Ross beckoned to his colleagues once they killed all the void creatures and claimed their cores.
'Hunter Zol was right. We needed the experience and I'm glad we came here. Even after years of training, without actually fighting the creatures, it would have been pointless.'
Imagine they ventured into the universe only to be faced with an army of void creatures without actually knowing how they acted when alone and when in groups.
'I've already learned a lot from this short mission.'
He turned around and noticed Julia and Henry almost at his position. He gave them a nod and they made their way back to James who stood in the exact place he was since they began the mission.
Ross narrowed his eyes when James didn't say anything after they arrived. A few seconds had passed, yet the man remained silent.
"James?"
Julia called out softly, turning to look at her friends who just shrugged in reply.
"Follow me back to the ship. There is something you need to hear?"
Even though his voice came through the speakers in their helms, there was a certain edge to it, as if he was in a hurry to do something.
Julia found this strange as she had known James for the longest and knew how he always acted. But she couldn't deduce what that was.
'There's no point in thinking about it when he is about to tell us.'
The group promptly made their way back to the spaceship and headed straight for the observation deck.
"We can head back now," James instructed, putting away his helm and taking a seat.
[Roger.]
Looking at him, the trio also took their seats around the table. Once they secured themselves with the belts, the ship took off.
"James, what's the matter?"
Julia asked with a bit of anxiety in her voice.
James lifted his head and gave a hard look to Julia and Ross. "About a few minutes before you completed your hunt, I received some news."
"Good news or bad news." Julia narrowed her eyes, already feeling her heart race. "Does it concern Alex?" The only news she was interested in was Alex.
If it wasn't, she wasn't very interested and James knew that about her, so his response got Julia on her feet.
"Good news. And yes…"
James said with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. The news was surely good, but where it came from was the problem.
Ross just as quickly got back on his feet and would have knocked the chair over if it wasn't magnetically glued to the floor. The news they had been waiting for more than four years was finally here.
"A-Alex is alive…"
Julia couldn't hold back her tears of joy. Her expression brightened like it hadn't for the last four years.
"He's alive…"
Ross muttered just ]to be sure he was hearing right. They had held on to hope for the longest time that Alex was still alive out there.
James shared the sentiments of the kids as he too was just as shocked when he received the news, especially the message that accompanied it.
He glanced at Henry and noticed his indifferent look but didn't fault him for it.
'I can't force him to like Alex, especially when he is his greatest obstacle at winning Julia.'
James thought inwardly. He knew Henry stood no chance and was willing to bet even if Alex never returned, Julia might never love anyone again.
That was the kind of girl his young lady, now turned woman was.
"He sent a message."
Julia and Ross turned back to James, unable to sit down. They were getting too happy and excited to sit back down.
James made a gesture and a holographic display popped up with a video file., revealing the now mature face of Alexander.
"Alex…"
Julia reached out her hand towards the file only for it to go through it. But it didn't matter, her Alex was alive and well.
Seeing his face after so many years left her speechless. There was no indication of malnutrition or even injuries. He looked better than okay.
James went ahead and tapped on play as the file loaded and played the message from Alex. The group immediately noticed the background which revealed Alex was on some planet.
[To anyone out there who receives this message. My name is Alexander Gray… and I'm alive...]
The first part caused Julia's heart to skip a beat in joy, unable to hold back her smiling face.
[For the past four years, I have been trapped in a veiled space with no way out until another cosmic mana wave came by, returning me to the outside universe.]
The deck turned silent as everyone focused on his words.
[Unfortunately, I have no idea where I am at the moment and can only hope that this transmission reaches the empire or anyone out there. Please….]
He begged as he gave a bow. His gesture broke Julia's heart and made Ross feel a pang in his chest. It was hard to see Alex that way.
But that was not the end of his message and while the rest was a bit private, Alex didn't care. He was past that stage.
[Mom, Dad, Sis and little bro… I want to say not to worry anymore, but I know better than to speak those words.
[Do know that one way or another, and no matter how long it takes, I'll find my way back home.]
His expression then changed again, taking on a warm smile. Julia instantly knew the next message was for her. She couldn't help but cry harder.
[Julia… I'm sorry I didn't listen to you back then and I know you have suffered from my absence. Know that I have never stopped loving you and once I get back, I'll make up for all the lost time.]
Alex revealed a small smile before his gaze shifted, as if he knew where Ross sat.
[Ross…My man, I bet you're still single.]
He chuckled along with Ross who wiped the tears from his eyes. He felt so much joy knowing his friend was still the same. After a deep breath, he added.
[…you can be at ease now…]
That concluded his message as the video stopped. But Ross knew what Alex meant as the two had been close for a very long time.
"Where is he?"
Julia asked after taking several minutes to let the reality set in.
"About that…"