a handful of small stones-

And flicked her wrist.

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-

The stones tore through the air with deadly precision.

"AAAGH-!"

One by one, the fleeing men collapsed, clutching their legs, screaming in pain.

The boy's eyes lit up.

She was incredible.

So strong.

So cool.

She had to be his mom.

He remembered-

He'd dreamed about this before.

A dream where he was in danger, and his mom appeared just in time to save him.

And now-

It was real.

But then-

The scar-faced man, still on the ground, pulled out a gun.

The barrel aimed straight at Scarlett's head.

"Mommy! Watch out!" the boy screamed, his face going pale.

The trigger was pulled.

BANG-

The bullet fired.

***