The door opened with a soft hiss, and Alex stepped into the room, the sterile scent of medical-grade mana mist hitting his nose.
The world stilled.
There, lying on the hospital bed under layers of softly glowing mana sheets, was Liliana—Lily, his sister.
She looked up at him, eyes gleaming faintly like twin emerald stars even in her weakened state. A small, almost mischievous smile curved her lips.
And in that moment, Alex remembered.
the other Alex's memories . No now these are his memories He reminded himself.
He stood frozen, watching her chest rise and fall gently, her silver hair like moonlight across the pillow.
A pang of emotion rippled through his chest.
He clutched the doorknob, knuckles white. Flashes of laughter from childhood, chasing fireflies in the alley behind their home, Lily's voice calling him 'stupid big brother'—it all surged forward.
He closed his eyes.
"No," he whispered to himself, barely audible. "These are my memories now. All of them."
He took a step forward.
Lily.
Just like him, she had inherited their mother's striking silver hair and their father's sapphire-green eyes.
Well he got his blue eyes from his mother hurray for genetics.
Even sickly and pale, she possessed a kind of beauty that made your heart ache—fragile like a porcelain doll, yet glowing with warmth.
Her cheeks had lost their usual rosy hue, her body thinner than he remembered. But those eyes—those eyes still sparkled.
"...Big bro," she said weakly, voice soft like the wind rustling through silver leaves. "You're late. Were you off saving the world or just getting lost again?"
Alex chuckled despite the lump in his throat. "Definitely saving the world. You know me—always busy doing heroic things."
She gave him a knowing look.
"Uh huh," she drawled, raising a frail eyebrow. "You look like you haven't slept in a week. You really expect me to believe that?"
"I was totally fighting dragons," he said, trying to grin, pulling a chair close to her bed. "And negotiating peace treaties with elves. And arguing with vending machines."
Lily snorted softly, which turned into a small coughing fit. Alex's hand immediately reached for the mana stabilizer by her side.
She waved him off. "I'm okay, dummy. Not made of glass."
He sat beside her and gently took her hand in his. She was cold.
Too cold.
His smile faded slightly.
"Don't worry, Lily," he said, brushing a lock of silver hair from her forehead. "I promise... nothing will happen to you. Even if I have to turn the entire world upside down."
Her smile softened. "You're still terrible at lying."
Alex blinked. "Excuse me? That was one of my best lines. Very dramatic. e on, give me some credit."
She giggled, but then her expression turned curious. Her brows knit together slightly. "Something changed while I was sleeping, didn't it?"
Alex tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Your eyes. They used to look... tired. Sad. But now... they look different. There's fire in them again. Hope."
He looked away.
"I'm just... finally doing something right. That's all."
She didn't press. She just gently squeezed his hand.
"I've been worried about you, you know," she murmured. "I should be the one lying sick in bed, but I was still worried about my scatterbrained brother. Who else is going to remind you not to skip meals and wear matching socks?"
Alex laughed. "Wow, thanks. You're really channeling Mom today. Should I start calling you Liliana the Wise?"
"I prefer Supreme mander Liliana. Has a nice ring to it."
He leaned forward and ruffled her hair gently. "Duly noted, mander."
They shared a brief silence, basking in the fort of sibling warmth.
Then, Alex leaned back with a smug smirk. "By the way... your big bro got an invitation."
"Invitation?" she tilted her head, intrigued.
"To Zenith Academy."
Her eyes widened. "No way! You?! That's amazing!"
"I know, right? I'm basically a genius now."
She giggled. "I always knew you were smart... under all that stubbornness and dirt."
Then her smile faded a little. "But be careful, okay? That place is filled with noble brats. Try not to punch one on the first day. Or the second."
He nodded solemnly. "So third day's fine? Got it."
She rolled her eyes. "Idiot."
"Love you too, Lily."
They sat in silence again.
Lily looked up at him with her tired eyes. "I'm proud of you."
Alex's chest tightened.
She said it so sincerely. So gently.
He wanted to tell her everything—the ruins, the trials, the pain. But he couldn't. She'd only worry. She'd cry.
So he just squeezed her hand back.
"Everything's going to get better. I promise."
She smiled again, and her eyelids fluttered.
"I know. Because my brother said so."
Eventually, her breathing softened, and she began to drift into rest.
Alex stood, brushing her forehead gently one last time.
He turned toward the door.
His hands trembled slightly.
He stepped outside and let the door slide shut behind him.
Then he clenched his fists.
His body trembled.
His eyes burned.
Even if I have to walk through the Abyss myself... I will save her.
The soft beeping of medical machines faded behind him as he walked down the corridor.
The path ahead was dark and full of unknowns.
But Alex had made a promise.
And this time...
He would keep it.
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