Conrad''s hands trembled as he prepared to strike. I could see the torment in his eyes—a father forced to choose between honor and his son''s life. The air crackled with his concentrated power.


    I closed my eyes, epting what wasing. My body was too drained to mount any meaningful defense.


    "I''m sorry," Conrad whispered, his voice breaking.


    Just as his attack was about tond, the door burst open.


    "STOP!"


    The voice cut through the tension like a de. I opened my eyes to see Eamon Greene standing in the doorway, his expression grim. In his armsy a limp figure—Miles Thornton.


    Conrad''s attack halted mid-motion. His face drained of color as he stared at his son''s motionless body.


    "Miles?" His voice was barely a whisper. "MILES!"


    Conrad abandoned his attack and rushed to his son, taking the limp body from Eamon''s arms. Miles''s skin was deathly pale, his lips tinged blue. No breath moved his chest.


    "What happened?" Conrad demanded, cradling his son''s face.


    Eamon looked at me, then back to Conrad. "Mr. Knight''s men rescued him from Adrian''spound an hour ago. We found him... like this."


    Adrian''s face contorted with fury. "Impossible! My men had strict orders—"


    "I had a feeling you might try something like this," I said, my voice hoarse from exhaustion. "So I had my people watching your operations for days. When they noticed unusual activity around Miles, they moved in."


    Conrad looked up at me, his expression a mixture of gratitude and devastation. "You knew? You tried to save him?"


    I nodded weakly. "I suspected Adrian might target your family. I only wish we''d been faster."


    The realization that his son was gone broke something in Conrad. His face transformed from grief to murderous rage as he gentlyid Miles on a nearby couch.


    "You," he growled, turning to face Adrian. "You did this."


    Adrian backed away, rm shing across his face. "Now, Conrad, be reasonable—"


    "You killed my boy!" Conrad roared, his aura exploding outward with such force that the windows shattered.


    Adrian looked desperately at the body he was possessing. "This isn''t even my real form! This is just a vessel—kill me, and you only kill an innocent!"


    I struggled to my feet. "He''s right, Conrad. That''s Aidan Ortega''s body. Adrian is just possessing him."


    Conrad didn''t seem to hear me. Blind with grief and rage, he charged forward, his fist glowing with deadly power.


    Without thinking, I threw myself between them, shielding Aidan''s body from Conrad''s blow.


    The impact was devastating. <samp ss="phantom-imprint">K*e$ep us go*ing& by reading on *.^</samp>


    Conrad''s fist, meant for Adrian, crashed into my chest. I felt ribs shatter, organs rupture. Blood erupted from my mouth as I copsed to the floor.


    "Liam!" Eamon shouted, rushing to my side.


    Conrad stood frozen, horror dawning on his face as he realized what he''d done. "Mr. Knight... I didn''t mean—"


    Adrian''sughter cut through the room. "Perfect! You''ve done my work for me, Thornton!"


    A dark mist began seeping from Aidan''s eyes and mouth as Adrian prepared to abandon his host. "I''ll leave you all to your grief. Two bodies to bury instead of one!"


    With my remaining strength, I grabbed Aidan''s ankle, preventing Adrian''splete departure. "Not... so fast."


    "You''re dying, Knight," Adrian sneered, his voice nowing from the ck mist. "Let go while you still can."


    I coughed, more blood spattering the floor. "Before I do... look at Miles again."


    Adrian''s attention shifted to the boy''s body. "What about him?"


    I pulled myself up, every movement agony. "He''s not dead... yet."


    Using thest reserves of my energy, I stumbled to Miles''s side. Conrad watched, confusion mixing with desperate hope on his face.


    "What are you doing?" he asked.


    "Saving... your son," I gasped.


    I ced my hands on Miles''s chest. The golden light of my healing power flickered weakly around my fingers. It wasn''t enough—I was too depleted.


    "Need more... power," I muttered.


    Then I remembered—the dark energy I''d absorbed from Adrian during our battle. I could use it.


