The distant beeping of medical equipment echoed faintly through the slightly sterile air of the hospital room. Gentle rays of morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting their glow upon the sleeping face of a young man lying on the bed.
The man was quite tall. His withered frame, caused by severe muscle atrophy, almost filled the length of the hospital bed. His dark skin shone faintly in the light, and his low-cut afro hair pressed down on the pillow. His handsome face showed a serene expression as he lay motionless.
Suddenly, his fingers started to move, twitching faintly; his face also shifted to show an expression of slight discomfort. Then, after a short while, his eyes slowly opened, revealing his pitch-black irises that gradually began to shine with a striking silver glow.
He is none other than Zakquaza Nava. For almost three years, he had been nothing more than a breathing shell - a comatose body kept alive by machines.
"…Where… am I?" His voice was hoarse and weak. Each word felt like it scraped his throat.
His mind blurred, and he struggled to grasp the unfamiliar ceiling above him. It was plain white and lit by strange lights. His body also felt heavy and foreign to him.
Suddenly, a torrent of memories streamed into his mind like a river.
"I see, I remember now, I'm back in my world. This is The Blue Star World."
He remembered cars, skyscrapers, computers, anime, his family, and his glorious boxer and MMA fighting career. Then the accident - a flash of light, the screech of tires, the violent impact - and then complete darkness.
But another set of memories followed, vivid and impossible to ignore.
A world illuminated at night by two moons, the aroma of mana in the air, the world system, his renowned twin swords, Raven and Eboni, and battlefields strewn with monsters and magic. He remembered the kingdoms he created and his venerated title, "The Dual-Weilding Sword Saint "
As he sat there in silent ponder, the door to his room was opened with a creak, and a man and a woman walked in. They looked to be in their early forties, with sparse streaks of grey hair. Both were well-dressed in formal suits, looking composed and carrying a grace common among the powerful and affluent. Their smooth, dark skin carried faint traces of wrinkles around their eyes. He turned to investigate who had entered. And when he saw them, a pleasant smile blossomed on his face.
"Mother…Father," he said, "It's good to see that you're both doing well."
Immediately, the woman's hands flew to cover her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. His father clenched his jaw to hold back tears, and they rushed over to embrace him.
"Oh, thank god, you're finally awake, son," his mother cried as she hugged him tightly. His father too hugged him from the other side of the bed, his large hands engulfing both of them warmly. "Welcome back, my boy. Welcome back."
They were there for a good minute, just hugging him and crying nonstop.
Zakquaza didn't know for how long he had been gone, but he knew that it must have been quite long, and so he let them have their moment. Then he decided to bring them back to reality. " Ahem," Zakquaza cleared his throat to get their attention. Dad, don't you think the doctors should know that I finally woke up?"
Then it hit him: They were so caught up in the moment's emotion that they forgot something so important. "I'm on it," he said before quickly pulling out his phone and storming out of the room. I will call the doctor and inform the twins that Zakquaza is awake. I'll be back soon."
In no time, a team of nurses and doctors made their way into the room, and for hours, they checked vitals, shining lights into his eyes, and performing test after test. The hospital was in a frenzy. No one could explain it. A patient comatose for nearly three years didn't just wake up fully aware, speaking clearly, and with glowing silver eyes; and yet here he was.
Eventually, the doctors finished all the tests, and Zak's family could see him again. His parents were already seated by his bedside, talking with him, when the twins finally arrived. They looked quite exhausted but still happy to see him. The young man strode forward first. He had clear, tanned skin just like his sister behind him. He was about 6'5'' tall with an athletic physique. His black tracksuit clung to his muscles as he rushed over to the bed.
"Boss Zak?" he said, disbelief etched across his features. This was Reyquaza Alexander, Zakquaza's best friend and brother-in-law. He was always the level-headed one, but had an intimidating, quiet intensity. Since they were young, he had looked up to Zak and admired his ability. He had learned a lot from him growing up, affectionately calling him Boss Zak. His voice cracked as he spoke. "You're awake?"
Zakquaza smiled when he saw him as they performed their usual greeting: two backhand taps followed by two palm taps, then raising both of their hand up into the air at an angle to form an "X" before finishing it off with a dab and a bro hug. "Reyder, it's good to see you again, brother."
"Yeah, me too."
His wife, Giaquaza Nava, was still standing at the door, crying, and as Zak was released from her brother's hug, she did not wait any longer. She dropped her bag, tears streaming freely as she rushed to his side and stifled him in her embrace. His face nestled comfortably against her full chest. "You're finally awake. I thought I lost you. You have no idea how worried we were." Sniffle… Sob… sniff…
"I… I missed you so much."
