Chapter 6: Awakening

When I opened my eyes, I saw the white ceiling again.

But something felt different.

I felt like I could see more than just the whiteness of the ceiling, could smell and feel more.

Memories of my last moments immediately came back.

The Ritual.

Apollina.

Flirting with her.

The forehead kiss.

And then awakening…

“Oh!”

I raised my body immediately.

I awakened, didn’t I?

I looked down at my hands.

My fingers felt longer and thinner.

And my stomach.

Gone.

All of the fat, every speck and shred of it gone!

Instead, I had a perfectly sculpted body that people would need years to achieve through ordinary training in a gym.

Lean muscles and defined abs, even better than the ones I had as Daniel.

“Quick way to get fit,” I smirked, slightly flexing my fingers. “Extreme weight program, just plunge into a miniature sun.”

And goddamn, it worked.

I stood up, sliding out of bed. My legs felt lighter and stronger.

I walked toward the full-length mirror in the corner.

I felt momentarily sluggish, with a lingering headache at the back of my head, but nothing as painful as being burned alive.

“Holy Apollina.”

When I stopped in front of the mirror, I gasped.

All that fat had been hiding a very handsome, princely face. A sharper jawline, high cheekbones and I had even gotten taller.

“Now I look like a king,” I said, stroking my chin as I admired my features.

My hand then fell to my chest and arms, where golden runes glowed faintly before slowly seeping back into my body.

I remembered Father had something like these on his arms.

“I really did it, didn’t I?”

I had never felt this satisfied in either of my lives, honestly.

I’d have to thank Apollina next time, during the next ritual. Hopefully not anytime soon.

Regardless…

I clenched my right fist, and instantly flames erupted and coiled around my arm in a fluid motion. They felt like an extension of my blood.

“I feel so strong…”

Yeah, that was edgy to say while standing half-naked in front of a mirror admiring my own power but it was true.

And I felt very good.

Not just physically, but mentally.

The constant buzz of anxiety that had filled Lumiel’s head was gone, replaced by clarity, fire, and confidence.

Thud!

The door swung open.

I turned my gaze and saw my mother and sister standing there, staring in shock.

“Lumiel!”

My mother rushed toward me first, pulling me immediately into a strong embrace.

I had always felt small whenever she hugged me and I kind of liked it but now she felt small instead, and so fragile…

I reached out my hand, but seeing her crying and trembling against me made me freeze for a moment.

“I am sorry, Mother, for worrying you,” I said finally, resting my hands on her back. “But I needed to do it.”

“It’s okay,” she sobbed, pulling back just enough to cup my face in her hands. She looked at me with teary eyes, scanning every inch of my new features.

“You are here. That is all that matters to me…” She chuckled softly. “Look at you, my boy. You resemble your father in his youth now.”

“Now I feel it, Mother,” I said, meeting her gaze. “What Father used to say about the Pride of the Sun, I understand it now.”

Ever since I awakened, I felt a strange yet strong responsibility for the entire kingdom and its Flame.

She nodded, smiling.

I was about to smile back when a sharp pain hit my knees.

“You idiot brother!”

It was Lenora.

She stood there glaring at me, her eyes red from crying too much.

“Lenora, is that how you welcome your king back?” I asked, wincing slightly.

“We thought you ended your life, you idiot!” she yelled. “We thought… we thought you went there to die, and now you come back acting like nothing happened!”

The anger in her voice was completely justified, and I knew it.

Seeing her cry made guilt twist inside me.

“I am sorry,” I said, stepping away from Mother and approaching her.

I reached out and patted her tear-streaked cheeks.

“I’m really sorry, little sister.”

Lenora looked up at me before crumbling and launching herself at me, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist and burying her face in my chest, sobbing even harder than Mother had.

“You became so tall,” she mumbled against me. “I miss your soft belly. It used to be a good pillow.”

I winced and gently pulled her back.

“No more fat Lumiel,” I said. “And no more crying Lumiel either from now on.”

“Is that so?” she sniffed, looking up with a grin. “But you fainted in front of everyone last time.”

“I fainted because the ceremony was too boring,” I said with a shrug. “I fell asleep. That’s all.”

“Hey!”

Mother reached out and twisted my ear immediately.

“Ow! That hurts, Mother!” I yelped.

I guess awakening and fire powers didn’t grant immunity to a mother’s scolding.

Lenora giggled at the sight.

“You honestly deserve worse.”

“You would dare beat your king?”

Lenora stuck out her tongue in response.

“Alright, you rest properly now, Lumiel,” Mother said, concerned. “You have been gone for a week, after all.”

“A whole damn week? Wait, I’m fine,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I was crowned king a week ago and haven’t appeared since. That needs to be addressed immediately, Mother. I assume those old men are already plotting to use Lenora and take the throne?”

Their silence was answer enough.

“Well, let them plot,” I smirked.

“You look scary now, big brother.”

“A king needs to instill fear in his subjects to rule properly,” I said.

“Wow, so kingly,” she rolled her eyes. “What are you planning to do then?”

“First, take a bath and I need new clothes. The old ones won’t fit anymore,” I said, patting my abs.

“I will bring your father’s clothes,” Mother said, as if she had been waiting for this. “They will fit you perfectly now.”

“Bring me Hyperion as well, Mother,” I said.

She froze, surprise and worry flashing across her face.

Hyperion wasn’t just a sword, it was a symbol, a relic not meant to be handled lightly.

Three years ago, I had fainted just by touching it.

It wasn’t a blade for a boy who fainted during ceremonies or so she must have thought.

“I will be fine, Mother. Don’t worry,” I reassured her. “I have awakened now. I can handle the weight.”

She stared at me, then nodded slowly. “I believe you can.” She smiled and left the room.

“Oh my,” Lenora giggled beside me. “Brother, you’re being so confident it almost scares me.”

“Well, as the man of the family, I need to be,” I said with a shrug as I headed toward the lavish bathroom connected to my bedroom. “Father trusted me, and I have no intention of disappointing him.”

“Big brother.”

Turning around, I saw Lenora rushing forward again, wrapping me in another tight hug.

“Thank you for coming back,” she said, her voice trembling against my chest.

“Hey,” I said gently, placing a finger under her chin and tilting her face up until she looked at me.

I smiled at her the way I used to when we were kids, only now with a little of the new me.

She had always protected me when I was weak and couldn’t fight back, even though she was the younger sibling I was supposed to protect.

Now, however, it was my turn.

“I would never leave you or Mother alone, Lenora. And I will never let anyone hurt you either,” I said seriously.

Her amber-gold eyes shimmered as she looked into mine. She sniffed and let out a breathless laugh.

Pulling back, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and walked out of the room.

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