(Planet Vorthas, remote ocean, 180 miles from the nearest civilization)
While Leo and Veyr were still struggling to grasp the fundamentals of [Shapeshift], Dupravel had already managed to infiltrate Planet Vorthas by slipping through its weakest point in planetary defense — a vast, unguarded stretch of ocean in the middle of nowhere.
*Swim*
*Swim*
Cutting through the water in a steady southwest trajectory, Dupravel knew he would have to swim nonstop for at least two full days before he'd reach land. But the distance didn't bother him in the slightest.
"I've endured far worse," he muttered, his strokes unbroken as he sliced through the waves. "The only real nuisance is how heavy and slow everything feels now..."
His tone soured slightly as he glanced down at his limbs — once effortless, now sluggish.
"Being reduced to a mere Transcendent... I'd forgotten how limiting this tier feels."
With Mauriss's restriction sealing away his Monarch-level power, Dupravel felt the dull ache of restraint for the first time in decades — every movement reminding him that his strength was now human again.
"If I manage to kill the new Dragon, I'll regain my freedom.
And perhaps, just perhaps, with my newfound freedom I'll be able to build an organisation powerful enough to attack The Cult and save my son," he murmured, as the resolve in his eyes hardened.
Despite Mauriss advising him to forget about his son.
Despite the universe calling him foolish for loving him so much.
Dupravel never gave up on the idea of rescuing his only child.
Because regardless of what people said…. In the end, he was a father who yearned to protect his own flesh and blood.
"Fear not Darnell… your father is here!"
—---------------
(Meanwhile, the Skyshard Residence, Luke's room, Planet Vorthas)
Alia sat beside the bed, her fingers gently tracing circles into Luke's frail palm, while her other hand stayed curled around his wrist, holding it close to her cheek as a silent tear slid down her face.
She did not speak.
Did not sob out loud.
Just sat there, breathing softly, whispering prayers under her breath.
It had been months now.
Months since the love of her life had fallen into this state and become an unmoving, silent doll, as the toll on his body kept worsening every day.
His ribs were visible beneath the blanket now.
His arms, once strong enough to lift her effortlessly, had withered to the point that even the tubes seemed to weigh them down.
And yet… she hadn't left his side.
Not for a day.
Not even once.
'Please wake up babe, I can't see you so weak everyday–' She prayed with all her heart, as suddenly at that moment.
"Mhm—"
A low groan, hoarse and dry, rumbled from Luke's throat.
His eyelids twitched and a slight shuffle of his fingers followed.
"What?" Alia's eyes widened, as she froze.
Luke's lashes fluttered, the whites of his eyes showing for just a second before they opened properly… slow, confused, unfocused.
He blinked twice, gaze shifting around the room before settling on her face—pale, teary, and trembling in disbelief.
For a second, he wondered if he had died.
If this was heaven.
Because if it was, and Alia was here too, then maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
But then the pain hit.
It came like a wave: deep, raw, and aching.
His entire body felt like it had been run through a meat grinder and left to dry.
Even breathing hurt bad, as it was the pain that told him that this was definitely not heaven.
"…Hey… beautiful…" he rasped, barely audible.
Alia gasped.
Her tears, already balanced at the edge, tumbled down in full force as she leaned forward and gently hugged his chest, careful not to put any weight on him.
"Luke… Luke… you're awake," she whispered in disbelief, the words breaking apart with emotion.
He smiled weakly.
'That's her voice… I remember that voice…'
Alia quickly pulled back, wiping at her cheeks as she stumbled toward the door, nearly tripping over her own feet in the rush.
"Doctor! Mom! Dad! Amanda! Luke is awake! He's awake!"
Her voice echoed down the corridor like a spark in dry grass.
Within moments, footsteps thundered closer.
A team of doctors rushed in, followed seconds later by Elena, Jacob, Amanda, and Ben, all panting, all wide-eyed.
"My baby…" Elena whispered upon seeing his open eyes, as she rushed to his side and gently brushed his hair back. "Oh thank the stars…"
Luke looked at her, too weak to speak much, but the small smile that tugged at his cracked lips said it all.
"Mom…"
He did not remember how he got here.
Did not remember how he collapsed or the journey that followed.
But he did not mind having lost consciousness, now that he woke up with his girlfriend and his family beside him.
Amanda crouched near the edge of the bed, squeezing his fingers while Jacob placed a hand over his ankle.
The old man, stern and guarded as ever, looked visibly shaken, his jaw clenched tightly as he stood at the foot of the bed.
"Leo…" Luke croaked, looking around slowly. "Where's Leo?"
"He's safe," Elena answered softly, brushing his hair again. "He's here too, on this planet. He's doing some stuff of his own. But I promise, he's okay."
Luke let out a soft sigh, relaxing slightly against the pillows.
'Thank god…'
For a few more moments, the room was filled with warm silence, with quiet reassurances, and whispered words of welcome.
It was the kind of reunion none of them had dared hope for.
Until—
Jacob stepped forward.
His voice, still calm, dropping to a deeper tone.
"I know you just woke up," he said, eyes hardening, "but can you remember who did this to you?"
The question pierced through the moment.
The room froze.
Even the chief doctor, who had just finished taking vitals, went still.
His hands pausing mid-air, as a bead of sweat glistened on his forehead.
Technically, Luke's memories should've already been altered…. sealed beneath the effects of the memory suppression spell cast during his extraction.
But if the magic hadn't taken hold completely…
Then the ruckus that could follow was not going to be pretty at all.
Thankfully though, as Luke recalled who did this to him, he did not seem to remember what actually transpired.
"The Red Army," he said slowly, voice still hoarse but clear. "The Righteous Faction… they hunted me down, like animals. Just because I'm supposedly a carrier of some ancient bloodline…"
The lead doctor exhaled, finally allowing himself to wipe the sweat from his brow.
The spell had held.
"He needs rest," the doctor said firmly, stepping between the bed and the crowd. "This conversation ends here. He's stable, but nowhere near full recovery. I'll permit brief visits, but no stress. No questioning. No memory pushing."
Jacob gave a curt nod but didn't look away from Luke.
Everyone else slowly began to step back.
Alia sat down again, holding Luke's hand once more as if to make sure he wouldn't slip away again.
Luke turned his gaze toward her and smiled faintly.
'I'm back now, don't worry,' he said with his eyes, as Alia nodded in affirmation.
"Leo….. someone find a way to contact Leo, even if we don't know how to, I'm sure the bulky soldiers around the house know how to get a hold of him.
The boy needs to know that his brother has woken up!" Elena said once she was outside Luke's room and into the hall, as Amanda nodded at her instructions, and rushed to talk to a guard at once.