The light was blinding.
And Luca had to squint just to see.
At first, there was nothing but that bright white light, but slowly, as his eyes adjusted, he noticed how the light started receding.
Then condensing.
It drew inward, swirling until it formed something small and spherical, pulsing faintly in the dark.
"Huh?" Luca murmured, his voice faint as he stared at it.
___
Meanwhile, back in the medical bay, the air in the room had grown unbearably heavy.
Xavier pressed forward, his steps measured as he pushed through the oppressive force of Luca's wild spiritual energy.
But as the concerned lover pushed on, against the far wall, Duke Leander and Duchess Amelia stood side by side, their own barrier barely holding as they watched Xavier wade closer to their son.
The Duke scowled, his chest tight with worry and his fists clenched at his sides.
Every nerve in his body screamed at him to rush in, to pull his son into his arms and shield him from what clearly pains him.
