The Ashworth mansion felt like a tomb. Shadows stretched along the hallways as I knelt beside Michael Ashworth''s body. Isabelle stood nearby, her eyes red-rimmed from hours of weeping.


    "Is there really hope?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    I nodded, examining the faint flicker of divine energy still pulsing around Michael''s forehead. "His divine sense remains. If we move quickly, there''s a chance."


    Behind us, Corbin paced impatiently. "This is ridiculous. We should be preparing a proper funeral, not indulging in mystical nonsense."


    I ignored him, focusing instead on the task at hand. Michael''splexion had gone ashen, but the subtle glow only I could see told me everything I needed to know. Time was running out.


    Suddenly, servants entered carrying an ornate coffin. I frowned, turning to Corbin. "What is this?"


    "Practicality," he replied smoothly. "If you insist on transporting my father''s body across the country for your... experiment... we must preserve it properly."


    I couldn''t argue with the logic, though something about Corbin''s expression made my skin crawl. With careful movements, we transferred Michael''s body into the coffin.


    Isabelle broke down again as the lid closed. I put my arm around her shoulders. "This isn''t goodbye," I promised. "I''ll bring him back."


    "I know you will," she whispered, leaning against me.


    Corbin cleared his throat loudly. "Time is of the essence, isn''t it, Liam? You should depart immediately."


    I nced at him suspiciously. "That''s unusually supportive of you."


    "Familyes first," he replied, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Now, I believe you mentioned Earth Fiend Valley? Quite a journey."


    I nodded, producing a small jade disc from my pocket. "I''ll use a Spatial Magic Artifact. It will get me there faster."


    "Excellent thinking." Corbin''s voice was honey-sweet. "Will you need assistance?"


    "No." I pulled out my phone. "I just need to make arrangements for when I arrive."


    Stepping aside, I called Conrad Thornton. His gruff voice answered on the third ring.


    "Conrad, I need your help urgently," I exined the situation in hushed tones. "Can you secure a suitable vessel? Time is critical."


    "A body transfer? That''s ancient forbidden magic," Conrad sounded troubled. "But for you, I''ll make it happen. Give me twelve hours."


    "Thank you." I ended the call, turning back to find Corbin watching me intently.


    "All set?" he asked.


    "Yes. I should leave now."


    Isabelle rushed to embrace me, her tears soaking my shirt. "Please bring him back," she whispered against my chest.


    "I promise," I said, holding her tightly before pulling away.


    Four servants carried the coffin outside. I activated the jade disc, watching it glow with ethereal blue light. A swirling portal opened before us.


    "Twelve hours," I told Isabelle. "I''ll return with your grandfather."


    With a final reassuring nod, I directed the servants to carry the coffin through the portal. As I stepped through after them, I caught Corbin''s expression transform from false concern to triumphant malice.


    The portal closed behind me with a rushing sound, cutting off my view of Isabelle''s hopeful face.


    ---


    Back at the Ashworth Estate, the facade of unity shattered the moment I disappeared.


    "Guards!" Corbin''s voice thundered through the halls. "Summon all family members immediately!"


    Within minutes, the grand hall filled with Ashworth family members, all looking confused and concerned.


    "What''s happening, Uncle Corbin?" Isabelle asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.


    Corbin stood at the head of the room, his expression grave. "It is with great sorrow that I must inform you all of a terrible betrayal." <cite ss="phantom-imprint">S&p@o%t# an e@r^ror#?! Vi!s-it the o&r!i!gi*n&al@ po!s^t on M@&VLEMPY&R&.</cite>


    Isabelle stiffened. "What are you talking about?"


    "Liam Knight," Corbin spat the name, "has murdered my father and stolen his body!"


    Gasps erupted around the room. Isabelle''s face drained of color.


    "That''s a lie!" she shouted, stepping forward. "You know that''s not true! Grandfather was already dying!"


    "Was he?" Corbin raised an eyebrow. "Or was that what your precious Liam wanted us to believe? Our family doctor conveniently found evidence of poison in Father''s study. The same poison that was discovered among Liam''s belongings."