A warmth surged through his heart. He used his fingers to prop up her chin until she looked directly into his eyes, then planted a short, passionate kiss on her lips. "I missed you, too," he said.
Everyone in the room smiled as they witnessed their reunion. Reyquaza's mind couldn't help but drift back to their childhood days. He remembered how three of them were inseparable, like the three Musketeers. Their parents worked for the Nava family. Their mother was the head maid, and their dad was Mr. Navas's right-hand man. They lived together in a small mansion close to the Nava Mansion on the Nava Estate. As a result, they got to see each other very often and grew up as close friends.
**********
A little over two decades ago, when Zakquaza's parents, Erza and Leoquaza Nava, were in their late 20s, they decided that it was time for them to start building a family before they got too old.
However, they were left devastated when they discovered that, due to Erza's infertility, it would be nearly impossible for them to have children of their own naturally. And by rejecting Assisted Reproductive Technology, their only shot at parenthood would be through adoption.
Yet, before they even sought out the relevant agencies to carry out the adoption, they encountered a couple with a set of beautiful twins—a boy and a girl—who were willing to let them adopt.
It all started at an airport terminal after a significant storm-caused flight delay. Erza and Leoquaza were returning to their home in Dragon Country after a business event overseas. Nearby, a young couple, Alfred and Azula Alexander, were soothing infant twins. The families initiated a casual conversation that turned surprisingly deep as the delay continued—speaking as if they had known each other for years.
The Alexanders revealed they were going to Dragon Country to seek a better life and to surrender the twins to an adoption agency because they simply could not provide for them. However, they were also second-guessing their decision as they couldn't bear the thought of strangers raising their children.
Erza and Leo also revealed their parental troubles and their intent to adopt children. They did not take long to agree on Rey and Nava adopting the twins. And in honor of their fateful encounter and their trust, Leo offered them jobs at the Nava estate so that they could be close to their children.
************
(Five months later)
By this time, Alfred and Azula were already fully settled into their new life in Dragon Country. They now had well-paying jobs at the Nava estate. Azula was a maid, and Alfred had become a chauffeur. They were also saving and paying off their debts; their lives were steadily coming together. Furthermore, the adoption process for the twins was also moving forward smoothly.
However, Erza began to feel unwell. A visit to the doctor brought impossible news. She was pregnant.
For a woman told that she never could be, it was a miracle—but also a moral dilemma. She and Leo were torn. Adopting the twins while expecting their own child suddenly felt wrong, even selfish. After all, the Alexander family was no longer entirely unable to care for their children, as their situation was improving.
After discussing the matter, it was settled amicably, as both sides could understand each other's feelings. The Alexander family was genuinely glad to hear they were expecting a baby. And they, too, were pleased to see that Alfred and Azula's lives were coming together. So the adoption was dissolved, and the trust between both families deepened.
By the time Zakquaza was born, the twins were already almost one and a half years old. Azula was also promoted to the position of head maid due to her exemplary work and because the former head maid was dismissed for stealing. As the head maid, she and her family also moved from their apartment in the city to live full-time on the Nava Estate, in what can only be described as a mini mansion, explicitly provided for the head maid and her family.
************
(Back to the hospital, present day)
Zak looked at them all, the family he hadn't seen in what felt like lifetimes, and something in him felt at peace.
"Don't worry. I'm here now and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. And I promise you that even though things might get a little crazy, I won't let anything bad happen to any of you."
Everyone was naturally glad to hear him say that, but they were puzzled by the meaning. Leoquaza was the first to question. "What do you mean by that last part? You sound weird."
"Yeah, and what's up with your eyes, son? Ever since you woke up, they changed from black to silver?" Erza questioned with concern.
"Don't worry about that? The doctors did all the tests, and he's perfectly fine. Did you forget the shock on their faces from his test results? They basically said that the boy is a living miracle because he should have been in a far worse state after such an extended coma." Leo said, reminding his wife not to be overly concerned.
"Yeah, its glow looks so ethereal, and I'm definitely a fan of the new look," Gia followed, her hands caressing his slightly sunken cheeks.
Zakquaza smiled mysteriously before answering, "Let's just say that this is a sign that I'm a brand new man."
"But as for the other question, about things getting a little crazy, he did not answer, but he knew why he said it, because he could feel it. In a world like Blue Star that is untouched by the system, he could detect the presence of mana. And that could only mean one thing. That sooner or later, this world would experience a change, and he had to make sure that his people were ready for it.