Richard's eyes fluttered open. Instantly, he was assaulted by an overwhelming cacophony of voices and sensations. A thousand whispers, a thousand echoes, a storm of thoughts, emotions, and raw data crashed into him all at once.
The sheer volume was deafening, a crushing wave of information that threatened to drown him. He tried to move, but his limbs felt strange, heavy and light at the same time, his mouth clumsy, unable to form words amidst the internal deluge.
"Richard! You're awake! Lina! He's awake!" Jack's voice, strained with emotion, cut through the internal clamor, though it felt distant, muted.
Jack, who had been watching him, gasped, seeing Richard's new, ethereal silver eyes open. He rushed forward, his face etched with a mixture of shock and profound relief.
"How are you feeling? What happened to you?"