The hospital was vast and silent — a place where even time itself seemed to walk on tiptoe.
A cold breeze drifted through the corridors; white lights flickered now and then, and the hum of machines blended with distant footsteps. The air reeked of disinfectant and medicine — clean, metallic, and irritating.
The walls, too white, reflected the light harshly. Soldiers with bandaged arms hurried past; occupied stretchers groaned faintly. Amid that routine of pain, three figures stood out — Kevin, Julian, and Augusto, sitting side by side in the waiting room. The metal chairs bit into their skin; the clock on the wall marked each second with a dry, merciless tick-tock.
Kevin stared at the floor and let out a short laugh, breaking the tension.
— Who would've thought you'd jump from that height just to make a pact with Ray — he said, folding his arms. — I'm still trying to process that insanity.
Julian smiled, calm, almost proud.
— Risky, yeah… but it worked.
Augusto raised an eyebrow.
— "Risky" is an understatement. You almost became a stain on the pavement. Lucky I was there.
Julian shrugged.
— The plan worked. Now I have the power.
Augusto's tone turned sharp.
— And Ray? What did he get out of it?
Julian looked away.
— Freedom… for now.
The corridor seemed to swallow their words. Minutes later, a woman in a lab coat appeared at the door, clipboard in hand.
— Sorry for the delay — she said softly. — I'll take you to the patient.
They stood and followed her through that clinical maze — identical doors, porcelain floors that gleamed like mirrors. Every step echoed. No one spoke. The air grew heavier until the nurse slowly opened a door — a cold breath escaped the room.
Ryane stood by the window, eyes on the clock on the wall. The room breathed sterile silence.
When she saw the door open, her gaze froze. A sharp, almost mocking smile curled her lips.
— You have the nerve to show up after all this time? — she murmured, laced with irony. — I thought you'd forgotten me.
Kevin stepped forward and, without thinking, pulled her into a hug. Four years collapsed into that moment; tears slid down his face and fell on her shoulder. A green light spread through Ryane's body — warm, comforting — as if Kevin's essence tried to mend what time had torn apart.
Julian and Augusto stayed quiet, watching. For a few seconds, it felt as if the entire universe had paused to witness that embrace.
— Your training wasn't in vain, huh? — Ryane said over his shoulder, her smile fragile. — Four years… show me what you've learned.
— Don't leave me again. — Kevin's voice trembled.
She closed her eyes. When they opened again, the smile had vanished; her gaze was distant — gentle on the surface, hollow within.
— We all have our time to leave, Kevin. Mine might've already passed. — she paused — Now, please… let me go.
He obeyed. Stepped back. Her presence was still there — her soul wasn't. The hospital light traced her weary, serene face. Kevin stood motionless, feeling the weight of absence.
---
In a small, silent square, stone houses hunched around the cobbled ground. The moon coated everything in silver; a few lanterns flickered weakly. Three figures sat at a stone table — Garo, Juan, and the masked man — whispering as if conspiring with the night itself.
Garo scoffed, distrustful:
— You tell us your name and think we'll just trust you? Why are you even helping? You could be setting us up.
The masked man smiled behind the mask, measured and cold.
— If you don't trust me, leave. But if you go after Luís, Garo… you won't come back.
Garo slammed his hand on the table and stood, his footsteps heavy as he walked away. Juan and the masked man remained, watching his figure disappear into the shadows.
Juan touched the bag at his side, choosing his words carefully.
— You promised a new era — he said. — One where the wraiths would rule in peace.
— Exactly — replied the masked man. — I'm done with humans holding the reins. I'll flip the board. Garo's impatience is weakness — and weakness… must be erased.
Juan nodded cautiously. The masked man lingered a moment longer, the mask catching the faint moonlight, and whispered:
— A shame he won't live to see our era.
The wind carried his words away. The moon, indifferent, watched over the ruins — and their ambitions.
---
On the cobbled street, Sebastian walked cautiously, eyes scanning every shadow.
— You sure there's some kind of monster here? — he asked, tense. — It's too damn quiet.
— Orders say it's around here — Luís replied, quickening his pace. — They evacuated a whole area. The creatures went berserk.
The air shifted — thickened. Crickets fell silent. The scent of ozone cut through their lungs; their skin tingled. Without warning, a shadow tore through the air and lunged at Luís with translucent claws.
Ruby and Sebastian froze. The creature, more shadow than flesh, seemed to move between worlds.
— You felt my strike? That already says enough — hissed a distorted voice.
Luís lifted his chin, steady.
— You know my name but I don't know yours? Introduce yourself, ghost.
The shadow tilted its head, almost smiling.
— I am Garo. I came to kill you today, Luís Dinark — his voice was stone — and I'll take the children who follow you.
Luís smirked, defiant.
— Not every ghost can talk. Let's see if you're really a big catch.
Sebastian and Ruby exchanged a look.
The night had just turned into a battlefield.