CHAPTER TEN— The Goodbye

Moments later, Ivan’s breathing steadied slightly—the temporary healing taking effect.
He opened his eyes again—and saw tears streaming down Elen’s face.
His voice trembled.
“Elen… why are you crying?”
She forced a fragile smile.
“I’m just… so happy you’re alive.”
But Ivan followed her gaze—and saw the three strangers.
His eyes widened.
“Those people… I remember… they came for you.”
He tried to sit up, but pain shot through his body.
“Elen… what happened to me? Why can’t I move?”
Eiden answered calmly.
“We stabilized you with a rare substance. It keeps you alive—but you’re still dying.”
Ivan stared.
“Why… why help me?”
Eiden spoke plainly.
“Because Elen agreed to come with us.”
Ivan froze.
His voice broke.
“…Elen… why?”
She looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
He reached weakly for her hand.
“I don’t want you to go. Please… stay with me.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Ivan… I’m sorry.”
He shook his head desperately.
“Is it because I’m weak? Because I couldn’t protect you?”
“No!” she cried, grabbing his face. “That’s not it!”
He whispered:
“Without you… there’s no future for me.”
Her voice cracked like glass.
“I will always love you. My heart will always belong to you.”
He squeezed her hand weakly.
“Then stay…”
Elen leaned forward, lips trembling—
And kissed him.
A kiss full of love. Pain. And farewell.
She whispered against his lips:
“Please live. Eat well. Take care of yourself… my husband.”
Then she stood.
And turned away.
Ivan reached out desperately.
“Elen—WAIT!”
But she didn’t look back.
Because if she did—
She would break.

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Eiden raised his hand.
A massive gate of swirling light and shadow opened before them—towering, otherworldly, terrifying.
Adrien, Elara, and Eiden stepped toward it.
Ivan dragged himself forward, collapsing, crawling through pain.
“Elen! Don’t go! I’m begging you!!”
She stopped.
Her shoulders shook.
But she didn’t turn around.
The gate began to close.
Ivan forced himself to stand, lurching forward.
He leaped—
And grabbed the edge of the gate—
Only to be violently thrown back as spectral hands pushed him away. The realm itself rejected him.
The Upper World would not allow a weak human inside.
He screamed with everything he had left.
“ELEEEEEEEEEN!!!”
Elen spun around, eyes wide—shattered.
For the first time—
She let herself look at him.
Ivan reached toward her, tears streaming.
“I WILL COME FOR YOU! WAIT FOR ME!!!”
Her breath stopped.
Her eyes trembled.
And for the first time since she chose her fate—
She smiled.
A broken, hopeful smile.
As the gate closed, she whispered:
“…Ivan…”
And she disappeared into the Upper World.
Leaving behind the man she loved— And the world that would soon change forever.