## Liam''s Perspective


    I stood in the courtyard of the Veridia City Martial Guild, the crowd still murmuring around me. Bowie McDaniel''s defeat had sent a clear message. I wasn''t some pushover they could intimidate.


    But my victory meant nothing without Isabelle.


    My hands clenched into fists. Where were they keeping her? What were they doing to her right now?


    "Impressive disy," a female voice said from behind me.


    I turned to find Daphne Grenville. Unlike the other elite disciples, her expression held no hostility—just cautious interest.


    "What do you want?" I asked bluntly.


    She nced around to ensure no one was listening. "To talk. About Isabelle."


    My heart hammered against my chest. "You know where she is?"


    "Not exactly. But I know what they''re doing to her."


    I grabbed her arm. "Tell me."


    She winced at my grip. "Not here. Too many eyes."


    Daphne led me to a secluded corner behind one of the training halls. The tension in her shoulders told me she was taking a risk speaking to me.


    "Why help me?" I demanded.


    "Isabelle was—is—my friend," she said quietly. "We grew up together before they separated us. The Guild thought our friendship was inappropriate given my status."


    I studied her face for deception but found none. "What do you know?"


    "They''re using something called the Blood Oath technique on her." Daphne''s voice dropped even lower. "It''s ancient and forbidden."


    "What does it do?"


    "They use special tubes to extract her Bloodline power." Her eyes darted around nervously. "I found a reference to it in one of the restricted Guild archives. It''s designed to harvest specific energy from someone with a rare bloodline."


    My stomach turned. "They''re draining her blood?"


    "Not exactly. More like the essence within it. The tubes connect to her meridians, extracting the power that makes her special."


    "Is it killing her?" The words felt like ash in my mouth.


    Daphne hesitated. "No. That''s the twisted part. They need her alive for it to work. But the pain..." She paused, swallowing hard. "The pain is supposedly unbearable. Like having your soul slowly torn apart."


    Red-hot anger surged through me. "I''ll kill everyst one of them."


    "You''ll need to be careful. The entire city''s elite has aligned against you. Dominic Ashworth is rallying everyone who matters."


    "Let theme."


    Daphne shook her head. "You don''t understand. It''s not just about strength. They''ll use every dirty trick, every connection. No one will help you. No one will even sell you food or shelter."


    "I don''t need their help."


    "Maybe not. But you need to know what you''re facing." She hesitated. "There''s more. The Blood Oath technique requires a specific location. Deep underground chambers with special formations. That''s where they''re keeping her."


    Underground chambers. At least now I had something to search for.


    "Thank you," I said, meaning it.


    "Don''t thank me yet." Daphne''s voice turned somber. "I can''t help you openly. If they discover I''ve spoken to you..."


    "I understand."


    A bell rang in the distance, signaling the next match.


    "I should go," she said. "Be careful, Liam. The Guild has existed for centuries because it knows how to eliminate threats."


    As she turned to leave, I caught her arm. "Why did you really help me? The truth."


    Her eyes met mine, unflinching. "Because I''ve watched what happens to people who challenge the system. I''ve seen them broken or killed. For once, I''d like to see someone seed."


    With that, she slipped away, blending back into the crowd of disciples.


    I remained alone, processing what I''d learned. Isabelle was alive but suffering. The knowledge was both a relief and a fresh torment.


    Hold on, Isabelle. I''ming for you.


    ---


    A tall, well-built man approached as I made my way back to the main courtyard. Unlike the others, his demeanor wasn''t openly hostile.


    "Mr. Knight," he greeted with a polite nod. "Emmett Monroe. That was quite the disy of skill earlier."


    I assessed him quickly. Mid-thirties, expensive but understated clothing, the confident posture of a seasoned fighter.


    "What do you want?" I asked, not bothering with pleasantries.


    He smiled slightly. "Direct. I appreciate that." He nced at the Guild elders watching us from across the courtyard. "I wanted to make your acquaintance without all the... political theater."


