I stood facing Preston Ironwood, my body still smoldering from the heavenly tribtion that should have killed me. The air around us crackled with residual energy, and I could feel something different coursing through my veins - power unlike anything I''d experienced before.


    Preston''s face twisted with disbelief. "How are you still alive?"


    I didn''t answer immediately. The sensation flowing through me was strange - a calm detachment mixed with cold fury. My injuries, while still present, felt distant, as if happening to someone else.


    "Impossible," Preston muttered, taking a step back. His eyes darted nervously between me and the clearing sky above. The tribtion clouds had dispersed, leaving behind only their judgment - me, standing when I should be dead.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Eamon Greene limping toward us. Despite his injuries, determination drove him forward. "Master Knight," he called out, voice filled with relief and amazement.


    Behind him, Adrian Whitlock struggled to sit up. Blood stained his robes, and his breathing came inbored gasps. "Liam," he wheezed, "you must not die."


    I turned my attention back to Preston. Though he stood before me as an Eighth Rank Grandmaster - far above my newly ascended status - I felt no fear. Only rity.


    "You look different," Preston said, regaining someposure. "But it changes nothing. You''re still beneath me!"


    He lunged forward, hands forming his signature technique. "Divine Ironwood Disc!"


    A spinning vortex of energy materialized between his palms, growing rapidly until it was the size of a wagon wheel. With a shout, he hurled it toward me.


    I didn''t dodge. I simply raised my hand.


    The disc collided with my palm and shattered like ss. Fragments of energy dispersed around me, harmless as autumn leaves.


    Preston''s jaw dropped. "That''s not possible."


    "Many things thought impossible have happened today," I replied, my voice eerily calm even to my own ears.


    Taking a step forward, I felt the earth respond beneath my feet. My connection to the world around me had deepened, as if the tribtion had reforged me into something more than human. <em ss="meta-ref-static">Brought to you by *.</em>


    Preston attacked again, desperation fueling his movements. His fists blurred with speed as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. "Eight Directions Sky Shattering Palm!"


    I moved with a fluidity that surprised even me, weaving through his attacks as if they were happening in slow motion. When his final strike came, I simply redirected it with two fingers, sending him stumbling off bnce.


    "Is this the mighty Preston Ironwood?" I asked. "The man who betrayed his master? Who plots to overthrow ancient orders for his own gain?"


    "You know nothing!" he snarled, gathering energy for another attack.


    Before he could release it, I closed the distance between us and struck his chest with my palm. The blow wasn''t particrly hard, but the energy I channeled through it sent him flying backward.


    He crashed into a boulder, splintering it into fragments. Coughing blood, he struggled to his feet.


    "That...that was just luck," he gasped, wiping crimson from his lips.


    I approached him slowly. "It wasn''t luck that made you betray Master Whitlock. It wasn''t luck that led you to ambush us here."


    Fear flickered in his eyes as I drew closer. "Stay back!"


    "You murdered your own master," I continued, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You plotted against the very man who taught you everything you know."


    Preston backed away. "He was weak! The Ironwood family deserves more than scraps from the Whitlock table!"


    "And that justifies murder?"


    Heunched another desperate attack. This time, I caught his fist in my hand, stopping it cold. The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing, but I stood firm.


    "How?" he whispered, genuine fear now recing his arrogance. "You''re only a new Grandmaster. I''ve been at the Eighth Rank for decades."


    I tightened my grip until the bones in his hand creaked. "The heavens judge us all, Preston. Today they judged me worthy of survival. What do you think they would judge you?"


    With a swift movement, I twisted his arm behind his back and drove him to his knees. He screamed in pain, no longer the arrogant master but a frightened man facing judgment.


    "Please," he begged, his proud facade crumbling. "I was only following orders! The Sterling family wanted the herbs! They promised me power, position!"


    I released him suddenly, letting him copse to the ground. "So you''re not even the mastermind. Just another pawn."


    "Spare me," he whimpered, prostrating himself. "I''ll tell you everything. Names, ns, locations - everything!"


    "Look at you now," I said, disgust filling me. "Where is your pride? Your honor?"


    Behind me, I heard movement. Adrian had managed to stand with Eamon''s help and was making his way toward us.


    "The mighty Preston Ironwood," I continued, circling him like a predator. "Begging for his life from someone he called a nobody just hours ago."


