**Chapter 4: The Hero's Secret**

As Elias cradled Amalia in his arms, James's eyes widened in realization. The girl he had fought and defeated was none other than the daughter of his arch-nemesis, Elias Vale. Lucien's eyes narrowed, a plan forming in his mind. "Let's get out of here," Lucien said, turning to James and Shinyagi. "We have what we came for." James nodded, his gaze still fixed on Amalia. He couldn't believe that he had fought and almost killed the daughter of Elias Vale. A mix of emotions swirled inside him - surprise, curiosity, and a hint of attraction. Elias gently set Amalia down, checking for any injuries. She was pale and shaken, but she seemed to be recovering. James watched as Elias tenderly brushed a strand of hair out of her face, a look of deep concern etched on his features. Lucien turned to James, his voice low and calculated. "So, you see, James, Elias Vale is not as unbeatable as we thought. He has a weakness, and it's his daughter, Amalia." James's eyes snapped back to his father, his mind racing with the implications. "What do you plan to do, Father?" Lucien's smile was cold and menacing. "We will use her to our advantage. We will capture her, and Elias will do anything to save her. He will come to us, and we will finally have the upper hand." James felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the extent of his father's plan. He had always known that Lucien would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, but this was different. This was personal. As they retreated into the night, James couldn't shake off the image of Amalia's face. He had seen the fear in her eyes, the determination in her movements. He had felt a spark of attraction, which he quickly suppressed. She was the enemy's daughter, after all. But he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if their paths crossed again. Would she be a worthy opponent, or would she succumb to his father's plans? Lucien's voice broke into his thoughts. "James, I want you to focus on capturing Amalia. Use any means necessary. I want her brought to me alive." James nodded, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. He knew that his father's plans were already in motion, and he was eager to see how they would unfold. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Amalia than met the eye, and that their next encounter would be far from predictable. As they approached the hideout, James saw the guards standing at attention. Lucien turned to him. "Prepare a special room for our guest. I want it to be... comfortable." James's eyes narrowed, a shiver running down his spine. He knew what his father's "comfortable" meant - it meant torture, manipulation, and control. He nodded, his mind racing with the implications. He would have to face Amalia again, and this time, he would have to make a choice. Would he follow his father's orders, or would he forge his own path? Meanwhile, Elias led Amalia to a safe house, his mind racing with worry. He had never meant for her to be involved in his conflicts with Lucien. He had kept her hidden away, protected from the world, and now... Amalia looked up at him, her eyes still wide with fear. "Father, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." Elias smiled, his heart swelling with love and protectiveness. "You have nothing to apologize for, Amalia. You're safe now. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe." But as he looked into her eyes, he knew that he couldn't keep her hidden forever. Lucien would stop at nothing to find her, and Elias would have to face him eventually. The question was, would he be able to protect Amalia, or would she become the very thing that destroyed them all?