"Greet? What are you that requires to greet you?" I asked, staring directly into Daxon Johnson's eyes.
His face flushed crimson. "I'm Lieutenant Daxon Johnson of the Eldoria Battle Zone, Special Operations Division. You should show proper respect."
I noticed the Sterling family mbers watching with bated breath, hungry for drama even as their patriarch lay dead upstairs. The contrast between their behavior and the solemnity the occasion deserved only deepened my disgust.
"Respect is earned, not demanded," I replied calmly. "And it's certainly not determined by fancy titles."
Daxon stepped closer, using his height to try to intimidate . "Do you have any idea who you're talking to? My commander could destroy your pathetic existence with a single word."
Seraphina moved between us. "Cousin, I wouldn't if I were you. Liam isn't who he used to be."
Daxon scoffed, pushing her aside. "Stay out of this, Sera. I've heard all about this worthless live-in son-in-law." He turned back to . "In the Battle Zone, we don't tolerate disrespect. We're the elite—the noble warriors who protect everyone, including ungrateful vermin like you."
"Noble?" I couldn't help but laugh. "There's nothing noble about throwing your weight around at a funeral gathering. The man who just died showed more nobility in his silence than you do with all your boasting."
The muscles in Daxon's jaw tightened. "You dare lecture ?" He reached out to grab my collar.
I moved before his hand could make contact, shifting subtly to redirect his montum. Daxon stumbled forward, caught off balance. To the onlookers, it might have appeared that he simply tripped, but both of us knew better.
"Don't," I warned quietly.
Daxon regained his footing, eyes widening with surprise before narrowing with rage. "You'll regret that. When I return to the Battle Zone, I'll make sure your na is blacklisted everywhere that matters."
"Is that what they teach you at the Battle Zone? To threaten civilians?" I shook my head. "I expected better from an organization with such a reputation."
"You know nothing about the Battle Zone," he spat. "We're currently in Havenwood City for sothing big. My commander is personally here to recruit soone with connections to Chief Vance. Soone important."
"And clearly that soone isn't you," I replied. "Otherwise, you wouldn't need to announce it to feel significant."
Simon stepped forward, his face a mask of false civility. "Liam was just leaving. Weren't you, Liam?"
I nodded. "I ca to say goodbye to William. That's done." I turned toward the door, then paused. "By the way, I overheard your funeral plans. William once told he wanted a simple service at the old chapel where he married your mother. Not St. Matthew's. But I suppose what he wanted doesn't matter much to any of you."
Simon's expression hardened, but before he could respond, Beatrice Sterling, Simon's sister, rushed forward.
"Daxon, darling, we must celebrate your promotion! I've already called the caterers—we'll have a small gathering tomorrow evening."
"But what about Great-Uncle William's funeral?" Seraphina asked, looking appalled.
Beatrice waved dismissively. "That can wait a day or two. It's not like he's going anywhere."
I felt my hands clench into fists. "Your father just died, and you're planning a celebration?"
"Mind your own business," Simon snapped. "You're no longer part of this family."
"Thank God for that," I muttered, turning away.
As I reached for the door, Daxon called out, "This isn't over, Knight. People like you need to learn your place."
I didn't bother responding. So people weren't worth the breath.
---
Three days later, I stood alone beneath a sprawling oak tree, watching as William's coffin was lowered into the ground. The official funeral at St. Matthew's had been a spectacle of wealth and false sentint, attended by business associates and social climbers. Not one tear had been shed.
This, however, was different. I'd arranged a private burial at the small chapel William had loved, paying for it myself. The only others present were the chaplain and the cetery workers.
"Goodbye, old man," I said softly. "At least here, you'll have peace."
The chaplain gave a sympathetic smile as he concluded the brief service. "You must have cared deeply for him."
"He showed kindness when no one else would," I replied simply.