    "Please," he sobbed. "I have a family."


    "So did your master," I replied coldly. "The one you murdered."


    Adrian reached us, his face pale from blood loss but his eyes sharp. "Liam," he said softly. "The tribtion has changed you."


    I nodded. "I see things clearly now."


    Preston looked up at his former friend, tears streaking through the dirt on his face. "Adrian, please. For the sake of our past friendship. Mercy."


    Adrian''s expression hardened. "Friendship? You destroyed that when you plunged a dagger into our master''s back."


    "I was wrong," Preston pleaded. "I see that now."


    I knelt beside him, studying his terrified face. "No. You''re only sorry because you failed. Because you''re facing consequences."


    "What are you going to do?" he whispered.


    I stood and looked toward Adrian. "He betrayed you. He tried to kill you today. What would you have me do with him?"


    Adrian closed his eyes briefly, his expression pained. When he opened them again, I saw conflict there. "He was once my brother in all but blood."


    "And now?"


    "And now..." Adrian sighed heavily. "I cannot bring myself to demand his death, even after everything."


    Preston''s expression brightened with desperate hope. "Adrian! Thank you, old friend. I swear I''ll—"


    "Silence," I cut him off. "Master Whitlock may have spoken, but I haven''t made my decision yet."


    Fear returned to Preston''s eyes. "What do you mean? He just said—"


    "He said he couldn''t demand your death. He didn''t say you should live."


    Adrian ced a hand on my shoulder. "Liam, vengeance can consume a man. Be careful of the path you choose."


    I looked at the broken man before me, then at Adrian''s wounded form. The choice seemed clear.


    "Stand up," Imanded Preston.


    Trembling, he obeyed, rising unsteadily to his feet.


    "You tried to kill me today," I said. "You nearly seeded."


    "I was following orders," he repeated weakly.


    "And if I let you live, whose orders will you follow tomorrow? Who else will you betray?"


    His eyes darted around, seeking escape. Finding none, he dropped to his knees again. "I swear I''ll disappear. You''ll never see me again."


    Adrian stepped forward. "Liam, perhaps exile would be punishment enough."


    I turned to the old master. "Would you trust him to keep his word? To never return? To never seek revenge?"


    Adrian''s silence was answer enough.


    "Master Knight," Eamon interjected. "We could take him back to the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Let him face their justice."


    I considered this briefly. "And risk him escaping along the way? Or being freed by his powerful allies?"


    Preston grasped desperately at this suggestion. "Yes! The Guild can judge me. I''ll ept their punishment."


    I stared at him coldly. "The Guild didn''t witness your betrayal today. They didn''t feel the sting of your attacks."


    Drawing a deep breath, I made my decision. "There must be consequences, Preston. The world must know that betrayal has a price."


    Preston''s face crumpled. "Please," he whispered, one final time.


    Adrian watched me closely. "Whatever you decide, Liam, I will not interfere. But remember – some actions can never be undone."


    I nodded, acknowledging his wisdom. Then I looked back at Preston, seeing not just the man before me but all he represented – betrayal, selfishness, the willingness to destroy others for personal gain.


    "Adrian," the wounded man called out weakly. "Please stop him."


    Adrian shook his head sadly. "I cannot."


    Preston turned back to me, desperation clear in his eyes. "I was wrong. I admit it! Just give me a chance to make amends!"


    I stared down at him impassively. "Some betrayals cannot be forgiven."


    "Liam," Adrian said softly. "Perhaps mercy—"


    "Master Whitlock may have forgiven you," I cut in, my voice hardening as I addressed Preston, "but I haven''t, so... you better die!"


    With lightning speed, I mmed my palm against Preston''s forehead. His eyes widened in terror as he felt my energy invading his body.


    "Heaven Swallowing Skill," I whispered.


    Golden light flowed from my hand into his skull. Preston''s mouth opened in a silent scream as my technique began to drain his spiritual energy. His body convulsed violently as decades of umted power flowed from him into me.


    Adrian watched in stunned silence. Eamon turned away, unable to bear the sight.


    As thest of Preston''s power left him, his eyes dulled. I released my hold, letting his empty shell copse to the ground.


    Justice had been served. Retribution after tribtion.


    The heavens had spared me today. Preston Ironwood had not been so fortunate.