The Night Before Goodbye

Now only Ilya and Ariel were left in the room.

Ariel asked, “Should we go for a walk? We won’t be seeing each other for a week. And I don’t want you crying when that time comes.”

Ilya’s eyes sparkled. “Let’s go!”

She was thrilled to go on a walk with her brother. Ariel smiled, though his heart was heavy. He wanted to spend these peaceful moments with her because deep down, he wasn’t sure he would return. If even someone as powerful as a Rank 4 Pristine couldn’t guarantee their survival, what hope did he have? Ariel was anything but ignorant or arrogant.

He gently took her hand. “Let’s go then.”

A quiet smile graced his face. When else would he get the chance to enjoy a moment of peace with his sister?

They left the room for their “walk.” It was mostly symbolic—they weren’t allowed to leave the hospital grounds, so they wandered its halls. Still, it felt special. Ariel held Ilya’s soft, tiny hand while she followed beside him, cheerful like a child walking with her mother.

Eventually, they reached the hospital terrace. Positioned at a high altitude, the view was breathtaking.

It was dusk. A golden sky tinged with soft purple stretched out before them, eerily beautiful.

“Wow, brother! It’s so beautiful,” Ilya whispered.

Ariel chuckled softly. “It is. But it doesn’t even compare to your beauty.”

Her face flushed pink, a shy blush blooming on her cheeks.

Ariel grinned. “You’re really cute when you blush, you know that?”

“Stop it, brother,” Ilya said, hiding her face.

“Alright, alright. But I wasn’t lying,” he said, still chuckling.

Her blush deepened. “Brother!”

“Okay! I’ll stop,” he laughed. He looked out at the view. “Still, I love this scene. It brings peace.”

But as he stared into the distance, something caught his eye. A black hemisphere-shaped silhouette, barely visible on the horizon. Ariel frowned inwardly, careful not to show anything on his face. He didn’t want to worry Ilya.

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That… is that the fortified city? Wait, how can I see that far? That place is at least 3,000 kilometers away. Don’t tell me… that thing is heading this way? Why can I see that far? That thing looks like it will reach here in 3 days at most.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Walter said it would reach soon. This is bad. But Ilya will leave before it arrives. Even if I die, she’ll survive. That’s all that matters.

Though he tried to convince himself, Ariel couldn’t stop the unease clawing at his heart. Still, there was little he could do.

Let’s just enjoy this. These might be our last moments together.

“Shall we go back?” Ariel asked.

They had been on the terrace for two hours, chatting away. Night had fallen.

Ilya nodded.

Back in their room, two exhausted figures lay slumped in chairs: Walter and John.

Noticing them, Walter cracked one eye open and smiled. “Went for a walk? And look at that—the little cutie’s awake.”

“Yes,” Ariel said. “But you look tired, Doctor. You should rest.”

“I will,” Walter said, motioning for them to sit. Then he turned to Ilya. “How are you feeling, Ilya?”

“I’m good,” she replied softly, shy in front of strangers.

Walter smiled. “Aw, don’t be shy. I’m Doctor Walter. You can call me Uncle Walter.”

“Uncle Walter?” she echoed, as if the name rang a bell.

“Do you know me?” Walter asked.

Ariel answered for her. “I told her she’d be going with you.”

Walter blinked. He leaned in and whispered, “How did you convince her? I am shocked you even manage.”

Ariel whispered back, “I didn’t. Sir Marik did.”

Walter broke into laughter. “You’re telling me that he did it? Ahh, I missed a good show. Must’ve been priceless.”

He wiped a tear from his eye. “Anyway, it’s dinner time. I’m starving after all that work.”

The others nodded, and they all headed to the canteen.

The food was piping hot, filling the space with a deep, sweet aroma.

Walter dug in without hesitation. John followed, equally hungry. Ariel and Ilya ate slowly, enjoying the warmth.

After finishing, their bellies looked slightly round from how full they were.

“Ahh, I live for this feeling,” Walter said.

John agreed. “Right? Makes you feel like you can go back to work all over again.”

Walter chuckled. “Speak for yourself, man.”

John laughed. “True, haha.”

“Let’s head back,” John said.

Walter nodded. “Yeah. I’m ready to drop.”

Back in the room, Walter said, “John, bring in one more ventilator. Ariel and Ilya can share one.”

Walter collapsed onto a ventilator and was out like a light.

John fetched another and shut the door.

“Alright, you two. Get some sleep. I’m wiped,” he mumbled.

The ventilator was large enough for two, maybe three.

Ariel picked up Ilya and laid down with her. She clung tightly to his shirt. They looked sweet together, like two stars nestled close.

Ariel gently patted her head.

John turned off the lights and quickly fell asleep.

Ilya soon followed. Only Ariel remained awake, feeling the soft warmth of his sister beside him.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Rustling her hairs with his hands.

Then, finally, he let sleep take him too.