Miracle

Pt. 55

"What, River?...Why would you do that?" Lily whispered, her voice raw, tears blurring her vision as she clutched River's weak, trembling hand. The iridescent glow of River's wings, usually so vibrant, flickered faintly.
River's breath hitched, her eyes, once sparkling with life, now clouded with a gentle weariness. "You're the only one strong enough to beat him, Lily. I've lived for a very long time, seen countless seasons, but I'm happy you came into my life. You gave me a little adventure," she murmured, a faint, contented sigh escaping her lips.

Max's shoulders slumped, his usual boisterous energy replaced by a profound sadness. He looked down at his shaking hands, struggling to hold back a sob. River noticed the tears carving clean paths down his cheeks. With what little strength she had left, she squeezed Lily's hand. "Please, look after him for me. He likes to act like he's so tough, but..." A sad smile touched her lips as Max looked up, his eyes wide and watery. "...he's just a big softy. And take care of Alexander too... I've known them both a very long time."

Alex reached out, his hand trembling as he gently wiped a tear from River's face, his own smile a bittersweet, aching curve. "I'll see you on the other side, River." She nodded, pressing her lips together, her gaze holding a quiet acceptance. Max shook his head, his voice barely a whisper, thick with regret. "I should have never given you that damn book."

A weak laugh bubbled from River's lips. She gently took one of his hands, her grip faint. "I'm happy you did...it came in handy." Her gaze lifted to Lily, a final sparkle in her eyes. "I'm sorry he ruined your beautiful hair, but on the plus side, you look much more badass this way," she whispered, a last attempt to lighten their unbearable mood.

Lily let out a weak, choked laugh, hanging her head as tears fell freely, stinging her cheeks. "Thank you, River. You always know what to say." River's smile softened, her eyes slowly, irrevocably closing. Her hand, once warm, went limp in Max's grasp. "Goodbye, River," Lily whispered, her voice a shaky, broken thread. "And...thank you." Alex gently rubbed her back, offering what little comfort he could.

River died right there in Lily's arms, her last breath a silent whisper. There was nothing Lily could do about it. She swallowed back more tears, the grief a raw knot in her throat, before gently laying River's now cold body into Max's shaking arms. Then, she stood up slowly, her body aching but her resolve hardening, and began to walk towards Alistair. Her choppy, burnt hair whipped around her face in the rising wind, a stark testament to the battle that had already been waged and the one that was about to begin.

Meanwhile, on the shattered penthouse terrace, Valentine roared, a primal sound, as he seized one of the last remaining demons by its neck. With a surge of raw power, he hurled it over the crumbling edge, sending it plummeting into the endless, screaming darkness below. Jinx watched with a savage grin, then leaped onto another demon's back, her claws sinking deep into its neck. The creature gurgled, its blood spraying, before it crumpled to the ground, bleeding out. They turn their eyes to the sole remaining guard, who stared between them, his face pale with terror. "I'm out!" he shrieked, scrambling to run back inside.

Jinx laughed, a dark, melodic sound, and with a flick of her wrist, she tore open a shimmering portal right in front of him. He ran blindly through it before it snapped shut, disappearing instantly. "Where did you send him?" Valentine asked, raising an eyebrow, a triumphant smirk on his lips. Jinx shrugged, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Well, he didn't want to fight us, so I sent him to the deepest part of the ocean, where he can fight with oxygen." Valentine threw his head back, a hearty laugh escaping him, and high-fived her, a shared moment of dark humor amidst the chaos.

Their brief victory was cut short. Alistair, noticing the diminishing numbers of his guards, unleashed a massive ball of searing fire, launching it directly at Bill. The banished demon had no time to react; the explosive force slammed him against a reinforced wall, rendering him unconscious. Alistair let out an evil, cackling laugh, throwing his head back, reveling in his apparent triumph. "Finally, I can end you," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. The fire in his hands intensified, growing brighter and hotter, twisting with destructive power.