Dante didn't have much time. It was Wednesday, and it was the one fixed day when Helios regularly visited the clinic. The past few days had been relatively calm, at least after the chaos of the Saturday night at the town festival. Right after the tumultuous events, they had immediately returned to the estate with Helios.
He had been tired and would have driven alone if Davis had wanted to stay at the festival. But without the two of them, Dante hadn't been in the mood to stay there alone anymore.
Luckily, Davis had found Helios quickly, and fortunately, nothing had happened to him. In the hours following the incident, Dante had kept imagining the worst-case scenarios. Kidnapping, another assassination attempt that might have been successful since Helios was without his guards at the time – or a physical altercation. The latter had indeed been the case. But, as Dante had learned from Davis, the young man had simply "put the troublemaker to sleep."
Dante still couldn't help but smile at the thought.
Helios, although much fitter now, was still somewhat slim. Dante found it hard to imagine how this young man could defend himself against anyone. But to his surprise, Helios was not only more resilient than his appearance suggested, but he also knew how to protect himself. Who would have expected someone like Helios to carry tranquilizers with him? The guy had probably fallen asleep within seconds, and Helios had been able to escape safely. It was truly fascinating how many unexpected turns this young man still had in store. One should never be deceived by his outward appearance.
Dante cautiously stepped into the hallway that led to the archive rooms – a place he now visited several times a day to search for clues he might have missed. He slowly approached the door behind which the room was located, where he had been going through the files. As usual, he found no one on this floor.
Dante closed the door behind him and turned on the light. The harsh, artificial light illuminated the dusty, neglected archive room, casting the shelves filled with dusty files and folders in a sharp, unpleasant glow. He made his way purposefully through the room, whose air smelled of decades of neglect, and reached the back area where the next files awaited his review. He grabbed the nearest folder and began flipping through the pages. Although he had made significant progress in the past few days, he had yet to find anything. At least, nothing that was of interest to him.
After finding only a series of prescriptions and standard information about various medications in the medication archive, he had eventually moved on to the study archives. If he wanted to make progress, he needed to focus on the scientific papers—the studies. Despite the chaotic organization of the archives, he hoped he might still uncover something useful. Even though his search had been unsuccessful so far, the small setbacks didn't dampen his determination. He would not simply give up on this quest.
And yet—what if he was just fooling himself? Maybe the whole thing was doomed to fail from the start, and he would soon realize how futile his efforts had been.
With a sigh, he skimmed through the studies, just as superficially as he had done with the medication files. He looked at what each study was about, scanned the key passages, and focused on the bullet-pointed summaries of the essential information.
In recent years, Helios had produced an incredible amount of knowledge and developments. The scope of the studies was impressive. As far as Dante could tell, Helios had developed almost all the products that Aeternum Pharmaceuticals marketed. From simple aids to make daily life easier, to medications for treating chronic diseases, and even groundbreaking treatments for promoting wound healing. And that was far from all—there were so many more developments documented in the files.
The longer Dante spent with the reports, the more his respect for Helios' abilities grew. The young man was only 22 years old and had already amassed such an impressive amount of knowledge and inventions. It was truly admirable how much he had achieved in such a short time.
In recent days, Dante had repeatedly volunteered to bring materials to Theo, so he could then make a quick detour to the archives. He had promised himself to quickly go through the documents and then move on—simply to manage the massive amount of paperwork. But by now, it wasn't just the raw numbers and facts that captivated him; it was mainly Helios' own reports. They were so detailed, so clear, and so comprehensible that Dante couldn't help but pause repeatedly to follow his train of thought and grasp the complexity of each study.
In contrast to the medication files, which were really only focused on the respective prescriptions, the study folders contained so many more details. For each medication, there were in-depth analyses—ranging from the composition and mode of action to the underlying disease mechanisms. There were not just medical reports, but also the results of countless studies that documented every high and low of each treatment. Dante couldn't help but dive deeper into the material.
It was probably the most interesting thing he had read in the last few years. The latest discoveries, the detailed reports, and the complexity of the developments were both fascinating and challenging at the same time.
