Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I stared at Tyler Westwood, instantly suspicious of his timely appearance. The tension between us was palpable as he approached, his casual demeanor doing nothing to mask the calculation in his eyes.

"What do you want, Westwood?" I kept my voice level, but my guard was up.

Tyler raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Just a conversation, Knight. No need for hostility."

Daphne shifted closer to him, confirming my suspicion of their alliance. The moonlight cast long shadows across the Guild's courtyard as we stood in this uneasy triangle.

"I've been meaning to speak with you about Isabelle Ashworth," Tyler continued. "Her situation is... precarious."

My jaw tightened. "Her situation is none of your concern."

"That's where you're wrong." His expression turned serious. "The Ashworth bloodline isn't just rare—it's unique. Do you understand what that means? Every major sect and power player will be hunting her once word spreads that she's accessible again."

"And I suppose you're telling me this out of the goodness of your heart?" I scoffed.

Tyler exchanged glances with Daphne before responding. "I'm offering a solution. The Second Mystic Realm isn't secure enough. The Guild has too many leaks, too many ambitious members who'd sell that information for the right price."

"What are you suggesting?" I asked, though I already suspected his answer.

"I have access to another Mystic Realm—one that's truly hidden. I could take both of you there. She would be safe while she continues to heal."

I laughed coldly. "And put Isabelle directly in your hands? Do you think I'm a fool?"

"You're being stubborn," Daphne interjected. "Tyler's family has protected special bloodlines for generations. They have the resources to—"

"To what?" I cut her off. "To experiment on her like the Guild was doing? To drain her blood for their own purposes?"

Tyler's expression hardened. "That's not what we do."

"Then what exactly is your interest in her?" I stepped closer, my voice dropping dangerously. "Because everyone who shows interest in Isabelle's 'special bloodline' has tried to use her as a resource rather than treating her as a person."

"The Westwood family is different," Daphne insisted.

"Yet you're standing here with Daphne Grenville," I pointed out to Tyler. "The same family that's been trying to undermine and eliminate me since I arrived in Veridia City. Forgive me if I don't trust your intentions."

Tyler sighed. "You're making a mistake, Knight. She's not safe with you."

"That's the second time tonight someone has told me that." I glanced between them. "Let me make something perfectly clear to both of you. Anyone who tries to get to Isabelle will have to go through me first. And as Ms. Hayward discovered, that doesn't end well."

Daphne's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"

"A promise," I replied evenly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to than entertaining thinly veiled schemes."

As I turned to leave, Tyler called after me. "Think about what I said, Knight! When the hunting begins, you'll wish you had allies!"

I didn't look back. Their words echoed in my mind as I walked away, fueling my determination. If what they said was true, I needed to accelerate my plans. Isabelle couldn't remain in the Second Mystic Realm much longer.

---

Back at my temporary residence, I paced the floor while on a call with Mariana.

"What do you mean the teleport array is still weeks away from completion?" I demanded. "I thought your engineers were working around the clock."

Mariana's voice came through clearly despite the distance. "They are, Liam. But this isn't like building a simple transportation array. Creating a connection to a Mystic Realm requires precision we can't rush. One mistake could collapse the entire pathway."

I rubbed my temples in frustration. "We don't have weeks. The longer Isabelle stays there, the more vulnerable she becomes."

"I understand your concern, but—"

"No, you don't," I interrupted. "I just had Tyler Westwood approach me with an offer to 'protect' Isabelle in his family's private realm. How long before others make similar moves? Or worse, attempt to take her by force?"

There was a pause on the line. "The Westwoods are involved now? That's concerning."

"Exactly. And they're working with the Grenvilles." I stopped pacing and stared out the window at Veridia City's skyline. "I need that array operational as soon as possible. Double the engineers if necessary."

"I'll see what I can do," Mariana promised. "In the meantime, be careful, Liam. If the Westwoods are showing interest in Isabelle, others will follow."

