Point-of-View: Argent Stryker

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"Okay, here we are. It’ll probably take about five minutes or so to get to the town from here, so-...," Began Prysm as she teleported us to a spot a couple hundred meters on the outskirts of the town where dad was in, before I immediately began sprinting towards town at full speed, unable to contain myself.

Right after Phyurio called to inform me that dad had regained consciousness, I immediately asked Prysm to teleport me here, to Cusch Town...that was about ten seconds ago.

I couldn’t stop running, my impatience rising with every passing second as I raced towards the town entrance as fast as I possibly could.

It took a couple of minutes to reach the entrance into the town, but it felt like hours, as I shot into town and made my way towards the hospital without slowing down in the slightest.

Some of the people I ran past turned to stare at me, but I ignored them, barely even really noticing them...the only thing that was on my mind was seeing my father again.

I put on a burst of speed as the hospital came into sight, pushing the doors open as I closed in on it and bursting into the building.

"Woah, what the...? Uh, are you okay?" Inquired a bewildered looking nurse, as my gaze darted about while I tried to catch my breath.

"Y-yeah, I...I’m here to see someone, my father, he’s been in this hospital for-...," I began while panting, completely out of breath.

"Oh, there you are, Argent. You sure got here fast, huh? Wasn’t expecting you to arrive so soon," Came Phyurio’s voice.

I turned my gaze towards and swiftly approached him without missing a beat, grabbing his shoulders as I met his gaze...

"Where is he? Is he okay? Is he-...?"

"Hey, slow down there, kid. Take a breath and relax for a second, alright? He’s perfectly fine, just a little weak is all. Follow me, I’ll take you right to him," He remarked with a smile, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

I then followed after him as he led the way down into the hospital’s basement, heading for one of the doors in the corridor at the bottom of the stairs.

I found myself holding my breath as he began to open the door, a storm of emotions swirling around inside me as I felt a slight lump in my throat, stepping into the room as Phyurio opened the door.

"D-dad?" I uttered as my gaze fell onto him, seated up on the bed while leaning against the headrest, my voice cracking as my lower lip quivered slightly, my vision blurring as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Hey, Argent...it’s been a while, hasn’t it, son? You’ve grown up so m-...woah!" He began with a smile, before trailing off as I ran towards him and leapt onto the bed, hugging him tightly as the tears streamed down my face.

"I-I...I’m so glad! You’re finally awake!" I wailed uncontrollably, loud sobs escaping my lips as he patted my back with a slight chuckle.

"Take it easy, kid, he literally just woke up, you don’t want to break something, do you?" Chimed in Phyurio wryly.

"S-sorry, dad...I couldn’t help myself," I remarked with a sniffle as I pulled away, before he placed his hand on my head and ruffled my hair.

"It’s good to see you again, Argent...you’ve gotten so tall. And you’ve got facial hair...I don’t even know how long it’s been. How old are you now?" Inquired dad with a smile.

"I’ll be twenty-six in a couple of months," I replied, as I wiped away the tears running down my face.

"I...I see. That means...it’s been nearly ten years since that day...," He trailed off quietly.

He’s right, so much time has passed since that day, and so much has changed.

"Yeah...it still feels like it was only yesterday. I got back to our village to see everyone slaughtered or missing, that feeling of despair and helplessness I felt back then is still burned into my memory," I nodded somberly.

"I’m...I’m scared to ask, but...what about Larrk? Is he...?" He responded with a look of dread on his face.

"Oh, he’s fine. Well, he kinda went missing and I haven’t seen him in about a month or so, but he’s gotten so strong lately, so I’m sure he’s okay," I informed him with a smile.

"I-I see...thank goodness. I was afraid that the worst might have happened...wait, how did I get here? The last time I remember is...being in the dungeon," He recalled with a frown.

I’m not surprised he doesn’t remember, he was in such a terrible state when I saved him...

"I got you out of there, dad. You were barely conscious when I broke you out of that place, so it makes sense that you don’t remember," I explained.

"You did? You were able to get past all the Knights and guards and then get me out safely on top of that?" He responded in surprise.

"Well, it wasn’t just me...my, um, my girlfriend helped me."

"Oh, I see-...wait, when did you get a girlfriend?"

"It’s been a few years now. Actually, I broke you out of the capital a little over four years ago now."

"Huh? You mean I’ve been asleep for that long?" He replied with a wide-eyed look on his face.

"I guess I should explain everything that’s been going on over the last ten years, huh? A whole lot has happened, so buckle in, dad," I grinned, before I began explaining everything that had happened since that day almost ten years ago...

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