"Well, well, well, it seems we entered the wrong room, Vicky," Lara said, holding Vicky's hand as she turned around to leave. She paused, then turned back again, her lips stretching into a wide grin.
Dante ignored her and stood up.
"I'm going now, Lara."
That was all he said before he left.
Lara walked up to Lilith, who had been standing in one spot, while Vicky sat beside Moses.
When Lara reached her, she wiggled her brows teasingly.
"It's not what you think," Lilith explained, embarrassed. "He was the one who pulled me, and I ended up sitting on his lap."
"Did I ask you?" Lara said, her grin widening. "I brought you some food," she added, raising the flask.
"I'm leaving, Lara. It's getting late."
"Okay. Thanks for visiting Moses. You and Dante look cute together, though."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Goodbye. See you in school tomorrow," Lilith said, leaving the room hurriedly.
As soon as she left, Lara burst out laughing.
"Why are you teasing her?" Vicky asked.
Lara ignored her and continued laughing until her phone rang. She checked the caller ID — JAYDEN.
"Hello, Jayden."
"I'm at the front of the hospital. I don't know the direction to Moses' ward."
"Alright, I'm coming."
She left the room and met Jayden leaning against the wall outside.
"Good evening, Jayden."
"Hello, sexy."
"Sexy? I'm your sister, for crying out loud," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh! I forgot, baby sister. Will you lead the way, please?"
She led the way, with Jayden following behind. When they got to the room, Moses was already awake.
"Brother Jayden!" Moses exclaimed happily, sitting up.
"Yo, my boy. How are you doing? Mom told me what happened. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm feeling stronger now. Is that mine?" Moses asked, pointing at the small white polythene bag.
Meanwhile, Xavier sat on a couch, a headset plugged into his ears, trying to distract himself from the thoughts swirling in his head.
Unable to stay calm, he unplugged the headset and walked to his study table, which was filled with books. He picked up a stunning painting of a girl and gazed at it adoringly.
"Celeste," he murmured, her name falling from his lips like a prayer.
Several paintings of her hung on the wall.
He sat down, dropped the painting, picked up a large book, and began flipping through it. Soon, sleep claimed him.
"Celeste!!!"
A young man of about twenty screamed shrilly as an older man pulled a blade from a young girl's back. She stumbled, but before she could fall, the young man caught her and sank to the ground with her in his arms.
Red powers began leaving her body and entering the older man's, but the young man's eyes were fixed on the blood dripping from her lips.
"Celeste," he sobbed. "You're dying."
"Tell me this isn't real. Tell me it's a dream."
"I'm sorry, Xavier," she whispered, tears falling like raindrops.
"But I thought we were going to live forever — together. I thought we immortals couldn't be killed."
"There's something you don't know, Xavier," Celeste said weakly. "Immortals can be killed if they're stabbed with a sword dipped in human ashes. I never wanted you to know this."
She coughed, blood spilling from her lips.
"Gaius is taking my powers now," she continued. "He'll become the strongest Immortal in existence. I want you to run — now — while he's distracted. He's going to kill you."
Xavier shook his head violently.
"No, Celeste. I'm going to kill him."
"Cough… cough… cough," she coughed again, blood soaking his hands. "You can't, Xavier. He's too strong now. He'll come for your powers next, once he's done taking mine."
Her breathing grew uneven.
"You don't even know how to control your powers yet," she whispered desperately. "Go now. Go. I can't let you die."
"Please stay with me, Celeste," he cried. "Please don't leave me."
She managed a weak smile.
"Don't cry, my love. I'm not leaving you."
She reached up, her trembling fingers brushing his cheek.
"I am the last Immortal, Xavier. The last Immortal will be reborn after death. This time, she'll possess great powers — powers that can't be destroyed by anyone or anything."
Tears streamed down his face as she continued.
"Run now. Find me when I'm born again, and together… we'll defeat Gaius."
He kissed her desperately, tears falling freely. When he pulled away, his sobs had gone silent — replaced by a hard, painful resolve.
"I'll find you again, my love," he whispered.
She caressed his face lovingly.
"I love you. Please leave now. For us. Promise me you won't fight him."
Her voice faded with each word.
Xavier kissed her forehead gently, laid her body on the ground, and slowly turned toward Gaius, who stood with his arms spread wide, absorbing Celeste's powers.
His eyes burned with restrained fury.
"I promise," he muttered.
Then he glanced at her one last time and disappeared.