After ending the call, I sat heavily on the edge of the bed. The pressure was mounting. My temporary surge of power from the outer core was already beginning to wane. Once it faded completely, the Guild would become bold again. I needed the inner core before that happened.

"Troubled thoughts, Liam Knight?"

I sprang to my feet, instantly alert. The voice had come from the shadows near my window. As I watched, a figure materialized—tall, lean, with eyes that seemed to shift between human and reptilian.

"Broderick," I said, recognizing the Heaven Swallowing Python in his human form.

He inclined his head slightly. "You remember me. Good."

"What do you want?" I kept my distance, ready to defend myself if necessary.

"To talk." He moved to sit in a chair by the window, his movements fluid and unnatural. "You seem surprised to see me. Did you think I would blame you for Ms. Hayward's death?"

I studied him carefully. "The thought had crossed my mind."

Broderick laughed—a strange, hissing sound. "Her death was her own doing. Ambition without proper preparation is always fatal."

"Then why are you here?"

He leaned forward, those strange eyes fixing on mine. "You're seeking the inner core of the Heaven Swallowing Python, are you not?"

My body tensed. "What makes you think that?"

"Because I gave you the wrong location." His lips curled into a smile. "The address I provided leads to nothing but an empty chamber. A precaution I take with all... potential threats."

"And now you're here to, what? Give me the correct location out of the goodness of your heart?"

Broderick's smile widened. "I'm here to offer a bargain. I know where the inner core is kept. I can lead you directly to it."

I narrowed my eyes. "In exchange for what?"

"Take me with you when you attack the Veridia City Martial Guild." His expression darkened. "Despite what I said about not blaming you, I do hold the Guild responsible for Ms. Hayward's fate. They used her, just as they've used me for centuries."

I considered his offer carefully. Having a being of his power as an ally could be invaluable. But trusting a creature known for deception was risky.

"How do I know you won't betray me the moment you get what you want?"

"We can form a blood pact," he suggested. "Binding for both of us. I lead you to the inner core, you take me with you against the Guild."

After a long moment of deliberation, I nodded. "Very well. When?"

"Tomorrow, after your visit to the Scripture Pavilion." He stood, moving toward the window. "I'll find you."

"Wait," I called. "How did you know about the Scripture Pavilion?"

Broderick paused, looking back with those unsettling eyes. "I have ears throughout this city, Liam Knight. Remember that."

With that, he vanished into the night, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I didn't trust him, but I needed that inner core. And if he truly wanted revenge against the Guild, our goals aligned—for now.

---

The next morning, I arrived at The Aegis Academy precisely at nine. Ricardo Beaumont and several others from last night were already waiting at the entrance, their excitement evident.

"Knight!" Ricardo called, waving me over. "Can you believe Holmes actually agreed?"

I joined the group, noticing that both Daphne and Tyler were absent. "Did everyone show up?"

"Most of us," he confirmed. "A few couldn't make it due to family obligations."

Emerson Holmes appeared at the Academy's entrance, looking as though he'd aged overnight. "Good morning," he greeted stiffly. "I've arranged for three days of limited access to the Scripture Pavilion, as promised."

A murmur of excitement ran through the group.

"Three days?" Ricardo echoed, clearly pleased. "That's more generous than expected."

Holmes avoided my gaze. "Yes, well, after consideration, I felt it appropriate given your families' longstanding support of the Guild."

He led us through the Academy grounds toward a secluded building I'd never noticed before. Unlike the grandiose main structures, this one was unassuming—a plain stone edifice with no windows and only a single door.

"The Scripture Pavilion houses texts dating back over ten thousand years," Holmes explained as we approached. "Many are fragile and must not be handled directly. You will be permitted to view them under supervision."

As we gathered before the door, Holmes reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, ornate token. "Access requires special permission," he continued, holding up the token. It began to shimmer with rays of light as he pressed it against the door.

I watched intently as the light intensified, signaling the opening of a repository of knowledge that could change everything—for me, for Isabelle, and for the future we might have together.