Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I moved before either guard could respond, striking with precision honed through countless battles. Two quick jabs to pressure points at the base of their necks—they collapsed without a sound, eyes widening in shock before consciousness fled.

"What have you done?" Ms. Hayward hissed, her face paling.

"Removing complications," I replied calmly, dragging the unconscious guards into a nearby alcove. "They were suspicious. We don't have time for explanations."

She grabbed my arm. "These men are dead, not unconscious. You killed Guild members!"

I met her gaze without flinching. "They would have raised the alarm. I'm not leaving Isabelle in that realm one day longer because of protocol."

Horror flashed across her face, quickly replaced by calculation. "You've just made this infinitely more dangerous."

"The stakes were already life and death," I said, wiping my hands on my robes. "Now, where's the entrance?"

Ms. Hayward's eyes hardened, but she continued forward, her steps quicker now. "You've started a countdown. When these men are discovered missing from their post—"

"Then we'd better hurry," I interrupted.

We moved deeper into the Guild's underground labyrinth, passing through dimly lit corridors lined with ancient stone. The spiritual pressure increased, making the air feel thick and heavy. My cultivation responded, stirring like embers being gently blown upon.

"Here," Ms. Hayward finally said, stopping before an ordinary-looking stone wall. "This is it."

I examined the wall carefully. "There's no door."

"The entrance isn't physical." She pressed her palm against a specific stone. "Stand back."

I complied, watching as she closed her eyes in concentration. Her palm began to glow with a soft blue light. The energy in the corridor seemed to bend toward her hand, drawn into whatever technique she was performing.

"Heavenly Gate, Earthly Passage," she chanted softly. "By blood and bond, I seek entrance to what lies beyond."

The wall shimmered, stones rippling like disturbed water. A doorway of light gradually formed—a vertical oval of swirling blue energy that pulsed in rhythm like a heartbeat.

"The Second Secret Realm," Ms. Hayward said, stepping back. "You have minutes at most before the energy signature is detected by the Guild's array masters."

I approached the portal, my heart pounding. This was it—the path to Isabelle. I could almost feel her presence on the other side.

"Once you enter, I've fulfilled my part," Ms. Hayward reminded me tensely. "Broderick—"

"Will be returned as promised," I finished, reaching toward the portal.

My fingers brushed the edge of the swirling energy—and passed right through. Nothing happened. I tried again, stepping forward to walk through the doorway, but the energy simply parted around me without effect.

"What's happening?" I demanded, turning to Ms. Hayward.

The look of confusion on her face appeared genuine. "I don't understand. The portal should—"

Before she could finish, the blue energy collapsed inward with a sharp crack. The portal vanished, and in its place appeared a translucent figure—an elderly man in ornate Guild robes, his long beard nearly reaching his waist.

"Commander Hayward," the figure spoke, his voice echoing unnaturally. "Your betrayal is most disappointing."

Ms. Hayward fell to her knees, face ashen. "Elder Zhou."

"You believed you could open the realm without detection?" The figure shook his head. "Every action within these walls is monitored, especially those concerning our most precious assets."

I studied the figure carefully, noting the slight flicker around its edges. "This isn't you in person," I observed. "Just a projection."

Elder Zhou's gaze shifted to me, eyes narrowing. "Liam Knight. The Council has been monitoring your activities with great interest."

"Then you know why I'm here," I replied, unintimidated. "Release Isabelle Ashworth."

A cold smile spread across the elder's face. "You stand in the heart of our power, making demands? Your arrogance is remarkable."

"If you could act against me directly," I said, "you would have already. This projection suggests limitations to your power, or perhaps... reluctance to engage personally?"

A flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps respect—crossed Elder Zhou's face. "You presume much."

"I observe," I corrected. "You control this realm but remain restricted in how you can interact with it. Fascinating."

Ms. Hayward remained kneeling, trembling slightly. "Elder, I beg forgiveness. He has my son—"

"Silence," Elder Zhou cut her off. "Your weakness has compromised the Guild. Guards are already on their way to apprehend both of you." He turned to me. "Mr. Knight, I suggest surrender. Perhaps then the Council might show mercy regarding your... companion's fate."

I laughed softly. "No, I don't think so. Isabelle remains your prisoner, which means you need something from her. Something only she can provide. That gives me leverage, whether you admit it or not."

The projection flickered, Elder Zhou's expression hardening. "You will not leave these halls alive."

"We'll see," I replied, then turned to Ms. Hayward. "Time to go."

She looked up, desperation in her eyes. "Broderick—"

"Stays with me until I decide otherwise," I told her coldly. "You failed to deliver what was promised."

"You can't!" she cried, lunging to her feet. "He's just a child!"

"A child you endangered by working for people who kidnap and exploit others," I reminded her. "Make your choice—come with me now, or stay and explain yourself to your Guild."

The projection of Elder Zhou began to fade. "Guards will be here in moments, Commander. Your fate is sealed either way."

I didn't wait for her decision. I turned and sprinted back the way we'd come, sensing rather than seeing Ms. Hayward follow after a moment's hesitation.

Alarms began to sound as we raced through the corridors, the Guild awakening to the threat within its walls. I took a different turn than our entry route.

"Wrong way!" Ms. Hayward hissed.

"Trust me," I replied, leading us down a maintenance passage I'd noted earlier. Years of being hunted had taught me to always identify escape routes.

We emerged into the night air through a service entrance, quickly melting into the shadows of nearby buildings as shouts erupted behind us. The Guild complex blazed with lights, figures rushing along its walls.

"Split up," I instructed Ms. Hayward. "They'll prioritize finding me."

She grabbed my arm. "Broderick—"

"Will be contacted with instructions," I said, pulling away. "Now go."

She hesitated, then vanished into the darkness. I took a different direction, making my way through back alleys until I reached our prearranged meeting point.

The Man with the Mustache waited there, nervously twisting his facial hair. "You're late! I was about to leave!"

"Complications," I explained briefly, checking to ensure we weren't followed. "Let's move."

Only when we were safely away, in a discrete location I'd secured days earlier, did I allow myself to relax marginally.

"Well?" The Man with the Mustache demanded. "Did you find the entrance to the realm?"

I smiled thinly. "Yes and no."

"What kind of answer is that?" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "Either you found it or you didn't!"

"I found exactly what I needed to find," I replied calmly. "The location, the method of opening it, and confirmation of my theories."

He stared at me, mustache twitching in confusion. "But you didn't get in? How is that a success?"

"Because entering was never the primary objective," I explained. "I had three goals tonight: First, to assess the Guild's strength and security measures. Second, to confirm the exact location of the Second Secret Realm for when we rescue Isabelle. And third..." I paused, satisfaction flowing through me. "To verify that the Guild's highest members are indeed bound by restrictions that prevent them from acting directly against certain threats."

Understanding dawned on his face. "You... you planned to fail?"

"I planned to gather intelligence," I corrected. "The apparent failure was part of that plan."

"And the guards you killed?" he asked, eyes wide.

"An unfortunate necessity," I said, my voice hardening slightly. "But also informative. The Guild's response time, their internal communication systems—all valuable data for when we make our real move."

The Man with the Mustache shook his head in disbelief. "You risked everything for information?"

"Information wins wars," I replied simply. "And now, I know exactly how to reach Isabelle."