The following morning, Scion's transition back to consciousness was like emerging from the depths of a vivid dream. The antiseptic scent lingered faintly in the air, much as it had when he first awoke in the hospital. The rhythmic symphony of medical machinery seemed to be a constant companion, maintaining the reassuring undertone of his senses.
For a moment, he lay in silence, allowing the sensation of returning to the waking world to wash over him. He realized he was no longer in the hospital room as he stirred, but back in his childhood home, the familiarity of his room embracing him. A sense of surrealism lingered as he glanced around, taking in the room he had left behind.
The previous day's reunion with his mother and sister, Lillia, had been an emotional whirlwind. Scion had shared with them the incredible story of his journey, and their reactions had been filled with awe, joy, and relief. It was as though he had returned from a dreamlike adventure, and the love of his family had anchored him back to reality.
Now, in the quiet of his room, he allowed himself to fully awaken, shaking off the lingering remnants of his dreamlike state. The room was filled with sunlight, casting warm beams that seemed to welcome him back to the world. Scion eased himself out of the bed, his body feeling the lingering effects of his coma.
After getting dressed, he descended the familiar stairs of his family home. The aroma of a simple breakfast wafted from the kitchen, and the clinking of utensils filled the air. His mother, Emma, was preparing a meal while Lillia sat at the table, her young eyes filled with curiosity and affection.
Scion greeted them with a warm smile, taking a seat at the table. He was eager to learn more about what had transpired during his absence.
"Good morning, Mom, Lillia," he said, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "I feel like I've been gone for so long. Tell me, what's been happening?"
His mother turned from the stove to face him, her expression a mixture of relief and concern. "Good morning, Scion. It's been difficult, but we managed. You've been pooling in your income from your part-time job into our family, and your absence made things challenging."
The weight of her words settled on Scion's shoulders, and he felt a pang of guilt for having left them without support during a time of need. "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't think about how my actions would affect you both."
Lillia, ever the empathetic soul, reached out and gently took her brother's hand. "It's okay, Scion. We're just happy you're back now."
Emma tried to change the topic, not wanting to burden her son further with their financial struggles. "So, tell us more about your journey. What was it like?"
Scion couldn't shake off the topic so easily. The financial burden on his family weighed heavily on him, and he was determined to assist. "Mom, there's something we should discuss. My father has been absent for so long, and I think it's time we reached out to him. He needs to know about the situation."
Emma's expression tightened, and her hesitation was palpable. "Scion, I've tried reaching out to him before. He's... not interested in helping us."
Scion felt a surge of resentment towards his father, a man who had abandoned them without a second thought. His voice was laced with anger and frustration. "Mom, he can't just abandon us like this. We deserve better. I'll talk to him myself."
Emma's mind went shook "Scion, I will not allow you to talk to him!"
With that, the breakfast table fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their financial struggles a looming cloud that hung over their heads. Without a word, Scion angrily left the house, leaving Emma and Lillia lonely once again.
Later that day, Scion decided to leave the house and take a walk. He needed to clear his mind. As he strolled down the familiar streets of his hometown, he couldn't help but reflect on the trials he had faced and the mystic abilities he had gained.
His thoughts swirled with memories of the Scorch Trials and the strength he had discovered within himself. The encounter with the enigmatic Luke, who had been by his side during that journey, remained fresh in his mind.
As he meandered through the neighbourhood, the sun bathed the streets in a golden light, casting long, dappled shadows that seemed to play at his feet. He couldn't escape the feeling that a new chapter of his life was about to begin, one filled with revelations and perhaps even dangers.
Suddenly, he stumbled upon a familiar face. Luke, his friend from his previous adventure, stood on the sidewalk ahead. Their eyes met, and Scion couldn't help but feel a jolt of surprise.
"Luke!" Scion called out as he approached his friend. "I didn't expect to see you here. How have you been?"
Luke, though initially taken aback, quickly regained his composure. He greeted Scion with a warm smile. "I've been doing well. Must've been the stress or something. How about you? How's life been treating you?"
Scion hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain the mystic abilities he had discovered and the life-changing journey he had been through. "It's been... eventful, to say the least." Scion decided to keep his identity a secret, for now. Luke chuckled and sarcastically responded, "Well, life wobbles you left and right, controlling your consciousness." Scion lightly hit Luke as they both smiled for their strong friendship.
The two decided to head to Luke's place, and as they walked, Scion couldn't help but marvel at the opulence of his friend's surroundings. The houses in the neighbourhood seemed to grow larger and grander, revealing the undeniable wealth of its residents.
Luke's own home was a sight to behold, a sprawling mansion with pristine white pillars and manicured gardens. The sheer size of the house was overwhelming, and Scion couldn't help but feel like he had entered a different world.
As they entered the mansion, Scion was greeted by luxurious furnishings, marble floors, and towering windows that allowed the golden sunlight to stream in. It was a world far removed from his own, and he couldn't help but be in awe.
Luke led Scion to a cozy sitting area, where they could continue their conversation. It was clear that Scion's journey and newfound abilities had left a mark on him, and he couldn't help but wonder about the mysteries that lay ahead.
However, before their conversation could deepen, an unexpected event unfolded. A javelin spear, moving at a speed that the human eye could hardly perceive, burst through the window. It was a deadly projectile aimed directly at them.
Luke's eyes widened in shock as he instinctively pushed Scion to the side, trying to shield him from the impending danger. In a split second, Scion's mind raced, and he harnessed the mystic energy that had become a part of him during his trials.
With a swift gesture, he created a Solar barrier, a shimmering, golden shield that materialized around them. The javelin spear struck the barrier with immense force, stopping inches from Scion and Luke.
The impact was powerful enough to send shockwaves through the room, and the house seemed to tremble. Scion's body, still protected by the Solar barrier, felt the pressure of the impact, and a sharp pain pierced his side as the spear slightly penetrated the barrier.
Amidst the chaos, Scion couldn't help but wonder who had launched the attack and why. He exchanged a glance with Luke, whose expression was a mix of shock and fear.
"Luke," Scion gasped, "we need to find out who did this. It's not safe here."
Luke shockingly stared Scion down. Perceiving a bright orange hue enveloping Scion's body, Luke came to a realisation. "Surviving a collision with a tier-3's attack isn't something a normal person, he's gotta be a Mystic Master, but I wasn't aware of his powers through any organisations or certificates."
There was a lot of explaining to do...