...
The sounds of rain didn't bother him, nor did the drops falling on his body. The tiredness, the pain, the desire to simply close his eyes were being prevented by the sight of what took his attention the most. It wasn't Noah's body pressed against his, it wasn't the destruction caused in the building to face the Corrupted, much less Mallory or Nanoko who were injured, but rather, that boy with cyan hair who was in front of him, smiling as if he was saying "good job". His inquiries only went no further because his body finally gave in to tiredness, causing him to fall to the ground, thus giving Cyro the little peace he would have at that moment.
The notion of time no longer mattered to Cyro. The only thing surrounding him was the wind and the feeling of being carried, but when he opened his eyes, it was irrelevant according to the situation he found himself in. Lifting his body to get a better look, Cyro noticed what it was about and just sighed...
- Here we go - said Cyro in a calm tone.
In front of him a familiar sight is presented to him. A kind of commercial street, with some small buildings, garbage thrown across the street, glass from the windows of possible stores shattered on the sidewalks and destroyed parts of the buildings in some corners, followed by a cold and dark atmosphere due to the black clouds in the sky. The wind touching his face only reminded him of that day that changed his life, but that no longer matters after accepting that certain things can last as long as he lives and reliving that moment because of something that only those who suffered know what to do treats.
Walking a little further, Cyro sees a chair thrown on the floor. Looking to the side, Cyro only sees a clothing store that is different from the rest of this place. Untouched by the actions of time or whatever this vision is, Cyro just takes the chair, puts it with his back to the wall and sits down looking straight ahead at the street that he easily remembers. The silence is not as present due to the wind and the items that are carried through the air, as well as the glass that seems to be being stepped on all the time. But this ends the moment Cyro looks to the right...
- So many places to choose from and was it fair on this one?
When saying this, Cyro only looks at the purple humanoid shape next to him, the shape being the same as Cyro's, but without the presence of clothing, body details or features on his face, only the purple viscous content extended yourself for that body. After saying that, the shape only "directed its attention" to the street, ignoring Cyro looking at it.
- If I were you, I'd leave the sidewalk a little more intact and the buildings cleaner. It would be much more real than that - says Cyro pointing to the sidewalk and the buildings in front of him.
Nothing but the sound of the wind reached this place. Even though he knows that this is a desperate attempt by Corruption to dominate his mind, Cyro just maintains a calm and serene expression, as if it wouldn't work. Seconds pass and nothing happens, until Cyro decides to get up and lean on a metal bar that was protecting the sidewalk from the street, and looks at that humanoid shape with indifference.
- You're not so evolved that you can talk, but you managed to retrieve an important memory for me. If you're acting strong knowing that you're going to cease to exist in a few seconds, you could at least tell me something. I'm willing to listen to you if you want - says Cyro with a slightly sarcastic tone, but maintaining his expression of indifference.
After saying this, Cyro only sees the shape begin to walk towards the street, passing by his side, and as he heads there, the shape begins to slowly dissipate as if it were dust being carried by the wind, while Cyro only sees it. watched at a glance.
- You… are… no… different… from… him…
In a strange, cracking voice, the form utters these words as it watches its hand dissipate.
- Of course. Did you think I would be free from being caught for this just because of who I am?
- Then why? - says the form in its last moments of dissipation.
- I also wonder about that... - says Cyro in a slightly sad and low tone so that the form doesn't hear him.
Watching the form dissipate completely, Cyro begins to weaken his gaze, closing them soon after the form disappears completely...
…
- (?) The energy boost prevented their injuries from getting more serious, but his right arm ended up suffering more damage.
- (?) Irreversible?
- (?) If it weren't for the experimental technology of energetic nanites, the regeneration process would take longer. It won't take more than a week for his arm to return to normal, but just in case, make him stay still and not get into any more trouble.
- (?) This is something that I guarantee will not happen.
Hearing voices, Cyro begins to slowly open his eyes. His vision is slightly obscured by a flash of light coming from lamps positioned on the ceiling of this place that which he soon realizes is a hospital room.
- Cyro?!
Looking around him, Cyro notices that he is in a hospital bed, wearing patient clothes, with an orthopedic sling on his right arm and feeling some bandages on his body. Without having the least time possible, Blaire, who had been there since Cyro arrived at the hospital, simply approaches Cyro with a look of concern and nervousness.
- Can you hear me? Can you understand me? -Blaire asks as she stands on the right side of Cyro's bed.
- … A broken arm is not a sign of deafness, Blaire.
- That's good to know... - Blaire responds and ends up letting out a sigh of relief.
- (?) If on one hand she doesn't break you, the other will do it with all the pleasure in the world.
Looking ahead, Cyro notices an adult man, with a light beard on his face, signs of tiredness in his serene expression, wearing a doctor's outfit.
- Ferdinand…
- How long has it been, Cyro. To think that I would see you again in my care.
- So can I borrow this room only until the day is over? I feel like when I get home, my sister is going to send me back here.
- Don't mind about this. She's already coming. - Blaire says, crossing her arms.
- Change of plan… I want 2 hospital security guards at the room door.
- Your sense of humor hasn't changed even after 2 years. I'm surprised you're not worried about your condition.
- Well, there are more important things to worry about, don't you think?
- If you say.
After a few seconds of silence, Cyro just adjusts himself on the bed to remain semi-sitting, while Blaire helps him to adjust himself.
- Besides the boy who was corrupted and the Summoner… Was there anyone else injured? - Cyro asks with a calm and serious tone.
- No. The boy was taken to surgery and will be under the care of the purification team. The girl and Gacha who were with you were treated and released.
- That's good... - says Cyro after showing a slight smile.
