## Liam''s Perspective
My eyes snapped open as terrible rity hit me.
The Ascendant Saints Order was Ashworth property. Everyone here answered to Josiah Hale—who answered to Corbin Ashworth.
I''d been reckless.
"Damn it," I muttered, rising from my meditation. Three hours had passed since absorbing the spring''s energy. My power had stabilized somewhat, but the realization of my exposure overshadowed this achievement.
Anyone who''d seen me could report back. I needed to contain this breach.
I burst from the meditation room, tracking Tobias''s energy signature through theplex. I found him in his private quarters, pacing nervously.
"We have a problem," I said, shutting the door behind me.
Tobias flinched. "What now?"
"Everyone who saw me at the spring—gather them immediately."
"Why? What are you nning?" Fear crept into his voice.
"Just do it," Imanded. "Say I''m offering gifts for their discretion. Make it convincing."
His eyes widened with understanding. "You can''t mean to—"
"Now, Tobias."
He hesitated only briefly before nodding. "The eastern courtyard. Give me fifteen minutes."
While waiting, I examined my new power. The spring''s energy had pushed me closer to the Martial Saint realm than I''d dared hope. Not enough to defeat someone like Josiah outright, but enough to put up a fight. Enough to save Isabelle.
Soon Tobias returned with seven disciples trailing behind him. Their expressions ranged from curious to suspicious.
"These are all who directly witnessed your... activities," he exined carefully.
I nodded, surveying them. Young, mostly. Probably talented by normal standards. Completely expendable for my purposes.
"Thank you for your discretion," I addressed them, voice smooth as silk. "Your service won''t be forgotten."
Before any could respond, I moved. Not with the blinding speed I was capable of—I wanted Tobias to see clearly what happened next.
My hand plunged into the chest of the nearest disciple. Blood sprayed across the courtyard stones as I withdrew, heart in hand. The others barely had time to register shock before I was among them.
One tried to scream. My fingers crushed his windpipe.
Another attempted to flee. I caught him by the hair, snapping his neck with a casual twist.
The remaining four managed to assume defensive postures. Admirable, but futile.
I tore through them methodically. No wasted movements. No unnecessary cruelty. Just quick, efficient death.
In seconds, seven bodiesy broken across the stones.
Tobias stood frozen, face drained of color.
"Clean this up," I instructed calmly. "When Josiah arrives, tell him I was here. Tell him I killed these disciples when they tried to stop me. Make it believable."
He swallowed hard, eyes fixed on the carnage. "And if he asks why I''m still alive?"
"You fought bravely but were overpowered," I replied. "I spared you to deliver a message: I''ming for him next."
I approached him slowly, noting how he trembled. "Remember our arrangement, Tobias. That mark ensures your cooperation. y your part well, and you''ll be rewarded when I return."
"Return?" he whispered.
"I''ll need this spring again," I said, smiling coldly. "Consider yourself its new caretaker."
Without waiting for his response, I left, slipping past the Order''s outer defenses unseen. Time to head to Cinderfall City. I needed to check on ra before making my next move.
---
Josiah Hale''s face contorted with rage as he surveyed the bloodied eastern courtyard. Seven of his disciplesy dead, their bodies arranged in a crude circle.
"And you survived this massacre how exactly?" he demanded, looming over Tobias Bhus.
Tobias kept his eyes downcast, the perfect picture of shame and deference.
"I was showing him out when they confronted us," he exined, voice trembling convincingly. "He moved so fast... It was inhuman. I tried to fight, but he broke my arm like it was nothing."
He indicated his splinted limb—an injury he''d inflicted on himself after I departed.
"Knight said to tell you he''sing for you next," Tobias continued. "That this was just the beginning."
Josiah kicked one of the bodies, sending it skidding across the stones. "And the spring?"
"Depleted by at least half its power. He absorbed more than should be possible."
"Impossible!" Josiah roared, but his eyes betrayed his fear. "No human vessel could contain that much spiritual energy!"
Tobias feigned confusion. "I don''t understand it either, Master. But I saw it with my own eyes. He sat under the waterfall for hours, glowing brighter and brighter until it hurt to look at him."
Josiah paced furiously, asionally ncing at the sky as if expecting an attack at any moment.
"Corbin warned me," he muttered. "That bastard Knight was right under my nose while I chased shadows..."
He turned abruptly to Tobias. "Show me the spring. Now."
Note from the editor: Always check * for corrections.
---
In Cinderfall City, I perched on a rooftop near ra''s temporary residence. She hadn''t returned yet from wherever the old tomb raider had taken her. I''d wait a bit longer, then move on if necessary.
Mymunication talisman vibrated. Tobias.
"Speak," I answered quietly.
"It worked," came his hushed voice. "Josiah believes everything. He''s in a rage like I''ve never seen."
"Good. What''s his next move?"
"He''s contacting Corbin Ashworth now. Wants permission to mobilize full resources to hunt you down."
This was expected. "And the spring?"
"He''s ordered it sealed off. No one is to approach it until it regenerates."
"Keep me informed of any developments," I instructed. "Especially if they mention Isabelle."
I ended themunication, satisfaction filling me. The pieces were falling into ce. With Josiah focused on hunting me, there would be fewer eyes on Isabelle. And with my newly enhanced power, I was closer to freeing her than ever before.
---
In Veridia City''s most exclusive medical facility, Dashiell ckthorne opened his eyes for the first time in weeks.
Pain greeted him first—then memory. Humiliation at Liam Knight''s hands. Defeat when victory had been certain. The betrayal of his own body when his cultivation technique backfired.
"He''s awake!" someone called out.
Momentster, his father''s stern face appeared above him.
"Finally," Roderick ckthorne said coldly. "I was beginning to think my heir was permanently damaged."
Dashiell tried to speak, managing only a rasp. "Knight..."
"Still alive, unfortunately," his father answered. "But not for long."
With effort, Dashiell pulled himself to a sitting position, muscles screaming in protest. "I''ll kill him myself."
"No, you won''t," Roderick stated firmly. "You''ve proven yourself inadequate for that task."
The words stung worse than the physical pain, but Dashiell couldn''t argue. He had failed spectacrly.
"Then who?" he demanded.
Roderick smiled thinly. "I''ve arranged something special. Do you remember Jim Cobb?"
Dashiell''s eyes widened. "The Shadow Reaper? He''s been in seclusion for decades."
"Not anymore," Roderick replied smugly. "I''ve paid an astronomical sum to coax him out for onest job."
"Father, if you''ve truly secured Jim Cobb..." Dashiell couldn''t finish the sentence, too afraid to hope.
"I have," Roderick confirmed. "Liam Knight thinks he''s won, but he doesn''t know what''sing for him."
He ced a hand on his son''s shoulder. "Rest and recover. Let the Shadow Reaper handle Knight. Your only job now is to prepare for your wedding to Isabelle Ashworth once this mess is cleaned up."
As his father left, Dashiell sank back onto his pillows. Thoughts of vengeance filled his mind, sweeter than any medicine. Jim Cobb—the legendary assassin who had never failed a contract. The man who had killed three Martial Saints in a single night during the Shadow Purge.
If anyone could eliminate Liam Knight, it was him.
A cruel smile spread across Dashiell''s face as he closed his eyes, fantasizing about Knight''s inevitable, bloody end.