In the twists and turns of his dreams. In total darkness, a sharp light reaches him. The same dream, confined by the dead. Lyris seems unable to breathe anymore.
— Lyris... Lyris...
A distant voice reaches him. In that heap of the dead, a vein of light is near—so close, yet its spark seems kilometers away.
— Oh child of my creation, what will your choice be...?
1st arrondissement of Lyon, April 15, 2030 – 10:30 AM
Lyris wakes up to the enigmatic voice of an angel from another world. That same peace he used to feel with Lorane or his family. Barely awake, he feels someone else's warm tears falling onto him.
— You scared me so much... Idiot... What were you thinking?
Said Lorane, sobbing. She had watched over Lyris for more than a day without resting for a single minute. The young girl gave a faint smile before punching Lyris in the stomach, causing him to sit up in shock.
— WHAT THE—?!
Lyris's protests were cut short by Lorane's tenderness as she threw her arms around him. Lyris let out a soft smile and quickly embraced her back. His mother, though ill and half-asleep, let out a satisfied sigh at the sight.
— Don't you dare ever do that again... Oh, and by the way, the old guy who knocked you out left a message in your pocket.
"Sorry, kid, for knocking you out earlier—it wasn't personal, just to stop things from getting worse... Meet me at city hall for more explanations. You're going to be working for your mother, trust me…"
Lyris clenched the paper in his fist. His eyes now showed a look of resolve—no more hesitation. He threw on the closest clothes he could find and gave Lorane one last kiss, though she tried to hold him back.
— WAIT! cried Lorane.
— Let him go, Lorane… He's really changed since then...
Said Lyris's mother, coughing. She felt only pride and satisfaction for her son—someone who, when it came to fighting for someone he loved, was ready to face any challenge. Lyris, in her eyes, was the most resilient young man she had ever known...
Lyon City Hall – 10:50 AM
The young man arrived at the meeting point. In front of him stood a man in his fifties and another, younger man around 28. The younger one quickly greeted Lyris with a crushing handshake.
— Hello! I guess you're the kid my dad told me about?
— Ouch… Lyris murmured. Uh, yeah...?
The older man suddenly slapped Lyris on the back with the strength of an athlete. Lyris, caught off guard, started coughing violently for several minutes.
— You had more guts and courage back when you were facing the soldiers, kid! By the way… I'm Charles, and this here's my only son, Thomas.
Lyris chuckled and asked with a shaky voice:
— So you're the one who…?
He quickly pulled himself together, clenched his fist in motivation, and stepped up to the imposing Charles, almost meeting his gaze.
— I'm ready to take on any job, sir!
He bowed as a sign of gratitude. The father and son exchanged brief, knowing glances, clearly impressed by the same determination that had once led a boy to defy authority.
— Take it easy… Come on now, don't say it like that, replied Charles, this time patting Lyris more gently. Today, you'll start working as a mechanic apprentice with us.
Lyris gave a slight smile at the news. His joy seemed to move the two mechanics, who exchanged satisfied smiles.
— I ACCEPT! shouted Lyris, just as Thomas smacked him on the head again. But even that hit couldn't wipe the big smile off his face.
— BUT, we're not done! After this, you'll have priority access to care for your mother. The army needs civilians with manual or industrial jobs... Looks like the apocalypse gave us more work to do! You start tomorrow at 8 AM, kid!
Despite the global chaos, despite poverty and excessive inequality in a darker world, people like this father and son could still be happy—that's what Lyris thought at that moment. He felt overjoyed in their company, even if they were mostly laughing at his cheerful behavior.