Xavier's Little Star

We heard a loud noise from the door—Sylus had finally broken through.

"God, finally," Sylus muttered.

"You had to make a scene, right?" I said, wiping my tears.

"Wait... are you crying?" Sylus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Xavier, who was also wiping his own tears, went up to Sylus and whispered something I couldn't make out. I didn't bother trying to guess what it was.

"Let's go, Carlos," Xavier said, turning to me with a soft smile. "Let's finish this and go home to celebrate my birthday."

I followed him, but Sylus stopped me.

"Wait, kitten, take this," Sylus said, dropping an ancient-looking rock into my pocket. "Be safe. Use it when you're in danger."

"Thanks," I said, confused, then hurried after Xavier.

We walked in silence toward the mountain. I tried to lighten the mood.

"Only ten minutes until your birthday. So, this year, do you want cupcakes or pancakes?" I asked, wishing we were home instead of in the N109 zone, heading to who-knows-where.

"I'll take whatever you want, Carlos," Xavier replied, smiling warmly.

"I'm craving cupcakes, honestly. I'll make frosting too," I said, smiling softly.

We reached the top of the mountain.

"What time is it?" Xavier asked.

"11:59 PM," I said, feeling a knot of anxiety in my stomach. I held his hand tighter. "Don't stop holding my hand, okay?"

"Never. We're going to go home together, and we'll eat all the good food, okay?" Xavier said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

When the clock struck 12 AM, marking October 16, a huge hole appeared in the center of the mountain. I glanced around, noticing Sylus and his subordinates surrounding the mountain, keeping watch. A sudden cold breeze hit, and then... something descended from the sky. It was a translucent, almost white figure—unreal, otherworldly.

"The boy..." the figure said in a hollow voice.

"I'm not giving him to you," Xavier said firmly.

"You've tried to save him many times, Xavier. It's time for him to finish this life."

"No, you'll have to fight me," Xavier declared, standing tall.

"A cycle is a cycle... it is what it is," the figure said coldly.

With a swift motion, Xavier attacked the figure with his sword, landing a solid blow. I pulled out my guns and fired, but my attacks had no effect. Xavier was the only one who could touch it.

"Carlos, I'm the only one who can finish this. Just... hold on tight. We'll be home making cookies together in no time," Xavier said, his voice steady.

Xavier fought the figure relentlessly. The scene was almost beautiful—there were lights, colors—but then I noticed something that terrified me: Xavier was the only one bleeding. The ghost-like figure was untouched, even though it seemed to be tiring.

"Xavier, stop!" I yelled. "We'll find another way to win! You're hurting yourself!"

I tried to get closer, but the wind surrounding them was too strong—it was impossible to reach him.

"Fate cannot be changed," the figure said.

Xavier continued to fight as if his life depended on it. But something felt different—he wasn't fighting with his usual calmness. This time, it was as if he had already accepted something, like he was pouring all of himself into each blow without caring about the cuts or bruises.