Chapter 1250

"Rose."

She didn't turn.

"Rose."

She lowered her hands slowly. "I hear it."

Jude approached carefully. "What is it saying?"

She smiled softly. "It's not words. It's song. Something old. Something… familiar."

He stopped a few feet from her. "You shouldn't be here alone."

"I'm not," she whispered. "Not really."

He circled her, stepping between her and the arch. "You're scaring them."

"I'm scaring you," she said, finally meeting his eyes. "Because you know what's coming. And you know you can't stop it."

Jude raised his axe slightly. "Then tell me what it is."

Rose smiled wider. "The beginning. And the end."

Suddenly, the arch pulsed brighter - so bright he staggered back, shielding his eyes. Rose stood unfazed, her silhouette framed in that glow.

Then it went dark.

Dead.

The shimmer vanished.

The hum stopped.

And Rose collapsed into his arms.