Waking Up

They all rushed inside the room,  Aria was so anxious and scared to see Lyrien's condition. But as they entered the room, they were met with a surprise. Lyrien was sitting up, his eyes were opened and very alertive. He looked around, taking in the worried faces surrounding him.

Aria was the first to react, she rushed to his side and flinging her arms around him. "Lyrien!" she exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face. "You're awake! You're okay!"

Lyrien smiled were weak, his eyes were crinkling at the corners. "Aria, stop crying," he said, his voice been hoarse from disuse. "I'm fine. I'm alive."

Aria couldn't stop, though. She held him so tightly, with her body shaking with sobs. She had been so scared, so convinced that she would lose him. But now, here he was, alive and whole.

Arachne and Eluned exchanged relieved glances, smiling at each other. They had done it. They had saved Lyrien.

As Aria continued to hug Lyrien, Lyrien put his hand on her,he stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. "It's okay, Aria," he whispered. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Slowly, Aria's tears subsided, replaced by a radiant smile. She pulled back, looking at Lyrien with shining eyes. "I was so scared," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lyrien's expression softened. "I know," he said. "But I'm here now. And I'm not going to leave you again."

Erith suddenly burst into the room after hearing the news of Lyrien waking up, his eyes were fixed on Lyrien, they were combined of relief and joy. He rushed to Lyrien's side, pushing Aria aside, and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.

"I was so scared, Lyrien!" Erith exclaimed, his voice was shaking with emotion. "I thought I'd never see you again! But thank God you're here, sound and alive!"

Lyrien looked up at Erith, confusion etched on his face. He didn't seem to recognize who Erith was.

Erith pulled back, his eyes were welling up with tears. "Don't you remember me, Lyrien?" he asked, his voice cracking.

Lyrien's expression was apologetic. "I...I'm sorry. I don't..."

Erith's face contorted in a mix of sadness and understanding. "I'm Erith," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The wounded wolf you saved from the rogue pack. If it wasn't for you, I would have been killed."

Lyrien's eyes widened as memories began to flood back. He looked at Erith, and this time, recognition dawned on his face.

"Erith!" Lyrien exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "I remember now! You're the one I saved!"

Erith smiled, tears streaming down his face. "Yes, Lyrien. You saved me. And I'll never forget it."

Lyrien's expression turned contrite. "I'm so sorry for causing you all worry," he said, his voice filled with remorse.

Aria's face softened, but her tone was firm. "Just promise us you'll take care of yourself from now on, Lyrien. No more putting yourself in danger."

Lyrien smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I promise, Aria. I'll take good care of myself from now on."

Arachne's expression suddenly turned serious. "Lyrien, there's something you should know. When you were unconscious, you attacked Aria."

Lyrien's face fell, his eyes widening in horror. "What? Oh no, Aria, I'm so sorry!"

Aria waved her hand dismissively. "I'm fine, Lyrien. Not a scratch on me."

But Eluned's expression was grave. "Lyrien, you're not fully okay. I only managed to shift the toxicity of the poison from your delicate organs, but the poison is still in you."

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Eluned.

"What does that supposed to mean?" Lyrien asked, his voice was laced with concern.

Eluned's expression turned somber. "For now, Lyrien, you might not be able to wield your power as a wolf. The poison is still coursing through your veins, and it could affect your abilities."

Lyrien's face fell, his eyes were clouded with worry. He looked at his friends, his expression were filled with uncertainty.

Aria's eyes widened in shock too, mirroring the expressions of the others. "How can we get rid of the poison totally?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Eluned's expression was grim. "The poison isn't something that can be easily found. It's from...Vulkaria."

Aria's eyes snapped with recognition. "Vulkaria? That's the Erin pack's territory!"

Eluned nodded solemnly. "Yes. Which means that before we can even think of getting the antidote, we need to return to Vulkaria."

The room then fell into a total silent, the weight of Eluned's words sinking into their skull. Lyrien's eyes clouded with worry, while Arachne's expression turned thoughtful.

"Returning to Vulkaria won't be easy," Arachne said finally. "The Erin pack isn't exactly friendly towards outsiders. And with Lyrien's condition...it's a risk we can't afford to take lightly."

Aria's jaw set in determination. "We have to try. We can't just leave Lyrien like this. We need to find that antidote, no matter what it takes."

Erith nodded in agreement. "Aria's right. We can't give up on Lyrien. We'll figure out a way to get to Vulkaria and find that antidote, together."

Lyrien's face became darkened, with his eyes flashing with a mix of fear and determination. "No, we can't go back there. Didn't you know that we're wanted by the Erin pack? Walking back into their territory means walking into death."

Aria's expression turned stubborn. "I don't care, Lyrien. We have to try. It's the only way you can survive."

Lyrien's jaw clenched, his voice rising. "I can never go back to my pack, Aria. Not because of fear of Erin, but because of what I've done. My father forbade me from ever returning, and I won't disobey him, even in death."

Aria's eyes blazed with anger. "But your father is dead now, Lyrien! The rule shouldn't be bothering you anymore!"

Lyrien's face twisted in anguish. "You don't understand, Aria. I can't go back, no matter what. Even if it means...even if it means dying."

Aria's voice rose to a shout. "No matter what you might have done, Lyrien, it's not worth more than your life! You're being stubborn and foolish!"

Lyrien's eyes flashed, his voice cracking with emotion. "Even if it was the fact that I killed my own mother.....