Chapter 45: Ultimatum
Chapter 45
The morning sun filtered through the hospital’s tall windows, casting golden shafts of light across the clean tiled floor. Ezra stood quietly near the entrance, dressed in a fresh black coat. The bruises and blood from the night before had been cleaned, but the exhaustion lingered in his eyes.
The others waited just outside. The air smelled of dew and damp stone, the streets still quiet as the city began to stir.
Marcus stepped forward, his expression tight with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "I heard... you fought a Rank 6. Alone."
Ezra met his gaze. "I’m fine," he said. His voice was calm, steady. "Thanks for worrying."
Marcus nodded slowly, still uneasy, but didn’t push further.
Dalene, arms folded, leaned against the wall. His tone was matter-of-fact.
"Well, that’s good. But shouldn’t we be heading to see Professor Kael?"
Ezra looked over at him. "We will. But not yet."
Dalene raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Ezra turned his gaze to the street. "First, we go to the Magistrate’s office. Elia’s still there. We need her back at the Academy—to treat Xavier. No one else can help him like she can."