The Cost of Power

Darkness clung to Liam's mind like a heavy fog. Somewhere in the distance, muffled voices bled into each other, warped and indistinct. He tried to move, but his body refused—his limbs felt like lead, his breath shallow.

Pain. It sat deep in his bones, pulsing with every heartbeat. His mana, once a steady current, now flickered erratically inside him.

Too much. He had pushed too hard.

Stat Fusion worked—but his body wasn't ready for it.

He drifted again.

—

A sharp voice cut through the haze.

"Liam."

His consciousness lurched.

Something cold pressed against his forehead. A damp cloth? No—a hand.

His eyes fluttered open. Blurred shapes. Soft candlelight. The scent of herbs, damp wood, and something faintly metallic lingered in the air.

Not the warehouse.

His vision slowly focused. A small room. A coat. An old wooden table covered in parchment and half-melted candles.

Iris sat nearby, arms crossed, her expression caught somewhere between relief and frustration. "You're awake."

Liam tried to sit up. His body disagreed. Pain ripped through his ribs, and a groan escaped before he could stop it.

Iris shot him a sharp glare. "Don't be an idiot. Lie down."

He hesitated—but didn't argue.

Silence hung between them for a moment before she spoke again.

"You've been out for three days."

Liam's mind snapped awake.

"Three—?" His voice came out hoarse like he hadn't spoken in weeks.

She sighed. "Yeah. You collapsed after that last attack. Your body… it wasn't handling whatever the hell that was."

Liam exhaled slowly. He had expected backlash. But three days? That was worse than he thought.

"…Where are we?" he finally asked.

Iris glanced at the door. "Safehouse. Ileana's people got us out before more hunters could show up."

Liam frowned. "And the assassin?"

Her expression darkened. "Gone. The blast threw him clear across the warehouse, but when we checked—he wasn't there."

A chill ran through Liam's spine. That man wasn't normal.

And he wasn't finished.

Iris seemed to read his thoughts. "He'll come back," she muttered. "They don't just give up on contracts like this."

Liam's fists clenched. He hated this—being hunted, being weak, being powerless to control his abilities.

He stared at his hand, flexing his fingers. Ink still pulsed beneath his skin—but it felt different now. More… refined. Balanced.

Stat Fusion had stabilized, at least slightly.

But the risk was clear. Using it recklessly could kill him.

He needed to be smarter. Stronger.

He looked at Iris. "I need to train."

She scoffed. "You need to rest."

Liam shook his head. "No. If I keep running without knowing how to control this, I'll end up dead anyway."

Iris exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "You're insane."

"Probably."

She let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Fine. But don't expect me to carry your half-dead ass next time."

Liam smirked, despite the pain. "Deal."

---

The Path Forward

Ileana arrived later that night, her expression unreadable as she shut the door behind her.

"I hear you're awake," she said. "That's good. We need to talk."

Liam pushed himself up—ignoring Iris's glare. "About?"

Ileana crossed her arms. "The people after you aren't just bounty hunters. Someone high up wants you erased."

Liam's stomach twisted. He had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed made it worse.

"Who?" he asked.

Ileana studied him for a moment. Then she slid a folded parchment across the table.

Liam took it with slow fingers, unfolding it.

His breath caught.

A wanted notice.

Not just for him.

For Iris.

For Ileana.

And at the bottom, stamped with the official seal of Ardentia's Council—

A name.

One he knew.

[.High Enforcer. Darius Valen.]

The man who governed the city's military forces.

The man who once called Cain his right hand.

Liam's grip tightened around the parchment. So that's how deep this went.

Iris leaned in, reading over his shoulder. "Shit."

Ileana nodded. "Yeah. That about sums it up."

Silence settled over them.

Then Liam exhaled.

This wasn't just about surviving anymore.

It was about fighting back.

To Be Continued…