    "Why?"


    "Let''s just say I prefer to form my own opinions rather than follow the crowd." He extended his hand. "Not everyone in Veridia City thinks alike."


    After a moment''s hesitation, I shook it.


    "A word of advice," he said, lowering his voice. "Darian Bancroft is nning something. The trials are just the beginning."


    Before I could ask what he meant, Julian Radford''s voice boomed across the courtyard.


    "Attention, all disciples and guests! Gather for an important announcement!"


    The crowd converged around the central tform where Darian Bancroft now stood, his expression solemn yet excited.


    "The Veridia City Martial Guild has always sought to nurture the next generation of martial artists," he proimed. "Today, I''m pleased to announce an extraordinary opportunity!"


    Murmurs rippled through the gathering.


    "Our scouts have discovered an ind rich in spiritual resources—perfect for breakthrough training. We''re organizing an expedition for our most promising disciples!"


    Excited whispers erupted.


    "Participants will spend one month on the ind, with ess to rare herbs, spiritual springs, and ancient training grounds. Those who excel may even be considered for advanced Guild positions!"


    The crowd buzzed with excitement. Such opportunities were exceedingly rare.


    "Registration begins tomorrow. The expedition departs in three days. All qualified martial artists under thirty are eligible to apply!"


    As the announcement concluded, disciples rushed forward, eager to secure their spots. Even some of the elite disciples seemed genuinely excited.


    Emmett Monroe appeared at my side again. "Interesting timing," he murmured.


    "You think it''s a trap?"


    "I think nothing in this Guild happens by coincidence." He studied Bancroft''s face. "Be careful, Knight." <kbd ss="in-imprint-a">Publication courtesy of *.</kbd>


    Before I could respond, Emmett melted back into the crowd.


    I watched as Darian Bancroft descended from the tform, surrounded by admirers and hopeful disciples. His smile was warm, his gestures expansive—the picture of a benevolent leader.


    But as he passed through a doorway into the Guild''s inner sanctum, I caught a glimpse of his face changing. The smile vanished, reced by cold calction.


    My instincts screamed danger. But if this expedition could somehow get me closer to finding Isabelle...


    I needed to know more.


    ---


    Night fell over Veridia City. Most disciples had returned to their quarters, but I remained hidden in the shadows near the administrative building.


    After hours of waiting, my patience was rewarded. Darian Bancroft emerged with Julian Radford, their heads bent close in conversation.


    "Everything is arranged?" Bancroft asked.


    "Yes, Master," Radford replied. "The boats, the supplies, the guards—all as you ordered."


    They entered a small meeting room, leaving the door slightly ajar. I crept closer, positioning myself just outside.


    "Is it wise to include outsiders?" Radford''s voice drifted through the gap.


    "Appearances must be maintained," Bancroft replied dismissively. "We need the expedition to seem legitimate."


    "And the true purpose?"


    "Remains unchanged. This is the perfect opportunity to test the effectiveness of the Blood Oath extracts. The ind''s istion ensures no witnesses."


    My blood ran cold. Blood Oath extracts—they were talking about whatever they were taking from Isabelle.


    "What about Knight?" Radford asked. "He''s certain to participate."


    Bancroftughed—a cold, empty sound. "All the better. Let the ind be his grave. One less problem to deal with."


    Their voices lowered as they moved deeper into the room. I pressed closer to the door.


    "The lower-ss participants?" Radford asked.


    "Disposable test subjects," Bancroft replied casually. "Their deaths will be attributed to training idents or monster attacks. The ind has quite the dangerous reputation, after all."


    I heard footsteps approaching the door and quickly retreated into the shadows.


    Bancroft emerged first, followed closely by Radford. They paused in the corridor.


    "One more thing, Julian," Bancroft said, his voice hardening. "Once yound on the ind, kill all those people from the lower ss. Don''t leave a single one alive!"