    I reached deep inside, finding the pool of corrupted power I''d consumed. It burned through my veins like acid as I channeled it into Miles''s body, drawing out the poisonous energy that had stopped his heart.


    ck tendrils rose from Miles''s mouth, twisting in the air before dissipating. His chest suddenly heaved as he drew in a gasping breath.


    "Dad?" Miles''s eyes fluttered open.


    Conrad dropped to his knees beside his son, tears streaming freely now. "Miles! My boy!"


    The sight of their reunion was thest thing I saw before darkness imed me. My body, pushed beyond its limits, finally shut down.


    I was vaguely aware of voices shouting my name, of hands trying to keep me conscious. But the darkness was too strong, tooforting after so much pain.


    When I opened my eyes again, sunlight was streaming through unfamiliar windows. Iy in arge bed, my chest wrapped in bandages.


    "You''re awake," Conrad''s voice came from nearby.


    I turned my head to see him sitting in a chair beside the bed. His eyes were red-rimmed from exhaustion or tears—perhaps both.


    "Miles?" I asked, my voice a rasp.


    Conrad smiled—the first genuine smile I''d seen from him. "He''s fine. Thanks to you."


    I tried to sit up but fell back with a groan.


    "Don''t move," Conrad cautioned. "You almost died. Your wounds were... severe."


    "How long was I out?"


    "Just overnight. Your healing abilities are remarkable."


    I nodded, wincing at the pain in my chest. "And Adrian?"


    Conrad''s expression darkened. "Escaped. The ck mist vanished when you copsed."


    I wasn''t surprised. Adrian was nothing if not slippery.


    "Mr. Knight," Conrad began, his voice solemn, "I owe you my son''s life. And I almost took yours." He bowed his head. "There are no words to express my shame or my gratitude."


    "You were protecting your family," I said. "I understand that better than most."


    Conrad met my eyes. "From this day forward, the Thornton family stands with you. Whatever you need, whatever battles you face—we are yours."


    The conviction in his voice was absolute. I had gained a powerful ally.


    "I appreciate that," I said, trying to sit up again. This time I managed, though the pain made me wince. "But I can''t stay. I need to return home."


    "To Havenwood?" Conrad asked.


    I nodded. "I''ve been away too long. And I need to recover."


    Conrad helped me stand. "At least let me arrange transportation."


    By evening, I was ready to leave. Miles came to see me off, his recovery nearly as remarkable as my own.


    "Thank you, Mr. Knight," he said earnestly. "Dad told me what you did."


    I ced a hand on his shoulder. "Just stay out of trouble, kid."


    As I climbed into the waiting car, Conrad approached me onest time.


    "What about Earth Fiend Valley?" he asked quietly. "Adrian will not forget this defeat."


    I looked back at him, feeling a cold determination settle over me. "One day, I''ll return. And when I do, I''ll tear that ce apart brick by brick."


    Conrad nodded, understanding the promise in my words. "And the Thorntons will be by your side."


    As the car pulled away, I gazed out the window at the passingndscape. So much had happened, yet I felt no closer to finding Isabelle or bringing down the Veridia City Martial Guild.


    But I had gained something valuable—an ally willing to die for me, when just a day ago he had been prepared to kill me.


    The road to Havenwood stretched ahead, promising a brief respite. I needed time to heal, to n my next move. Little did I know what awaited me there.


    ---


    In Havenwood City, a sleek ck car with Veridia City tes pulled up to the gate of Jade Moon Vi. A young man stepped out, his movements radiating power and arrogance. The vi guard approached him cautiously.


    "Sir, this is private property. Mr. Knight isn''t receiving visitors."


    The young man didn''t even look at the guard. With a casual wave of his hand, the heavy gates flew open, metal groaning in protest.


    "I don''t need an invitation," he said coldly.


    He strode through the courtyard and into the main house as if he owned it. In the living room, his gaze fell on a framed photograph—Liam Knight standing proudly beside Isabelle Ashworth.


    The young man''s eyes narrowed. He picked up the photo, studying Liam''s face with unmistakable disdain.


    "So this is the famous Liam Knight," he murmured, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "How... disappointing."