Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I watched Kenneth Minnx approach, his steps measured and confident. Despite his youth—he couldn't be older than twenty-five—he carried himself with the assurance of someone who'd seen more darkness than most would in a lifetime.

"Liam Knight," he said, extending his hand. No smile, just cold assessment. "The man who's become the Guild's biggest headache."

I shook his hand firmly. "And you're the Umbral Covenant's rising star."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You've done your homework."

"When dealing with organizations that could kill me, I try to be thorough."

Kenneth nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Let's walk. Too many ears here."

We moved through the bustling airport, keeping our voices low. Kenneth's black coat billowed slightly behind him, drawing occasional glances from passersby. The silver ring on his finger occasionally caught the light—a symbol of rank within the Covenant, I'd learned.

"Rex says you've located the entrance to the Mystic Realm," Kenneth said once we were outside.

"I have. It's within the Veridia City Martial Guild's innermost sanctum."

He whistled softly. "No wonder you need our help. That place is a fortress."

"A fortress with weaknesses," I countered. "I've already secured a way in through an insider."

"And you trust this insider?" Kenneth's tone was skeptical.

"About as much as you trust me," I replied evenly. "Which is why I need the Covenant's expertise. Your organization has been studying Guild security for decades."

Kenneth's pace slowed. "What exactly are you proposing?"

"A midnight infiltration. Tonight."

He stopped walking entirely. "Tonight? That's—"

"Necessary," I cut in. "Every hour Isabelle remains in their hands, the Guild extracts more of her blood. They're using her to create something dangerous."

Kenneth studied me, his expression unreadable. "You really care for this woman."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "More than anything."

He nodded slowly. "Very well. But I'll need details. All of them."

"You'll get them. But first, I need your commitment. The Umbral Covenant will help me retrieve Isabelle, and in exchange, you get access to the Mystic Realm and whatever knowledge it contains—except Isabelle herself."

"The Covenant has sought entry to this realm for generations," Kenneth said carefully. "Its secrets could transform our understanding of bloodline cultivation."

"Then we have a deal?"

Kenneth extended his hand again. "We have a deal, Liam Knight. The Covenant stands with you—tonight."

I took his hand, feeling the weight of this alliance. I was making a pact with an organization known for its fanatical pursuit of bloodline mysteries—the very reason Isabelle was valuable. But right now, I needed their power.

"Meet me at the eastern border of the Guild compound at midnight," I instructed. "Bring whatever tools you need for breaking ancient formations."

"I'll be there," Kenneth promised. "But remember—the Covenant doesn't forgive betrayal."

"Neither do I," I replied coldly.

As Kenneth walked away, I pulled out my phone and dialed a different number. It was time to set the rest of my plan in motion.

---

Two hours later, I stood in Emerson Holmes's office, watching the nervous Guild administrator fidget with his tie.

"This is madness, Knight," he whispered, glancing anxiously at the door. "If anyone discovers I'm helping you—"

"They won't," I assured him. "Unless you make it obvious with your sweating and stammering."

Emerson wiped his brow. "You're asking me to grant access to the Guild's main compound at midnight. That's not just against protocol—it's treason."

"Would you prefer I tell the Guild about your little arrangement with Ms. Hayward?" I asked quietly. "How you've been smuggling restricted texts to her for years?"

His face paled. "That was... research purposes only."

"I'm sure the Elders would understand completely," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, about tonight's access..."

Emerson slumped in defeat. "The northwest service entrance. I can disable the security runes for exactly ten minutes at midnight. After that, you're on your own."

"And the patrolling guards?"

"I'll reassign them to the southern perimeter. There's a training exercise scheduled that can serve as cover." He hesitated. "But what about Ms. Hayward? Is she truly safe?"

I studied Emerson's anxious expression. His concern seemed genuine—perhaps his relationship with Ms. Hayward went deeper than mere book smuggling.

"She's safe," I said more gently. "And will remain so as long as you hold up your end."

Relief flickered across his face. "I'll be at the entrance tonight. Alone."

"Not quite alone," I corrected. "I'm bringing a specialist to help with the Mystic Realm formations."

Emerson's eyes widened. "Who? Not that crazy treasure hunter with the mustache?"

"Someone with more specific expertise."

"I need to know who I'm letting into the Guild," he insisted.

"You'll meet him tonight. Just be ready to grant access to both of us."

As I turned to leave, Emerson called out, "Knight! Whatever you're planning... the Guild isn't just going to let you walk away with Isabelle Ashworth. They've invested too much in her."

I paused at the door. "I'm counting on that, Emerson. In fact, I'm counting on them throwing everything they have at me."

The confusion on his face was evident, but I didn't elaborate further. Some parts of my plan were best kept completely secret.

