[Chapter 137: Restore]
Ten minutes later, Daniel turned and left. He had already gotten the information he wanted from Gordon.
The Seal on Gordon's forehead was gone. His eyes first showed confusion, then gradually cleared. Seeing that Daniel hadn't killed him, Gordon's face lit up with relief.
He looked around and spotted a rocket launcher nearby. He grabbed it and hoisted it over his shoulder. Just as he was about to fire, he felt a strange energy rising from beneath him.
Reacting quickly, Gordon lowered his head just as a rock spear rushed into his body.
"Bang..."
Gordon's body exploded like a watermelon, sending flesh and blood flying several meters away. The rocket launcher clattered to the ground with a dull thud.
...
After leaving the scene, Daniel got into his Cadillac and resumed driving toward the Douglas family home. Since it was daytime, flying directly would attract too much attention and could bring unexpected complications. Driving was slower but safer.
This time, he encountered no obstacles and arrived at the Douglas estate smoothly.
"You're finally here. Are you all right?" Frank Douglas greeted him excitedly.
"I'm fine," Daniel replied.
He studied Frank and noticed that although he seemed okay, he had clearly lost some weight. His lips were cracked and swollen, and there was a faint odor on his breath. He looked tense.
"I'm fine, but I've lost over a hundred million dollars recently," Frank said through gritted teeth, bitterness heavy in his voice. "But as long as Katherine can be saved, it'll all be worth it."
Frank looked at Daniel with hopeful eyes. "Can you do it now?"
Daniel nodded. "Let me try."
Frank's eyes brightened instantly. "Great! What do you need me to do?"
"Nothing. Just take me to Katherine. Well... to her Soul."
"Let's go. I've been impatient for a long time."
Frank Douglas led the way with quick steps.
When they reached the room where the Old Woman lived, Frank reached for the doorknob but suddenly hesitated and stepped back.
"You do it."
Daniel glanced at him, roughly understanding his fears. If this last hope failed, it would be a devastating blow.
Daniel gripped the doorknob, turned it, and opened the door.
Inside, the Old Woman sat in her wheelchair, gazing out the French window. Beyond it lay a swing set.
Frank explained, "When Katherine was little, she loved that swing set the most. But after she grew up, she rarely played on it. Now, she just stares at it all day."
"Katherine," Frank Douglas called out a bit louder, knowing her hearing had deteriorated.
With effort, Katherine turned her wheelchair to face them. She noticed Frank's reddened eyes and the desperate effort he was making to hold back tears. Standing beside him, the Exorcist looked as usual, yet somehow different.
She couldn't quite place it, maybe, due to her weakening body and Soul, her perception was delayed. But suddenly she felt it... he seemed more handsome.
Her clouded eyes brightened with new hope.
She looked at Daniel questioningly but said nothing. Daniel simply nodded.
Tears streamed down Katherine's face.
Daniel flipped his hand and produced a small crystal vial. Tilting it, he revealed a shimmering aquamarine Elixir marked with three intricate patterns, signifying a Grade Three Elixir.
This was the Soul Condensing Elixir both Daniel and Frank Douglas had desperately sought.
"Drink this," Daniel urged.
Katherine raised a trembling hand, but her excitement made it shake uncontrollably.
"Never mind," Daniel said gently, afraid she'd drop it. He pressed the vial's mouth against hers and tipped it so she swallowed.
Immediately, Katherine's head slumped. She seemed to lose awareness of the world around her.
Frank panicked and tried to steady her. "What's wrong with Katherine?"
"Don't move," Daniel warned. "Her Soul has entered a state of restoration. The special medicinal power is rapidly repairing the damage."
Frank Douglas relaxed and stepped aside.
"How long will it take?" he asked.
"Usually one to three days. But the situation is urgent. The sooner she recovers, the better. Let me help her absorb the medicine more quickly."
Daniel laid a hand on Katherine's back. Suddenly, an aquamarine glow pulsed from her body.
Frank was stunned but remembered how a single Elixir had affected his own body. This was nothing short of miraculous.
He felt hope building.
Time passed slowly.
After more than forty minutes, Daniel withdrew his hand.
Frank stopped pacing and hurried over. "How is she?"
Daniel said, "Almost there. Let her absorb the last bit on her own."
Ten more minutes crept by.
Katherine's eyelids twitched, then slowly opened.
Frank dropped to his knees, staring at her with overwhelming concern.
"Father!"
The old voice called out to him, though it felt strange hearing an elderly woman call a middle-aged man "Father."
Tears poured down Frank's face. "I'm here, Katherine."
She opened her arms, and he embraced her tightly. Both of them wept in sorrow and relief, tears flowing without end.
Daniel sighed silently. "I'm sorry to interrupt such a touching moment, but we have no time to waste."
Frank Douglas wiped his tears and nodded. "Katherine, listen to Mr. Cross. We have more urgent matters to handle."
Katherine looked up at Daniel with profound gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Cross. I know everything you've done for me."
Daniel smiled. "We'll talk about thanks later. Katherine, how do you feel?"
"Much better," she said. "I have energy again, and my headaches are gone. I used to fall asleep easily, but now I don't feel tired at all."
"That's good," Daniel said.
Frank Douglas asked anxiously, "Can the Soul transfer be done now?"
Daniel nodded.
Before Frank Douglas and Katherine could celebrate, Daniel asked quietly, "Do you want her dead, or alive?"
*****
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