The wind howled through the ruins of **Crimson Peak**, carrying with it the echoes of shattered stone and distant memories. Manav and Priya stood in silence, their bodies still recovering from the relentless battle with **Erythros**. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating.
And then—
**She returned.**
A slow, deliberate set of **footsteps** echoed through the empty battlefield.
Priya's eyes widened in shock.
Manav didn't flinch.
A familiar smirk spread across **Dr. Moraeu's face** as she stepped into the dim light.
*"Thank you, Manav."*
Priya **froze.**
*"What?"*
Manav exhaled, crossing his arms.
*"You found it."*
Priya's **head snapped** between them.
*"Found what? What the hell is happening?"*
Moraeu chuckled.
*"Oh, Priya… you really thought Manav threw me off that cliff in a blind act of betrayal?"*
Priya **staggered back.**
*"He DID throw you off a cliff!"*
Moraeu waved a hand dismissively.
*"Yes, yes, but it wasn't a mistake. It was **planned.**"*
Priya's heart **pounded**.
*"Planned? What are you talking about?"*
Moraeu turned to Manav, her eyes gleaming with something **sinister**.
*"He knew."*
Priya's breath caught.
*"Knew what?"*
Moraeu grinned, stepping forward.
*"That I am **immortal.**"*
Silence.
For a moment, the world **stood still.**
Priya's mind **spun**, trying to **process** what she just heard.
*"You're… immortal?"*
Moraeu nodded.
*"Completely."*
Priya turned to Manav.
*"And you knew?"*
Manav's **expression didn't change.**
*"I suspected."*
Priya clenched her fists.
*"Then why throw her?"*
Moraeu's smirk widened.
*"Oh, Priya… think. What happens when a **renowned scientist** suddenly dies under mysterious circumstances?"*
Priya swallowed hard.
*"People… investigate?"*
Moraeu nodded.
*"Exactly. But if the world believes I was **murdered**—by a desperate old man, no less—then no one will come looking for me. No one will beg me for the **secret** of immortality."*
Priya took a shaky breath.
*"So you… let Manav kill you?"*
Moraeu laughed.
*"I let the **world** think he did."*
She turned to Manav, amusement flickering in her gaze.
*"You were smart to do it, Manav. You saw what I saw."*
Priya looked between them, **frustration boiling** inside her.
*"And what exactly did you two see?"*
Moraeu's expression darkened.
*"The arrival of **Erythros.**"*
Priya's blood ran cold.
*"You knew… he was coming?"*
Manav nodded.
*"I felt it. Something about this place… it wasn't right. The moment we stepped into **Crimson Peak**, I knew we weren't alone."*
Moraeu chuckled.
*"A fascinating ability, really. You **sensed** his arrival before he even showed himself."*
Priya's voice shook.
*"So you threw her off a **cliff** because you thought it would help?"*
Manav's eyes were cold.
*"I threw her off because I knew it wouldn't matter."*
Priya took a deep breath, her **mind racing.**
*"So all of this—Erythros, your supposed **death**, everything—was just part of some twisted plan?"*
Moraeu smirked.
*"Not exactly. But Manav made the right call."*
She turned to him.
*"And I must admit, I'm impressed."*
Priya **shook her head.**
*"This is insane."*
Moraeu's laughter **echoed** through the ruins.
*"Oh, my dear Priya… this is just the **beginning.**"*