Slowly but surely, new thoughts began to form in Dante's mind. What if he didn't continue alone anymore? What if he simply asked Helios for help? Maybe the young scientist could show him what he had overlooked, or guide him in a direction he had never considered before.
Helios would certainly be interested in investigating his case and getting to the bottom of his self-healing abilities. But as soon as Dante had this thought, he dismissed it. If Helios found out what had happened to him, everything would probably be over. His life, as he knew it, would change forever. He couldn't be sure if Vale was behind his situation – and if Vale really was involved, it was very likely that Helios was somehow part of it too. He couldn't trust anyone. There was no security for him, no reliable reference points. Maybe he was nothing more than a guinea pig.
What if one day he ended up on an operating table, strapped down and fully conscious, while they took him apart just to study him? What cruel experiments could they perform on him? Just the thought of it made his blood run cold. A shiver ran down his spine, and a wave of nausea rose in him. No, he would never ask Helios for help. After all, he could also be involved. It was too dangerous. Helios must never find out what had happened to him – under no circumstances.
Helios, if anything, was the last option if all other possibilities failed. Dante sighed and wiped a hand over his face. Why did everything have to be so complicated? He really wasn't the type to keep secrets. It was hard for him to open up. He wasn't the kind of person who wore his heart on his sleeve, but in this situation, with all the secrets and questions, sometimes he wished for someone to talk to about what was happening to him. Someone who understood, who could help him process it all. Sometimes he just wanted to talk to someone, without the expectation of getting an answer. But every person was a potential danger. Anyone could smile at him and then betray him.
He was alone – and he would probably stay that way for a long time. That was a bitter, hard truth that he couldn't ignore any longer. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to let off some steam. Maybe he should just open up to someone, take a moment to release the pressure. Helios had offered several times for him to take a night off, to relax. Maybe it was time to take him up on it. The idea didn't sound so bad anymore.
But for now, everything he did was essentially the same: He spent hours in the archives, sifting through files, trying to find something that would help him move forward. In the evenings, he went through the books Helios had given him. It was frustrating.
None of it brought him any closer. He was stagnating. It was as if he had hit an invisible wall.
He might have all the time in the world, but the patience that had been granted to him was slowly starting to wear thin. There was all this knowledge right in front of him – yet it was useless. Nothing was getting him anywhere. In frustration, he slammed the next folder shut and almost threw it back onto the shelf. A cloud of dust swirled up, and he had to sneeze.
"Dammit, what a load of crap," he muttered, glancing at his watch. He could stay in the archive for a maximum of ten more minutes. He had no more time, and he knew he wouldn't get anything else out of it. Still, he grabbed the next folder, which, like the others, was covered in dust, and opened it.
The first thing that caught his eye was the slightly shaky handwriting, the kind often found in children's work. Then the title: "Wound Healing." The folder was different from all the others he had gone through so far. A strange feeling crept over him. Maybe this was the folder that would finally give him the information he was looking for. After all, he was searching for something that could explain his own rapid wound healing.
Dante sat down on the floor and began to read. The text had a philosophical tone, with many questions that were gradually answered. It dealt with the various aspects of wound healing – how long did it take for a wound to heal on its own? Were there differences between cuts and gunshot wounds? How did chronic wounds behave? What happened in cases of wound healing disorders? There were even medical reports on bleeding tendencies and how long it took for scabs to form.
It was fascinating how detailed and in-depth this study was, but also how it continually reminded Dante how different he was compared to normal people. It was uncomfortable to be confronted with this mirror in the form of childlike handwriting. But despite everything, it was so interesting that he couldn't help but keep reading. He was so deep into the text that he lost track of time. Although he didn't find anything truly new, he was captivated.
This study didn't focus on medications or specific treatments. It was really just about observations, about the natural healing of wounds. That was, until he reached the end of the folder and found a few loose papers that had been carelessly inserted. Among them, he found the recipe for Helios' Blood Stiller – the medication he had developed when they first met. Another disappointment.
It seemed that years had passed between the study and the development of the medication. If he had to guess, he would estimate about twelve years, at least he had seen a date somewhere while skimming through. This meant that he had probably read one of Helios' first studies. At the time the study was written, Helios must have been about ten years old.
