Golden Age 36: ‘Opportunities Never End!! Chances Will Always Arise! With an Unwavering Will, Endless Paths Are Forever Carved!!’ (Part 1)

After what felt like an eternity of slumber, Poseidon's lashes fluttered, his eyelids twitching before slowly parting. The dim light of the room stung at first, his vision adjusting as the familiar scent of antiseptics and the steady hum of the ceiling fan gradually anchored him back to reality.

The memories of what had happened trickled in, piece by piece. He exhaled softly and attempted to move, only to freeze. A sharp realization struck him as he found his lower half numb. His pupils dilated in shock, his breath caught in his throat.

"Anyone…? H-Heli…" The name left his lips in a whisper, almost a plea, as he struggled to sit up.

"Easy there. You're awake," a familiar voice cut through his panic.

Poseidon's head snapped to the right, and his tense shoulders eased slightly at the sight of Sehan, who regarded him with a warm, reassuring smile.

"Don't panic. I'll help you sit up." Sehan reached forward, gripping his arms gently, guiding him upright. He placed a pillow behind Poseidon's back before adjusting the bed.

Poseidon followed his lead without resistance, his body slumping as the last traces of will drained from him. His eyes dulled, staring blankly ahead.

Sehan frowned. It had been a long time since he'd seen that look in Poseidon's eyes. The same vacant, lost expression he had when he first arrived here, before he had met Helios. "Poseidon," he called firmly, sitting in front of him.

Poseidon's gaze flickered toward him, but his lips remained parted, trembling.

"It's alright. This is temporary. Your legs will move again soon," Sehan assured, his voice steady yet gentle, "Don't start looking like that before you've even put up a fight."

Poseidon's breath hitched. "I-It was… my fault. I shouldn't have pushed myself too far…" His voice was unsteady, laced with fear.

Sehan sighed, running a hand through Poseidon's hair. "Stop it. Honestly, why do I have to keep hearing everyone blaming themselves?" he muttered in exasperation.

Poseidon blinked in confusion before following Sehan's gaze toward the couch. His breath hitched again.

There, curled up under a blanket, was Helios, fast asleep. A book lay beside his pillow, his face slack with exhaustion.

"Heli…" Poseidon murmured, his voice barely above a breath.

"That idiot has been blaming himself the whole time," Sehan muttered, rubbing his temples, "And now you, too? Please, give me a break."

Poseidon lowered his gaze, guilt flashing in his eyes. Then, as another realization hit, he turned back to Sehan, "How long was I out?"

Sehan hesitated before answering, his tone grave, "Four days."

Poseidon's eyes widened, "Four days…?"

"Yeah. Four days," Sehan confirmed, his voice firm, "And for two of them, you were fighting between life and death in the ICU."

A cold shiver crawled down Poseidon's spine. All this… just for a brief game? A brief moment of freedom? Poseidon lowered his head, his hair veiling the cracks in his expression. His clenched fists trembled as a storm of emotions crashed over him. Anger, sorrow, helplessness, and a pain so deep he couldn't put it into words. The turmoil simmered within him, overwhelming and unshakable. He had always fought. Silently. With a smile. Always looking ahead, always believing in something better.

But now? This was different. This felt like a cruel test of his very existence, an insult to his own pride and resilience. For how long would this last now? Days? Weeks? Months? He didn't know. He didn't want to know. 

And yet, in the depths of his uncertainty, a bitter truth surfaced. a reality he had long tried to ignore. A measured life. "Just until I'm eighteen… or at most, twenty," Poseidon murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible.

Sehan's eyes narrowed as he watched Poseidon's clenched fists. His voice was laced with concern, "Poseidon…"

Poseidon inhaled shakily, forcing a bitter smile onto his pale, pain-ridden face, "Can I sleep… please?" A temporary escape, that was all he wanted. Maybe that was all he could handle or maybe…

Sehan immediately moved to help him lie down.

As Poseidon rested his head against the pillow, his gaze drifted toward the window, where the sun had begun its descent. His sea-blue eyes grew distant, lost in thought. A rest that lasts forever… The idea lodged itself in his throat like a lump he couldn't swallow.

That wouldn't be too hard… right? But even as the thought crept in, something inside him resisted. Something there made it, unbearable. The life that had been built around him, the people who had entered his world despite the risks, parents, family, friends, home, care, dreams, hope… his brother. Could he just leave all of that behind?

