For the next three days, the lab was filled with nothing but screams. Aoiro and Catherine stayed by their children's side, listening to their cries as the Arc Serum worked its way through their bodies. The serum fought against the chemicals and infections, fusing into their bloodstreams, but it was a painful process. Every scream felt like a stab to Aoiro's heart, but he couldn't stop now. He had to see this through.
On the third day, the screams finally stopped. Aoiro and Catherine exchanged a glance, fear and hope mixing in their eyes. They hadn't slept in days, and their bodies ached with exhaustion. Slowly, they walked toward the lab doors and pushed them open.
What they saw made them freeze.
Takeshi, Kori, and Raiden lay still on the tables. Their skin was pale, almost ghostly, and their bodies looked frail, as if they hadn't eaten in years. Their eyes were closed, and for a moment, Aoiro feared the worst.
Catherine rushed forward, holding a large plate of food. "They need to eat," she whispered, her voice trembling with hope. She placed the food on a table nearby, and slowly, the children opened their eyes.
Raiden was the first to sit up. He looked at his mother, his eyes filled with tears. "Mama…" he whispered weakly.
Catherine dropped to her knees, pulling him into her arms. "Raiden, my baby, you're okay," she cried, hugging him tightly.
After eating, Raiden stood up and wrapped his arms around his mother, clinging to her like a small child. His body was weak, but his heart was filled with relief. The serum had worked. They were alive.
But deep inside, Aoiro couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.