By noon he managed to walk his first three steps with a walker,Mira clapped ,he hated her enthusiasm but tolerated it.
The the week he managed to walk six steps with a walker and stood without aid for a full minute.
His parents arrived again
His father watched in silence as he strugglesd through his enough,expression unreadable,but his mother kept whispering encouragement,even when he stumbled especially when he stumbled.
Dinner that night was quiet ,his parents stayed ,sitting in the corner,sharing a packed meal of soup and rice.the scent was warm ,homey.
He didn't join them but he listened.
He listened to the way they laughed gently.how the mother wiped the fathers cheek with a napkin when he spoiled,how she kept glancing at Arion with hope and heartbreak.
He couldn't match the emotions in their eyes,most times being blank. But he respected the weight they carried .
That night as he lay down,the system whispered again.
|Recovery phase one complete, strength -1, stamina -2, mutation energy -6|
Brayeal city was vast metallic and green towers rising along side tree woven sky bridges and glass paneled wind tunnels.
From his hospital balcony, Arion watched drones zip through automated lanes, delivery bots shifting through pedestrian streets advertising everything from mutation stabilizer to monster hunting guides.
This world wasn't broken ,it has been bruised badly,a thousand years ago ,the mutation wave had cracked society like porcelain but the people here had pieced it back together the best they could.
It reminded him of home ,not the old world but the dream of what it could have been cites working with nature , strength earned not stolen.
A nurse brought him a detapad, Arion scrolled through it, absorbing articles history modules and educational videos.
The city core was stable shielded by barrier tech and patrolled by elite security,the outer zones less so .still wild still scared but lovable .
Humans here had adapted grown stronger ,some awakened strange powers others evolved bodies beyond comprehension.
The world has changed but it wasn't a dead world just healing.
Not like the one he left behind were humans were power crazed ,war fought at every corner.
"Good"he muttered to himself "then I won't have to hold back"
The next day
|Initiating basic physical training mode, objective: increase physical attributes to system baseline task one :10 pushup (current strength 2)
The floor was cold his arm shook ,but he pushed.
One ,two collapse
Again
Again
Sweat dripped down his temple ,pain screamed in his shoulders,he roared in frustration too young for this weak body too old for excuses.
By midday , he'd done twenty over four sessions.
Mira watched him in awe "most patients struggle to sit up for months you're...kind of scary kid" she said "also don't push yourself ,relax when you should"
The system updated with each progress made
Strength 3
Stamina 4
Agility 2
Mutation energy 10
That night watched his reflection in the mirror
A pale ,gaunt teenager stared back slightly tall for his age ,with messy dark hair and sharp cheekbones,his eyes though were firelit amber not of this world.
"I'll earn this body , I'll make it mine"
Another week passed .
The hospital cleared him for discharge,pending outpatient therapy,his parents entered the room carrying new clothes and a satchel .
A simple black hoodie ,gray cargo pants, comfortable shoes.
He accepted the clothes and dressed with care
""You look good " his mother said ,smiling ,they laughed awkwardly but genuinely.
Outside a private vehicle waited to take them home.
As they stepped into the elevator,his mother reached out again touching his shoulder gently.
"I can't wait to take you shopping, buying you anything you want and showing everybody my son ,maybe we could get to bond "
His father gave a sideways glance "ahh take it easy "
The vehicle opened door opened,home waited
He wasn't their son .not truly .
But he would protect them for now ,that was enough .he though looking outside the window