When Dante finally closed the folder, he painfully realized how much time he had just wasted. Thirty minutes had passed, and he had gained no new insights. He put the folder back on the shelf, turned off the light, and carefully stepped out into the hallway. Even though he hadn't found anything, the study still gave him a spark of hope. Maybe he would soon stumble upon something bigger.
___
As Dante reached the hallway leading to Helios' lab, Vale came toward him, wearing an irritated, dissatisfied expression. Without acknowledging Dante even with a glance, he continued down the corridor. Thomas followed him, as silent as ever, his face just as expressionless as Vale's. Two guards accompanied them, their gazes ever watchful.
Dante stepped aside to make room for them, but that wasn't what caught his attention. A sudden, loud noise, like something heavy falling and breaking, echoed down the hallway. Dante flinched and turned, startled, in the direction of the sound, which clearly came from Helios' lab. With one last glance at Vale, who seemed completely uninterested in what was happening, Dante rushed toward the open door.
He found himself in a chaotic room. Helios was standing at his desk, breathing heavily, while Davis stood behind him, holding his hands firmly. The floor was littered with scattered papers that had apparently been thrown to the ground. Among the scattered books and folders lay broken glass bottles, their liquid contents slowly spilling across the floor. An unpleasant smell lingered in the air.
"Let me go, Davis!" Helios growled.
"No, you're just going to hurt yourself more!" Davis replied calmly, yet firmly.
Dante noticed that Helios' hand was bleeding. The young man was struggling with his breathing, but his movements grew slower as he tried to calm down. Eventually, he stopped resisting Davis, and Davis let go of him. Helios swayed as he took a step back, bracing himself with one hand on the desk.
"Are you okay?" Davis asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"I'm fine, give me a moment," Helios responded in a slightly shaky voice. His free hand gripped Davis' sleeve.
"Okay," Davis said quietly, casting a glance at the liquid on the floor. "Did you get any of that on you? Is it dangerous?"
Helios followed his gaze and then shook his head. "Is it...?" He hesitated, then shook his head again. His voice sounded strange and hoarse, almost like it didn't belong to him. "No, only in high doses."
Dante had never seen Helios like this. Normally, he was the calmest and most composed person Dante knew, even in the most intense situations, even when they were in danger. But now? Now he was vulnerable, exhausted, and the whole room seemed filled with an intangible tension.
"Is everything okay?" Dante asked, his voice laced with concern. The two hadn't noticed him yet, and he didn't want to be the stranger in this already bizarre moment. He wanted to insert himself into the situation before it spiraled even further.
Helios finally looked up and seemed to slowly realize that Dante was there. A fleeting moment of uncertainty appeared in his eyes as he noticed he was still gripping Davis' sleeve. He finally let go and turned to Dante. "You're late," he said in his usual calm, indifferent manner, as if nothing had happened.
In the meantime, Davis had retrieved some bandages from the cupboard next to the door and returned to Helios. He sat him down on a chair and began to clean the bleeding hand. Helios was now completely exhausted, and absentmindedly watched as Davis treated him.
"Sorry, I got a bit caught up with Theo," Dante said apologetically, though he couldn't help but hear the hint of nervousness in his own voice.
He had spent far too much time in the archives, but of course, he couldn't tell Helios that if he didn't want the whole thing to blow up. Dante just hoped Helios wouldn't ask why he and Theo spent so much time together. Well, or rather, why they supposedly talked so much.
Helios looked at him with a doubtful expression. "Theo seems to have a lot of time on his hands if you two are always talking for so long."
Dante stared at him, shocked. "N-no, I just watched him work a bit and talked to him while he did."
But Helios didn't seem convinced. A frustrated expression passed over his face. "You know, Dante, lately it's been taking Theo quite a while to deliver the results I urgently need," he said with a smile that was as cold as a blade. "So, are you the reason I'm not getting my results, and my own work is being delayed? Are you two distracting each other too much? Should I give him more work? Or maybe I should ask someone else to bring the documents to him? Maybe Davis? And you can keep me company in the meantime? After all, Davis would be back faster."