After the workers had filled in the grave, I placed a single white rose on the fresh earth and turned to leave. I had done what I could for William. Now I had other matters to attend to.
My phone buzzed with a ssage from Eamon: "Commander Keller from Eldoria is at the Dragon Rising Community asking for you. Says it's urgent."
I frowned. This was unexpected. The Eldoria Battle Zone rarely concerned themselves with individuals outside their ranks, especially in Havenwood City. What could they possibly want with ?
As I drove toward Dragon Rising, my mind raced through possibilities. Had Daxon made good on his threats already? Or was this about sothing else entirely?
The Dragon Rising Community gate was flanked by two soldiers in Battle Zone uniforms when I arrived—an unusual sight that imdiately put on alert. I parked and approached cautiously.
"Liam Knight?" one of the guards asked.
I nodded.
"Commander Keller is waiting for you in the main hall."
Inside, I found a tall, weathered man in his fifties with iron-gray hair and the bearing of soone accustod to authority. Beside him stood a younger officer with a perpetually suspicious expression.
"Mr. Knight," the older man said, extending his hand. "Commander Ethan Keller, Eldoria Battle Zone. Thank you for coming." The full series lives on My Virtual Library Empire (*).
"I wasn't aware I had a choice," I replied, shaking his hand firmly.
A faint smile crossed Keller's face. "Direct. I appreciate that." He gestured to the younger man. "This is Captain Ari Steele, my aide."
Steele gave a curt nod, his eyes scanning with obvious skepticism.
"What can I do for the Eldoria Battle Zone?" I asked.
Keller motioned for to sit. "I'll be straightforward. Chief Vance has taken a personal interest in your abilities. He's instructed to extend an invitation for you to join our dical division."
This caught by surprise. "Chief Vance? I've never even t him."
"Nevertheless, he seems to know quite a bit about you. Your dical knowledge, your... unique skills."
The way he emphasized "unique" made it clear he was referring to more than just my healing abilities. I kept my expression neutral.
"I'm flattered, but I have responsibilities here."
Keller leaned forward. "Mr. Knight, this isn't a standard recruitnt. Chief Vance specifically requested you by na. That doesn't happen often."
"Ever," Steele corrected, speaking for the first ti. His tone carried clear disapproval.
I studied them both. "Why ? There must be hundreds of qualified dical practitioners already in the Battle Zone."
"That's a question only the Chief can answer," Keller replied. "He'll be arriving in three days and wishes to et with you personally."
As Keller continued outlining the opportunity, I noticed Steele's growing frustration. The captain clearly disapproved of whatever special treatnt I was receiving.
When Keller stepped away to take a call, Steele moved closer to .
"What's your angle?" he demanded in a low voice.
"Excuse ?"
"Chief Vance doesn't personally recruit nobodies from provincial cities. Especially not forr disgraced live-in sons-in-law."
I raised an eyebrow. "You've done your howork."
"It's my job to protect the Battle Zone from infiltration and corruption," Steele replied coldly. "So I'll ask again—what's your connection to Chief Vance?"
"I have none," I answered truthfully.
Steele's eyes narrowed. "Everyone has an agenda, Knight. Are you related to soone important? Blackmailing soone? What?"
Before I could respond, Keller returned. "Is there a problem, Captain?"
"No sir," Steele replied, stepping back. "Just clarifying so details with Mr. Knight."
Keller gave him a asured look before turning back to . "Consider the offer, Mr. Knight. It's a rare opportunity."
As they prepared to leave, Steele hung back slightly. I heard him mutter to Keller, "Sir, with all due respect, this makes no sense. Either Knight has connections we don't know about, or the Chief has lost his objectivity. Either way, we should proceed with caution."
Keller's response was too quiet for to hear, but the tension between them was palpable. Whatever this invitation ant, it was already causing discord within the Battle Zone ranks.
I watched them go, wondering what Chief Vance could possibly want with —and how much he actually knew about who and what I truly was.
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