Henri sat on the edge of the medbay cot, a thin blanket draped around his shoulders. The dim light above him cast long shadows across his face, emphasizing the deep weariness in his eyes. He glanced down at where the wound had been—charred flesh, torn muscle—and found nothing. Only smooth, healed skin. Not even a scar.
His fingers brushed the spot in disbelief.
The last thing he remembered was pain. Blinding pain. Then darkness.
And then—Alexander Stark's face hovering over him, bathed in blue light.
He hadn't been sure if he was dead or dreaming.
The door slid open with a soft hiss.
Alexander stepped out, and in his place, a rush of familiar faces entered. Fellow Cepans—grizzled, battle-worn, and wide-eyed with relief. Behind them came John—Four—his steps quick, heart written plainly across his face."Henri!"
He rushed to the cot, kneeling beside it in a heartbeat. Relief washed over his features like a tidal wave."You're alive… I thought—"
Henri didn't say a word. Instead, he reached out and smacked John lightly on the side of the head."That's for being an idiot."
John blinked, half-startled, half-grinning.
Henri's expression softened as his hand fell back to his lap. Pride bloomed in his tired eyes, the kind of pride only a father figure could have."Although what you did was idiotic… you've grown, John. In more ways than one."
John gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head."I wasn't about to let you die."
Henri nodded slowly, his voice lower now.
"And I wasn't about to let you throw your life away like that. We both got lucky."
A few other Cepans entered, lingering at the threshold. Their presence was respectful—waiting for permission to approach.
Henri glanced toward them, then back at John."Now go. Let me talk to the others. There's much I need to catch up on."
John hesitated only a moment before nodding."Alright… but I'll be right outside."
He stood, cast one last glance at Henri—alive, breathing, strong—and then stepped out, the doors hissing shut behind him.
Henri exhaled and turned to face his fellow warriors."Alright, tell me everything. From the beginning."
A much younger Hilde smiling at him.
Now, he glanced around the room at the familiar-yet-changed faces of fellow Cepans—Katrina, Sandor, and Dante—all far younger than he remembered them. Not just physically revived, but radiating with energy and confidence.
He rubbed his temple and muttered, trying to keep up with the deluge of information.
"You're telling me... the heir of Stark Industries hacked into the FBI database... discovered a deal between the Mogadorians and the U.S. government to hunt us down for alien tech… Then he hacked Mogadorian system to know the truth about the Mogs"
His voice slowed in disbelief. "...and this kid was smart enough to realize the Mogs were a threat, tracked you down, and helped you fight back?"
Hilde gave a slow, almost smug nod. "That's about right."
Henri turned to Katrina, Dante, and Sandor, eyes narrowed."And you three took out multiple Mogadorian bases—with his help?"
Sandor shrugged with a smirk."Technically he planned the hits. We just made them explode."
Dante, arms folded, added dryly. "Credit where it's due—he's been five steps ahead of us from day one."
Henri stared at them, blinking slowly, trying to fit all the shattered pieces of the old world into this new paradigm.
He gestured vaguely toward Hilde's youthful appearance. "Okay, and how exactly are you all so young again?"
Katrina stepped forward, her voice calm and respectful. "That would be Alexander. He built a medical-bed—based on advanced tech. It can reverse aging, repair cellular degradation, even revive a body… as long as the cerebral nervous system is intact."
She paused, watching Henri's expression shift from disbelief to sheer awe."He's built tech that surpasses anything we've ever seen. Not just from Lorien. Anywhere."
Henri leaned back slowly, stunned. He looked toward the hallway where Alexander had disappeared a few moments earlier.
Henri leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with the same sharpness that once made him one of the most respected Cepans. His voice was still hoarse, but edged with curiosity now."What's with his powers? I mean… I've seen him in action—he has multiple abilities. Not just strength or telekinesis. It's like…"
Hilde finished his thought, arms crossed.
"It's like he possesses Ximic… like Pittacus Lore."
Henri blinked in silent understanding, slowly nodding.
Hilde continued, gaze distant in thought.
"We don't know exactly how. He has Loric blood—we've confirmed that much—but we don't know where it comes from. My guess?"
She glanced at the others."He's a descendant of a previous Pittacus Lore title holder. Maybe the previous line."
Katrina chimed in, leaning against the wall.
"Or it could be a mutation of Ximic. Something born out of dormant genes, trauma… or exposure to something Lorien left behind."
Everyone exchanged looks. The silence was thick with the weight of that possibility.
Henri exhaled slowly, clearly stunned.
"If that's true… that's unprecedented. Pittacus Lore's abilities were never meant to pass naturally."
Dante gave a small grin. "Regardless of how, one thing's for sure—we've got a serious powerhouse on our side."
Sandor nodded, tapping a finger against his wrist console."Someone who can change the entire power dynamic. Especially now that the Mogs are dealing with internal fracturing and those shadow deals with Earth governments."
Henri finally smiled—faint but real—as he looked around the room. "Then we've got a real chance now. With him, with all of you… this might be the strongest lineup the Loric have ever assembled."
Katrina stepped beside him, her tone warm.
"It's no longer just about surviving, Henri. With Alexander… we might actually win."
Then he muttered, more to himself than anyone else:"This makes him a very important ally… maybe the most important we've ever had."
A beat of silence passed before Sandor quipped,"Told you you'd be impressed."
Henri's gaze lowered, shadows flickering behind his eyes. He clenched his jaw before muttering—more to himself, more bitterly than before."We lost Reynold and Rey. And now Number Five…"
He looked up, pain etched across his face."He's betrayed us. Joined the Mogadorians."
The room went silent. A somber weight hung in the air.
Hilde's face tensed. She looked away, lips pressed in a tight line.
Katrina let out a slow breath, folding her arms tighter across her chest.
Sandor's usual sarcasm faded, replaced with a bitter scowl. "He didn't just join them… he is now making plans and helping them slaughter us. His betrayal set us back years."
Dante added, voice low but steady. "He is ready kill his own people. Whatever he once was, he's gone now."
Henri's hand slowly closed into a fist on his knee."We raised them to be stronger than that… to stand for something."
Hilde met his eyes."We did. And most of them still do."
Everyone nodded slowly, grim expressions on their faces. The grief for the fallen—Reynold, Rey—and the betrayal of one of their own hung heavy.