"Mr. Varen," the doctor spoke respectfully, "I’m sorry to bother you like this, but something happened."

Cassius straightened slightly.

His chest tightened.

The doctor continued.

"As you know, Lian’s life depends on the mixed blood. But something triggered rapid pathogen growth. It evolved faster than expected. We already tested and analyzed the data you gave us, but..."

Cassius swallowed.

"But what?" his voice came out strained.

"We couldn’t find a countermeasure," the doctor admitted. "So I wanted to ask... how are Kendrick and Zephany now? Their condition is extremely similar to Lian’s."

Cassius immediately turned his head.

Through the reinforced glass, he could see them lying peacefully. Machines beeping. Monitors flashing faint waves.

He suddenly felt fear creeping inside him.

"What do you mean?" his voice shook. "They still have more than ninety days. We still have time. Enough time to create an antidote."

There was hesitation on the other end.

"It was supposed to be like that..." the doctor said slowly.

Cassius’ heart dropped.

"But the pathogen evolved drastically in a short span. It adapted to the mixed blood. It’s overpowering everything now."

He paused.

Cassius’ grip tightened over his phone.

Then the doctor whispered quietly.

"Lian only has a day left before total organ failure. We really need your help."

Cassius closed his eyes briefly.

Only a day.

If it happened to Lian...

Would Kendrick and Zephany be next?

His mind reeled.

"What should I do?" he asked hoarsely.

The doctor exhaled helplessly.

"At this point, I can no longer guarantee anything. But Mr. Diamond... he still wants to try. So... can we ask for more blood? Even if there’s only a little hope left, he wants to fight for it."

Cassius did not hesitate anymore.

"Yes," he replied immediately. "We still have blood extracted by Dr. Farah. Bring Lian here. This lab is far more advanced. Maybe... maybe we can still do something."

"Can I talk to Larman?" he added quickly.

"Yes," the doctor replied.

He turned and handed the phone back to Larman.

Larman pressed the phone to his ear with trembling hands.

Before he could say anything, Cassius’ voice came through firmly.

"Can you bring Lian here?"

Larman froze.

He remembered the secret facility from last night. The technology. The environment. The personnel. Everything there was on a completely different level compared to this place.

If anywhere could save his son...

It would be there.

He tightened his jaw.

"Yes," he answered breathlessly. "I’ll bring him right now."

Hope, fragile yet burning desperately, flickered inside him again.

___

An hour later, Lian was being wheeled through the hidden laboratory corridors. His small body lay motionless on the bed, his breathing shallow. Larman stayed right beside him, face pale but determined, while several assigned nurses assisted.

Reynold had just returned when he saw them.

"What’s going on?" he asked immediately.

Cassius heard him and turned briefly.

"Just an emergency," he replied calmly, though his fingers curled tightly at his side. He did not want Reynold to panic. Not until the doctors confirmed everything.

Larman and the doctor were guided into the room next to Kendrick and Zephany’s. The nurses began helping prepare everything while equipment was adjusted.

Reynold quietly watched the commotion but did not pry further. His focus remained on his sister. He returned to his seat and stared at the viewing panel, refusing to look away from Zephany.

Inside, Cassius stood beside Larman while the doctor hurriedly mixed the preserved blood samples in a tube. He carefully prepared the syringe and injected it into Lian’s veins.

Silence followed.

There was no reaction.

Lian remained unconscious. The machines continued their slow, uncertain beeping. Nothing changed.

Larman’s heart dropped. His throat tightened painfully. He clenched his fists helplessly.

He was not ready to lose his son.

Cassius, standing beside him, felt his face drain of color. Lian was not responding... what about Kendrick and Zephany? The doctors here had simply told him to wait for them to wake up. They had not mentioned anything about their internal conditions. What if—

No. He shook the thought away.

He refused to believe that.

Then suddenly—

Beeping erupted from the next room.

Reynold’s panicked voice followed.

"Doctor! Doctor! Something’s happening to my sister and Kendrick! Please, save them!"

Cassius’s entire body trembled. His knees almost gave in.

No... please... no.

Doctors and nurses rushed past them toward the next room. Reynold stood frozen outside, unable to see anything past the cluster of medical staff surrounding Zephany and Kendrick. His heart hammered painfully while his mind went blank.

Larman snapped out of his despair and immediately supported Cassius who looked like he was about to fall. He knew too well what this fear felt like.

The doctor who had treated Lian stood there silently, lips pressed together, unable to say anything. Everything was spiraling out of control.

Cassius and Larman sank down to the floor, exhausted, feeling utterly helpless.

Then suddenly—

A sharp continuous beep echoed in Lian’s room.

Everyone’s heads snapped toward the monitor.

Larman’s breath hitched.

Then—

Lian’s fingers twitched.

A moment later, his eyelids slowly fluttered open.

"Lian...?" Larman’s voice cracked as he hurried to his son’s side.

Cassius felt his chest loosen slightly. At least Lian... was awake. He steadied himself, stood, and left the room, heading back to Reynold’s side. Both men stood silently, staring anxiously through the glass as doctors continued to work on Zephany and Kendrick.

In Lian’s room, the doctor hurried to check the monitors.

His eyes widened in shock.

"The stats..." he whispered, disbelief lacing his tone.

"What about the stats?" Larman asked immediately. "How is my son?"

The doctor slowly broke into a stunned smile.

"It is a miracle," he said. "I do not know how, but his body has stabilized. Everything looks normal now. For the moment, he is out of danger. But I will still need to run further tests to be sure."

Larman finally exhaled deeply, relief flooding through him. He did not understand how any of this was happening, but knowing his son was safe was enough for now.

Outside, Cassius and Reynold could only stand there, silently praying to anyone who might be listening.