Jake nodded slowly, leaning back against the sleek glass railing. "Before the Loop ever established its domain, two other global behemoths came into being. First was Eclipse—the faction that unified every single criminal stronghold across Russia and Europe."
"Wait... all of Europe and Russia?" Ethan asked, stunned by the sheer scale.
"Every place under the group of your Father's allies," Jake confirmed. "And right behind them came the Shadow Syndicate, laying claim to China, Mongolia, and strategic footholds across Central Asia."
Ethan rubbed his chin, trying to process the sheer scope of the underworld map. "I don't know much about the other two, but how did a monster like the Loop get brought to its knees? How did they end up so weakened?"
"It all traces back to a single man," Jake said, his tone turning hushed and deliberate. "The mastermind who funded a group and directed it for the conquest of all the occupied areas in Europe and Russia is the exact same strategist who manipulated the factions into forming the Loop and the Shadow Syndicate. In the underworld, he's whispered about as The Creator of the Three Pillars., or The Mastermind behind the Pillars."
Ethan's brow furrowed. "The Creator? But from what did he do to such power? And how did he accomplished such tremendous feat?"
"Patience, kid," Jake cautioned smoothly. "During their rise, the Pillars relied entirely on his endless bankroll, which came from The Mastermind. But once they successfully unified their territories, the Creator demanded his return on investment. He bled them dry, forcing them to siphon vast riches back to him so he could build a legitimate business empire, overseas, all around the world. Eventually, the Pillars were left fighting over mere crumbs. Starving for power and independence, the heads of all Three Pillars held a secret summit... and plotted to assassinate their creator."
"Why didn't they just stop paying him?" Ethan asked.
"Because that man could destroy them. Someone who can make them such powers could also bring them back to dirt," Jake said dryly. "They realized the only way out of his debt was to put him in the ground."
Ethan nodded slowly, leaning closer. "So... did they succeed? Did they take him down?"
Jake shook his head, a dark, dangerous smirk touching the corners of his lips. "The Creator anticipated their betrayal years before the thought even crossed their minds. He was a called a Mastermind for reason. Even, your father acknowledge him. So, when the Three Pillars launched their joint strike against him, he sent a single man to settle the debt once and for all."
"Just one man?" Ethan scoffed in disbelief. "What could one guy possibly do against the combined power of three global powers?"
Jake's smirk widened, a chilling spark igniting in his eyes. "He wasn't a man, Ethan. He was a teenager. And that teenager visited each of their headquarter one-by-one dismantled their entire infrastructure, tearing the Three Pillars apart and reducing them to the shattered remnants they are today."
Ethan's eyes widened,
"The Loop was stripped of its strong empire type power, left with only Four Branches and two hidden strongholds. Eclipse was driven deep into hiding in the Russian wilderness. And as for the Shadow Syndicate... I don't have a clear idea to where they fled? Possibly China or nearby areas."
Jake turned to gauge Ethan's reaction, watching as the blood drained from the boy's face.
Ethan's chest tightened, his mind racing through every high-level player he had crossed paths with since his return. He gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white.
"Who is he?" Ethan demanded, his voice dropping into a tense whisper. "Who is the Creator of the Three Pillars?"
A waitress came and put two glasses of juices.
Jake took a slow, deliberate sip from his glass, letting the silence stretch between them just long enough to drive the tension through the roof.
"The Creator? Well... you actually know him, Ethan. In fact, you met him quite recently."
Ethan's eyes locked onto Jake's, refusing to break contact. "Give me a name, Jake."
Jake emptied the glass in one sip, he lowered his glass, his smile fading into something unreadably cold.
Jake opened his mouth said, "The Creator and The Mastermind behind The Three Pillars, His name is..."