Chapter 203: Two Years Later

Adam’s eyes snapped open, the memory of the breakthrough still echoing through his body. The pressure was gone, but the strength remained, dense and controlled beneath his skin. A white ceiling stretched above him as cold air filled his lungs.

Something felt wrong.

He shifted slightly, and resistance pulled at his body. Tubes ran from his arms and chest into a humming device beside the bed, while another line was forced down his throat. His instincts kicked in immediately and Adam yanked the tube out.

A harsh cough tore through him as his body reacted, his chest tightening for a brief second. The weakness was there, but it felt distant, almost irrelevant compared to the surge of power still stabilizing inside him.

His breathing steadied quickly.

He glanced around, taking in the room with sharp, focused eyes. Clean walls, multiple beds, medical equipment, it was clearly a ward. The air smelled sterile, quiet except for the faint hum of machines.

Then his gaze shifted right.

Remedy lay on the next bed, her body still but not lifeless. The machines around her were quieter. Even so, Adam could feel it, her aura wasn’t fading. It was gathering, just like his had moments ago.

She was waking up.

Before he could move, the door slid open with a soft sound. A figure stepped inside, and Adam’s eyes narrowed slightly as recognition hit almost instantly.

Ivy.

But not the same Ivy he remembered.

Her pink hair was shorter now, cut neatly around her face, and she stood taller and more composed. A pair of thin, medicated glasses rested on her nose, giving her a sharper, more refined presence than before.

She looked older and more serious.

Then her eyes landed on him and she froze.

For a brief second, neither of them moved. Then her expression cracked, her lips parting slightly as emotion flooded her face. Her voice came out shaky, almost disbelieving.

“Oh… stars…”

Tears formed instantly.

“I’m sorry.”

The words came out fast, rushed, like she had been holding them back for too long. She stepped forward quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke again, her voice breaking under the weight of guilt.

“I didn’t know the wild essence would react like that. I didn’t know it would push you both so far, I didn’t—”

“Ivy.”

Adam’s voice cut through her spiral, calm but firm.

“It’s okay.”

The words were simple, but they carried weight. He sat up slightly despite the remaining weakness, his gaze steady on her. There was no anger there or blame there, only quiet acceptance.

Before Ivy could respond, another movement drew their attention.

Remedy stirred.

Her fingers twitched first, then her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light. Unlike Adam, she didn’t hesitate. With a quick motion, she pulled away the remaining tubes and sat up, her expression already sharp and aware.

She scanned the room in seconds.

Her gaze landed on Ivy, crying.

Then shifted to Adam who was currently awake.

Understanding clicked instantly.

Remedy swung her legs over the side of the bed, ignoring any lingering discomfort. Her posture straightened as she looked directly at Ivy, her tone calm but direct, cutting straight to the point.

“So…”

A brief pause.

“What happened while we were unconscious?”

****

Remedy’s question hung in the air, cutting through the lingering tension in the room. Ivy froze for a brief second, clearly thrown off by how composed Remedy sounded despite everything that had happened.

Adam leaned forward slightly at the edge of his bed. His eyes locked onto Ivy. He wanted answers too.

Ivy swallowed, her thoughts racing.

She’s calm… just like usual.

Her gaze flickered toward Remedy again, unease building in her chest. A quiet thought crept in, one she couldn’t shake. Would she still be this calm when she finds out everything?

Taking a slow breath, Ivy reached up and removed her glasses, wiping away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes. Her hands steadied slightly as she put them back on, forcing herself to speak clearly.

“We tried to resuscitate you both… right after Remedy jumped in to interrupt the wild essence flowing into Judgment.”

Her voice softened slightly as the memory surfaced, pulling her back.

****

Adam and Remedy lay motionless on separate beds, their bodies completely unresponsive. The same ward surrounded them, but the atmosphere felt heavier under the weight of uncertainty and fear.

Ivy stood beside them, running scan after scan, her expression growing tighter each time.

Behind her, Scott remained still, watching quietly, his eyes moving between the two unconscious figures. Beside him, Felicia stood with her arms folded, but her clenched fists betrayed the tension she was holding back.

And the moment the scan finished, felicia stepped forward immediately.

“So? Any changes?”

Ivy hesitated, then shook her head slowly.

“It’s still the same… I can’t tell what’s wrong.”

The words barely left her mouth before Felicia snapped.

Her fist slammed into the wall with a loud crack, fragments breaking off as the impact echoed through the room. The air tensed instantly, but even then, she held back just enough not to damage the surrounding equipment.

Frustration poured out of her in waves.

She turned sharply toward Ivy, eyes burning.

“What were you even doing? Your experiments are already dangerous, and now you’ve gone and endangered your own teammates?”

Ivy flinched slightly under the accusation.

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Intent doesn’t matter.”

Felicia cut her off coldly, her voice sharp and unforgiving.

“You still have to take responsibility for what you’ve done. For all we know, they might already be dead.”

The words hit hard.

Ivy felt her throat tighten, a lump forming as guilt settled deep in her chest. For a moment, she couldn’t even respond, her eyes dropping as the weight of it all pressed down on her.

Before things could spiral further, Scott stepped in.

“That’s enough.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried reasoning.

“Felicia, Ivy didn’t mean any harm.”

Felicia shot him a glare, her frustration still boiling beneath the surface. For a moment, it looked like she might argue, but she stopped herself, exhaling sharply as she forced the anger down.

Scott didn’t look away.

“What matters right now is finding a way to bring them back.”

Felicia turned away slightly, her jaw tightening as she gave a small, silent nod. Ivy remained where she stood, her expression dim, but a fragile determination began forming beneath the guilt.

They had a goal.

But none of them were prepared for what came next.

Days passed.

Then weeks.

Then months.

And no matter what they tried… Adam and Remedy never woke up.

A year turned into two.

And still nothing.

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