Then, like a piercing light through the darkness, Helios' voice echoed in his mind, sharp, unwavering, yet filled with care. "You are the brother of someone who hates giving up! You are NOT allowed to give up! Not until your last breath!" Powerful enough to shatter every doubt within him. And that was more terrifying than anything else. 

He wanted to live. Always had. Before, he could simply evade it. Simply accept his fate. But now, it was never a choice but a command, a demand—from his creator, from himself. A truth that had only grown stronger after meeting him.

Poseidon's breath caught. His arm lifted, covering his eyes to shield what little remained of him. His other hand clutched his chest, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as if trying to hold himself together. Silent, repressed sobs wracked his body, trembling from the inside out, breaking him piece by piece.

Sehan, watching helplessly, reached out and gently placed his hand over Poseidon's, offering what little comfort he could. Whether it helped or not… he had no way of knowing. 

-----

The past few weeks of intense rehabilitation and constant check-ups had left Poseidon drained. Slowly, painfully, but surely, his legs had regained their movement. He could walk. Just for a while, just for a moment. But it was something. More than he had before. And that alone was reassuring.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Poseidon chuckled. A rare break from his almost punishing routine. With the phone pressed to his ear, he listened as Claude's dramatic voice rang through from the other end, "And he barely made it back! That was awful to see, Poseidon. Really awful!"

Poseidon's chuckles deepened, to the point where he had to wipe away the tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

"Tch, would you stop exaggerating all the drama that's occurred in the academy for the past two weeks and get to the point already? You're just rambling." Haadi's voice cut in as he grabbed the phone next.

With a small exhale, Poseidon switched to speaker mode, sparing his ear from the onslaught. His gaze drifted toward Helios, who stood by the window, absentmindedly flipping through a book, a knowing smile resting on his lips as he listened in. The morning sun cast a glow over his deep blue hair, giving it an ethereal shimmer, like a fragment of the cosmos scattered across the sky.

Poseidon shifted his attention back to the voices.

"Everyone's missing you, Poseidon. The Society feels so empty without you. No one has the motivation to prepare for the upcoming Inter-Academy Nationals," Haadi said. 

Poseidon smiled softly, "Don't lose heart. Give it your all. I'm cheering for you."

"You're too considerate, sweetheart. Just hearing your voice would bring everyone's motivation back," Lucifer chimed in, his tone teasing.

Poseidon giggled.

"By the way, the girls are coming to see you," Mirza informed him.

Poseidon blinked, slightly surprised.

Before he could respond, Claude's theatrical voice rang out again, "Girls?! Now girls too?! I am hurt!"

"Tch, quit making a scene and let me talk, Claude." Mirza ignored him and continued, "They told you to take care of yourself because they rely on you for academic help and, you left them hanging again, you know. Just wait till they show up, they might just storm the hospital with their questions."

Poseidon sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. 

"Wow, Vice-Captain, boys were one thing, now girls as well? I'm proud of you," Azazel's voice chimed in, his amusement clear.

"That's not the case…" Poseidon murmured, slightly flustered.

From his spot near the window, Helios raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "As for the boys…" Claude interjected again, snatching the phone back, much to everyone's exasperation, "We're planning a sleepover."

Poseidon exhaled already feeling weary, "Please don't."

Claude chuckled amused but suddenly inquired, "Oh, by the way, where's Helios? He bailed on us in the mess and went off on a break. All because of you."

Poseidon glanced over at Helios, who continued reading, still smiling. "Right here. Listening to everything." Poseidon stressed.

"So what?" Claude huffed, "I'm not scared of him. But honestly, this is what bugs me about those 'Star kids.' Helios went to the teacher, said a few pleading words— 'My brother is sick, I have to be there for him'—and that was it! She melted! Instantly! Like— 'Oh, dear, don't worry, I understand.' And, Bam! Just like that, a leave. Granted! But what about us?!"

Helios twitched an eyebrow while Poseidon burst into laughter, "Haha, he really did that?"

"So what? You should've seen him," Claude grumbled.

"Meet me at the pitch, Claude," Helios said, his tone carrying an annoyed smirk, "We'll settle this there."

Claude scoffed, "Oh~ you're on."

The tension crackled between them like fire.