Dante's heart began to race. Oh, crap. This could escalate quickly, and he certainly didn't want to be the reason Theo got even more work and possibly collapsed under the pressure. Helios was in a really bad mood. Whatever his father had wanted from him, it seemed to be completely at odds with what Helios had in mind.
Dante desperately searched for the right words to calm the situation, but then Davis placed his hand on Helios' narrow shoulder. It was a calm, almost comforting gesture, but it seemed as though Davis was trying to relieve some of the pressure from Helios.
"I think Theo could really use a break," Davis said in a calm, almost gentle voice. "He's completely exhausted, and I don't think he has much free time."
Helios sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "The guy really isn't very resilient," he muttered, as if he had known this fact for ages.
Davis gave him a detached look. "No, I think your endurance for work isn't exactly the norm," he said in a dry, almost humorous tone.
"What's so wrong with that being the norm? If you have work on your desk, you get it done. Simple," Helios snapped.
Dante couldn't help but stare at him. He was so different from usual, so much more agitated, and it was hard to believe that this controlled, calm man was now standing before them, completely thrown off balance.
Helios noticed his gaze. "What is it?" he asked sharply.
"I'm just wondering what's happened," Dante said in the calmest tone he could manage, trying not to provoke Helios further.
Helios looked at him as if he was considering how to respond. Then he gritted his teeth in frustration, and his gaze turned icy. It was as if the air around him froze, and Dante felt a chill run down his spine. He even had the urge to look away.
"A job request," Helios spat out, his voice a furious whisper.
Davis still had his hand on Helios' shoulder, and subtly, he stroked his thumb over the fabric, as if offering silent support.
"Has he, again...?" Davis began, but Helios cut him off.
"He has," Helios said sharply. A moment of sadness flickered in his eyes before it was replaced by more anger. "I wish he'd just let it go. And no, I'm not going to give in to his demands this time either."
He looked completely distraught, and for the first time, Dante felt like he was really seeing the young man for who he truly was. Dante wanted to know more but knew it was the wrong time to ask. Yet the question burned on his tongue: Why had Vale tried to instigate him into something that made Helios so vehemently resistant?
Helios briefly placed his hand on Davis' and gave him a fleeting look before shaking it off and straightening his back. Davis looked at him with a mix of concern and confusion before he withdrew his hand and continued disinfecting Helios' wound. Helios flinched at every touch, but he seemed too exhausted to resist.
Dante watched them both and felt a strange mix of embarrassment and understanding. If he hadn't known they were in a relationship, he would have likely perceived their interaction as a simple moment of care. But now, with the knowledge of their connection, it was hard not to notice their closeness. So subtle was their interaction that it was nearly impossible to recognize their relationship beneath the surface gestures. But Dante couldn't help but see that Davis truly cared deeply for Helios.
He grabbed a few rags and began cleaning the floor. It was a fleeting distraction, something to occupy him as he watched the two of them. He knew he couldn't do much, but he didn't want to just passively endure the situation.
Meanwhile, Helios stared at his hand, which Davis was carefully disinfecting. "No need for stitches," Davis said reassuringly as he finished the last steps of the bandaging process.
"Luckily," Helios replied quietly, almost with a hint of relief. "Stitches on the hand are damn annoying."
Davis tied the bandage securely, then Helios stood up and, with a sigh, looked at his shirt, which had been splattered with blood. "I've let myself go, sorry," he mumbled, and it was the first time Dante had heard such self-criticism from him. Helios seemed not only physically exhausted, but emotionally drained as well – something Dante had never noticed in this intensity before.
He took off his shirt, revealing his pale skin, which was flawless except for the gunshot wound. The scar stood out clearly against his skin, and Dante was transported back to that night when it had happened. However, Dante was surprised to notice that Helios seemed a bit fitter from his workouts. He had always had good posture, but now, he could even make out a hint of muscle that improved his stance even further. He looked healthier than before.
Helios walked over to the wardrobe, where a fresh shirt hung, and put it on.
"We should go," Helios finally said, glancing at his watch. "Otherwise, it won't be worth going to the clinic."