The moment the cell door nged shut behind me, I knew my decision had sealed my fate. The faces of my fellow inmates turned toward me, curiosity written across their weathered features.


    "What did they want?" Eamon asked quietly when I returned to our corner.


    I settled against the cold stone wall. "The Thornton family offered me freedom in exchange for saving Tristan Thornton''s life."


    His eyes widened. "And you refused?"


    "It was a trap," I replied, watching the shadows dance across the ceiling. "Once I healed him, they''d have no reason to keep their word. I''d end up right back here—or worse."


    Eamon fell silent, processing my words. Finally, he asked, "What happens now?"


    "Now?" Iughed humorlessly. "Now we wait for them to decide how to kill me."


    I wasn''t being dramatic. The Thornton family wouldn''t tolerate such defiance, especially when I had just condemned one of their own to a likely death. My execution would be swift and made into a public spectacle—a warning to others who might dare challenge their authority.


    Outside our cell, I could hear Gage Mcbride''s heavy footsteps retreating down the corridor. I knew exactly where he was heading and what message he would deliver.


    ---


    In his spacious office overlooking the prison yard, Gage Mcbride sat behind a mahogany desk, his expression grim as Conrad Thornton paced before him like a caged predator.


    "He refused?" Conrad''s voice was dangerously quiet. "A prisoner facing execution refused to save my son''s life?"


    Mcbride swallowed nervously. "Yes, sir. He seemed convinced it was a trap—that you''d never honor your promise of freedom." <i ss="ref-5838a5">This is part of a series from My Virtual Library Empire (*).</i>


    Conrad stopped pacing, his cold eyes fixing on Mcbride. "And what did you tell him to convince him otherwise?"


    "Everything I could think of, sir. But he was... resolute."


    Conrad''s hand mmed down on the desk, causing Mcbride to flinch. "My son lies dying while this... this nobody ys games with his life!"


    "Should I try again? Perhaps with more persuasive methods?"


    "No," Conrad said, his voice suddenly controlled. "If he wishes to die, then die he shall."


    He straightened his immacte suit jacket, regaining hisposure with practiced ease. "Prepare the execution for tomorrow morning. Make it public. I want everyone in Eldoria Province to know the price of defying the Thornton family."


    "So soon?" Mcbride asked, unable to keep the surprise from his voice. "Don''t you want to wait and see if your son—"


    "My son will survive," Conrad cut him off. "I have other healersing from the capital. Liam Knight has made his choice, and now he will face the consequences."


    Conrad walked to the window, looking out over the prison yard. "My family has maintained its position for generations by ensuring that our enemies understand one simple truth: no one who stands against us survives."


    Mcbride nodded, reaching for a form in his desk drawer. "I''ll submit the execution order immediately."


    "Good." Conrad turned back. "And Mcbride? Make sure he suffers before the end. I want witnesses to speak of his agony for years toe."


    As Conrad left the room, Mcbride sat staring at the execution form, pen poised above the signature line. He hesitated only briefly before signing his name with a flourish. In this world, power belonged to families like the Thorntons. Men like him merely served at their pleasure.


    The die was cast. By morning, Liam Knight would be dead.


    ---


    Back in my cell, something strange was happening. The three Grandmasters who had tried to intimidate me earlier now approached with cautious respect.


    "Is it true?" asked the one I''d thrown against the wall. "Did you really refuse to heal Tristan Thornton?"


    I studied him warily. "News travels fast."


    "The guard outside was talking," another exined. "Said you told Conrad Thornton to go to hell."


    I shrugged. "Not in those exact words."


    The third man shook his head in disbelief. "No one defies the Thornton family and lives."


    "I''m aware of the stakes."


    They exchanged nces before the first man spoke again. "We... we misjudged you earlier. Anyone who stands up to those bastards has our respect."


    This sudden change in attitude was unexpected. "Your respect won''t help me much when theye for my head tomorrow."


    "Maybe we could help," the second man suggested, lowering his voice. "Between the four of us, we might be able to break out."


    I looked at them incredulously. "You want to escape? With me?"


    "We''re all Grandmasters," he continued. "If we work together—"


    "No," I cut him off. "It won''t work."


    "Why not?" The first man frowned. "Are you afraid to try?"


    I shook my head. "It''s not fear. It''s reality. Even if we escaped these walls, where would we go? The Martial Arts Association''s reach extends across the entire country. They would hunt us until the end of our days."


    "So you''d rather die tomorrow than take a chance?" the third man asked.


    "I didn''t say that," I replied. "But a desperate break that gets us all killed serves no one."


    I looked around at the faces watching our conversation. "This cell holds some of the most talented cultivators in the province. Yet we''re all here, locked away by men who fear our abilities. That should tell you something about the system we''re fighting against."


    The first Grandmaster considered my words. "You speak of the system as though it could be changed."


    "Everything can be changed," I said quietly. "But not through desperate acts of violence. Not today, at least."


    They backed away, disappointed but seemingly understanding my position. As they retreated to their bunks, Eamon leaned closer.


    "You really believe the system can be changed?" he whispered.


    I stared at the iron bars containing us. "I have to believe it. Otherwise, what am I fighting for?"


    ---


    In Havenwood City, Caldwell sat in his office, reading the message that had just arrived with growing delight. His thin lips curved into a smile as he reached the part about Liam Knight''s scheduled execution.


    "Finally," he whispered, setting the paper down. "Finally, that thorn in my side will be removed."


    He pressed a button on his desk. Momentster, Franklin Duval entered, bowing slightly.


    "You called for me, sir?"


    "Indeed." Caldwell stood, unable to contain his excitement. "I have wonderful news. Liam Knight is to be executed tomorrow morning in Eldoria Province."


    Franklin''s eyebrows rose in surprise. "Are you certain? Knight has proven remarkably difficult to kill in the past."


    "This time is different," Caldwell assured him. "He''s in the custody of the Martial Arts Association, with Conrad Thornton himself overseeing his execution. There will be no escape."


    "That is... excellent news," Franklin said carefully.


    "With Knight gone, we need to secure our position," Caldwell continued. "First, eliminate Roman Volkov. Without Knight''s protection, he''s vulnerable, and I want that loose end tied up permanently."


    Franklin nodded. "And the Celestial Apothecary Guild?"


    Caldwell''s eyes gleamed with avarice. "Once Liam Knight dies, only one person will be able to produce the Soul Nourishment Pill, that is, Elder Harding! As long as I control Elder Harding, the Soul Nourishment Pill is all mine!"


    Franklin kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he questioned Caldwell''s confidence. Men like Liam Knight had a way of surviving against impossible odds. Still, he merely nodded.


    "I''ll see to Roman Volkov immediately," he said, bowing before leaving the room.


    Left alone, Caldwell poured himself a ss of expensive whiskey, savoring the moment. By this time tomorrow, his most dangerous enemy would be dead, and he would control the most valuable pharmaceutical in Havenwood City. Life, he decided, was finally going his way.


    ---


    Night fell over the prison, but I couldn''t sleep. Tomorrow would be my execution day, and despite my calm exterior, I wasn''t ready to die. Not when I still had so much left to aplish. Not when Isabelle was still in danger.


    I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing. If this was to be myst night alive, I wouldn''t spend it in fear.


    The sound of approaching footsteps made me open my eyes. It was too early for the morning guards. Something was happening.


    A key turned in the lock, and the cell door swung open. A single guard entered, his face hidden in shadow.


    "Liam Knight," he called softly. "Your time hase."