Over the next course of hours, his parents came as soon as they heard, their faces etched with relief that barely held back the tears. Elder Gideon was the first to enter the chamber, his usual stern composure faltering the moment he saw his son sitting upright, alive and breathing.
He moved closer, his eyes glistening. "My son," he said softly, his voice trembling ever so slightly. "You have no idea what these past months have been like."
Lucas smiled faintly, though his strength was still a flickering flame. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Father."
Elder Gideon reached out and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, but even that simple gesture carried so much unspoken emotion that Lucas had to lower his gaze to hide the ache in his chest. "You've always been reckless," his father said, his voice attempting to sound scolding but breaking halfway through. "But this… this was beyond reckless."
