Two days later.
As his vision sharpened, he experienced a sensation he had never felt before, like he was drowning in complete darkness.
After a few minutes, the white ceiling above him slowly became visible. Then he heard the unyielding sounds of the monitors and brought him back to reality.
He attempted to move his body. His right arm felt heavy. When he almost got out of his hospital bed he felt a scorching pain that shot through his back into his neck. It ignited a wildfire of pain along his spine and neck.
He took a breath. In the midst of trying to make his breath steady, he heard the soft murmur of a nurse's voice—"Easy… just lie back down."
Images flooded back into his mind. They were vivid and raw: the industrial area and the alleyway that was cloaked in darkness.
But just as fear almost consumed him, three heroic figures entered and came to rescue him, the three members of The Nightguard Corps.
Lucien closed his eyes again. He was fully aware that he was safe.
There were some movements just outside his room and when he looked to his right he saw a figure in a white coat standing beside him.
"Mr. Lucien right," she said with a raspy voice, checking his IV. "Can you understand what I'm saying?"
Lucien swallowed hard. "Yes, my name is Lucien. What happened?" His voice cracked, each word a battle.
"You have very serious injuries," the doctor replied. "Broken spine, crushed eye socket, two ribs fractured, both of your lungs collapsed, fractured skull, and your right arm... well, it got snapped clean in two.
We used our best and newest techniques to heal you. Without them, you'd be dead or at least paralyzed."
He closed his one eye against the memories of that battle. "Was it even worth it.?"
She offered a sad smile. "You're alive Lucien. That means it was worth it."
His chest still ached, but so did his mind. He was still thinking about the echo that he heard when he almost died.
The God of Vengeance. Why me, I'm too weak. He wondered. Why did you bother to grant me this kind of power only to leave me in a hospital bed almost dead?
The late afternoon sun came through the blinds. As the room grew dimmer, three visitors entered the room. They didn't wear their Nightguard suits, but their presence felt similar.
The first to enter was a young woman. She had long pink hair. Her eyes were green, and she had a frail body.
"Hello, Lucien," she said, voice soft and sweet. "I'm Emiluna Uminari, well, I'm technically your lifesaver."
He managed to get a weak nod off. "Uminari was it… right?" She sat on the edge of his bed.
Her eyes were bright, though tired. "I'm only eighteen years old. Fifth Division's newest and future best healer.
This was my tenth night patrol and I've never faced anything like you before."
Her honesty surprised Lucien a lot. He managed to give her a half-smile. "Guess I´m a special case then."
The second visitor stepped towards Lucien: he was tall, lean and his black hair was going sideways. With cold and black calculating eyes. A big scar was slicing down his left cheek. Lucien could tell he was the leader.
"Captain of the Fifth Division Rylen Minazaku," he introduced himself, voice firm. "Fifth Division.
I commanded the field team last night."Lucien tried to read Rylen. "You paid for all of my surgeries," Lucien said softly.
Rylen inclined his head. "Your life is an asset. Not one to waste to death."
Lucien was surprised, he´d never thought someone would say that about him. He was speechless.
The third one was brash by contrast: broad‑shouldered, with an easy grin, a spark in his dark brown eyes, and light brown hair forward.
"Name's Jason Higamizu," he said, clapping Lucien's good shoulder. "'They call me the Kinetic specialist' that's the fancy term, but in my eyes I'm just the guy who punches things really hard."
Lucien let out a short laugh. It hurt, but it was a relief. "Thanks for saving my life Jason… and the bill."
Jason shrugged. "Think of it as an investment. You've got something about you. It could help a lot of people in the future."
Lucien stared at his three saviors. "Thank you for saving me but why me? I'm nobody."
Emiluna exchanged a glance with Rylen and laughed. She answered with a smile: You have courage and heart."
While Lucien drifted between wakefulness and medicated naps, the three of them explained the Corps and the worldwide war that had already lasted 10 years.
The Nightguard Corps:
Origin: " The Nightguard Corps was formed ten years ago after the first wave of monsters struck Tokyo and Los Angeles."
Structure and Divisions: "There are five divisions in total; the Fifth is the "recon and recovery" unit. We get sent to locations where cleanup and low‑priority threats arise in the city."
Armored suits: "We use powered exo‑armors, each customized for a specialty depending on the person for example: healing (Emiluna´s power), blades (Rylen's power), and kinetic force (Jason´s power)."
Duty Cycle: "Because of recent upgrades due to investments now able to function all night, not just a single hour. But high energy consumption still limits daytime use."
Rylen's tone was stiff and factual. Jason was more fun to listen to but less useful. Emiluna spoke passionately about saving lives which was nice to hear. Lucien listened, trying to fit himself into this strange new family.
Over the next week, Lucien went under rehabilitation:
First, he went through Physical Therapy. Jason demonstrated basic exercises—light resistance exercises and training to bring back strength into Lucien's broken spine and ribs.
After that the Meditation Sessions followed. Emiluna guided Lucien to calm him and the roar of the God of Vengeance inside him, teaching him to control the telekinetic pulses that shook the therapy room.
The last two days were dedicated to Tactical Briefings. Rylen taught Lucien about monster profiles. Response protocols, and the Corps' chain of command came after. Lucien realized quickly how little he knew about the Nightguard Corps.
One evening, Lucien found himself alone in the courtyard outside the ward. The moon was hidden by clouds, but the world still felt charged.
He closed his eyes and reached inward.
He felt the god's hunger. It felt like a restless ache for revenge. But beneath that, something else: a desire to protect, to redeem. To become more than just a weapon. To become a god.
Back in his room, he caught Emiluna tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Overcome by sudden gratitude, he spoke before he could think:
"You saved me. All of you." His voice was harsh. "I… I don't know why, but… thank you again."
She paused and smiled, then reached out and placed a hand over his.
"You already paid your debt with blood. Rest is the least we can give."
Rylen, leaning against the wall, watched them both. "Tomorrow, you'll be cleared to leave the medical wing. Fifth Division needs you."
Lucien was shocked and swallowed. "Am I… ready and am I allowed to join the fifth?"
Jason grinned, flexing his hand. "Ready or not, we move at dawn."
Rylen smiled and said. '' Of course, you're allowed to join the fifth otherwise I wouldn´t have trained you and given you those boring briefings.''
Lucien thought about it and accepted the offer and was very thankful for this opportunity.
Rylen said '' You're not an official member Lucien, you need to earn that place and I have' t told the higher-ups about this yet. So you're still an unofficial member, remember that.''
At sunrise, Lucien hobbled down the hospital corridor, supported by Jason's strong and steady arm and guided by Emiluna's gaze. Rylen followed, tablet in hand, reviewing patrol assignments for today.
They reached the main exit. Beyond it lies the Fifth Division's makeshift command post—mobile trailers, supply crates, and a lot of weaponry. Lucien paused at the threshold, feeling its gravity.
"This is home now," Jason said to Lucien, looping an arm around Lucien's shoulders. "Welcome to the fight and your brand new family."
Lucien's eyes were filled with tears. The smell of machinery filled him with a fierce, brand-new resolve.
He was Lucien: Vessel of The God of Vengeance. A survivor of death, and an unofficial member of the Fifth Division.
The city of Tokyo and the world still slept, unaware of the fact that the future of this world will rely on three armored warriors and one scared god–host.
As the sun's first rays touched the horizon, Lucien raised his gaze beyond the buildings and towards the future. It was uncertain and very dangerous, but finally not on his own.