Hospital VIP ward – five days after the end of the war
The room was dim, curtains half-drawn against the pale morning light.
The only sounds were the steady beep of the heart monitor and the soft hiss of the oxygen line.
Valentina Rosewood opened her eyes for the first time since the wedding massacre.
They were the same violet as Isabella's, but now dulled with pain and loss.
Her gaze drifted slowly:
white ceiling tiles,
bouquets of wilted roses from well-wishers,
the IV line in her arm,
the thick bandages wrapped around her midsection like a cruel belt.
Her hand moved on instinct, trembling fingers brushing the place where her belly had been gently rounded.
Flat now.
Empty.
A single tear slid from the corner of her eye, traced a path across her temple, and disappeared into her hair.
Ethan Cole Rosewood sat on the right side of the bed in a simple black hoodie, hood down, the empty left sleeve pinned neatly at the shoulder.
His right eye was hidden beneath a matte-black medical patch; the left eye (still burning soft crimson) never left his mother's face.
He hadn't slept in five days.
His remaining hand rested over hers, thumb stroking her knuckles in slow, soothing circles.
When he saw the tear, he leaned forward immediately.
"I'm here, Mom," he whispered, voice rough from disuse.
"You're safe. You're home."
Valentina turned her head (slow, painful) and really looked at him.
The missing arm.
The patch.
The new scars that crawled up his neck like black lightning.
Her lips trembled.
"My baby…" she breathed, barely audible.
"My little boy… look what they did to you…"
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he forced a small, broken smile.
"Doesn't matter.
You're awake. That's all I care about."
On his left stood Ms. Evelyn Hart (university teacher, secret lover), clutching a fresh bouquet of white lilies so tightly the stems were bruised.
Her usual neat bun was loose, eyes red and swollen, blouse wrinkled from sleeping in hospital chairs.
On his right stood Director Selena Varkis, arms crossed, silver hair pulled into a severe ponytail, uniform pristine despite the apocalypse.
Her usual ice-queen mask had cracks: faint shadows under her eyes, the slightest tremor in her folded arms.
Valentina's gaze drifted to each woman, lingered, then returned to Ethan.
She managed the ghost of her old playful smile.
"Surrounded by beautiful women… even now."
Evelyn let out a wet laugh, set the lilies on the bedside table.
"We're all here, Valentina.
Every minute."
Selena's voice was softer than anyone had ever heard it.
"No one touches this family again.
That's an order."
Valentina closed her eyes, fresh tears slipping free.
Ethan leaned forward, rested his forehead gently against hers.
"I've got you," he whispered.
"Always."
She squeezed his hand with what little strength she had.
Outside the window, the kingdom was rebuilding: cranes rising, people sweeping ash, new flags flying.
Inside the room, four people shared the same silence, the same grief, the same unbreakable bond.
The war had taken everything it could.
But it hadn't taken them.
Hospital VIP ward – ten minutes later
The door opened without a knock.
Seraphina Frostvale stepped in, alone.
No guards.
No secretary.
Just the goddess of the city in a simple black coat, silver hair loose, eyes softer than anyone had ever seen them.
She closed the door behind her with a soft click.
Valentina was asleep again, breathing steady.
Ethan sat in the same chair, head bowed, one hand still holding his mother's.
Evelyn and Selena stood silently on either side like sentinels.
Seraphina walked straight to Ethan.
Knelt in front of him (the leader of the entire kingdom on her knees).
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into her embrace.
No speeches.
No orders.
Just warmth.
Ethan's head rested against her shoulder, the missing arm making the hug feel strangely lopsided, but she held him tighter to compensate.
Minutes passed.
His breathing slowed.
The crimson in his remaining eye dimmed to something almost human.
Seraphina finally spoke, voice low, meant only for him.
"You saved us all.
Let me carry some of the weight now."
She pulled back just enough to look at him, then at the three women in the room (Valentina sleeping, Evelyn and Selena watching with quiet respect).
Her gaze lingered on each of them.
Then returned to Ethan.
