I stood facing Preston Ironwood, my body still smoldering from the heavenly tribulation that should have killed . The air around us crackled with residual energy, and I could feel sothing different coursing through my veins - power unlike anything I'd experienced before.
Preston's face twisted with disbelief. "How are you still alive?"
I didn't answer imdiately. The sensation flowing through was strange - a calm detachnt mixed with cold fury. My injuries, while still present, felt distant, as if happening to soone else.
"Impossible," Preston muttered, taking a step back. His eyes darted nervously between and the clearing sky above. The tribulation clouds had dispersed, leaving behind only their judgnt - , standing when I should be dead.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Eamon Greene limping toward us. Despite his injuries, determination drove him forward. "Master Knight," he called out, voice filled with relief and amazent.
Behind him, Adrian Whitlock struggled to sit up. Blood stained his robes, and his breathing ca in labored gasps. "Liam," he wheezed, "you must not die."
I turned my attention back to Preston. Though he stood before as an Eighth Rank Grandmaster - far above my newly ascended status - I felt no fear. Only clarity.
"You look different," Preston said, regaining so composure. "But it changes nothing. You're still beneath !"
He lunged forward, hands forming his signature technique. "Divine Ironwood Disc!"
A spinning vortex of energy materialized between his palms, growing rapidly until it was the size of a wagon wheel. With a shout, he hurled it toward .
I didn't dodge. I simply raised my hand.
The disc collided with my palm and shattered like glass. Fragnts of energy dispersed around , harmless as autumn leaves.
Preston's jaw dropped. "That's not possible."
"Many things thought impossible have happened today," I replied, my voice eerily calm even to my own ears.
Taking a step forward, I felt the earth respond beneath my feet. My connection to the world around had deepened, as if the tribulation had reforged into sothing more than human. Brought to you by *.
Preston attacked again, desperation fueling his movents. His fists blurred with speed as he unleashed a barrage of strikes. "Eight Directions Sky Shattering Palm!"
I moved with a fluidity that surprised even , weaving through his attacks as if they were happening in slow motion. When his final strike ca, I simply redirected it with two fingers, sending him stumbling off balance.
"Is this the mighty Preston Ironwood?" I asked. "The man who betrayed his master? Who plots to overthrow ancient orders for his own gain?"
"You know nothing!" he snarled, gathering energy for another attack.
Before he could release it, I closed the distance between us and struck his chest with my palm. The blow wasn't particularly hard, but the energy I channeled through it sent him flying backward.
He crashed into a boulder, splintering it into fragnts. Coughing blood, he struggled to his feet.
"That...that was just luck," he gasped, wiping crimson from his lips.
I approached him slowly. "It wasn't luck that made you betray Master Whitlock. It wasn't luck that led you to ambush us here."
Fear flickered in his eyes as I drew closer. "Stay back!"
"You murdered your own master," I continued, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You plotted against the very man who taught you everything you know."
Preston backed away. "He was weak! The Ironwood family deserves more than scraps from the Whitlock table!"
"And that justifies murder?"
He launched another desperate attack. This ti, I caught his fist in my hand, stopping it cold. The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing, but I stood firm.
"How?" he whispered, genuine fear now replacing his arrogance. "You're only a new Grandmaster. I've been at the Eighth Rank for decades."
I tightened my grip until the bones in his hand creaked. "The heavens judge us all, Preston. Today they judged worthy of survival. What do you think they would judge you?"
With a swift movent, I twisted his arm behind his back and drove him to his knees. He scread in pain, no longer the arrogant master but a frightened man facing judgnt.
"Please," he begged, his proud facade crumbling. "I was only following orders! The Sterling family wanted the herbs! They promised power, position!"
I released him suddenly, letting him collapse to the ground. "So you're not even the mastermind. Just another pawn."
"Spare ," he whimpered, prostrating himself. "I'll tell you everything. Nas, plans, locations - everything!"
"Look at you now," I said, disgust filling . "Where is your pride? Your honor?"
Behind , I heard movent. Adrian had managed to stand with Eamon's help and was making his way toward us.
"The mighty Preston Ironwood," I continued, circling him like a predator. "Begging for his life from soone he called a nobody just hours ago."
