Morning sunlight filtered through the window of my temporary refuge at the Celestial Apothecary Guild. I winced as Mariana changed the bandages around my torso, her normally steady hands trembling slightly.


    "You''re healing faster than expected," she murmured, applying a fragrant salve to the wound. "But you''re still far from your full strength."


    I didn''t respond. My mind was fixed on The Warrior''s Scroll lying open on the nearby table. The bold announcement had been stered across every corner of Veridia City overnight: "Ashworth Blood Ceremony - Witness the Power of Ancient Bloodlines."


    The details were sickening - an exclusive gathering where elite young talents could observe the "harvesting" of Isabelle''s blood and even receive small amounts as cultivation aids. They''d turned her torture into a spectacle.


    "Liam," Mariana''s voice cut through my dark thoughts. "I know what you''re thinking, and it''s exactly what they want. This is a trap designed specifically for you."


    "I know." I sat up slowly, testing my limits. The pain was manageable now. "But trap or not, I can''t let this happen."


    Mariana tightened the bandage with more force than necessary. "You realize what they''ve done? They''ve moved her from the heavily guarded underground facility to The Aegis Academy for this public event. It''s in the heart of Guild territory, surrounded by their strongest forces."


    "Which means this is my only chance." I met her worried gaze. "Inside that prison, I had no hope of reaching her. Now they''ve brought her out into the open."


    "Into an even deadlier situation." Mariana shook her head. "The entire ceremony is designed around your arrival. They''ll have contingencies for every possible approach."


    I stood up, ignoring the protest of my healing wounds. "Then I''ll do something impossible."


    ---


    Across the city, in the luxurious Ashworth mansion, Dominic watched his father pace the study with growing irritation.


    "Stop fretting," Dominic said coldly. "The arrangements are finalized. The Guild has already sent invitations to every prominent family in Veridia."


    Corbin Ashworth paused his pacing. "You''ve gone too far this time. Using Isabelle as public bait? The reputation damage alone—"


    "Will be minimalpared to the benefits," Dominic interjected. "Once Knight is captured attempting to rescue her, we''ll frame the entire ceremony as a brilliant trap that the Ashworth family helped design. We''ll be heroes, not viins."


    "And Isabelle?" Corbin asked quietly.


    Something dangerous shed in Dominic''s eyes. "What about her? She chose Knight over family. Her fate was sealed the moment she betrayed us."


    Corbin studied his son''s face, seeing something he''d never fully acknowledged before. "This isn''t just about family loyalty for you, is it? You''ve always resented her."


    "Resented her?" Dominicughed, a hollow sound. "She possesses theplete Ashworth Bloodline that should have been mine. Grandfather favored her despite my superior business acumen and dedication to our family''s legacy." His voice hardened. "Now she''ll serve the family in the only way she''s still useful."


    Corbin felt a chill at his son''s words. "The Guild assured me they would keep her alive during the extractions."


    "Of course they did." Dominic smiled thinly. "Just as they assured us they would capture Knight weeks ago. ns change, Father. idents happen."


    For the first time, Corbin Ashworth wondered if he''d created a monster in his own son.


    ---


    The Aegis Academy stood at the center of Veridia City''s most secure district - a towering monument of white stone and intricate defensive formations. Normally a training ground for elite Guild members, today it had been transformed into an exhibition hall.


    I observed from a safe distance, disguised as amonborer delivering supplies. The security was unprecedented - Guild enforcers patrolled every entrance, their eyes sharp for any suspicious movement. Above the main courtyard, magical barriers shimmered faintly in the sunlight.


    "Looking for something specific?" a gruff voice asked behind me.


    I turned slowly, keeping my head down. "Just taking a break before the next delivery," I mumbled.


    The Guild enforcer studied me for a moment, then gestured to the square. "Better hurry. They''re setting up the main attraction now."


    My blood froze as I looked where he pointed. In the center of the square, workers were assembling a raised tform. Above it hung arge metal frame that resembled a human-sized cage.


    "What''s that for?" I asked, keeping my voice casual despite the rage building inside me.


    "That''s where they''ll disy the Ashworth girl during the ceremony," the enforcer replied with disturbing nonchnce. "President Bancroft wants everyone to see the source of the blood they''ll be receiving."


    I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood, using the pain to maintain myposure. "Sounds impressive," I managed.


    "If you think that''s something, wait until you see tomorrow''s show. The ck-robed cultivator will almost certainly try to save her." The enforcer grinned. "President Bancroft has something special nned for him."


    I nodded and quickly excused myself, walking away before my disguise cracked under the weight of my fury. The enforcer had confirmed my worst fears - Isabelle would be publicly disyed like an animal.


    But he''d also revealed something crucial. The main event wasn''t scheduled until tomorrow. Which meant tonight might be my only window of opportunity.


    ---


    Mariana was waiting when I returned to the Celestial Apothecary Guild. One look at my face told her everything.


    "You''re still going," she said. It wasn''t a question.


    "Tonight," I confirmed. "They''re bringing her to the Academy this evening to prepare for tomorrow''s ceremony."


