## Liam''s Perspective


    "Crap, was I tricked?" I stared at the empty space where The Man with the Mustache had stood just seconds ago.


    One moment we were negotiating, the next he had activated some kind of spatial artifact and vanished. The Artifact Refining Cauldron sat at my feet, its green metal surface gleaming in the dim light of the cave.


    I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. "Perfect timing, you mustached bastard."


    The cave felt suddenlyrger and emptier. I picked up the cauldron, examining it closely. It was surprisingly light for its size, with intricate runes carved along its rim. A decent treasure, but worthless if I couldn''t reach the half-step Martial Marquis Realm in time.


    Sixteen days. That''s all I had before Isabelle would be forced to marry Dashiell ckthorne. The thought made my blood boil.


    I slipped the cauldron into my spatial storage ring. At least I''d gotten something out of this fiasco. The Man with the Mustache had promised to lead me to three massive graves where I could absorb enough dark energy to breakthrough. Now that n was shot.


    "Back to square one," I muttered.


    I made my way out of the cave, my mind racing through alternatives. The herbs I''d collected from the Guild members would help with some alchemical preparations, but nothing that could rece the raw power of those promised graves.


    Outside, the sun was setting over the mountains. I needed to return to Eldoria immediately. Evelyn remained unconscious, and every passing day brought Isabelle''s wedding closer.


    I extracted amunication talisman from my pocket and channeled a small burst of energy into it.


    "Mariana?" I called.


    The talisman glowed briefly before Mariana Valerius''s voice responded, "Liam? Where are you?"


    "Heading back to Eldoria. Our mustached friend disappeared on me."


    A short pause. "Disappeared how?"


    "Used some spatial artifact and vanished right after we made a deal. He was supposed to take me to three dark energy graves."


    I heard Mariana''s sharp intake of breath. "That''s... concerning. Do you think he betrayed you?"


    "I don''t know," I admitted. "He didn''t seem the type, but I''ve been wrong before."


    "Return quickly," she said. "There are rumors of movement from the ckthorne family. They''re gathering allies."


    Great. Moreplications. "I''ll be there by morning."


    I tucked the talisman away and broke into a sprint. Using my Saintly Body Skill, I could cover the distance to Eldoria in hours rather than days.


    ---


    The sky was still dark when I reached the outskirts of Eldoria. The city slumbered peacefully, unaware of the storm brewing within its walls.


    I made my way directly to Mariana''s courtyard. She was waiting for me, a cup of tea in her hands.


    "You look terrible," she said by way of greeting.


    "Nice to see you too," I replied, dropping into a chair across from her.


    Mariana poured me a cup of tea. "Tell me everything."


    I recounted my encounter with The Man with the Mustache, our discovery of the Bright Energy Grave, and our deal.


    "He seemed genuinely excited about the arrangement," I concluded. "That''s why his disappearance makes no sense."


    Mariana frowned. "The Man with the Mustache has always been... unpredictable. But outright betrayal? That''s new, even for him."


    "You know him well?"


    "No one knows him well," she said. "He''s been around for decades, perhaps centuries. Always the same appearance, same mannerisms."


    I leaned forward. "What are you saying?"


    "I''m saying be careful about making assumptions. His disappearance might not be what it seems."


    I pulled out the cauldron from my storage ring and ced it on the table between us. "At least I got this. Any idea what it does?"


    Mariana''s eyes widened. She reached out, her fingers hovering just above the cauldron''s surface.


    "This is... remarkable," she whispered. "An Artifact Refining Cauldron. They''re incredibly rare."


    "So it''s valuable?" <em ss="phantom-imprint">S!a!mpl!e@ fr.o@m$ My V#irtua!l* Lib.r-a$r!y Em$pi.r+e*—*r!e^ad+ m!o!r#e# on M^&@V^L.E+MPY&R*.#</em>


    "Beyond valuable," she said. "It can refine and improve existing artifacts. In the right hands, it can transform an ordinary weapon into something extraordinary."


    That caught my attention. "Could it enhance my pendant?"


