Chapter 30

Alfred's Perspective

I am Alfred Xavier, a renowned hero of the past—or at least, I once was. I had fought countless monsters to defend Earth, risking life and limb to protect those I loved. But there was one encounter that changed everything.

A monster made of black mist, its form shifting like the embodiment of nightmares, emerged. It was unlike anything I had ever faced—its power rivaled my own, pushing me to my absolute limits. The battle was catastrophic. Entire cities were vaporized in its wake, and still, the creature's wrath raged on.

Left with no choice, I performed a desperate act. I sealed the creature within my own body. The pain was unimaginable—my flesh burned, my soul screamed—but I endured it. For humanity. For my loved ones.

The price I paid was steep. I lost my powers, the very thing that defined me as a hero. What followed was an endless torment, a pain that never ceased, as though the creature was clawing at my very being, trying to escape. But I never told anyone. It was a burden I chose to bear alone; my suffering was mine, and I wouldn't let it taint the happiness of those I cherished.

But today, something was different.

I woke up, and the pain was gone. Completely. My body felt light, my strength restored, as if I had been transported back to my prime. I flexed my fingers, disbelief coursing through me. What was happening?

But my relief was short-lived.

I turned to see my daughter, Aleena, lying unconscious near my bed. My heart dropped.

"Aleena?" I shouted, leaping from the bed to scoop her into my arms. "Are you okay? How did you get here? What happened?"

Her body was limp, her small frame burning with an intense fever. Panic gripped me.

"Leena!" I called, my voice trembling.

My wife rushed into the room, her face pale with worry. "What's wrong?!"

"It's Aleena," I choked out, my voice breaking as I held our daughter tightly.

Leena hurried to our side, her hands trembling as she touched Aleena's forehead. Her eyes widened in terror. "She's burning up!"

Without another word, we rushed to the car. Leena cradled Aleena in her arms, whispering soothing words, while I drove like a madman, my desperation mounting with each passing second.

The hospital was too far. My mind raced, searching for a solution.

If only I had my powers…

Instinctively, I raised my hand, trying to summon the magic that had long since abandoned me. It was a foolish thought—a desperate wish. And yet…

A ball of light formed in my palm.

I froze, my breath catching. This couldn't be real.

"Alfred, what's happening? Did we arrive?" Leena asked, her voice shaky.

"No," I said, my voice firm. "We won't make it in time like this."

Without hesitation, I stepped out of the car, scooping both Leena and Aleena into my arms. Leena gasped as I leapt into the air, moving with a speed and strength I hadn't felt in years.

We reached the hospital in less than a minute.

Leena was too stunned to speak, but I didn't have time to explain. My only focus was Aleena.

We burst into the emergency room, shouting for help. Doctors and nurses rushed to us, and I reluctantly handed over my precious daughter.

As they worked to save her, I stood there, my fists clenched and my mind racing. My powers had returned—but why? And more importantly, what had happened to Aleena?

---

Aleena's Perspective

Darkness.

I floated in an endless void, my thoughts swirling around me.

Killing a creature inside someone else consumes a lot of mana, I mused. One has to be cautious not to damage the other soul. But still…

I frowned. Even as a goddess, with mana reserves that could last for days, I had been completely drained. Fixing an ordinary being with magic like Zoth shouldn't have taken so much.

Just who exactly is Papa?

The question lingered in my mind, but my thoughts shifted.

I won't die. But my external condition will make it look like I did. My heart ached at the thought of what my parents must be feeling right now. I didn't want to scare them, but here I am, making them experience this. What kind of useless child am I?

I mocked myself, but anxiety soon crept in.

If I die externally and come back to life, will Mama and Papa think I'm a monster? Will they leave me?

Tears welled up in my mind as fear gripped me. I don't want to lose them. Not again.

But then, something changed.

A light pierced through the darkness, warm and inviting. I reached for it, desperate to escape the void.

---

I woke up with a gasp, my lungs burning as air rushed in. The darkness was gone, replaced by the sterile white of a hospital room.

A mask covered my face, pumping air into my lungs, and a steady beeping filled the silence.

The nurse noticed my eyes fluttering open. "Doctor!" she called out. "The patient is awake!"

Moments later, the door burst open, and my parents rushed in.

Papa's presence hit me immediately—it was overwhelming, like standing before a divine being. I smiled weakly. It all makes sense now.

Papa knelt beside me, his eyes filled with relief and something else… pride? He kissed my forehead, his touch warm and comforting.

"My father," I whispered, my voice hoarse but steady. "Papa… is a god too."