The Superior Rebirth: A Hero's Awakening

The Return Back Home

Xavier lay on a hospital bed near the window, his body wrapped in bandages from the wounds he had sustained in his battle against Adam Durandal—otherwise known as the Grim Reaper of the Abyss.

Slowly, he pried open his left eye, the other buried beneath layers of bandages. As he shifted slightly, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen, making him wince.

Holding his side, he groaned internally, "Oh right... I got stabbed. Even my vector shield couldn't stop Sir Adam."

Glancing around, he quickly recognized his surroundings—the medic room used for injured fighters in the Colosseum, where the Gladiator Grand Festival was taking place.

"Did I lose?" he wondered, struggling to piece together the aftermath of his fight. "The last thing I remember... I caught Sir Adam off guard and purposely destabilized my black hole attack to cause an explosion. That was my last resort."

His brows furrowed. "After that... nothing. I don't remember what happened after that at all."

Xavier attempted to move again, but his body resisted. It felt as if his muscles had been drained of blood and moisture, leaving them stiff and unresponsive—like stone.

Just then, Alcmena, in his cat form, leaped gracefully through the window and landed on Xavier's bed. "I'd advise against moving too much," he said, his tone calm yet firm. "Your body is experiencing the early stages of core corruption. Any more strain, and you might just tear yourself apart."

Startled, Xavier instinctively jerked backward—only to regret it immediately. An indescribable pain erupted throughout his entire body, making him scream out as tears welled in his eyes.

Alcmena, on the other hand, burst into laughter, nearly rolling off the bed. "You cry like a girl!" he taunted between gasps of laughter, wiping away his own tears of amusement.

Flushing with embarrassment, Xavier weakly smacked Alcmena on the head. "Not funny, you big meanie," he grumbled, his cheeks puffing up like an annoyed puppy.

Before Alcmena could retort, Xavier sensed approaching footsteps. Instinctively, he reached for his white-fang mask, securing it over his face just as the door swung open.

Anastasia, Sir Lorian, and the rest of his friends flooded into the room. The moment Anastasia saw Xavier awake, she rushed to his side, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Young Master! Are you okay?!" she bombarded him with questions, her concern evident. "Can you move? Are you breathing properly? Does your throat hurt? Can you even talk?!"

Despite himself, Xavier chuckled, touched by her worry. "I'm fine, Miss Anastasia," he reassured her gently.

"Oh, thank goodness!" she sighed in relief. "I was so worried when you didn't wake up this morning. The doctors thought—"

"Well, I'm awake now," Xavier interrupted with a small smile. "So you can relax. Take it easy, Miss Anastasia."

Still overwhelmed with relief, Anastasia hugged him tightly once more.

A sudden glare pierced through Xavier, sending a shiver down his spine. Turning his head slightly, he met Alcmena's eyes—sharp, menacing, and filled with unmistakable jealousy.

"Watch how you act around my woman, brat," Alcmena muttered telepathically, clicking his tongue in irritation.

Xavier, unfazed, responded within his mind with a teasing grin. "You're so childish, Master."

"Look who's talking," Alcmena shot back.

As Anastasia finally pulled away, Sir Lorian stepped forward and patted Xavier's back. A wide grin spread across his face. "Well, Klay, did you have fun out there?"