Jack stood outside Eyrx's hospital room, holding a thick brown envelope in his hand.
Hazel stopped a few feet away and narrowed her eyes.
"Jack? What are you doing here?"
Jack looked tired.
"I told you earlier. I went to meet Darven."
Hazel crossed her arms.
"Did you meet him?"
"Yes."
Jack glanced at the envelope.
"He told me something important."
Hazel's expression became serious.
"What did he say?"
Jack lowered his voice.
"He told me to go to his house. In his almirah, there was an envelope hidden there."
He raised it slightly.
"He said Grace left this behind."
Hazel's eyes widened.
"Grace?"
Jack nodded.
"According to Darven, Grace told him to give this to Eyrx if her death was ever confirmed."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The hallway suddenly felt colder.
Jack handed the envelope to Hazel.
"You give it to him."
Hazel accepted it slowly.
"And Darven?"
Jack sighed.
"He accepted responsibility for the crimes he committed."
Hazel remained silent.
"But he keeps insisting he didn't kill Grace."
Jack looked around before continuing.
"He said there was a contract between him and Grace. The documents should still be in his office. They can be used as evidence."
Hazel frowned.
"Tomorrow is the court hearing."
"Exactly."
Jack checked the time.
"I have to go."
He turned around.
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
Jack disappeared down the hallway.
Hazel stared at the envelope in her hands.
Questions filled her mind.
What was Grace hiding?
Why would she prepare a letter for her own death?
Slowly, Hazel slipped the envelope into her pocket.
Neither of them noticed a pair of eyes watching from behind a nearby wall.
The investigator.
She had heard everything.
Every word.
As Hazel entered Eyrx's room, the investigator stepped back into the shadows.
Her sharp eyes narrowed.
"This girl is hiding something..."
---
Far away from the hospital, another conversation was taking place.
A warm cup of tea sat on a wooden table.
Hazel's grandmother sat quietly on one side.
Across from her sat Grace's father.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
"I truly feel sorry for your daughter's death," Grandma said.
To her surprise, the man laughed.
A cold laugh.
Then his expression darkened.
"Death?"
He leaned forward.
"She's not dead."
Grandma's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Lower your voice."
The man smirked.
"She went there because it was her homeland."
"You'd better not reveal her identity."
The smile vanished from his face.
"Granny, sooner or later you'll have to tell Eyrx the truth."
"Never."
Her answer came immediately.
"I won't destroy that boy's life."
The man sighed.
"Everyone is still haunted by what happened fifty years ago."
Silence filled the room.
Then he continued.
"The war between the two clans."
Grandma closed her eyes.
The memories returned.
Blood.
Fire.
Screams.
Death.
"They destroyed everything," the man whispered.
"And that monster is still alive."
Grandma gripped her teacup tightly.
"Stop."
"Only Eyrx can kill him."
"Stop!"
The table shook slightly as she slammed her hand down.
"That day was a nightmare."
Her voice trembled.
"I carried Eyrx and Hazel and ran through rivers of blood."
The man looked away.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Grandma asked quietly,
"Do you know where Saburu is now?"
The man's expression darkened.
"No."
He shook his head.
"I heard his entire family was murdered."
Grandma lowered her gaze.
"He never hid his true identity."
"And the government labeled him a monster."
The man laughed bitterly.
"He may be human."
His eyes became cold.
"But the things he has done..."
He paused.
"...are truly monstrous."
Grandma looked at him.
"Weren't you afraid to send Grace there?"
The man's face tightened.
"She was your only family."
For the first time, fear appeared in his eyes.
A father's fear.
"I was."
Silence followed.
Then he smiled faintly.
"But I've seen her power."
His confidence returned.
"She'll be fine."
"The remaining members of her clan are there."
Grandma nodded slowly.
"Perhaps they found her."
"I'm certain of it."
---
Elsewhere...
Deep underground.
Far from any city.
Inside a hidden scientific laboratory.
Machines hummed endlessly.
Bright white lights illuminated a cold metal room.
On a medical bed lay a motionless body.
Grace.
Her face was untouched.
Perfectly preserved.
Dozens of wires connected her body to strange machines.
Monitors displayed unknown symbols.
Two scientists stood nearby.
One stared at the readings.
Then at Grace.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"There's no doubt."
The second scientist looked up.
"What is it?"
The first scientist's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"She's definitely her daughter."
The room fell silent.
Then one of the monitors suddenly beeped.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
And for the briefest moment—
Grace's finger moved.