Waking Up(2)

The once sombre room was now filled with the joyous sound of laughter and relieved sobs. Alaric, against all odds, had awakened, and the Duke's family embraced the miracle that had unfolded before them. Eldmund couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief that his brother was, indeed, alive. The fear he had suppressed, the fear of touching the lifeless body that the doctor had declared, dissipated into the night air. Alaric's warmth and the lively beat of his heart were tangible proof of life. Eldmund, who had endured the weight of uncertainty, now found solace in the mirthful atmosphere.

Elena, holding Adelaide in her arms, approached the bed where the Duke continued to embrace Alaric. The duchess joined the family huddle, and Eldmund observed a momentary surprise flicker across Alaric's face before transforming into a genuine smile. The collective relief was palpable, and Eldmund exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The tension of the past five days, the threat of losing an heir, dissipated like a passing storm.

As Eldmund's gaze met Alaric's mesmerizing grey eyes, he detected a hint of awkwardness. Amusement sparkled in Eldmund's eyes as he chuckled, breaking the tension. He glanced down briefly before lifting his head again, meeting his brother's eyes with a playful glint. "Well, Father, I think someone deserves punishment for oversleeping. I know I'm not one to speak, but 6 days is a lot, don't you think?"

Laughter erupted in response to Eldmund's cheeky remark, and the Duke, seizing the opportunity for jest, agreed with his son's notion. Alaric, attempting to salvage his pride, protested, "I'm clearly sick, guys! It was just a joke." His feeble defence only fueled the laughter further, and the Duke, with a twinkle in his eye, decided to play along.

"Very well, then," the Duke declared, a mock seriousness in his voice. "We will see how your joke fares against my blade, my son." The threat was delivered with a playful glint, however, Eldmund knew better than to believe the Duke's banter. He might very well be serious about things even at this moment in time.

Eldmund, witnessing the light-hearted banter and the return of normalcy, felt a wave of gladness wash over him. The threat of tragedy had been averted, and life would resume its peaceful course for now. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the jests were the echoes of a family reunited. Eldmund couldn't remember the last time he felt such profound relief, and at that moment, he embraced the certainty that life would indeed go on peacefully for the Duke's family.

°°°°

The cosmic journey had left Alaric in a state of disorientation. The transitions from the cosmic landscape with the universe's consciousness to his return to the body were a blur, a dreamlike sequence that eluded his conscious memory. Awakening during the night, he found himself surrounded by his entire family in what he soon recognized as the duchy's infirmary. It dawned on him that collapsing had led to this collective concern for his well-being.

As the atmosphere in the room shifted from worry to relief, the shared embrace of the family gradually came to an end. Alaric, grateful for their presence, couldn't help but apologize, "I'm sorry for making you all worry."

The Duke, displaying his characteristic calm, dismissed the apology, assuring Alaric that all was well now. The siblings engaged in a bit of banter, lightening the mood after the tense moments that had unfolded. However, when the room settled into a quieter ambiance, Alaric felt the weight of the unspoken questions hanging in the air.

Curiosity prompted Alaric to inquire about the duration of his unconsciousness. Eldmund, with a sense of humor, informed him of the six days that had passed. Yet, the pressing questions about his condition remained, and Alaric, wanting to understand the gravity of the situation, asked about the doctor's assessment.

A heavy pause preceded the Duke's response, and with a sigh, he began to unravel the unsettling revelation, "You were proclaimed dead not too long ago, but that wasn't the case as you can see... they couldn't heal you or find out what had happened to you. Of course, now that you are up, we are glad, but we can't help worry that this might happen again."

Alaric, absorbing this information, began to theorize about the events that transpired. The absence of his soul from his body for such an extended period must have posed a significant challenge. He contemplated whether the universe's consciousness had intervened to prevent a premature burial, realizing the delicate balance between life and death. Alternatively, a more sinister thought crossed his mind – was the consciousness manipulating him, attempting to instill a sense of indebtedness?

The higher being's tactics, if manipulative, hinted at a moral disconnect from mortal standards. Machiavellian in its approach, Alaric pondered the motives behind the cosmic interventions that had unfolded. The universe, it seemed, operated on a plane beyond conventional moral frameworks, utilizing any means to achieve its mysterious ends.

Lost in contemplation, Alaric's daze was noticed by the Duke, who, sensing the need for rest, suggested that the doctor examine Alaric once he had rested. With a nod of agreement, the family left the room, leaving Alaric in solitude, grappling with the profound implications of his cosmic experiences. 

Shortly after his family members left, the doctors arrived, clad in their white coats and equipped with the weird-looking devices that passed for medical instruments in this world. They began the routine of prodding and poking, subjecting Alaric to a thorough examination. The medical assessment, however, yielded little beyond the affirmation of a steady recovery and a miraculous return to life. The enigma of his revival lingered, a puzzle to which the doctors could offer no tangible solution.

Alaric, for better or for worse, found himself back in the realm of the living, confronted with a plethora of overdue responsibilities. The encounter with the universe's consciousness had left him unsettled, but in its wake, many of the lingering questions that had haunted him were finally answered. The mystery surrounding his arrival in this world had found resolution.

In contemplative moments, he discovered that transmigration wasn't an uncommon phenomenon within the vast multiverse. Yet, it was far from a welcome occurrence. Alaric learned of the catastrophic consequences that could unfold when corrupted souls traversed between realms, wreaking havoc on unsuspecting worlds and their inhabitants.

As the doctors concluded their examination and left him in peace, Alaric, for the first time since waking up, found himself alone. The solitude offered a chance for introspection, a space to process the profound experiences he had undergone. It was in this moment of quiet that he consciously reached out for the connection to the universe.

Lo and behold, the ethereal connection was there, tangible and reassuring. Alaric delved into the cosmic link, and before his eyes was his information, he realized that much had changed. The universe, a cosmic entity indifferent to the passing of mortal time, displayed his updated status.

Name: Alaric Astraeus

Race: Human*

Age: 16

Titles: Worldwalker, Treacherous

Soul Core Rank: A

Elemental Affinities: Lightning, Aether

Abilities: [Shroud of Shadows]

Attributes: Cosmic Eyes, Mental Fortress, Lesser Ascended Physique, Abyssal Bane, Grand Soul

Heritage: [Sylvan Oath][Aetherblade Nyx][Atlas' Promise][Glacial Seraph]

Principality Origin: Celestial Anti-Reality

The revelations continued to unfold, painting a picture of a complex cosmic order that transcended the understanding of mortals. Alaric grappled with the weight of newfound knowledge, the multiverse's intricacies unravelling before him. The solitude in the infirmary offered a sanctuary for contemplation, a space where the boundaries between the mundane and the cosmic blurred.

As Alaric rested in the stillness of the room, he pondered the implications of his return.