    Mariana shook her head. "Your father''s jade pendant is already a peak-tier artifact. This cauldron couldn''t improve it."


    "Then what good is it to me?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.


    "Patience, Liam." Mariana circled the cauldron with her finger. "This could refine the spatial ring you took from Emerson Holmes, enhancing its capacity. Or strengthen your other weapons."


    I nodded slowly. Useful, but not what I needed most right now.


    "How is Evelyn?" I asked, changing the subject.


    Mariana''s expression darkened. "No change. Whatever hit her went deep. I''ve tried everything in my power."


    I clenched my fist. Another friend suffering because of me.


    "And the ckthornes?"


    "They''re gathering forces," Mariana confirmed. "Not just mercenaries. They''re calling in favors from allied families."


    "For what purpose?" I asked, although I already knew the answer.


    "The wedding is just the beginning," she exined. "They intend to ensure you never leave Veridia City alive after your confrontation with Dashiell."


    Iughed bitterly. "They''re that confident he''ll win?"


    "Roderick ckthorne certainly is." Mariana refilled our cups. "Sources say he''s been boasting about Dashiell''s enhanced abilities."


    "Enhanced how?"


    "Unknown. But Corbin Ashworth seems equally confident."


    I mmed my fist on the table, causing the tea to stter. "What about Isabelle? Has there been any word?"


    Mariana ced a gentle hand on my arm. "She''s being heavily guarded. Nomunication in or out."


    I closed my eyes, trying to control my anger. Sixteen days wasn''t enough time. Not without those dark energy graves.


    "I need power," I said quietly. "Without those graves—"


    A sudden whooshing sound interrupted me. We both turned to see a spatial tear forming in the center of the courtyard.


    I jumped to my feet, summoning my golden light in preparation for an attack.


    The tear widened, and through it stepped The Man with the Mustache.


    "There you are!" he eximed, looking relieved. "I''ve been searching everywhere!"


    My golden light intensified. "You disappeared."


    He waved his hands frantically. "A misunderstanding! My spatial artifact malfunctioned. Sent me halfway across the continent!"


    "Convenient," I growled.


    "I swear on my magnificent mustache!" He stroked his facial hair nervously. "Look, I found something even better than those three graves I promised you."


    My eyes narrowed. "What could possibly be better?"


    The Man with the Mustache grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Not what—where. I''ve located the legendary Dark Abyss of Sorrow."


    Mariana gasped. "That''s impossible. It''s just a myth."


    "Oh, it''s real," he insisted. "And I can take you there right now."


    I looked at Mariana, who appeared genuinely shocked. "What is this ce?"


    "If it exists," she said slowly, "it would contain more dark energy than all the graves in Veridiabined."


    My heart raced with renewed hope. "Enough to reach half-step Martial Marquis?"


    Mariana nodded gravely. "Enough to reach full Martial Marquis, if you survive the absorption."


    The Man with the Mustache pointed at the cauldron. "That''s my payment, as agreed. Now, shall we depart for the Abyss? Time is of the essence, yes?"


    I hesitated, looking between him and Mariana. Could I trust him again after he''d vanished once already?


    Mariana stood. "I''lle with you."


    "Absolutely not!" The Man with the Mustache looked genuinely rmed. "The Abyss only appears for twelve hours every century. It won''t wait for preparations or goodbyes."


    I made my decision. Isabelle''s life and freedom were worth the risk.


    "Let''s go," I said firmly. "But if this is another trick—"


    "No tricks!" he promised, opening another spatial tear. "Just the opportunity of a lifetime!"


    I turned to Mariana. "If I''m not back in three days—"


    "I know," she said solemnly. "Go. Save her."


    With onest nod, I stepped through the portal with The Man with the Mustache, the cauldron left behind as payment for what I hoped would be my salvation.


    The tear sealed behind us, leaving Mariana alone in the courtyard with the Artifact Refining Cauldron and a growing sense of dread.


    Had I just walked into a trap, or toward the power I so desperately needed? Either way, the clock was ticking on Isabelle''s freedom, and I had made my choice.