The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 122: Ch : I’m saving you- Part 1

"What just happened-"

Lyra stood frozen, watching Selene’s unconscious form in Rose’s arms. She had seen what just happened, but it refused to register in her mind until she asked this question out aloud.

Only once she did ask did she realise what Rose had done and she panicked a little.

’No, calm down! There is no need to panic. If you panic, then it is all over.’

Her throat was dry when she finally forced herself to speak.

"What now?"

Rose didn’t hesitate.

"We leave."

His voice was calm—too calm—but there was something twisted beneath it, something cold and unyielding.

Rose had no remorse for what he did. If anything, he sounded far too happy and calm for someone who just committed a crime.

"And then?"

She asked carefully.

A slow smile curled on his lips.

"Then, I’ll make her realize the truth."

A chill ran down Lyra’s spine as soon as she saw that expression.

She had followed Rose for years. She had watched him weave his lies and manipulate others like a master puppeteer, playing his games with that ever-present amusement in his eyes.

But now, there was no playfulness left.

Only obsession.

This man was no longer someone who considered human rights as anything more than a plaything he could discard at any time.

Lyra swallowed hard.

"And if she doesn’t accept this ’truth’ of yours? Will you force her to-"

Lyra did not even finish before Rose interrupted her with his calm voice and questioning expression.

"Then I’ll help her understand. She just needs guidance. She doesn’t see it now, but she will."

Rose said, adjusting his grip on Selene. His voice was light, almost affectionate.

Lyra forced a laugh, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You sound like a cult leader when you speak like this. Say, you did not take any leadership classes or anything, right?"

Rose didn’t seem bothered by the comparison or the question. He remained calm and kept looking down at the female in his arms.

That was when Lyra realized—this wasn’t the man she once admired.

The man she had followed, respected... maybe even loved in her own twisted way.

That man was gone.

All that was left behind was something that could valugey be called a human but was not actually one at all. It was just an empty and obsessed shell.

And yet, despite the cold realization settling in her chest, she couldn’t bring herself to abandon him.

She couldn’t betray him.

Even if she wanted to.

’What does that make me? Somehow, aren’t I much worse than Rose? I know what he is doing is wrong, and yet, I cannot bring myself to oppose him or say anything to him.’

Lyra was a coward, but she knew when to step up. This was why she made the decision to stay back this time and help Rose buy as much time as she could.

"I’ll stay behind. I’ll bury as much evidence as I can. You go ahead and take her."

She said finally.

Rose turned to look at her, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.

For a second, Lyra thought he would question her.

But then she smirked and said.

"Go on. Focus on your ’one and only.’"

The tension in Rose’s shoulders eased. He chuckled, shaking his head.

"I knew I could count on you."

And just like that, he was gone.

As soon as he disappeared from sight, Lyra let the mask fall.

Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.

She wanted to scream. Cry. Run.

But there was no time for that.

She forced herself to take a deep breath, swallowing down every emotion threatening to spill over.

Then, she disappeared into the shadows, turning invisible just as Ethan and the others arrived.

______

The moment they stepped into the alley, Ethan knew something was wrong.

Too clean.

Too empty.

"She’s still here."

Orion murmured, keeping his barrier up.

And then—

The explosion.

A split second before the blast could hit them, Orion threw up his shield, absorbing the impact. The force still sent them skidding back, smoke filling the alleyway.

But before Lyra could slip away—

A hand clamped around her throat.

The invisibility shattered.

And suddenly, she was face to face with Ethan Park.

His expression was pure fury. His grip was tight, almost suffocating, but what terrified Lyra the most was his silence.

When he finally spoke, his voice was dangerously low.

"Where is she?"

Lyra tried to keep her composure.

"I don’t know what you mean—"

The pressure on her throat increased. Not enough to choke her, but enough to make breathing a conscious effort.

"Don’t play games with me. Where. Is. Selene?"

Ethan’s eyes burned with barely contained rage.

Lyra forced a smirk, but it felt weak.

"You really think Justice has her?"

Ethan didn’t react to the bait.

"You’re going to tell me. If not willingly, then forcefully"

He said flatly.

For the first time in a long time, Lyra felt like she couldn’t talk her way out of this.

Meanwhile, Rose moved swiftly through the city streets, Selene cradled in his arms like something precious.

Leaving Lyra behind had been a necessary sacrifice.

She would understand.

This was destiny.

Selene was his destiny.

But despite that certainty, something bitter curled in his chest.

It shouldn’t have come to this. If only she had seen the truth sooner, if only she had listened—

She stirred.

His grip on her tightened instinctively.

Selene’s eyes fluttered open, her body sluggish from the aftereffects of his ability.

But the moment she saw him, her gaze sharpened.

She was awake.

And she was furious.

"You’re a fool."

She said, her voice hoarse but unwavering.

Rose’s jaw clenched.

"I’m doing what needs to be done."

Selene let out a humorless laugh.

"You’re delusional. A narrow-minded idiot who thinks he understands something bigger than himself."

Rose’s fingers twitched.

"I’m saving you."

He said.

Selene’s gaze burned.

"No. You’re imprisoning me."

For the first time, Rose felt something crack inside him.