The morning light filtered through the small, cracked window of the room they had taken in a modest hotel. The air felt different now—colder, sharper—as if the world had changed after their journey up the mountain. The three of them had made their way out of the remote area, leaving behind the remnants of the Xan Ling herb and the dangers they had faced. They had reached the safety of the hotel, their minds still reeling from the events of the previous day, and they had hoped to rest, gather their thoughts, and prepare for the next step in their journey.For Richard, the night had been a much-needed respite. The pain and exhaustion that had weighed him down during his escape had faded as he slept, and by morning, his wounds were completely healed. It was as if the ordeal of the previous day had never happened. The bruises, cuts, and bruising were gone, and his body felt rejuvenated—a feeling of vitality that he had not known in months. The power of the herb, he realized, must have pla

The journey to the Reed House was short but filled with anticipation. Reed, the enigmatic mentor and the person who had set Richard on this path, had long been a figure in the shadows of Richard’s life. His training had been harsh, filled with tests of strength, wit, and endurance. But this final mission—the retrieval of the Xan Ling herb—was more than just another task. It was a rite of passage.When Richard arrived at the grand Reed House, he approached with a quiet resolve. The house was a large, ancient structure, perched atop a hill and overlooking the town of Willowbrook. It had always been a place of mystery, a home where secrets were kept and great plans were made.At the door, Richard was greeted by Reed’s assistant, who looked at him with surprise. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized the figure standing before him—the young man who had disappeared for weeks, the one who was sent to retrieve the herb.“Richard?” the assistant asked, disbelief in his voice. “You’re aliv

Richard stepped into the bustling restaurant with a sense of anticipation that had been building ever since he had learned that Amelia had returned to town. It had been a while since they had last seen each other, and despite the chaos of his recent journey, he found himself looking forward to their meeting. He had arranged for them to meet at one of the newest restaurants in town—a place with sleek, modern décor and an atmosphere that promised a peaceful evening amidst the storm that had been his life recently.As Richard walked toward the entrance, his eyes immediately found her.Amelia was seated at a table near the window, her elegance apparent even from across the room. She looked stunning as always, her features framed by the soft, golden light of the restaurant. She wore a deep blue dress that complemented her figure perfectly, her long hair cascading down in waves, and her eyes—those eyes that always seemed to carry an aura of mystery—were focused on something ahead. She was w

Richard’s heart surged with a new sense of hope as the reinforcements pushed into the room. He recognized them—fighters from Reed’s network, the underground allies who had been working behind the scenes for months, preparing for this very moment. They rushed into the fray, weapons raised, their battle cries echoing off the walls.Sebastian’s face twisted with disbelief as he tried to rally his remaining men, but they were already retreating. Richard’s team had the upper hand now, the tide having decisively turned in their favor. As the battle raged on, Richard’s focus remained on Sebastian.“You’re not getting away this time,” Richard growled.Sebastian sneered. “You think you’ve won, don’t you, Richard? You and your little band of misfits. But you’re not even close to understanding what’s truly at stake. The knight consortium will come for him. You will see…”Before Sebastian could finish his threat, Richard closed the distance between them. His fists were like steel, his movements s

The air in Reed’s house was heavy with tension as Richard slowly regained consciousness. His body felt as though it had been hit by a storm—aching, drained, yet filled with a strange, almost electric energy. The world around him seemed blurry at first, but gradually, shapes and colors began to come into focus. He blinked against the sudden onslaught of light, and his senses started to return to him. The scent of herbal concoctions and faint incense wafted in the air, grounding him back in the familiar surroundings of Reed’s study.He tried to lift his hand but found it stiff, his limbs slow to respond. It was as though he was awakening from a long, disorienting sleep. The events of the previous days came crashing back into his mind—the battle, the fight with Sebastian, and, of course, the painful decision to take the Xan Ling herb.As his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw Amelia sitting beside him, her face pale with exhaustion but filled with a glowing sense of relief. She was holdi