"You should form contracts," she said simply.
"With them.
All of them."
No explanation.
No pressure.
Just truth.
She stood, smoothed her coat, and walked to the door.
Before leaving, she paused.
"The city owes you a debt it can never repay.
When you're ready… come find me."
The door closed as softly as it opened.
The room stayed quiet.
But something had shifted.
Hospital rooftop – dawn, seven days after the war
The sky was the color of molten gold, clouds burning at the edges.
Ethan Cole stood at the center of the roof, wind whipping his black coat.
Left sleeve still empty.
Right eye still covered by the patch.
Around him, in a perfect triangle:
Valentina Rosewood – pale but standing strong, silk robe fluttering, eyes fierce with love.
Ms. Evelyn Hart – glasses glinting in the sunrise, teacher skirt and blouse, hands clasped tight.
Director Selena Varkis – silver hair loose, uniform jacket open, the ice queen finally showing warmth.
No one else.
Ethan's voice was quiet, but the wind carried it like thunder.
"Are you sure?
Life and death contract.
Once it's done, we are bound forever.
Your souls become my strength.
My life becomes your shield."
Valentina stepped forward first.
"I already lost one child. I will not lose another."
Evelyn next, voice trembling but certain.
"I've loved you since the first forbidden lesson. I'm yours."
Selena last, a rare smile.
"You are the only man I've ever knelt to.
Take everything I have."
Ethan closed his eye.
Hellfire ignited around his feet, black flames with crimson hearts.
Three circles exploded into existence beneath the women – one crimson, one gold, one silver – interlocking into a single massive array that covered the entire rooftop.
Ancient runes in demonic, celestial, and void script spiraled upward like living galaxies.
The wind stopped.
The sunrise froze.
Reality itself held its breath.
Ethan opened his eye – now pure hellfire.
He sliced his palm.
Blood fell like liquid rubies.
The three women cut their own palms in perfect sync.
Four streams of blood rose into the air, weaving together into a single burning helix.
The contract began.
Valentina's blood turned into molten gold, flowing into Ethan's missing left arm.
Flesh regrew.
Bone formed.
Muscle knitted.
A new arm, perfect, strong, veins glowing faint crimson.
Evelyn's blood became silver light, pouring into his ruined right eye.
The patch burned away.
A new eye opened – the Hellfire Eye, iris black with a ring of molten gold, seeing heat, souls, truth.
Selena's blood became pure white frost-fire, wrapping around Valentina's body.
Valentina rose into the air, body dissolving into golden particles that condensed into a ring on Ethan's new left hand.
The ring pulsed with her heartbeat, warm and alive.
Support weapon: Eternal Guardian Ring – capable of absolute defense, lactation healing, and pregnancy aura boost.
Evelyn's form shattered into golden light, reforming as a longsword of pure starlight in Ethan's right hand.
Living blade: Truthseeker – cuts lies, burns corruption, grows stronger with love.
Selena's body became silver-blue frost, condensing into a scabbard at Ethan's waist – beautiful, ornate, humming with power.
Living scabbard: Frostheart Sheath – nullifies enemy aura, amplifies hellfire, speaks with Selena's voice in battle.
The circles exploded into a pillar of tri-colored light that pierced the heavens.
The sunrise resumed.
Wind returned.
Ethan stood whole again.
Left arm restored.
Right eye now demonic and perfect.
Three weapons at his command – three souls bound forever.
The ring (Valentina) glowed warmly on his finger.
The sword (Evelyn) hummed in his grip.
The scabbard (Selena) clicked softly at his hip.
Ethan looked to the horizon.
Isabella's absence ached, but he understood.
She had chosen her own path with Damien.
Now he had chosen his.
Three voices spoke in perfect harmony inside his mind:
Valentina: "We're with you, baby. Always."
Evelyn: "Forever your teacher, forever your blade."
Selena: "Command us, Ethan. The world will kneel."
Ethan smiled – small, dangerous, reborn.
The Hellfire Prince was dead.
Something far worse had taken his place.