The sun hadn't risen, but something in the air had changed. Inside the palace, joy overflowed like golden light. The cries of newborns had softened the hardest hearts. Laughter had returned. Hope had bloomed again.
Until the Reaper appeared.
He stood calmly at the entrance of the main hall, where the family was gathered.
"Rayyan. Baba. The scientists request your presence in the experimental lab. It's urgent."
No panic. But no time to waste.
Rayyan stood immediately, exchanging a silent look with Baba and the others. They followed, their steps growing heavier as they descended deep into the restricted zone of the island—a place few dared to enter.
When they arrived, silence fell.
There, inside a high-security cage, a creature roared. It was human once—but not anymore. It snarled, twisted unnaturally, its body bloated and shredded by infection. Eyes like blood. Veins like branches.
The sight froze everyone.
One of the lead scientists stepped forward, his voice cautious.
"We've tried everything. Antibiotics. Antivirals. Even enhanced radiation doses. Nothing works. The virus adapts. Learns. Grows."
He took a breath.
"But then we found something. A preserved sample. Blood. Not just anyone's blood. MRD's."
Everyone stared.
Rayyan stepped forward, voice sharp.
"His blood...? That's from when?"
"Years ago. After he saved a terminal cancer child. We kept a vial. It's pure. Untouched. Still alive."
The scientist hesitated.
"It might be our only shot. If it fails, we lose our last miracle. If it works..."
Rayyan didn't wait.
"Do it."
The lab erupted into motion.
Reapers secured the infected man with electrified chains. The air gun loaded with Mirshad's blood sample was prepped. Scientists held their breath.
The cage opened.
Roars shook the walls. The stench of death filled the air.
THUMP.
The shot fired.
The man shuddered. Nothing happened.
Seconds passed.
Then—he convulsed. Softly at first, then deeper.
The red drained from his eyes. The veins stopped pulsing. His breathing calmed.
He collapsed.
The doctors moved instantly.
"Vitals are steady. Prepare the table!"
Minutes passed like lifetimes.
Then the doctor returned, hands shaking, voice cracking.
"He's healed. No virus. Not even a scar."
The room stood frozen.
Rayyan stared, unable to speak. His knees gave way. He dropped to the ground, tears flowing like rivers.
Amir caught him, holding him close.
Malik turned his head away, fists clenched, hiding his own grief.
Jabir moved silently, whispering:
"You did it again, brother. Even without being here... you still saved them."
Baba stepped back, leaning against the wall.
"That blood... is the last. He's been gone five months. We don't know where he is. Maybe we never will."
In the corner, Papa sat down quietly, covering his face with both hands. Silent. Shaking. Crying.
Rayyan slowly stood again, facing the scientists.
"You cured one. But out there, it's not one... it's millions. We don't have more of his blood. We have his children... but they're newborns. We can't... we won't risk them."
He looked around.
"How do we save them... without him?"
No one answered.
Not even the wind.
Just silence.
And tears.
And the presence of a man... who still wasn't there.