Luka's consciousness gradually emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, accompanied by a symphony of voices resonating above him. Amidst the cacophony, he recognized the soothing timbre of a woman's voice.
"I think he's waking up!" she exclaimed, her words filled with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"So, he's the last?" chimed in a man's voice, young and vibrant.
"Yes," replied another man, this time with an aged tone that inexplicably reassured Luka's awakening mind and body. "He's conscious, at least to some extent. I doubt he'll regain full awareness just yet, but his thoughts are clear. My estimation? In about two hours, he should awaken fully. William! Maria! Make sure you're present when he regains consciousness, so he doesn't panic."
Fear gripped Luka's heart. These individuals were strangers to him, and he was convinced he had met his demise in the car accident. Yet, there was something about the elderly man's voice that brought him solace.
"Luka Sterling Johnson," the voice continued, penetrating Luka's apprehension. "I know you're frightened and bewildered, but we'll explain everything. Maria and William will help you comprehend what happened and why you're here. Once your body rejuvenates itself, you'll have time to process it all and ask any questions that may arise in your mind."
Luka strained his senses, eager to catch every word. The elderly man's voice acted as a balm to his anxious mind. Despite his fear, the image of the winged figure lingered in his vacant thoughts.
"Until then, take care, young Luka," the voice concluded, its fading footsteps growing fainter with each passing moment.
"Hello, Luka," greeted Maria, her tone warm and gentle. "I'm Maria, and the presence you feel beside me is my twin brother, William. I understand you're frightened and probably in shock, but we're the good guys, and once you awaken, we'll prove it to you."
Luka longed to hear the elderly man's voice again, to be comforted by his words. A connection, intangible yet undeniable, seemed to exist between them. However, amidst the whirlwind of events that had stripped him of his ability to think clearly, he now relied on trust. Trust in the unknown, in the twins who stood before him.
"Let's start from the beginning," suggested William. "I want to share a story with you. As unbelievable as it may sound, it holds a profound connection to you."
Within the confines of that room, Luka felt a vulnerability he had never experienced before. Simultaneously conscious and unconscious, he realized he was defenseless, incapable of protecting himself if these strangers harbored ill intentions. Yet, they had assured him of their trustworthiness, and Luka possessed a natural inclination to believe in people, even in the face of countless betrayals. His unwavering faith in humanity persisted, undeterred by past disappointments.
"On the first day of creation, God fashioned not only the world but also its guardians—the angels," Maria began, her voice carrying a peculiar blend of storytelling and reminiscence. "Each kind of angel was unique—there was a healer, a fighter, a pacifist, and so on. The angelic realm, much like the human world, operated under a set of rules. Rules were strict, but punishments were lenient. For thousands of years, no one violated these laws, until the Punisher arrived."
"Lucifer, also known as the devil," interjected William, continuing his sister's tale. "He committed the gravest transgression by exploiting his immense power to slay Samuel, the healer. Fortunately, he failed to fulfill his malevolent deed completely. Samuel was cast down to Earth due to Lucifer's influence. He felt a profound sorrow, yearning for the paradise he had lost, longing for the missions he had undertaken in heaven. Sadly, the laws forbade angels from descending to Earth."
"And now, my favorite part of the story," Maria exclaimed, her eyes fixed on Luka, searching for any sign of wakefulness. "Samuel encountered someone on Earth, Julia. She became his ally, and in time, their connection blossomed into something more. They fell in love and eventually married. Samuel, an angel, and Julia, a human. Then, a miracle occurred. Julia gave birth to a child, a boy who was the first-ever half-angel, free from the curse of mortality. He possessed the gift of healing."
"However," William interjected, his voice tinged with sorrow, "not everything was destined to be harmonious for them. Lucifer, witnessing these events, grew wrathful. He unleashed his final powers to place a curse upon the child. The curse decreed that the child would never lead a happy life and would perish upon reaching the age of eighteen. But the child, being half-angel, was immortal. He endured the passage of countless years, only to die and be reborn into a new family. This cycle continued, repeating itself through the ages."
"On the other hand, there was his true family," Maria continued. "After losing his powers upon the demise of his son, Samuel spent years striving to reclaim them. Meanwhile, Julia, now bound to immortality through her connection with the angel, fell into a coma, where she remains to this day. Finally, after an arduous journey, Samuel succeeded in regaining his powers and broke the curse that had befallen his son." Suddenly, Maria's tone grew solemn. "It may be difficult for you to comprehend after all this time, but Luka Sterling Johnson, you are the cursed child."
Maria's last words reverberated in Luka's ears. It felt wrong, utterly wrong! There was nothing remarkable about him, and he had never entertained the thought of angels, heaven, devils, or hell. It all seemed so inconceivable.
Yet, certain fragments of the story began to make sense. Luka had never experienced true happiness throughout his life, and he perished at the tender age of eighteen.
Wait! He died!
I don't know what to believe, Luka thought, grappling with the disarray of his thoughts. Perhaps I didn't die. Maybe I've been confined in some sort of deranged asylum!
"I... I want water," Luka managed to mumble.
The moment the words left his lips, he heard the familiar footsteps of the elderly man approaching.
"He's awake?" Luka heard the man's voice and strained to open his eyes.
His vision was blurred, faces appearing as smudged figures before him. Yet, amidst the haze, one face stood out—the old man. The man possessed jet-black, straight hair, mirroring Luka's own. His eyes were the same shade of blue, sharing the identical shape as Luka's. His nose, his lips, his mannerisms—it was all so familiar.
In that instant, a profound realization struck Luka, piercing his heart and mind simultaneously. He recognized the person with wings.
Emotions surged within him, uncontrollable and raw. Lost memories flooded his consciousness, and in that moment, he comprehended the story. He knew the identity of the person standing before him. Every minute detail of those days flooded back into his mind.
"Dad?" Luka uttered, his voice filled with a mix of wonder, disbelief, and a spark of hope.