Ilya lay quietly in her brother's tight embrace. The storm of her mind was slowly subsiding—her breathing evened out, and the trembling had stopped. The shadows that clung to her heart faded bit by bit. Her condition had stabilized. The tears had done their work.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into a gentle slumber, nestled against Ariel's chest.
Ariel's brows furrowed as worry crept across his face. But Doctor John, still by their side, offered reassurance.
"Don't worry, Ariel. It's perfectly normal. Her body's recovering from that immense mental strain. This isn't unconsciousness—it's restful sleep. Peaceful, healing. Let her rest. She'll wake soon."
Ariel exhaled softly, relief passing over him like a breeze.
Carefully, he shifted Ilya into a more comfortable position on the hospital bed. Her expression was calm now—serene even. A subtle, pure smile curved her lips. It was like hope had found her again, after being lost in the dark for far too long.
A gentle knock tapped at the door.
Doctor Walter stepped inside, his face weary, dark circles haunting his tired eyes. But his lips curled into a familiar, kind smile.
"It seems you've finally gotten some rest, Ariel."
"I have," Ariel replied, noticing Walter's strained posture. "But Doctor… you don't look good. What happened?"
Walter chuckled weakly. "What do you think? Treating this many patients back to back, burning through soul power for four hours straight—it takes a toll, even on someone Blessed. My core's running on fumes."
He slumped Into a nearby chair.
Walter tilted his head toward Ilya. "You seem… happy. Something good?"
"She woke up—just before you came," Ariel said with a rare, soft smile. "She cried a little… but then she smiled. Now she's sleeping peacefully again."
Walter's smile deepened. "That's wonderful."
"Doctor John," he said, "could you get me a glass of water?"
"Of course." John nodded, leaving momentarily and returning with a glass. Walter took it gratefully, sipped, and then closed his eyes, falling into a silent, meditative state. The air shifted around him subtly—his fatigue easing as the minutes ticked by.
Ten minutes later, a sharp ring pierced the calm.
Walter's eyes snapped open. He picked up his communicator and answered the call. The smile on his face vanished. His body tensed. His expression drained of color.
He slowly lowered the device, hand trembling.
John and Ariel exchanged uneasy glances.
Ariel spoke first. "Something's wrong… isn't it?"
Walter's voice was low and grave. "Yes. Very wrong."
A cold silence fell.
John leaned forward. "What happened?"
Walter hesitated—then said the words like a curse.
"One of the fortified cities… it's gone."
John's face went pale. "Gone? You mean—destroyed?"
Walter shook his head. "No. Erased. Vanished. Wiped from existence. No warning. No resistance. No distress signal. Not even a cry for help reached the other two cities. It just… ended."
Ariel's blood ran cold. "How? Was it…?"
"We're not sure. Initial readings detected a Rank 4 gate. But that city had multiple Transcendents stationed there. Even a government Rank 4 Pristine. With that much firepower, its fall should've been impossible. Unless… the readings were wrong. Or what came through wasn't Rank 4… but worse."
Walter paused. "Either way… it's coming. That city was only three thousand kilometers from here. Whatever erased it will sense this one next—especially with how many souls are gathered here."
Ariel's chest tightened, panic creeping in—but he didn't show it. His voice stayed calm.
"Erased…?" he echoed. "How can something so massive fall without a single warning?"
Walter looked him in the eye. "Has anything made sense in this cursed world? Because from where I stand… no."
John spoke up. "Then… what do we do now?"
"The government's evacuating," Walter said. "The timeline just moved up. Those scheduled to leave in two days will be gone by tomorrow. They're pulling back. After losing a Rank 4, no one wants to face the unknown."
Ariel asked, "So… you'll be leaving tomorrow too, Doctor?"
"Yes. That's the order. I'll take Ilya with me—try to bring you too, if I can. But there won't be time for arguments. If word of this spreads, the city will descend into chaos. People will panic, rush the skyships and forts. And they can only carry thirty percent of the civilians—at best."
John's voice was shaky. "Then… the rest…?"
Walter's face was grim. "Maybe they survive. Maybe they don't. I can't lie—I don't know. All we can do is try."
He turned to Ariel. "I'm sorry. I wish I had more time—to help you, to explain things. But we need every hand prepping the evacuation."
Ariel nodded solemnly. "It's okay. Just take Ilya. That's all I ask. I'll survive… somehow."
His voice didn't crack. But the silence that followed was deafening.
Walter looked like he'd swallowed glass. "I'm sorry, Ariel."
He turned to John. "Let's move. There's still wounded to tend."
John hesitated. "But Doctor… you're drained."
"I'll manage."
Walter reached out, ruffling Ariel's hair with quiet affection. "Take care of her tonight. Prepare her to leave you… if she wakes in time."
Ariel nodded. "I'll try."
The two doctors left, the door shutting behind them.
Now only Ariel and Ilya remained in the quiet room.
'At least she'll survive,' Ariel thought, trying to take comfort in that. But his heart whispered louder:
Will she survive without me?
He shook the thought away. What am I? A fool? She'll be fine. Stronger than she looks. Smarter than she lets on.
Still, he held her close, brushing her hair gently, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
She stirred, still sleeping, her small hands tightening faintly in his shirt.
Will I ever get to see her again? Hug her? Hear her laugh?
The silence gave no answers.
Two long hours passed. Ariel hadn't moved, eyes fixed on Ilya's face. He barely blinked.
And then… she stirred again.
Her eyes opened.