'Your eyes! So, you're also a true immune one… mother!'
'So that's what they call it. Interesting. You still hate me, don't you?'
'You're the reason Father died!'
'He died because he was weak.
But when I look at these women—
I only see strength.
You! You're a priest, aren't you?'
'Yes!'
'Are you loyal enough to die for them?'
'I became High Priest because my belief was the strongest.
I will never betray my people!'
'Then you'll die, lady.'
The shadow beneath the mother moved—slithering toward Suriel.
As it approached, Suriel stepped back—
but froze when Jessie and Larah appeared behind her.
'This is a test,' Suriel proclaimed.
'My faith is being tested—and I shall pass it.'
The shadow merged with her own.
Her body went rigid.
'You can finish her off, ladies,' the mother said, calmly taking a seat on a stone.
Jessie and Larah closed in.
Just as they reached striking distance—
the ground shook.
The source was Suriel.
Despite the invisible force restraining her, she managed to move—
a single, powerful leap launched her toward the mother, who still hadn't moved.
Just as Suriel's fist was about to land—
Sark's bullets forced her to retreat.
'What would you have done if I hadn't stepped in, Mother?'
'That wouldn't have happened.
And even if it had, one fist wouldn't be enough to defeat me.'
Now, Suriel stood at the center.
Her army was dead.
The enemy had surrounded her.
They opened fire.
Jessie unleashed flames.
Larah fired energy blades.
Yet Suriel refused to bow.
Refused to fall.
Finally, the mother joined the battle.
She stretched out her hand toward Suriel—palm open.
Then she closed her hand.
The shadow beneath Suriel erupted—forming spikes that pierced her body.
The light in her eyes faded for good.
Yet she remained standing.
She died with a smile on her face.
'Now that she's taken care of—follow me,' the mother ordered.
'Why should we?' Sark asked.
'I have a guest you might want to see.
I think his name was Dean.
He told me some very interesting things.'
'Then bring him to us instead,' Larah snapped.
'We don't have time! We must press on and destroy the enemy—'
'And destroy your own body in the process?' the mother interrupted.
'You must be Larah. Dean told me beautiful things about you.
But I don't see it.
Your heart is corrupted. Your soul, tainted.
You can still return, Larah—if you wish.'
'Return from where?'
'From the darkness, my child.
Well, it's up to you whether you follow me or not.
I don't really care.'
And with that, the mother turned and walked away.
Sark shrugged—and followed.
The soldiers did the same.
Jessie glanced toward the White House—
then at Larah.
'Let's go—for now.
We won't stay long, and we need to rest.
You know I've got business there too, so I get how you feel.
But... I was about to become something.
That axe was consuming me.
Luckily, I didn't turn when the ghoul bit me.'
'So you want me to get bitten by a ghoul?'
'No—of course not! That'd be crazy.
Just... don't let it get to the point where you'd even consider something like that.
When we arrive, put the sword away. Far from you.
Maybe then your mind will clear.'
Jessie walked on.
Larah looked down at her weapon.
She slid it back into its sheath—
and followed.
In the Forest
Nicole now faced the commander.
He stood still.
There was no time to waste.
Nicole launched herself at him.
As she closed in, she used her blood to create a double.
Both wielded blood-forged scythes and slashed at the commander.
One strike.
Then another.
And another.
Nicole quickly realized—
he wasn't fighting back.
He was already covered in deep wounds.
Severe wounds.
And they weren't healing.
His form shifted.
He became human again.
Just as he was about to collapse, Nicole rushed forward and caught him.
'I got you, Nootra! I got you!'
She lowered him gently to the ground, holding him steady.
The commander finally spoke:
'When I killed Dracule… and wounded you…
The only reason I didn't finish you—or the others—
was because you were there among them.
I went to hunt the fleeing ghouls, hoping it would satisfy the hunger…
But it wasn't enough.
And when I came back—
and saw the corpses…
and you…
I knew the hard choice you must've made.
I'm sorry, Nicole.
For hurting you.
For forcing you to kill them.
I failed you all. I—'
'Ssh… it's okay.
Please—don't speak.
It'll only hasten your death…
and I need every moment we have left.'
Nicole leaned in—
and kissed the commander.