The air was still. The ruins of Crimson Peak stood **silent**, the echoes of battle **lingering** like ghosts in the wind. Manav and Priya walked through the rubble, their bodies sore but their minds racing.
Priya's gaze flickered to Manav.
*"I still can't believe you let Erythros go."*
Manav didn't reply.
His footsteps were light, his mind **elsewhere**.
The fight was over. But something felt… **off.**
A creeping sensation crawled over his skin, a **whisper** in the back of his mind, telling him that something wasn't right.
And then—
A voice.
Soft. Familiar. **Mocking.**
*"I expected more from you, Manav."*
Both of them **froze.**
Priya's blood turned to **ice.**
That voice.
That voice should not be here.
Not after what happened.
Not after what Manav **did.**
A shadow emerged from the ruins, slow and deliberate. The wind carried a faint scent of **burning ozone**. A figure, wrapped in a long, dark coat, stepped forward.
Manav's eyes narrowed.
*"Impossible."*
Priya's breath hitched.
*"No way…"*
The figure **smirked**, her eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Dr. Moraeu.
Completely unharmed.
---
For a long moment, there was only **silence.**
Manav stared at her, his expression unreadable.
Priya took a step back, her heart **pounding**.
*"H-How…?"*
Dr. Moraeu tilted her head, her smirk **growing.**
*"Did you really think throwing me off a cliff would kill me?"* she asked, amusement lacing her voice.
Manav's hands **curled into fists.**
*"It should have."* His voice was **calm**, but there was an edge to it.
Moraeu chuckled.
*"I'm not so fragile, Manav. You of all people should know that."*
Priya's eyes darted between them.
*"Wait—wait. You **threw** her off a **cliff**?"*
Manav didn't answer.
Moraeu did.
*"Oh, he did. He asked me how to activate the machine, pretended to be interested, then pushed me into the abyss without hesitation."*
She stepped forward.
*"It was cold. Ruthless. Efficient."*
Her smirk widened.
*"It was beautiful."*
Priya **staggered back.**
*"What the hell…?"*
Manav's jaw clenched.
*"And yet, here you are."*
Moraeu spread her arms.
*"Here I am."*
The wind howled around them.
Priya could barely breathe.
*"You… you should be dead."*
Moraeu turned to her, her gaze **piercing.**
*"Death is for lesser beings, my dear."*
Her smile sharpened.
*"And I am not lesser."*
---
Manav's mind was racing, calculating, **analyzing.**
*"How did you survive?"*
Moraeu tapped her temple.
*"I engineered myself beyond death."*
Priya's stomach **twisted.**
*"That's not possible."*
Moraeu's gaze snapped to her.
*"Isn't it? And yet—you two stand here, **reborn**. Restored to your prime. You, of all people, should understand that science bends to **willpower.**"*
Priya fell silent.
Moraeu turned back to Manav.
*"I built this place, Manav. Every corner of Crimson Peak is infused with my genius. Did you really think I wouldn't have **contingencies**?"*
Manav exhaled slowly.
*"Then why let me think you were dead?"*
Moraeu grinned.
*"To see what you'd do, of course."*
Her eyes gleamed with something **dark.**
*"And you didn't disappoint."*
---
*"You're insane,"* Priya muttered.
Moraeu chuckled.
*"Insane? No, my dear. I'm just **ahead of you.**"*
Her gaze locked onto Manav.
*"And you—you're just like me."*
Manav didn't flinch.
*"I am nothing like you."*
Moraeu laughed.
*"Aren't you?"*
She took a step closer.
*"You saw an obstacle, and you removed it. No hesitation. No regret. No second thoughts."*
She gestured toward Priya.
*"She hesitated. You didn't."*
Priya looked at Manav, waiting for him to **deny it.**
He didn't.
Moraeu's voice softened.
*"Tell me, Manav—when you pushed me, did you feel… anything?"*
Manav's stare was cold.
*"No."*
Priya inhaled sharply.
Moraeu smirked.
*"Good."*
Priya **snapped.**
*"STOP! Stop talking like this is normal!"*
Moraeu turned to her with an amused expression.
*"What's wrong, Priya? You wanted to be immortal, didn't you? You came here, begged for my knowledge. And now—you have it."*
Priya clenched her fists.
*"That doesn't mean I want to be a monster!"*
Moraeu's eyes darkened.
*"Then you're weak."*
Priya **stiffened.**
*"Excuse me?"*
Moraeu stepped forward, her voice a whisper of **poison and silk.**
*"Strength is not about morality. It is about **control**. Power belongs to those who **take it.**"*
She turned to Manav.
*"And that is why I wanted to see what you'd do, Manav. Because out of the two of you—only you understand."*
Priya **shook her head.**
*"He's not like you. He—he's still human."*
Moraeu smirked.
*"Are you sure?"*
Priya looked at Manav again.
He still hadn't denied anything.
And that—**terrified her.**
---
Manav finally spoke.
*"So, what now?"*
Moraeu sighed.
*"You're impatient. I like that."*
Her smirk returned.
*"Now? Now we see what you do next."*
Manav narrowed his eyes.
*"And if I decide to kill you this time?"*
Moraeu grinned.
*"Then you'll have to try harder."*
The ground **rumbled.**
The storm **returned.**
And Moraeu **vanished into the darkness.**
---
Priya turned to Manav, eyes filled with a thousand unspoken thoughts.
*"What is happening, Manav?"*
Manav didn't answer.
He was still staring into the **shadows where Moraeu disappeared.**
Priya stepped closer.
*"Tell me you're not like her."*
Manav exhaled.
*"I don't know."*
Priya's hands trembled.
Because deep down—
She wasn't sure either.