    Mariana closed her eyes briefly. "The Guild has mobilized their entire hunting force. The security formations around the Academy have been doubled. Even with your abilities, the odds of sess are..."


    "I don''t care about odds."


    "I know." She met my gaze with unexpected softness. "Which is why I''ve made arrangements."


    "What kind of arrangements?" I asked cautiously.


    "There are others who have grievances against the Guild. People who owe me favors." She hesitated. "I''ve sent word to the Veridia City Battle Zone. Some of the unaffiliated cultivators there might create a distraction for us."


    "Us?" I raised an eyebrow. "Mariana, you can''t risk yourself in this. If the Guild discovers your involvement—"


    "They''ll what? Kill me?" Sheughed bitterly. "I''ve lived too long to fear death, Liam. And I''ve watched too many innocents suffer under Guild tyranny."


    Her determination both moved and worried me. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild needs you."


    "And you need all the help you can get." Her expression hardened. "I''ming, and that''s final."


    I knew better than to argue further. "We move at midnight."


    ---


    In a dimly lit cell beneath the Guild headquarters, two guards roughly hauled Isabelle to her feet.


    "Time to go, princess," one sneered, tightening metal shackles around her wrists.


    Isabelle said nothing. The days of blood extraction had left her weak, her once vibrant eyes now dull and sunken. Her long hair hung in tangled strands around her pale face.


    "Not feeling chatty today?" The guardughed. "You''ll be the center of attention tomorrow. Better find your voice by then."


    When she remained silent, he shrugged and pushed her forward. "Move. President Bancroft wants you at the Academy before nightfall."


    They dragged her through underground tunnels, eventually emerging into a waiting carriage heavily guarded by Guild enforcers. As the vehicle began moving through the city streets, Isabelle stared out the small window at the fading daylight.


    For the first time in weeks, she would be outside the heavily fortified prison. A dangerous hope flickered in her heart, quickly suppressed. The Guild wouldn''t have taken this risk without extreme confidence in their security measures.


    But still, she thought of Liam. If anyone could achieve the impossible, it was him.


    The carriage arrived at the Academy as darkness fell. Guild members escorted her across the courtyard toward the tform she''d glimpsed during previous extractions. This time, however, they led her up the steps and positioned her beneath the hanging metal frame.


    "Arms up," a technician ordered.


    When Isabelle didn''tply, two guards forced her arms overhead, securing them to the frame with special shackles designed to suppress cultivation abilities. More restraints were fastened around her ankles and waist until she hung suspended a few feet above the tform.


    "Perfect," Darian Bancroft''s voice came from the shadows. He stepped forward, inspecting her like a prized exhibit. "The positioning is ideal for tomorrow''s demonstration."


    He turned to the technician. "Is everything prepared for the extraction process?"


    "Yes, President Bancroft. We''ve modified the equipment for public viewing while maintaining efficiency."


    "Excellent." Bancroft stepped closer to Isabelle. "Your contribution to Guild research has been invaluable, Miss Ashworth. Tomorrow, the elite of Veridia City will witness your gift to future generations."


    Isabelle raised her head with effort. "You won''t seed," she whispered, her voice hoarse from disuse. "Liam will stop you."


    This chapter was made possible by the *munity.


    Bancroft smiled, cruel and confident. "My dear, that''s precisely what we''re counting on."


    ---


    Night had fallen by the time Ipleted my preparations. I''d discarded my earlier disguise in favor of nondescript dark clothing - not my usual ck robe, which would be too recognizable. Various potions and talismans were secured in hidden pockets, each carefully selected for this mission.


    "The diversion is set," Mariana informed me, entering the room with quiet determination. She''d also dressed for stealth, her normally elegant robes reced by practicalbat attire. "Three separate incidents will ur across the Guild district at precisely midnight."


    "That should pull some of the security forces away," I nodded. "But the Academy itself will remain heavily guarded."


    "Which is why we won''t approach directly." She unrolled a map of the underground tunnel system beneath Veridia City. "There''s an old maintenance shaft here, partially copsed during thest city expansion. It''s supposed to be sealed, but..."


    "But you know a way in," I finished for her.


    A ghost of a smile touched her lips. "I''ve lived in this city a very long time, Liam. There are few secrets I don''t know."


    We spent the next hour refining our n, ounting for every contingency we could imagine. By the time we were ready to depart, I felt the familiar calm that always precededbat - a crystalline rity of purpose that pushed aside pain and doubt.


    "Liam," Mariana said softly as we prepared to leave. "If this goes wrong..."


    "It won''t," I cut her off. "I''m bringing Isabelle back tonight."


    She studied me for a long moment. "Just remember that saving her means nothing if you don''t survive to protect her afterward."


    I didn''t respond. We both knew I would sacrifice everything to free Isabelle from her torment.


    As we slipped out into the night, information reached us through one of Mariana''s contacts - Isabelle had already been moved to the Academy and secured on the disy tform. The news sent fresh urgency through my veins.


    I quickened my pace, mind racing with renewed determination. Without the prison''s imprable defenses, this might indeed be my best chance to save Isabelle Ashworth.


    And nothing in this world would stop me from taking it.