Tamed beast

While Larah was sitting on the ground and blaming herself for losing Hope, Dean and Sark had run after John. However, with his supernatural power, he was long gone, and catching up to him was anything but possible. Still, Dean found a message on the wall, drawn with blood.

‘America!’ Dean read and stared at Sark. ‘I think that’s where he took Hope!’

‘Maybe. He told me to act fast before he totally lost it. I’m sure he turned normal again for a moment and decided to leave that message for us. Sigh! I had planned to leave, and now this!’

‘Why did you want to leave?’

‘You see these guns? The military gave them to me, and I’m sure they’ll demand my service in return. Working for the military? Never, hahaha. And there are people I must meet!’

‘I see. These people—do you know where they are?’

‘Not really. Well, I’m sure they’re alive. It’ll take more than ghouls to finish them off. But for now, we should help them here with their ghouls, and then we’ll figure out what to do. Go take a look at Larah. She needs you right now. I’ll look around for enemies!’

‘Okay, Sark. If you need me, you know where to find me!’ Sark jogged off, and Dean joined Larah. She was still devastated. Dean uttered no words and simply hugged her.

‘It’s okay, Larah. You did everything you could.’

‘I didn’t do enough! I didn’t do enough!’ She hugged Dean back only in her case the hug hurt Dean to the point that he twisted his face in pain. However, he did not move away. He stayed and endured. For at the end of the Day Hope was also his child. (Dean: Hope, I will get you back, no matter what!)

In the forest

The wind was strong—abnormally strong—and tornados raged. It was as if the heavens had come alive. All green had been burned away from the ground; trees included. And due to the immense heat the woman radiated, the ground had started glowing red. Fire seas had formed in the heavens, burning some storms.

‘Transform. I’ll wait,’ Saphire uttered.

On the battlefield

The clash between Commander Nootra and Dracule had wrecked everything. Nobody had remained unaffected. The ground had cracked. Stones had fallen, and in other parts, the ground had risen. The heaven had split in two. And it was only a matter of time before the cracks reached the hospital.

Looking at the destruction, Dracule finally spoke:

‘Seems like the ten minutes are over! It was brief but a good fight! May we meet again, King of the Beasts!’ As he finished speaking, a violet circle appeared beneath his feet—likewise for his servants—and they vanished. Nighyel was long gone. The only enemies remaining were the ghouls, who had resumed their attack. The soldiers were still getting up and forming ranks. Nicole and Jessie acted fast. Killing the ghouls was no problem, but Nicole noticed something: Commander Nootra was still hovering in the air. He had clutched his head and was growling here and there—like a beast. Slowly, he came down.

‘Jessie, I’ll have to leave you for now. I’ll be right back!’ Nicole hurried over to Commander Nootra, who had just landed. The moment he did, he let out a powerful cry, shaking and wrecking the battlefield further. His soldiers fell into despair. The growl, this cry—it was not Commander Nootra’s cry but that of the King of the Beasts. Morale dropped. Some soldiers pissed themselves. And other simply collapsed. To defeat a beast an even worse beast had shown up. And that beast obeyed no one.

‘Commander!’ Nicole yelled, closing in. ‘Come back!’ As she drew near, her body nearly froze. Her instincts told her to stay back, to run. But Nicole pushed forward, fighting the strain on her body. At last, she stopped in front of the commander.

‘Such a powerful cry... but then why do you look so sad?’ Nicole embraced him. ‘Please come back. We need you. I... need you.’

In the forest

Seraphina accepted the offer, and her transformation began. First, she transformed into a dragon. Her shed glowed white—her fangs, claws, horns, and parts of her wings were golden. Then she started glowing red. Cracks formed on her skin, and flames flowed out, engulfing her body. The body shrank and took on a humanoid form.

Seraphina stepped out of the flames in her final form, wielding an immense spear. The spear was white, the tip golden and coated in fire. Her wings were smaller but retained their glorious beauty—just like the horns on her forehead. She leaned forward, the spear close to her body.

Meanwhile, Saphire raised her sword, gripping it with both hands. The blade was engulfed in a black tornado; within it, violet energy glowed. The dragon’s spear also began glowing gold, and its light merged with the flames, turning them golden.

Both lunged at the enemy. And as they did, the flames and storms in the sky lunged at each other. Sword and spear clashed—baaaaaaaam—and destroyed the surroundings completely. The two women were evenly matched, as were their thrusts and swings that followed.

In the hospital

There was nobody on the level where Dean and Larah still were. Yet Dean heard footsteps—and they were getting closer.

From an intersection, a man in a white robe emerged. A light priest. He was wounded. A survivor from Seraphina’s massacre. His eyes fixed on Dean, and as they narrowed, he finally understood:

‘That’s why she was on her way to the hospital! For you! Her blood flows through your veins! Hahahahahah! How lucky can someone be? I will take you with me!’

‘Who are you?’ Dean bellowed, letting go of Larah to stand up.

‘Haha! You’ll soon find out!’ Immediately, roots shot from the ground and lunged at Dean.