---

Back at our hideout, I found the Man with the Mustache playing cards with Broderick. The restraints I'd left on the boy were conspicuously absent.

"Before you say anything," the Man with the Mustache said quickly, "he promised not to try escaping if I untied him. Right, kid?"

Broderick scowled but nodded. "Where's my mother?"

I ignored his question, turning to my nervous companion. "Pack your things. I need you to take Broderick to Swallow City immediately."

"Swallow City?" both of them exclaimed in unison.

"There's a small inn called The Jade Sparrow on the eastern edge," I continued. "Take him there and wait for Ms. Hayward."

The Man with the Mustache scratched his head. "But Ms. Hayward isn't in Swallow City."

"Exactly," I said quietly, giving him a meaningful look. "But she will be, once she hears her son is there."

Understanding dawned on his face. "Ah... a diversion."

Broderick stood up angrily. "You said she was safe!"

"And she will remain safe," I assured him, "as long as she's far away from Veridia City tonight."

I grabbed Broderick's arm, pulling him close. "Listen carefully. If you want your mother to survive what's coming, you'll tell me right now—where exactly is the Spirit Core hidden in the Second Secret Realm?"

His eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about—"

"Answer the question," I demanded, tightening my grip.

Broderick swallowed hard. "The Chamber of Echoing Whispers. Behind the statue of the First Guild Master. There's a formation that reveals a hidden passage when activated by true darkness energy."

"And the guards?"

"Two Martial Lords at all times, plus automated defense formations."

I released his arm. "Thank you for your cooperation. Now go with my friend here. Send your mother a message that you've been captured and are being held in Swallow City."

"And if I refuse?" Broderick challenged, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his fear.

I leaned in close. "Then I'll tell the Guild about your mother's bloodline experiments. How she's been trying to artificially enhance your demonic heritage using stolen Guild resources."

The color drained from his face. "How did you—"

"I make it my business to know people's secrets," I said coldly. "Now make the call."

---

By nightfall, everything was in place. The Man with the Mustache had taken Broderick to Swallow City, and as predicted, Ms. Hayward had abandoned her post to rush to her son's aid. Kenneth Minnx had confirmed he was prepared with the necessary tools to breach ancient formations, and Emerson Holmes had reluctantly agreed to grant us access.

As the clock struck eleven, I made my way to the meeting point near the eastern border of the Guild compound. The night was unusually quiet, with fewer patrols than normal—Emerson's doing, no doubt.

Kenneth emerged from the shadows precisely at the appointed time, carrying a small black satchel. "Are we clear?"

I nodded. "My inside man has diverted the patrols. We have a ten-minute window at midnight."

"And once we're inside?"

"We make our way to the Chamber of Echoing Whispers. There's a hidden passage there that leads to the Spirit Core—and from there, to the entrance of the Mystic Realm."

Kenneth adjusted something beneath his coat—weapons, most likely. "The Covenant has waited generations for this opportunity. Don't mess it up, Knight."

"Just focus on breaking the formations," I replied. "I'll handle the rest."

We approached the northwest service entrance as planned. The minutes ticked by slowly until, at exactly midnight, a familiar figure appeared at the door.

Emerson Holmes looked even more nervous than earlier, his eyes darting frantically as he spotted Kenneth.

"You didn't say your specialist was from the Umbral Covenant," he hissed at me, recognizing the silver ring on Kenneth's finger.

"Would you have agreed if I had?" I countered calmly.

"Absolutely not! Do you have any idea what the Guild would do to me if—"

"The Guild won't know," I interrupted. "Unless you tell them."

Emerson's gaze shifted nervously between Kenneth and me. "This is insanity. The Covenant has been trying to breach our defenses for decades."

"And tonight, you're going to help them," I said evenly. "Because the alternative is far worse for you, isn't it?"

Defeat washed over Emerson's face as he reluctantly input the code to disable the security runes. The door slid open silently, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.

"You have ten minutes before the system resets," he whispered. "After that, even I can't help you if you're caught."

I stepped through the doorway, Kenneth right behind me. As Emerson moved to close the door, he grabbed my sleeve.

"Knight," he said, voice trembling, "I don't trust him." His eyes flicked to Kenneth. "The Covenant wants more than just knowledge from the Mystic Realm. They want the Ashworth girl too."

"I know exactly what they want," I assured him calmly. "Trust me."

As the door closed behind us, Kenneth gave me a calculating look. "Interesting friends you have, Knight."

"Let's move," I said, ignoring his comment. "We have a long night ahead."

The first phase of my plan was complete. Now came the dangerous part—infiltrating the heart of the Guild to free Isabelle and, if all went well, bringing down the organization that had caused us both so much pain.

The midnight gambit had begun.