I woke up with a sharp, gasping breath.
The air smelled like smoke—Not the stench of battle, but something calmer…Like wood smoldering in the distance.
Beside me, Matías lay sleeping. His face, though pale, was no longer twisted in pain.His hands were warm.He was alive.
And next to him sat two familiar figures—Grandma Berny and Grandma Roxana.
The moment I opened my eyes, they rushed to me, embracing me tightly as if afraid I would disappear.
—My boy… —whispered Berny, tears in her eyes—. We were so scared…
—We're so proud of both of you —Roxana added, stroking my hair—. What you did out there… what you did for everyone…
I didn't know what to say.I simply nodded, clenching my jaw.
—How is everyone else? —I asked, my voice hoarse.
They looked at each other.And their faces… changed.
—Your father… is in very bad shape —Roxana said softly.
—The wound won't close —added Berny—. Romina's tried everything, but… the Lich left him on the edge of death. There's darkness in his body.
I bolted upright.
Pain coursed through my chest and my legs shook,but I couldn't stay still.
—Take me to him. Now.
The room was silent, the air thick and heavy.
My mother sat at the edge of the bed, her face drawn with worry.Her gaze was fixed on my father's chest.
Beside her, Romina, hands trembling, pressed her palms to Rodrigo's body.Her face was pale, her eyes sunken with fatigue.
—Stop —I said as I stepped in.
—I can't… —Romina whispered—. If I stop the flow, the darkness will spread again.
—You're about to collapse. Let me try.
I moved closer to the bed.
Rodrigo lay unconscious.Pale.His breathing shallow and erratic.And at his abdomen, the wound still pulsed—alive with dark energy.
I touched his skin.
It was ice cold.
Then I understood: healing spells didn't work because the wound wasn't just physical—It was corruption.Living darkness.
No restoration magic could cleanse that.
We needed light.Faith.Something pure.
And then… I remembered.
Among the relics we won at the auction…There was a simple wooden cup.Unadorned, unassuming.
I hadn't paid it any mind.
But now…Now I remembered.
If I wasn't wrong—it was the Holy Grail.
Said to produce true holy water, capable of purging evil and healing any wound…if used with sincerity and purpose.
I pulled it from a dimensional ring—another item bought at the auction.
I set it on the table and placed my hands over it.
—Please… —I whispered.
The cup glowed faintly.And inside it, a single drop of water formed.
I took it carefully,and let it fall into my father's mouth.
At first… nothing.
Then, he screamed.
A howl of pain that cut through the air like a blade.His body arched.From the wound in his abdomen, darkness erupted—like smoke driven out by divine fire.
The wound began to close.
Minutes passed.Agonizing.Silent.
Until finally…
Rodrigo slumped back, his face exhausted but peaceful.Still unconscious…but free.
—There's no darkness left inside him —I said quietly—.Now he just… needs to recover.
My mother knelt beside him, tears in her eyes.Romina collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily.
I stepped out of the room.
Outside, the golden light of dusk painted the walls of the fortress.
I made my way to find Grandfather Juan Carlos, who had taken command in our absence.
I found him in the command center, reviewing reports.
—How are things? —I asked.
—Stable —he replied bluntly—. The monster waves ended with the Lich's fall.Just a few stragglers now, mostly Level 1.We've got patrols running shifts.It's under control.
—And the losses?
Before he could answer, Grandfather Patricio approached.
—Twenty-seven —he said with a sigh—. Twenty-seven souls… even with all our preparation.
I clenched my fists.
Each number… weighed on me.
—We need to cremate the bodies —I said seriously—. We can't risk any of them coming back… not as zombies or something worse.
They both nodded.
—And their families… they deserve compensation.Not just with supplies.With long-term support.Security.A place in this fortress.They need to know their loss meant something.
I didn't speak out of anger.Or grief.
I spoke with responsibility.
Because one thing was clear after this battle—The war wasn't over yet.
And I…was no longer a child.