- Look, saying that I'm surprised by what you did would be a lie, but I admit that it was very brave of you. When Blaire called me to tell me to prepare the necessary treatments for her arrival, some people were surprised by the fact that there were no more victims in relation to a last-minute Corrupted attack case - says Ferdinand after leaning against a wall while looking for Cyro.
- On the other hand, it was very audacious to use your old Blue Guard credential to report on the attack - says Blaire, making Cyro turn his gaze to her.
- I had no choice. Either that or they wouldn't believe that I was an "undercover agent" from the Blue Guard who coincidentally was in an arcade. I highly doubt anyone would.
- Good thing I heard the broadcast right away. It was a very risky attempt, but it was lucky that it was at the right time - says Blaire, speaking with a more relieved tone.
- Lucky or not, you did more than you should, Cyro. And many people would be grateful to the undercover officer who saved many people's lives at a dangerous time.
Upon hearing what Ferdinand had just said, Blaire just looked at Cyro with a smile, while Cyro returned to a neutral expression, as if what was said had been a hint about certain things related to his past.
- Well, I'll give you guys a break. When Samantha arrives, I will guide her here, so she already has this anxiety in her head surrounding her possible death, Cyro.
- I don't know how they didn't withdraw your medical license by saying bad words to patients - says Cyro with an ironic expression.
With a smile on his face, Ferdinand ends up leaving the room, leaving Blaire and Cyro alone, which makes Cyro immediately turn his gaze to her.
- Blaire, before you...
Without a chance to say anything, Blaire just raises her index finger, making Cyro understand that she should remain silent, and then after a long sigh...
- … Don't ever scare me like that again. Do you have any idea how I felt when they informed me of your condition?! It felt like my heart was going to explode with nervousness. So, for now, even if just for a few minutes… be quiet, okay, you idiot!?
- … Okay - Cyro responds, making an expression of surprise when he notices that Blaire was holding herself back from crying.
A silence hangs in the air between Cyro and Blaire. As much as Cyro wanted to say something to lighten the mood or Blaire wanted to hold back her words or actions so as not to cry in front of Cyro, their feelings didn't seem to want to let go because they knew how they both felt about what happened, about what this It means to them the feeling that something is coming back and that it can change a lot of things they are already used to.
- (?) Who would have thought that I would see a scene like this from you, Blaire.
Changing her expression completely, Blaire recognizes this voice, and noticing the expression that she has just been caught in the act and gesturing her gaze to a sofa behind her, Blaire just looks at the sofa in disgust.
- Now, Cyro... Can you explain to me why him?
Appearing out of a light cyan-colored mist, sitting with his legs crossed and making a sarcastic expression of happiness, Cyko, the Gacha that Cyro summoned was simply observing the entire situation in an invisible state.
- I also wonder, but... when we meet again or talk to someone we haven't seen in a while, we usually say "How long, missing".
- Make a comment this time and I'll beat you up. -Blaire speaks as she begins to summon one of her staffs.
- For a person who values order, you are really different knowing that you are in a hospital.
- You have no idea what I'll consider doing if you don't leave now, Cykopath.
- Cykopath? Serious? Even after everything, do you still want to remember that time of mine, Breaker Blaire? -Cyko begins to show a strange smile as he gets up from the sofa, raising his left arm.
- (?) That's enough, you two! I don't know what the f*** is going on here, but better stop!
During this conversation that Blaire and Cyko were having, Cyro just observed the situation, wondering what was going on and wanting to interfere in the conversation to try to understand, but before he could do that, Samantha, Cyro's sister, simply entered the room. and seeing the situation become slightly chaotic, she gave this scream, making everyone look at her in surprise.
- Excuse me. We would like you to refrain from shouting or starting any confusion in this area or we will ask you to leave of your own free will - A man who appears to be a hospital security guard ends up appearing outside the room that was open after Katherine entered and speaks in a serious tone it's calm.
- Sorry for bothering. It won't happen again - Cyro responds with a calm tone, even given the situation inside.
The security guard nods and leaves, leaving everyone there in an awkward silence, until Samantha approaches Cyro.
- It's better to leave them alone, don't you think? - Blaire says this to Cyko who just looks at the brothers and heads towards the door.
- … You don't need to tell me the obvious. - Cyko says when she notices the atmosphere in the room with Samantha's arrival, even though she doesn't know her.
As he says this, Cyko becomes enveloped in that same cyan-colored mist and disappears. Without saying anything else, Blaire just leaves the room, leaving the brothers alone. The silence remains until Samantha just looks at her brother as if he had been caught trying to do something wrong.
- First, I swear it wasn't on purpose. I had no way of knowing something like this would happen, both the situation and Cyko is back. Eh, second, I... I don't know what to say with you looking at me like that as if nothing I said would ease the...
Before she could say anything, Samantha just hugs Cyro. Cyro just stands there and is confused, until he starts to feel a tremor coming straight from his sister.
- … D-Do you really think I want to know what happened there?
- No…
Without saying anything else, Samantha starts to cry lightly, leaving Cyro in a neutral way, understanding that in the end, his apologies would be worthless due to his sister's concern being someone else.
- …I-I came as quickly as I could when Blaire called me saying what happened. I thought of a thousand ways of lecturing or cursing your when I arrived. But seeing you like this… B-Bandaged, hurt, trying to prove you're okay as if it were something like an accident… D-Do you really think I was going to say something other than asking if you're okay?
- … Sorry.
- No, please. Don't say that... J-Just tell me you're okay, you idiot...
Placing his hands around his sister, returning the hug, Cyro just sighs.
- …I'm fine, Samantha.
- L-Let me stay here a little longer…-Samantha says this, as she hugs her brother tighter, as if that moment was her way of releasing all the tension about almost losing her family.
…