I returned to my hotel room exhausted, my mind racing with thoughts of Isabelle and Michael Ashworth''s declining health. The weight of responsibility pressed down on my shoulders like a physical force.
Eamon Greene was waiting for me in the lobby, his keen eyes sizing me up as I walked in.
"So, it''s true then?" he asked without preamble. "You''re engaged to Isabelle Ashworth?"
I nodded, too tired to deny it. "Word travels fast."
"When it involves the Ashworth princess, it does." Eamon''s expression was unreadable. "You''re either the bravest or craziest man I''ve ever met, Liam Knight."
"I get that a lottely," I replied, heading toward the elevator.
Eamon fell into step beside me. "Michael Ashworth''s condition is worsening. The entire city is talking about it."
My chest tightened. "I know."
"And yet you''re here, not at his bedside."
"It''splicated," I said, pressing the elevator button with more force than necessary.
"Always is with the Ashworths."
We rode up in silence, but when I reached my floor, Eamon put his hand on my shoulder. "Whatever you''re nning, be careful. The Ashworths don''t lose gracefully."
I gave him a tired smile. "Who said anything about letting them lose?"
Alone in my room, I spread my materials across the desk and began working. If Michael Ashworth was getting worse, time was running out. The Vitality Enhancing Pills I''d been refining were potent, but I needed something stronger—something that could buy the old man more time.
Hours passed as I carefully measured ingredients, my fingers moving with practiced precision. Dawn was breaking by the time I finished, the fruits of mybor sealed in a small jade bottle. It wasn''t a cure, but it might be enough to stabilize him until I could obtain what I really needed.
I closed my eyes, leaning back in my chair. Isabelle''s face floated in my mind—her worried eyes, the tension in her shoulders whenever her grandfather was mentioned. I''d promised her I would help, and I intended to keep that promise.
Sleep eventually imed me, but it was brief and fitful.
---
The Veridia City Battle Zone was already bustling with activity when I arrived the next morning. Competitors from various regions mingled in themon areas, sizing each other up before the day''s events.
Commander Wood intercepted me before I could reach my team.
"Liam Knight," he said, his voice low and urgent. "A word."
I followed him to a quiet corner, away from prying ears.
"Our team is currently tied for second ce," Commander Wood said. "You''ve done well."
"The team has fought admirably," I replied.
"Yes, they have." He nced around before continuing. "About today''s match against Veridia City—what reward did you have in mind if we advance?"
"Thousand-year-old herbs," I said without hesitation. "The rarer, the better."
Commander Wood nodded, seeming unsurprised by my request. "For Michael Ashworth, I presume?"
I didn''t answer, which was answer enough.
"I see." He cleared his throat. "There''s something you should know. Commander Bellweather has... expectations about today''s oue."
My eyes narrowed. "What kind of expectations?"
"The kind that involve us losing."
"You want us to throw the match," I said tly.
Commander Wood winced at my bluntness. "I''m asking you to be strategic. Commander Bellweather needs this win for political reasons. If we amodate him now, he''ll be more... flexible in future negotiations."
"So we just give up? After all the work our team has put in?"
"I''m not saying roll over without a fight," he rified. "Just ensure the final result favors Veridia City. Make it look convincing."
My jaw clenched. More politics, more games. Always someone wanting something for nothing. <b ss="meta-ref-static">If you''re not on *, you''re viewing a copy.</b>
"And if I refuse?"
Commander Wood''s expression hardened. "This isn''t a request, Knight. It''s a directive."
We stared at each other for a long moment before I nodded curtly. "I''ll talk to the team."
I found my Dragon Tiger Team warming up in our assigned preparation area. Their faces were focused, determined—unaware of the political machinations swirling around them.
"Listen up," I said, gathering them close. "Today''s match against Veridia City is important."
They nodded, eyes bright with anticipation.
"Commander Wood has his own agenda for this match," I continued, choosing my words carefully. "But I want you all to do one thing—fight to win. Give everything you have."
"But sir," one of them started, "if Commander Wood—"
"Let me worry about Commander Wood," I cut in. "You worry about showing Veridia City what Eldoria is made of."
Their shoulders straightened, pride recing confusion. As they dispersed toplete their preparations, I caught sight of Commander Wood watching from across the room. He nodded at me, assuming I''d followed his instructions.
I turned away, unwilling to meet his eyes.
---
The teampetition began with a roar from the crowd. Veridia City''s home advantage was evident in the sea of banners and chants filling the arena.
Our Dragon Tiger Team started strong, winning three consecutive matches against Veridia City''s representatives. I watched from the sidelines, pride swelling as each of my teammates executed the strategies we''d practiced.
Commander Wood grew increasingly agitated beside me. "Knight," he hissed during a brief intermission. "Did you not understand my directive?"
"I understood perfectly," I replied without looking at him. "My team didn''t."
Across the arena, I could see Commander Bellweather''s face darkening with each Eldoria victory. He hadn''t expected genuine resistance.
By the midpoint of thepetition, we were decisively ahead. The crowd had grown quieter, shocked by the unexpected turn of events.
Then, inexplicably, our momentum faltered. Our next three fighters—all capable warriors who had shown exceptional skill in previous matches—began making amateur mistakes. Missed blocks. Telegraphed attacks. Sloppy footwork.
I watched in disbelief as each was defeated by a single Veridia City fighter.
When the final match ended with Veridia City''s victory, the arena erupted in cheers. I stood frozen, anger building in my chest as I realized what had happened.
Commander Wood approached, his expression falsely sympathetic. "A valiant effort," he said loudly enough for others to hear. Then, leaning closer: "I told you it was a directive, not a request."
"You ordered them to lose behind my back," I said, keeping my voice low despite my rage.
"I did what was necessary," he replied unapologetically. "Sometimes we must sacrifice a battle to win the war."
"This isn''t war," I snapped. "It''s apetition meant to showcase skill and honor. There''s nothing honorable about what you did."
Commander Wood''s face hardened. "You still have much to learn about how the world works, Knight."
Before I could respond, the announcer''s voice boomed through the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen! After an exciting teampetition, we now move to the highlight of today''s event—the showdown between team leaders!"
The crowd roared in anticipation.
Across the arena, I saw Commander Bellweather speaking intently to his team leader, a stocky man with a shaved head whom I recognized as Micah Ortiz. Their eyes asionally flicked toward me during their conversation.
Commander Wood gripped my arm. "Remember your ce, Knight. This is bigger than your pride."
I shook off his hand. "My ce is wherever I decide it is."
As I moved toward the center arena for the uing match, I caught fragments of Commander Bellweather''s instructions to his fighter.
"It''s clear they let us win," Bellweather was saying. "In the second half, return the favor."
Micah Ortiz nodded, his eyes meeting mine across the distance. There was something unexpected in his gaze—respect, perhaps.
I stood at the edge of the arena, the roar of the crowd washing over me as I prepared for theing showdown. This time, there would be no contrived defeat—just two warriors testing their true strength against each other.