_Midnight_

_Heartland Central Hospital_

Marlon could be seen lying on the bed, deep asleep.

Ashton and Lyra were on either side of him.

Ashton was dressed in casual gray-on-black attire, completed with his pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He was reading a book about rift exploration to while away the time.

On the other side of the bed sat Lyra. Her head rested against the cupboard as she dozed off, exhaustion clear on her face after spending so many hours in the hospital.

Both of them had stayed the longest with Marlon among the others who had come to visit. Logan had also spent a bit more time with them, but he had been busy lately with his reevaluation at the headquarters of the Hunter Association due to his sudden reawakening.

The room was serene and peaceful. Only the small mechanical beeps of the machines and the sound of Marlon breathing calmly could be heard.

COUGH.

With a small cough, Marlon jolted awake.

Ashton dropped the book he was reading and stood up quickly.

Even though groggy and tired, Lyra lifted her head to check on him.

Marlon's eyes fluttered open gradually, greeted first by the neat white ceiling and then by the worried face of Ashton.

"Marlon... you're awake," Ashton said with a smile, clearly relieved.

"You stayed..." Marlon returned the smile, though his was weak.

His mind quickly recalled the event at the competition, and seeing Ashton's smiling face, he could already deduce that everything was most likely over. But he was still curious about how it had all taken place.

Nonetheless, before he could ask, he felt a soft hand touch his shoulder, and before he could turn to the owner of the hand, a familiar voice reached his ear:

"You finally woke up."

Lyra.

He turned to look at her.

She was wearing a gentle and tired smile, unlike her usual dismissive and cold expression.

'She stayed as well?'

Marlon turned toward Ashton.

As if understanding his thoughts, Ashton nodded, and Marlon returned his focus to Lyra.

He was speechless for the moment. Even though he had been teasing and wooing her for some time now, he never expected her to actually care this much to stay.

"I will go and inform the staffs..."

Lyra was also speechless herself.

Ever since she had regained consciousness in the morning, she had stayed by his side. Even when her family requested her return home, even sending Selena, she had refused all invitations, choosing instead to remain with him.

She couldn't explain why she'd stayed, yet she couldn't bring herself to leave either. In the quiet hours, she found herself watching his face, searching for an answer to emotions she barely understood.

Most times, she even questioned herself, wondering if she had actually developed feelings.

Even her words, "You finally woke up," were something she had rehearsed for a long time. And now that she had exhausted her lines, she decided to make an excuse to leave.

Marlon and Ashton watched her until she walked out of the door.

Ashton waited a few more seconds for her to reach a long distance before speaking.

"You won't believe this, Marlon — she never left your side."

Marlon turned to Ashton, who already had that teasing grin on his face. He knew at once that Ashton was about to get noisy, but he needed all the distraction he could get at the moment, as he felt lost in the entire development.

"She was here before I even got in. I didn't know what to say to her at first — just sat there awkwardly for hours. But when I finally asked why she was still here, she said it's because you're teammates." He smirked. "Honestly, though, you should've seen her. The way she looked at you? There's no way that's just about being teammates."

Ashton gave a low chuckle, clearly entertained by his own suspicion.

Marlon processed what was said and was surprised himself. Her change and care were something he wasn't expecting, not this early — maybe a few weeks or so.

What happened to change her so quickly? he wondered.

But he didn't dwell on that thought.

His curiosity about what transpired with the Lunaris was still his priority at this moment.

Unfortunately, he did not have enough time to inquire about the events at the coliseum before a team comprising nurses, a doctor, and two healers entered the ward. It seemed Lyra had left, as she did not accompany them.

"Our favorite young hero... nice to see you healthy again."

"How are you feeling, Mr. Marlon?"

"Lady Crimson would be very glad to learn you're awake."

The team immediately crowded around Marlon, bombarding him with a series of questions and compliments as they began his checkup.

====

Strolling down the passageway of the massive hospital was a white-haired young lady dressed in a fluffy white hoodie over black pants.

Her eyes shifted restlessly, torn between relief, confusion, and something softer she couldn't name.

Luckily, as it was midnight, the hospital was pretty empty, and no one saw her the way she was.

Lyra heaved a long sigh.

"It is good that he is awake..." she muttered to herself.

"But now I have to return to that cursed mansion..."

One of the reasons she had remained with Marlon was to avoid returning home to her dismissive parents and pompous older sister.

She preferred the presence of Marlon, who displayed genuine interest in her, to her family, who mocked or criticized her for every breath she took.

She wanted to change all that.

Very soon, she would prove her parents wrong.

She would grow stronger, evolve her talent, outshine Selena, and silence the criticism of her parents.

She clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth as she swore to herself.

There was only one person who could assist her with her dream.

Marlon.

But at the moment, she still hadn't figured out how to act around him.

Outside, her ride waited under the pale hospital lights. She took one last look at the glowing windows above before slipping into the car, letting it carry her home.

===

A few minutes later, Marlon's condition was confirmed, and he was allowed to leave the hospital.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.