A soft hum filled the futuristic recovery ward. Sunlight poured through a glass ceiling, reflecting off polished metal walls and humming monitors. Lacolone lay bandaged, tubes and IVs tracing across his battered arms. Every breath sounded like broken glass.
He groaned faintly.
"Ugh… my body feels like… sandpaper…"
Maya sat beside him, eyes red but smiling, gently offering a warm bottle of water to his lips. Jessica leaned against the far wall, arms folded, casual and confident — a lioness watching her cub awaken.
After the brutal battle, healing became its own battlefield.
Lacolone's gaze drifted sideways. On a tray beside him sat a small box wrapped in gold foil — labeled "Champion's Prize." Next to it, a neatly arranged plate of food: a sandwich, sliced fruit, and an energy drink with a tiny flag that read "Congrats, Hero."
He blinked weakly.
"Wait… I won?"
Maya giggled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Technically… Jessica beat you."
Lacolone frowned.
"Then… how is this mine?"
Maya leaned forward, her voice tender but proud.
"After you fell against Valgor, Jessica could've claimed victory… but she didn't. She saw your determination — the kind that doesn't break even when everything else does. She gave up the title."
Lacolone blinked.
"She what?"
"She said the prize belonged to the one who never stopped fighting."
Victory isn't always strength — sometimes it's endurance that crowns a champion.
Lacolone tried to sit up, ignoring the pain.
"YES! I WON!"
The IV stand nearly toppled. Maya burst into laughter.
"Careful, champ… you'll need another round of surgery before you even eat."
A deep voice cut in from across the room. Valgor — bruised, bandaged, smirking.
"Congrats, hero. Don't choke on that sandwich."
Lacolone glared at him while clutching the food protectively. Maya giggled harder, trying not to drop her cup.
The golden wrapper crinkled open, revealing a small trophy, a medal, and the glorious, steaming sandwich.
"They really thought of everything…" Lacolone muttered.
Maya tapped the trophy playfully.
"Glory and calories — now that's balance."
Valgor grunted.
"Barely alive and still celebrating. Idiot's luck."
Lacolone took a small bite, trembling hands steadying the bread. Maya's voice softened.
"You showed more heart than anyone on that field."
He smiled weakly, eyes closing.
"Funny… I almost died, but this taste makes it worth it."
Sometimes, the smallest victories are the sweetest.
Valgor snatched a piece of the sandwich without warning.
"Thanks."
Lacolone flailed.
"HEY! That's mine!"
Maya laughed, covering her mouth.
"Sharing is caring, idiot."
Valgor chewed smugly.
"Then I'm just showing… appreciation."
Lacolone glared, holding what remained like a sacred relic.
"I fought a thunder beast and survived. You think I'll lose this battle?"
Valgor shrugged.
"Food's part of survival training."
Maya flicked Valgor's nose, laughing. Lacolone muttered,
"Worth it… survived, and I get food."
Valgor's smirk said everything — respect hidden behind sarcasm.
Maya adjusted his blanket gently.
"You pushed too hard. Rest now."
"Can't," Lacolone muttered. "I need to be ready for the next fight."
She smiled, placing her hand over his.
"You've earned this rest. Don't ruin the legend by being stupid."
A faint blush touched his bruised face. Even quiet kindness can heal deeper than medicine.
Jessica's tone broke the calm.
"You survived the impossible. That counts."
Lacolone raised a brow.
"Compliment or threat?"
Maya leaned on Jessica's shoulder, laughing. Jessica smirked.
"Both."
The room had devolved into chaos — IV lines tangled, wrappers everywhere. Lacolone offered the sandwich toward Maya.
"You want some?"
She shook her head.
"You earned it."
Valgor tried sneaking another bite — caught instantly. Jessica sighed, shaking her head.
"Idiots. Every one of you."
Holographic screens replayed fragments of the battle. Lacolone stared silently.
I almost died… for what?
Maya's voice broke the thought.
"For heart. Not for victory."
He nodded slowly. Strength without purpose is nothing.
Valgor sneezed—loudly. The impact knocked the trophy and sandwich tray off the table.
"You had ONE job!" Lacolone yelled.
Maya laughed hysterically, diving to save the food. Valgor shrugged.
"Chaos is part of my charm."
Lacolone caught the sandwich mid-air like a soldier saving his flag.
"Not. The. Food."
He lifted it high.
"To survival… and pure stubbornness!"
Maya grinned.
"To heart."
Valgor smirked.
"To chaos."
Laughter filled the room. Even pain fades when laughter returns.
Lacolone looked at his companions — warriors turned friends.
"I wouldn't have made it without you all."
Maya smiled softly.
"That's why you're our champion."
Jessica crossed her arms.
"Let's see if you live through the next one, too."
He chuckled, weak but determined. Bandaged, broken, unbowed.
Valgor reached again. Lacolone lunged, intercepting mid-air.
"Touch it, and I'll throw you out the window."
Maya fell over laughing. Jessica smirked. Even monsters crave simple joys.
Outside, city lights shimmered beyond the glass.
"Chaos, battles…" Maya said softly. "It's all training for what's next."
"Then I'd better heal fast," Lacolone replied.
Valgor snorted.
"I'll be waiting."
Lacolone's eyes burned again — not with pain, but resolve. Every victory has a price… and every survivor must rise again.
Silhouettes stood against the neon skyline — Lacolone, Maya, Jessica, and Valgor.
"I'll fight again," Lacolone whispered, smiling faintly, "but first… this sandwich."
Maya laughed, leaning on his shoulder. Jessica crossed her arms, amused.
Bonds forged in chaos, laughter, and heart — the Revolution marches on.
TO BE CONTINUED — "Rise of the Broken Legend."