For the past few days, Olivia had stayed at her parents' home, taking care of her mother while the nurse was given the week off.
The air was heavy with unease, and everyone seemed to stick closer to their loved ones, unsure of what the next moment might bring.
With the ongoing chaos, life had become a series of cautious steps. People barely went to work, except for government employees, and even they faced immense difficulties.
Fear was a constant companion.
Olivia's husband, Shawn Trevor, often visited to check on his wife and in-laws. His dark, short hair and piercing blue eyes gave him a striking appearance—one that might have rivalled actors in a different era.
But beauty standards had shifted with the refinement of mana, which worked wonders on anyone who cultivated it.
It was one such evening when Shawn arrived, having left work early. As usual, he and William sat in the living room, glued to the news.
They weren't just staying informed; they were seeking a sense of control in a world spiralling into uncertainty.
The broadcast detailed the emergence of new, more dangerous void creatures at the empire's borders.
Farther out, beyond the Oort cloud, void creatures were still trying to breach the barricades.
"How did things get to this point?" Shawn sighed, sinking into the sofa, his voice heavy with frustration.
William, his father-in-law, leaned back, his expression wearied by months of turmoil. "That's the question everyone's asking. From what I hear, though, this is nothing compared to the beginning of the universal calamity."
"That doesn't make it any easier to stomach." Shawn ran a hand through his hair. "Void creatures capable of taking down Class S hunters? And they're smart now. They're not just mindless beasts anymore."
"I understand how you feel, son." William's voice softened, trying to offer solace. "But we have to trust our leaders. The breakthroughs in void energy research… they'll make a difference soon. You'll see."
Shawn's jaw tightened as he stared at William, his eyes shadowed with doubt. "I wish I could have the same faith, Father."
William gave a half-smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I try. It's all I can do."
"Yeah…" Shawn murmured, though his tone suggested resignation more than agreement.
Olivia lay beside her mother upstairs, her head resting lightly on Sarah's frail arm. The medical equipment around the bed hummed softly, a constant reminder of the fragility of her condition.
The faint sound of the news filtered into the bedroom, mingling with fragments of Shawn and William's conversation.
Olivia sighed, her gaze fixed on her mother's face. Even in a comatose state, Sarah's brow was furrowed, as though she sensed the chaos outside.
"Mom," Olivia whispered, her voice trembling. "You should wake up soon, you know. What if Alex comes back and you miss him?"
Her lips quivered as she forced a smile, tears welling in her eyes. "I miss you so much. I still need you. Can't you see that? I need your strength… your reassurance."
Unable to hold back, Olivia buried her face in her mother's shoulder, her quiet sobs filling the room. The pain of years without answers weighed heavily on her, surfacing in moments like these.
Then, out of nowhere, a strange sensation swept over her—a profound, almost tangible aura. Olivia froze, her tears forgotten as she sat up abruptly.
"W-what was that?" she muttered, her eyes darting around the room.
The sensation intensified, and Olivia's attention snapped to her mother. "Mom?" she called softly, her voice trembling.
Something was happening. A strange energy seemed to radiate from Sarah's body, subtle yet undeniable.
"Dad?!" Olivia's voice cracked as she shouted. "Come here! Quickly!"
William rushed into the room, his face etched with concern. "What happened—" His words faltered as his gaze fell on his wife.
Shawn appeared moments later, stopping short as he, too, felt the energy emanating from Sarah.
"What's going on?" William asked, stepping closer. His hands hovered near Sarah, as though trying to feel the aura himself.
"I… I don't know," Olivia stammered, her voice thick with worry. "The equipment hasn't changed. There aren't any alarms."
"I'll call the hospital," Shawn said, already stepping into the hallway to make the call.
The aura grew stronger, and with it came an astonishing sight—Sarah's pallor began to fade. Slow but unmistakable, colour returned to her skin.
"Dad…" Olivia's voice wavered, her heart pounding. "Am I imagining this?"
"You're not," William murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I see it too."
Tears spilt down Olivia's cheeks as she clutched her father's arm. "Is she… is she coming back to us?"
William didn't answer, his throat too tight with hope and disbelief. They watched in stunned silence as Sarah's transformation continued.
Finally, her eyelids fluttered. Olivia's breath hitched, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed.
"Mom?" she whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and joy.
Sarah's eyes opened slowly, blinking against the dim light. Her gaze wandered for a moment before it settled on Olivia and William.
The father and daughter remained glued to their spots for several seconds, disbelief etched on their faces.
But Olivia recovered from her shock first and threw herself at her mother, though she made sure to be gentle.
"Mom… I missed you so much!" she sobbed loudly as her mother returned the hug, a small smile gracing her lips.
"I missed you too, honey," Sarah whispered, her voice soothing even after years of unuse.
Whatever healed and awakened her from her comatose state seemed to have done more than just revive her.
Sarah's gaze shifted to her husband, who stood with tears streaming freely down his face. She could see the relief in his eyes, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders.
She mouthed an apology to him and gestured for him to join the hug. William chuckled softly, his emotions overwhelming him, and stepped forward to embrace them both.
As the family lost themselves in their heartfelt reunion, Sarah muttered something that instantly froze them in place.
"Alex is coming…"