"Please," he sobbed. "I have a family."
"So did your master," I replied coldly. "The one you murdered."
Adrian reached us, his face pale from blood loss but his eyes sharp. "Liam," he said softly. "The tribulation has changed you."
I nodded. "I see things clearly now."
Preston looked up at his forr friend, tears streaking through the dirt on his face. "Adrian, please. For the sake of our past friendship. rcy."
Adrian's expression hardened. "Friendship? You destroyed that when you plunged a dagger into our master's back."
"I was wrong," Preston pleaded. "I see that now."
I knelt beside him, studying his terrified face. "No. You're only sorry because you failed. Because you're facing consequences."
"What are you going to do?" he whispered.
I stood and looked toward Adrian. "He betrayed you. He tried to kill you today. What would you have do with him?"
Adrian closed his eyes briefly, his expression pained. When he opened them again, I saw conflict there. "He was once my brother in all but blood."
"And now?"
"And now..." Adrian sighed heavily. "I cannot bring myself to demand his death, even after everything."
Preston's expression brightened with desperate hope. "Adrian! Thank you, old friend. I swear I'll—"
"Silence," I cut him off. "Master Whitlock may have spoken, but I haven't made my decision yet."
Fear returned to Preston's eyes. "What do you an? He just said—"
"He said he couldn't demand your death. He didn't say you should live."
Adrian placed a hand on my shoulder. "Liam, vengeance can consu a man. Be careful of the path you choose."
I looked at the broken man before , then at Adrian's wounded form. The choice seed clear.
"Stand up," I commanded Preston.
Trembling, he obeyed, rising unsteadily to his feet.
"You tried to kill today," I said. "You nearly succeeded."
"I was following orders," he repeated weakly.
"And if I let you live, whose orders will you follow tomorrow? Who else will you betray?"
His eyes darted around, seeking escape. Finding none, he dropped to his knees again. "I swear I'll disappear. You'll never see again."
Adrian stepped forward. "Liam, perhaps exile would be punishnt enough."
I turned to the old master. "Would you trust him to keep his word? To never return? To never seek revenge?"
Adrian's silence was answer enough.
"Master Knight," Eamon interjected. "We could take him back to the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Let him face their justice."
I considered this briefly. "And risk him escaping along the way? Or being freed by his powerful allies?"
Preston grasped desperately at this suggestion. "Yes! The Guild can judge . I'll accept their punishnt."
I stared at him coldly. "The Guild didn't witness your betrayal today. They didn't feel the sting of your attacks."
Drawing a deep breath, I made my decision. "There must be consequences, Preston. The world must know that betrayal has a price."
Preston's face crumpled. "Please," he whispered, one final ti.
Adrian watched closely. "Whatever you decide, Liam, I will not interfere. But rember – so actions can never be undone."
I nodded, acknowledging his wisdom. Then I looked back at Preston, seeing not just the man before but all he represented – betrayal, selfishness, the willingness to destroy others for personal gain.
"Adrian," the wounded man called out weakly. "Please stop him."
Adrian shook his head sadly. "I cannot."
Preston turned back to , desperation clear in his eyes. "I was wrong. I admit it! Just give a chance to make ands!"
I stared down at him impassively. "So betrayals cannot be forgiven."
"Liam," Adrian said softly. "Perhaps rcy—"
"Master Whitlock may have forgiven you," I cut in, my voice hardening as I addressed Preston, "but I haven't, so... you better die!"
With lightning speed, I slamd my palm against Preston's forehead. His eyes widened in terror as he felt my energy invading his body.
"Heaven Swallowing Skill," I whispered.
Golden light flowed from my hand into his skull. Preston's mouth opened in a silent scream as my technique began to drain his spiritual energy. His body convulsed violently as decades of accumulated power flowed from him into .
Adrian watched in stunned silence. Eamon turned away, unable to bear the sight.
As the last of Preston's power left him, his eyes dulled. I released my hold, letting his empty shell collapse to the ground.
Justice had been served. Retribution after tribulation.
The heavens had spared today. Preston Ironwood had not been so fortunate.
Reviews
All reviews (0)