They all turned to the door. There he was—standing tall. The ghoul's bite had left a scar, but all other wounds were gone. Rick was alive and kicking.
'Why do you declare me dead?' he asked, arms crossed.
'You idiot!' Emilia barked. 'What happened to you?!'
Some minutes before
The ghoul had buried its fangs in Rick. Everything had turned black—until the pain snapped him back. Another ghoul stood tall above him.
'Seems like that's it. I should take care of the others,' it said and turned toward the stairs. Rick's body twitched. The infection was spreading
(Voice in Rick's mind:Finally! I get to possess someone, and he looks this wrecked? And he's an immune one!)
'An immune one?' Rick groaned, his body clinging to life.
(Voice in Rick's mind: Yes. Let's keep it short—you're dying. I always hated brightborns and darkborns. I admire your humans. Let's form a contract.)
'Why should I?'
(Voice in Rick's mind: Because immune ones these days are fragile. Darkborns or brightborns either take over slowly—or rip their soul apart resisting. Quick death or slow agony. Take your pick. And well, you are already dying!)
'What's your name?'
(Voice in Rick's mind: Call me Zahira.)
Her voice turned distinctly female. Rick's wounds began healing. The ghoul beside him dried out, like sand in the wind.
(Zahira: I control sand. And I'm a Noble.)
'A Noble?'
(Zahira: Yes. Third-highest rank. You're lucky to have me, hahaha!)
'We'll see.' Suddenly, the building shook. Nade and Brightbornica's clash had destabilized everything. Zahira guided Rick—he pressed his hands to the floor. Sand burst out, forming thick columns that braced the walls and sealed the lower level. When the smoke cleared, Brightbornica gazed at the sand, then at Nade.
'Seems like that person doesn't belong to you.'
'And neither to you,' Nade replied, struggling to breathe but refusing to fall. He dashed forward, ice spikes bursting with every step. Brightbornica responded with her own charge, golden spheres glowing in her palms.
Meanwhile, the rooftop door creaked open. The ghoul stepped forward—then froze. Something massive was behind him. Sand spears ripped through his body. Rick emerged from the shadows.
'Told you—no future for you.' The ghoul collapsed, drained dry. Rick strolled past and headed for the roof exit. That's when Emilia's voice rang out:
'Rick, you idiot! Now I have to deal with this alone!' He grinned as he stepped outside.
'What do you mean? I'm here.' Everyone turned, stunned and relieved. Except for one. The man lunged.
Rick didn't hesitate. He charged. Their fists collided—but Rick's fist swelled with sand, forming a giant mass that crushed the enemy's punch and hurled him off the rooftop. As the scream vanished into the distance, Rick dashed toward Emilia. Below them, Brightbornica and Nade's clash shattered more sand columns. The building tilted.
Then—a deep roar shook the sky.
The man returned, crashing from above. His body was warped—bulkier, claws sharpened, fangs exposed. His stench reeked of rot and rage.
'I am a Chosen One!' he bellowed, his voice doubled and distorted. 'I won't be defeated by the likes of you!'
Part 48
'Damn!' Rick uttered and turned his head slightly, wrinkling his nose. The man let out a deafening cry, shaking the already crumbling rooftop. Rick glanced at Emilia and nodded. She understood, dashed to the helicopter, and prepared for takeoff.
The man spotted the escape attempt and bent down, ready to leap—but stopped. The sand beneath his feet writhed, forming into chains that coiled around his limbs. He grunted, struggling, but in vain.
The helicopter rose into the sky. Trapped and furious, the man redirected his rage at Rick, who dashed forward. As he ran, Rick shaped the sand into a scythe. He leapt and slashed, but the man had freed one arm and used it to block. The blade struck—but the arm held firm.
'You'll die here,' the man growled.
'Another person—well, ghoul—said the same. Where is he now? Exactly!'
Below, near the heart of the crumbling structure
The sand columns thinned rapidly. The building could collapse any moment. Nade stood, clutching his chest, breath ragged, skin pale.
'Just give up and come with me!' Brightbornica demanded.
'I'm far from over, Brightbornica!' Nade smiled, forcing up one arm. It was already frosting over. The air temperature plummeted. Though Brightbornica had called off the ghouls, their instincts flared. A few broke ranks and crept toward Nade.
'I told you to do nothing!' Brightbornica barked and, with one slash, beheaded the nearest ghoul. The rest hesitated. Some growled behind her, others began retreating.
'Be judged by the heavens,' Nade whispered.
Back on the rooftop
Rick clashed with the mutated man. Each blow he softened with sand—but the hits still hurt. Cuts covered his body. The man bled too, but not deeply.
Then both paused. Above them, clouds gathered—dense, dark, and swirling. At their center: a sphere of pale blue light, so cold it froze the air around it.
(Zahira: We must leave! I know that attack—Glacia used it during the war. It's not at full power… lucky us! But run—NOW!)
(Rick: Glacia? Who's that now?)
(Zahira: Someone you don't want to cross! And now get away from here!)
Rick turned to the man. The giant's attention was fixed on the sky. Rick seized the chance, surged forward, and swung low. His scythe tore through the man's legs. Before he could rise, new sand chains wrapped around him, anchoring him to the crumbling roof. The helicopter had vanished—but Rick saw the direction. Without hesitation, he jumped off the building.
Inside
(Brightbornica: This is more than I expected. I can counter it—but it'll cost me! Damn it, then…)
'Attack him!' she roared. That was the ghouls' cue. In a tidal wave of rage, they stormed Nade. Brightbornica shattered the floor beneath her. She would use the falling ghouls, her power, and the building as her shield.
Nade remained calm.
(Glacia: If you're unlucky, you'll survive. And so will she.)
(Nade: Didn't you want me to lose?)
(Glacia: I want you to die. I have a weird feeling about this place—and that puts me in danger!)
'Curse your bad luck, Glacia. Now let's end this. Ice Age – Heavenly Punishment – Dragon Roar!'
Outside
Rick plummeted—but Zahira summoned the sand to swirl around the building, slowing his fall. He landed safely.
(Zahira: Get away—NOW!)
Rick noticed ghouls nearby, but they were fleeing, uninterested in him. He didn't question Zahira. He ran, careful not to be followed. Just as he reached a safe distance, the light above the tower pulsed violently. A dragon-shaped blast of ice, coiled like a serpent, emerged from the heavens and screamed as it descended.
The rooftop, still holding the chained man, froze solid in an instant. Then—the ice dragon struck.