Prophecy

Chapter 64: Beaten

*Xavia's POV*

When I awoke, the familiar comfort of my bed and blankets surrounded me, but something felt off. The space beside me was empty, and a small sense of worry gripped my heart. My mind raced as I tried to piece together the events that led me here. Why am I here, and where is Grace?

Slowly, memories began to surface.

Ah, okay... I remember now.

Grace and I had talked before I drifted into sleep, discussing what needed to be done and how I had to rest. She had given me several liters of her blood, a life-saving gift that kept me from the brink. I remembered her promise to help the humans while I recovered, her soft voice reassuring me that she'd be careful so long as I took it easy.

I took a deep breath, feeling the subtle stirrings of my body's recuperation process. The damage I had taken was severe, something that would have been fatal to anyone else. Then, I closed my eyes, shutting out the world around me, and turned all my focus inward. My body was a battlefield, torn and battered from the onslaught it had endured, but I refused to let it remain broken.

Thanks to our bond, the Prophecy, and Grace's powerful blood coursing through me, I could feel the mending begin. Regardless, I knew it would be a slow recovery.

With each gradual, deliberate breath, I channeled every ounce of energy I had left into the healing process. I visualized the damage, the torn tissues, and the broken cells and imagined them remedying. Bone by bone, piece by piece, thread by thread, and muscle by muscle. It was a painstakingly slow process, but I could sense the subtle shifts within me as my body began to respond to my efforts.

And that's what matters right now.

Bit by bit, I felt the delicate weaving of muscle and sinew, the knitting together of wounds that had once threatened to tear me apart. With each beat of my heart, I could feel it solidifying and becoming stronger. The warmth of Grace's blood was my anchor, a lifeline that kept me grounded in this moment of vulnerability.

And just as I began to drift into a meditative state...

I heard it...

The distinct sound of the front door handle was turning.

My heart leaped with excitement, thinking that Grace had returned. So, I carefully got up from the bed and went to have a look. But the moment of joy was short-lived. The door didn't just open; it was broken down with a force that sent wooden splinters flying.

The intruder loomed in the doorway, a menacing presence draped in shimmering silver armor that seemed to pulse with an eerie glow in the dim light of the apartment. Each piece of the armor was sharp and had angular designs, almost like jagged shards of metal. It appeared the armor was forged with one purpose in mind—to strike fear into the heart of anyone who dared to oppose its wearer.

The intricate details were more than just decorative; they spoke of a lethal intent, each line and curve seemingly designed to foretell the danger that this intruder carried. The sleek and imposing helmet covered the figure's face, transforming it into something otherworldly, a faceless harbinger of pure violence. Despite the intimidating mask, I could still feel the weight of their searching gaze, the cold, calculating eyes hidden behind that visor.

This was a predator who had come for their prey.

As the intruder stepped further into our home, the armor clinked softly with each movement. Though muffled by the helmet, the tone was undeniable—a harsh, commanding voice that radiated hostility. There was no mistaking it; the intruder was a woman.

"Where are you, you fucking devil?" The intruder hissed, her voice laced with venom as she called out. "You don't deserve the air you're breathing... I will smite you."

My heart pounded in my chest as I assessed the situation.

This was no ordinary visitor, and the fact that she had barged in here, looking for a fight, was not a good thing at all. I remained still, watching her every move, ready to react at a moment's notice. Unfortunately, no matter how I tried to prepare and defeat my unexpected foe, I just couldn't. I was in no shape to move, let alone fight, and I hadn't rested for very long, either.

I know this won't end well for me.

I should call out for Grace, but... the humans need her.

So many perished because of Death.

Despite my weakened state, I tried to react, but my body felt like lead. I could barely move, the pain from my wounds making every slight motion agonizing. Even though I attempted to remain hidden, I didn't have enough energy for anything—I couldn't phase into my light or shadow form, create weapons, or even summon my celestial spear.

Eventually, she found me.

The intruder didn't hesitate; she advanced toward me with predatory steps. Before I could fully comprehend her intentions, she plunged a weapon into my side. The searing pain was instantaneous and unmistakable. It wasn't just any weapon—it was laced with a poison that surged through my veins with a familiar, horrific sting. It was reminiscent of the agony Conquest had inflicted on me.

The poison seemed to spread like wildfire, clawing at my insides and intensifying my suffering.

She showed no mercy.

The intruder continued to stab me repeatedly, her attacks relentless and precise.

Each strike was a new wave of anguish, and I felt as if my entire being was unraveling with every blow. The pain was excruciating—all-consuming. My strength ebbed away with each wound, leaving me feeling utterly defenseless. Blood pooled and poured from me like a crimson river. I was trapped, helpless, in a nightmarish cycle of agony, unable to muster any effective resistance.

In the midst of this torment...

My thoughts turned to Grace.

The memory of her voice, her touch, and her unwavering strength became my anchor as it always would. With every ounce of strength I had left, I focused on our bond, reaching out to her mentally.

"B-baby... I... n-need... you..." I whispered in my mind.

My voice was fragile and a desperate call for salvation. It was a wish for her to come to my aid and pull me from the abyss of suffering I was sinking into. Right before I lost consciousness, the intruder said something that tore my soul in two.

"Your death will make her love me."