Dean and Seraphina sat on a wide green couch. While Seraphina lounged comfortably, Dean's limbs were tucked in, jaw clenched and shoulders tense.
'Mother, you wanted to tell me something?'
'Yes, son. Well…' She stood, cracking her fingers. 'I'll be straight with you—'
'You're not our real parents. Yeah, we know.'
'How do you know that?'
'You and Dad have loud voices.'
'Haha, yeah, that's true. Well, that's one problem less. Okay, now to your real parents. This will come as a shock, but… you're the children of the daughter of the brightborn queen and the son of the darkborn king.' Dean's eyes widened. He looked down at his open palm, then to Seraphina, who smiled and nodded. Dean massaged his temple, slowly leaning back.
'I told you it would surprise you,' she said.
'More than just surprise! But… why? Where are they? Why did you do that? What am I? What are you? What—'
'Calm down, boy! Hahaha! Step by step. Before darkborns and brightborns began gathering on Earth, two from each side were sent here—your mother and father. They were ordered to eliminate threats and prepare for the invasion. But they met, fought… and fell in love. Crazy, right? But love knows no limits.' She paused, then continued.
'They created the immune ones—to help humanity fight back. Secretly, they opposed both darkborns and brightborns. But it was too late… the invasion was coming.'
'Damn, how old are they? Over 200 years?'
'Yes. Me too, by the way. But age doesn't matter. We feel young. That's it.'
(Dean: I better not bring up age again or she might get pissed!)
'Well, it was worse for your father. He killed his own mother. His father cursed him with immortality and stole his powers. Though still stronger than a human, he was nowhere near what he once was.'
'Wait—he fought my mom?'
'Yes. He learned to twist the curse into strength. When the darkborn king found out about their love, he didn't lift the curse—he exiled him forever. Your mother's story was different. Her father was dead, her mother still alive… but heartbroken. She blamed your father, and all darkborns for your mother's behaviour. She swore to destroy them. I'm not sure she would take her daughter back—but it wasn't as brutal as with your dad. They sealed the gate. We—me and Abaddon—were their closest friends. They asked us to raise you, far away from all this. We agreed. At the same time, the priests rose again. So we infiltrated them, killing from within.'
She sighed.
'Now, the world's a mess. It's only a matter of time before another invasion happens. I'm sure you'll meet your parents soon… though I hope not.'
'Why?'
'Because if you see them, it means things are so bad that even they had to step in. Now, any other questions?'
'That's a lot. Wait—what am I? That golden light from my body?'
'Ah yes. Seems like you inherited your mother's power.'
'So… I'm a brightborn. Damn!'
'Yes. Damn. And I hope this stays between us. Your parents thought they were helping humanity—but humans… they're sometimes worse than darkborns. That's why immune ones were designed to fade over time. Once the world was safe, they too would disappear. Full-blooded immune ones were too powerful.'
'What's the plan now, mother?'
'You can call me Seraphina.'
'I can—but I don't want to. Even if we're not related by blood, you raised us. I'll never forget that.' Seraphina smiled. Larah stormed in, wielding a katana—black, glowing violet. Dean jumped up.
'What did you do, Larah? Do you—'
'I don't care. They have Hope!' Her head lowered, voice cracking. 'I'm helpless… I couldn't do anything. But now I can help fight! Take Hope back!' Seraphina stepped forward.
'Are you truly ready to sell your soul for that? I feel anger and hatred in you. That weapon feeds on it—and grows stronger. If you're not careful, it will—'
'I don't care! You wouldn't understand. When I first saw you… I knew you were strong. Leave me be!' Larah turned to Dean, locking eyes. 'I always knew you were different—but not like this. Still, I don't care. I was even kind of envious. If I had that power, then, then…' A heavy sigh escaped her mouth. She stepped closer, chest to chest, heartbeats syncing, breaths mingling.
'Dean, I love you. I always did. And no matter what you are, I'll love you. It took an apocalypse for this moment. I should've told you sooner. But now I'm sure. My body, my soul… I long for you.' Dean stared. His breath quickened. Larah stepped back—but he grabbed her waist and pulled her close.
'Larah, my whole life I imagined one woman strong enough to stand by me. It was always you. You drive me crazy. You bring out the best in me. I am sorry that I was not man enough to tell you my feelings back then. I a sorry that it needed an apocalypse for me to finally man up. … I love you, Lyra!'
He kissed her—hot, fierce, passionate.
'I hate to ruin the moment,' Seraphina cut in, 'but do you love her enough to kill her—if you must? That katana… I don't know what darkborn it holds, but its energy frightens even me.' Dean turned, still holding Larah.
'That won't happen. We'll go to America, save Hope, and all return—together.'
'Well spoken, Dean!' Sark called from the doorway. 'They're preparing. Next station—America!'
(Seraphina: Her soul… it's already fused with that weapon. No one here had such perfect compatibility. It may already be too late…)