## Liam''s Perspective


    The courtyard fell silent. Not a whisper, not a breath. Jackson Harding''s presencemanded absolute stillness. My body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside, but I forced myself to stand straight. I wouldn''t show weakness, not now.


    One of the Martial Artists—a tall man with a scar across his left cheek—stepped forward. His aura pulsed with aggressive intent.


    "Master Harding, with all due respect, you''ve been in seclusion for years," he said. "This matter involves the Veridia City Martial Guild. We cannot back down."


    Jackson Harding looked at him with mild interest. "Your name?"


    "Alonzo White, Fourth Elder of the Martial Guild''s Enforcement Division."


    Jackson nodded. "Alonzo White. I''ll remember that name."


    Without warning, Jackson moved. No, that''s not right. He didn''t seem to move at all. One moment he stood ten paces away, the next he was directly in front of Alonzo.


    A single finger tapped Alonzo''s chest.


    The Martial Artist flew backward as if hit by a meteorite. His body crashed through the wedding arch, splintering the ornate wood, before mming into the stone wall at the far end of the courtyard. Cracks spiderwebbed outward from the impact point.


    Alonzo slid to the ground, unconscious or dead. I couldn''t tell.


    "Anyone else?" Jackson asked, his tone conversational.


    The remaining Martial Artists took involuntary steps back. Their faces showed naked fear.


    Mariana Valerius smiled. "Always the showman, Jackson."


    "They need to understand the gap," Jackson replied. "Words aren''t enough for some people." <small ss="ref-f01998">For a better reading experience, visit *).</small>


    Corbin Ashworth''s face had turned ashen. "This... this is outrageous! The Ashworth family will not—"


    "Will not what?" Mariana cut him off. "Face the consequences of attempting to murder someone after a fair duel? Vite sacred traditions ofbat that date back centuries?"


    She took several steps toward Corbin, purple mes dancing more intensely around her fingers.


    "Choose your next words carefully, Corbin Ashworth. Very carefully."


    Corbin''s jaw worked soundlessly for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed with desperate cunning.


    "Take the boy if you want him," he spat. "He''s half-dead anyway. But Isabelle stays. She is Ashworth blood."


    Through my pain, I found my voice. "No." The word came out as a rasp. "Isabellees with me."


    Jackson Harding nced at me, then at Isabelle, who was still restrained by two guards.


    "Release the girl," hemanded.


    The guards looked to Corbin for guidance. He gave a reluctant nod, and they let go of Isabelle''s arms.


    She rushed to my side, supporting me as my legs threatened to give way.


    "Liam, you''re burning up," she whispered, her hand touching my forehead.


    I tried to focus on her face, but my vision was blurring. "I''m taking you away from here."


    "How touching," a new voice interrupted.


    Three figures pushed through the crowd. Their robes bore the official insignia of the Veridia City Martial Guild''s highest echelon. One held up a document bearing multiple seals.


    "By order of Grand Elder Thorne, we are taking Isabelle Ashworth into protective custody," announced the leader, a woman with cold eyes.


    "On what grounds?" Mariana demanded.


    "ssified Guild business," the woman replied. "Our authorityes directly from the Council of Nine."


    Jackson Harding''s expression darkened slightly. "Even I cannot interfere with a direct order from the Council of Nine."


    The Guild representatives moved toward Isabelle. One pulled her away from me, almost causing me to copse.


    "No!" Isabelle fought against their grip. "Liam!"


    I lunged forward, trying to reach her, but my body finally betrayed me. My legs gave out, sending me crashing to my knees.


    "What are you going to do with her?" I demanded, blood spilling from my lips as I spoke.


    The Guild representative didn''t even look at me. "That''s not your concern."


    With shocking speed, Isabelle was being escorted away. The crowd parted for the Guild representatives, no one daring to interfere.


    "Jackson," I pleaded, looking up at the legendary master. "Help her."


    For the first time, I saw something like regret in Jackson Harding''s eyes.


    "I cannot, boy. The Council of Nine operates beyond even my influence. This is political now."


    My vision was tunneling, darkness creeping in from the edges. With thest of my strength, I grabbed Jackson''s robe.


    "If they hurt her," I rasped, "I will burn the Martial Guild to the ground. Everyst stone."


    Jackson stared at me for a long moment before nodding solemnly. "If you survive, you might just have the potential to do that someday."


    Corbin Ashworth''sugh broke the tension. "Big words from a dying man. You''ve lost, Knight. You''ve lost everything."


    Mariana stepped to Corbin, her voice pitched low but carrying clearly in the silent courtyard.


    "Remember this moment, Corbin Ashworth. Remember how you felt powerful and victorious. Because when this boy recovers and reaches his full potential, he wille for you with a vengeance that will make today seem like a pleasant memory."


    Corbin''s smug expression faltered slightly.


    I tried to rise once more, desperate to reach Isabelle, who was now disappearing from view. My body refused to obey. The pain was overwhelming now, my consciousness fading fast.


    "Isabelle," I whispered as ckness imed my vision.


    Thest thing I heard was Jackson Harding''s voice: "Let''s go. We need to stabilize him quickly."


    Strong arms lifted me, and then I knew nothing more.


    ---


    Jackson Harding carried my unconscious form through the city streets, Mariana Valerius walking briskly beside him.


    "The boy has remarkable potential," Jackson said, studying my face. "To achieve what he did at his current level..."


    "Will he survive this?" Mariana asked, concern evident in her voice.


    "If we get him proper treatment quickly." Jackson''s expression was grim. "His meridians are severely damaged from channeling too much power too quickly."


    They moved quickly through the city, people scrambling out of their way when they recognized who was passing.


    "If this boy truly ascends to Martial Marquis," Jackson reflected, "the Ashworth family will regret making an enemy of him."


    "Not just the Ashworths," Mariana added, her eyes shing. "The Martial Guild has taken something precious from him. And I''ve never seen anyone with his capacity for growth."


    As they disappeared into the night, carrying my broken body toward an uncertain recovery, the rumors of what had transpired at the wedding began spreading throughout Veridia City like wildfire.


    A storm wasing. And when it arrived, nothing would be the same again.