Chapter 60: The Final Vessel

Elias’s hand broke the surface of the golden sphere.

The purge swallowed his arm instantly—

flashing with brutal light,

crackling with raw, ancient power,

searing his skin like lightning trapped in flesh.

He gasped—

not a scream, but a sound carved from agony.

Alexander lunged forward.

“ELIAS—STOP! GET OUT—GET OUT!”

Elias stood firm, teeth clenched, muscles trembling as the purge spiraled up his arm.

His veins glowed white-hot.

The light burned through his shirt.

Sweat poured down his face.

But he didn’t pull back.

Cassandra grabbed Alexander’s arm, holding him back with surprising strength.

“Don’t touch him! The purge will jump into you!”

Alexander shoved her off, desperation wild in his eyes.

“I don’t care—HE’LL DIE—”

Cassandra shouted over the crackling storm:

“If you anchor it, Lena loses you forever!”

Alexander froze.

Elias looked at him through the glow—

eyes shining gold, pain etched into every line of his face.

“Don’t,” Elias whispered.

His voice trembled.

“Don’t take this from me.”

Alexander’s breath shattered. “Elias… PLEASE—”

Elias managed the smallest smile—

sad, soft, broken.

“You said I’m your only family left.”

Alexander swallowed hard, tears burning hot.

“You are.”

Elias’s smile faltered.

“And you’re mine.”

Then the purge roared.

The sphere collapsed around Elias’s torso, devouring light into light. The bunker lights flickered wildly, alarms blaring to life.

Cassandra stumbled backward.

“This is it—he’s anchoring it—he’s actually—”

But Elias cried out suddenly.

A raw scream ripped from his chest as the sphere expanded again, wrapping around him like a second skin.

Alexander charged forward.

“Elias—ELIAS—LET GO—”

But Elias didn’t let go.

He pressed his other hand into the sphere, forcing more of himself into it.

His body shook uncontrollably.

His knees buckled.

He fell forward—

Collapsing to the ground with the sphere still clinging to him, pulling him toward its core.

Alexander caught him before he hit the floor.

“ELIAS! Stay with me! STAY WITH ME!”

Elias’s head fell back into Alexander’s arms.

Golden cracks spiderwebbed across his chest.

His heartbeat stuttered beneath Alexander’s hand.

“A-Alex…” Elias gasped, gripping his shirt weakly. “Don’t… don’t let me… hurt her…”

Alexander’s tears spilled onto Elias’s face.

“You’d never hurt her.”

Elias choked on a breath.

“You don’t know that… I was raised for this… I was meant to be the purge… not her…”

“You’re my brother,” Alexander whispered fiercely. “You were meant for more than this.”

Elias blinked slowly—

struggling to stay conscious.

“I’m tired, Alex…”

Alexander shook his head violently. “NO—don’t do that—don’t you DARE go to sleep—”

But the purge pulled harder.

The golden sphere tightened like a living force, drawing Elias closer.

Cassandra shouted, “It’s choosing him! The purge is CHOOSING HIM as vessel—”

Alexander pressed his forehead to Elias’s.

“Please… please don’t leave me…”

Elias whispered:

“I’m sorry…”

And then the purge surged.

A blast of gold exploded outward—

throwing Cassandra against the far wall,

ripping equipment from the ceiling,

shattering glass across the bunker.

Alexander shielded Elias with his body—

but Elias was no longer fighting the purge.

He was becoming it.

The energy around him condensed, shrinking faster now—

like it had found its home.

Cassandra crawled upright, eyes wide with disbelief.

“It’s stabilizing. That means—”

Alexander shook his head before she could finish.

“No…”

But she nodded.

“Yes. He’s taking it. All of it.”

Elias’s breathing slowed.

He blinked once—

twice—

as if trying to focus on Alexander’s face.

“Tell her… I didn’t want this…” Elias whispered.

Alexander squeezed his hand. “You’ll tell her yourself.”

Elias’s face softened with a heartbreaking gentleness.

“You always were… the better of us.”

Alexander broke.

Completely.

He cried openly, pulling Elias against him.

And Elias—

for the first and last time—

hugged him back.

A weak, trembling embrace.

The golden sphere shrank until it was no bigger than a fist—

then a coin—

then a spark—

which sank into Elias’s chest.

His entire body glowed for one blinding flash.

Then went still.

Alexander held him tighter.

“Elias… Elias… Elias, PLEASE—”

Cassandra checked his pulse.

Her face fell.

“Oh… God…” she whispered.

Alexander sobbed harder, shaking.

But then—

A faint sound cut through the silence.

A soft, fragile inhale.

Not from Elias.

From Lena.

Her body twitched.

Her fingers curled.

Her lips parted—

And she whispered one word:

“Alex?”

Alexander’s breath froze.

Slowly—

he turned toward her.

Her eyes fluttered open.

Alive.

Confused.

Reaching for him.

“Alex…” she breathed.

Alexander stared between her—

and Elias’s lifeless body in his arms.

Then his face crumpled—

destroyed

broken

grateful

shattered.

He whispered back:

“I’m here.”