    "This is absurd!" Isabelle''s voice shook with fury. "You nted that evidence!"


    "Why would I do that?" Corbin asked innocently. "What could I possibly gain?"


    "Everything!" Isabelle''s eyes zed. "Control of the family, the business empire, everything Grandfather built!"


    Corbin smiled coldly. "Your judgment is clouded by your infatuation with that outsider. He has manipted you from the beginning."


    He turned to address the assembled family. "As of this moment, I am issuing an extermination order for Liam Knight. He is to be captured or killed on sight. Anyone harboring him will be considered an enemy of the Ashworth family."


    Isabelle''s hands clenched into fists. "You have no authority to do that."


    "With Father gone, I am the senior Ashworth," Corbin dered. "The family charter is clear about the line of session."


    "The charter also states that leadership passes to the designated heir," Isabelle countered, her voice gaining strength. "And Grandfather designated me as his heirst month."


    Corbinughed dismissively. "Where''s your proof? Convenient that your imes after Father is no longer here to verify it."


    Something shifted in Isabelle''s expression. The grief and shock gave way to cold determination. She straightened her shoulders, looking suddenly more like her grandfather than ever before.


    "I don''t need to prove anything to you," she said quietly. "Guardian Leif!"


    The doors to the grand hall burst open. A tall, powerfully built man entered, followed by ten others—all wearing the distinctive ck and gold armor of Michael Ashworth''s personal guard.


    "Guardian Leif reporting, Young Mistress," the man said, bowing deeply.


    Corbin''s face contorted with rage. "What is the meaning of this? I did not summon the guardians!"


    "No," Isabelle replied calmly. "I did. As is my right as Grandfather''s designated heir."


    "These men answer to me now!" Corbin shouted. "Imand you to leave immediately!"


    Guardian Leif didn''t even nce in Corbin''s direction. "We serve only the designated heir of Master Michael. Our loyalty was pledged to Miss Isabelle three weeks ago, on Master Michael''s direct orders."


    Corbin''s face flushed dark red. "This is mutiny! I am the senior family member! You will obey me!"


    "Yourmand over this family was never recognized by Master Michael," Leif replied evenly. "And it is not recognized by us."


    Isabelle stepped forward, her presence suddenlymanding the room. "Guardian Leif, my grandfather''s body has been taken by Liam Knight to Earth Fiend Valley for a resurrection ritual. This was done with my blessing and Grandfather''s interests at heart."


    "The young mistress speaks truth," one of the other guardians confirmed. "Master Michael confided in us about this possibility before his condition worsened."


    Isabelle turned to face her uncle. "You tried to frame Liam because you knew Grandfather trusted him. You knew that if Grandfather returned, your schemes would be exposed."


    "This is preposterous!" Corbin sputtered, looking around desperately for support. "Guards! Arrest her for treason against the family!"


    Not a single guard moved.


    "The extermination order against Liam Knight is rescinded," Isabelle dered, her voice ringing through the hall. "Any who attempt to harm him will answer directly to me."


    The assembled family members watched in stunned silence as the power shifted before their eyes. Corbin''s carefully constructed n was crumbling.


    "You think this is over?" Corbin hissed, his face contorted with fury. "This family has stood for centuries because we follow tradition! A mere girl cannot lead the Ashworth family!"


    "Guardian Leif," Isabelle said calmly, "please escort my uncle to his quarters. He is not to leave the estate until further notice."


    As two guardians moved toward Corbin, he backed away, pointing an using finger at Isabelle. "You''ll regret this! Without me, this family will copse! You know nothing about running an empire!"


    "I learned from the best," Isabelle replied, her grandfather''s steel in her voice. "And now I have his guardians to help me preserve his legacy. Your reign ends before it even began, Uncle."


    The guardians—more than ten strong martial artists including a Military Marquis—formed a protective circle around Isabelle, their faces impassive but their stance unmistakable. They would die before allowing harm toe to Michael Ashworth''s chosen heir.


    And in that moment, as Corbin''s face twisted with impotent rage, the bnce of power within the Ashworth family changed irrevocably. The battle for session had just begun.