Lyranthor's eyes fluttered open, the sterile white ceiling of the hospital room coming into focus. The lingering haze of sleep clung to his mind, but the memories of what had transpired at his graduation flooded back, vivid and sharp. He had been dreaming about the explosion, the dark figures, and—most painfully—Sister Lily's sacrifice.
"No... No... NO!" Lyranthor wailed, the sound echoing off the walls of his room. The rage and despair in his voice were palpable, raw emotions twisting his features into a mask of agony.
He thrashed against the sheets, the vision of Sister Lily's bloodied face haunting his mind. "Why? Why did this happen?!" he shouted, his voice breaking with each word.
The door to his room burst open, and a nurse rushed in, her expression a mix of concern and urgency. "Calm down, Lyranthor. You're safe now," she said soothingly, moving quickly to his bedside.
Lyranthor barely registered her presence, his mind trapped in the tormenting cycle of his memories. His amethyst eyes, usually so deep and calm, now blazed with an uncontrollable fury. "Sister Lily... they killed her!" he screamed, tears streaming down his face.
The nurse, realizing the severity of his distress, swiftly began chanting an incantation. Her hands glowed with a soft, ethereal light as she cast a sleeping spell. "Rest now, Lyranthor. You need to heal," she murmured.
The magic took effect almost immediately. Lyranthor felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him, his rage and sorrow dulling as the spell calmed his mind. His thrashing slowed, and his screams turned to weak sobs. "Sister Lily... I'm so sorry," he whispered, his eyes closing as the spell pulled him into a deep, dreamless sleep.
That night, a soft knock echoed through the quiet hospital room. John, one of the orphans from Sister Lily's orphanage, slipped inside, carrying a small bag of clothes. He was two years younger than Lyranthor, his face etched with concern. The nurse had told him about Lyranthor's earlier outburst and the sleeping spell they had cast to calm him down, prompting John to rush over.
John quietly approached Lyranthor's bedside, his heart aching at the sight of his friend's tear-streaked face. He set the bag down and gently soaked a towel in a basin of water, wringing it out before carefully wiping Lyranthor's face. "Hey, buddy," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I brought you some clothes. I thought you might need them."
As he cleaned Lyranthor's face, John's mind raced with worry. They had grown up together, sharing countless memories and dreams. Seeing Lyranthor like this, broken and lost, was almost too much to bear. "I'm here for you, Lyranthor," he murmured, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We'll get through this together. I promise."
He continued to care for his friend, his presence a quiet comfort in the sterile room. The night wore on, and John stayed by Lyranthor's side, determined to be there for him when he woke up.
---
In another room in the hospital, Raven could be seen in a VIP suite, sitting on a plush chair. Across from him was the woman who had saved him earlier. She was composed, her piercing eyes studying him intently.
"I haven't properly introduced myself," the woman began, her voice steady and authoritative. "I am Elena Voss, a ranked member of Terra Concord. We've been observing you for a while now, Raven."
Raven's eyes narrowed at her words, a mix of discomfort and anger flashing across his face. "Observing me? You mean stalking," he retorted, his voice edged with frustration. "Why would Terra Concord be interested in me?"
Elena raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his reaction. "You've demonstrated exceptional skills and potential. We couldn't ignore that," she explained.
Raven clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure. "So, you've been watching my every move? What gives you the right?"
Even though he responded unpleasantly, Elena didn't mind. She was a trained professional member of Terra Concord. She leaned forward, her expression softening slightly. "We did it for your safety and ours. The Abyssal Dominion has taken an interest in you as well. We had to be sure you were protected."
Raven took a deep breath, his anger simmering down as he processed her words. "So what now? What do you want from me?"
Elena smiled, sensing his growing acceptance. "We want to recruit you, Raven. Joining us would increase our chances of saving the human domain from enemies like the Abyssal Dominion and any other threats such as the other races invading us. Your talents are extraordinary, and we believe you can be a valuable asset to Terra Concord. Join us, and together we can fight the Abyssal Dominion and protect what remains of our world."
Raven hesitated, his mind racing with the implications of her offer. The idea of joining Terra Concord was daunting, but the thought of facing the Abyssal Dominion alone was even more terrifying. After a moment of contemplation, he looked up at Elena, determination in his eyes.
"I need some time to think about this," he said finally, his voice firm.
Elena nodded, understanding. "Take all the time you need, Raven. Just know that we believe in your potential."
As the night deepened, the hospital remained a place of healing and new beginnings. Lyranthor and Raven, though facing different paths, were now intertwined in the larger battle for humanity's future.
---
The next day, the hospital buzzed with activity as the aftermath of the graduation attack continued to unfold. Lyranthor slowly opened his eyes, the memories of the previous day still fresh and painful. He looked around the room, noticing John asleep in the chair beside his bed, clutching a bag of clothes.
Lyranthor smiled weakly, touched by his friend's dedication. "Thank you, John," he whispered, careful not to wake him. He felt a pang of guilt, remembering how he couldn't protect Sister Lily. The weight of her loss settled heavily on his heart.
"I'm sorry, Sister Lily," he murmured to himself. "I couldn't protect you. But I promise, I'll take care of the orphanage. I'll take care of everyone."
Determined to fulfill this promise, Lyranthor knew he needed resources. Money, for the orphanage's upkeep and for the children's futures. He needed a job. Suddenly, he remembered that the next month was the recruitment for the most prestigious academy in the human realm.
"I'll give it my best shot," he vowed silently, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "For Sister Lily, for the orphanage, for everyone."
With a deep breath, Lyranthor steeled himself for the challenges ahead, ready to face whatever came his way.