Chapter 44: "The return of the ruler"

  The tension in the hospital was suffocating. The corridors were full of people of all races and planets, all with their eyes fixed in one direction: the door of John's room.

  Inside the room, a nurse approached trembling to check Juan's vital signs. But what she saw left her paralyzed.

  Juan's body... emanated a blinding light.

  — "Doctor! Doctor!" he shouted in despair.

  The doctor came running, followed by several nurses. Just as they approached the bed...

  BOOM

  A violent explosion shook the hospital. The rumble was so powerful that the shock wave echoed throughout the building. People fell to the ground, the windows trembled and for a moment... silence reigned.

  Slowly, the smoke began to disperse. In the middle of the dark mist, a figure was revealed little by little.

  Juan was standing.

  At first, the crowd felt relieved... but something was not right.

  Juan's hair was completely white.

  His eyes were black with an intense red glow.

  His iconic black trench coat had changed... now it was white with black flashes that seemed to burn like flames.

  A monstrous aura surrounded him.

  Fear took hold of everyone.

  - "W-what... what is that...?" whispered a nurse.

  Juan turned his head slowly, his look serious and cold. His eyes, empty as the abyss, ran over to each of those present. Without saying anything, he raised his hand.

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  "No... no..." - murmured Lightning, with a pale face.

  The tension was unbearable. Everyone believed that Juan had changed, that now he had become the monster they feared so much.

  And then...

  Juan sketched a slight smile and said:

  - "Did they miss me or what?"

  The group was shocked.

  - "W-what...?" - Scarlett stambled.

  "It can't be!" Charlotte exclaimed.

  Suddenly, Lightning ran to Juan and hugged him with all his strength.

  — "Idiot! I thought you were dead!"

  One after another, Elizabeth, Scarlett, Charlotte, and the others surrounded him, crying and laughing with relief.

  - "We thought we had lost you..." - Scarlett whispered.

  Juan looked at them, with a warm smile.

  - "I'm sorry... but it seems that I'm tougher than we thought."

  ?

  The reunion with Valterion

  After calming down the situation, Juan asked:

  — "And Val? Where is it?"

  The faces of his friends changed. Lightning was the first to speak:

  - "He left... he didn't want anyone to stop him."

  Juan nodded, but his gaze became serious.

  — “I'll be right back.”

  ?

  Valterion walked alone on a desolate path, his armor worn and his spirit broken. He blamed himself again and again for having failed.

  - "I could have done more..." - he whispered to himself.

  Suddenly, a gust of wind passed by him... and then Juan appeared in front of him.

  "And where do you think you're going?" Juan said in a serious tone.

  Valterion stopped, not daring to look him in the eyes.

  - "I don't deserve to be by your side, my lord..." -he whispered- "I abandoned them... I let them die..."

  Juan advanced and stood in front of him.

  - "Do you really think you're so weak?" - his tone was firm, but not annoying - "After everything you've done for me?"

  Valterion clenched his fists.

  - "I promised to protect them... I promised to protect you..."

  Then, Valterion knelt down.

  - "Please... let me pay for my mistake."

  Juan, surprised, stepped forward and put his hand on his shoulder.

  - "I don't need you to kneel..." - Juan said - "I need you to be with me, as always... because you are not only my gentleman..."

  Juan's voice broke slightly.

  — “You are my brother.”

  Valterion raised his head, his eyes shining from the tears he was trying to hold back.

  - "Then... let me pay for my mistake. I will train twice as much... triple if necessary. But I won't fail again."

  Juan smiled.

  — “That's the Valterion I know.”

  For the first time, Valterion broke his iron gentleman's posture and hugged Juan. It was a sincere, strong hug... the hug of a brother who had regained hope.

  ?

  The return to the team

  Back at the mansion, the group celebrated with joy the return of Juan and Valterion.

  - "Hey..." - said Valterion, observing Juan's new appearance - "What happened to you? Do you think you're a model now?"

  - "Nah..." - Juan laughed, adjusting his white trench coat - "I just thought it was time to look as cool as I feel."

  Everyone burst into laughter, and calm finally returned.

  But something was clear...

  The supreme ruler had returned.

  End of chapter.