The red receded, leaving eyes that were no longer vacant. Aware. He blinked, a strange sensation. Light. He'd forgotten what seeing light felt like for a time.
Movement. A twitch. Fingers. Toes. He strained, muscles screaming. His arm lifted, then fell.
Progress.
A grin stretched across his face, stiff, awkward. But a grin. Defiance. Victory.
Hungry. Not for food. For knowledge. Experience. Sensations. He wanted to taste, touch, smell, hear, see. He wanted…
His father.
The voice, a low rumble, his constant companion for five years. Lex Luthor. My father. Brilliant, ruthless, enigmatic.
He'd listened, absorbed. His ambitions, his struggles, his triumphs, his failures. He understood his motivations, his values, his desires.
And he cared.
Lex Luthor wasn't a good man. But he was a loving father, a devoted caregiver. He'd never given up.
Gratitude surged, a deep appreciation for his unwavering dedication. He loved him, in his own way. Enough.
He needed to see him. Speak to him. Meet the man who'd been his silent guardian.
He focused, channeling power. Raw, untamed. He had to control it.
He reached out with his mind, connecting with his grace. Energy coursed through him, igniting, transforming. His body changed, strengthened, healed. The weakness dissipated, replaced by vitality.
He pushed himself up, muscles screaming. The world swam. He gripped the bed, knuckles white, breath ragged.
He could do this. He had to.
He opened his eyes and took a step. Another. Another.
He was walking.
Slow, unsteady, but moving under his own power. No longer a prisoner. Free.
He made his way to the door, fixed on the exit. He pressed the button.
The door hissed open, revealing a brightly lit corridor. He hesitated, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Then, he stepped out and walked.
He didn't know where he was going, but he knew that he had to find his father. He had to see him, to thank him, to finally begin his life.
-----------------------
Lex Luthor was in a meeting. Of course.
His office, minimalist was filled with executives, investors, and lawyers, all vying for his attention.
He was discussing a new acquisition, StellarTech, a rival tech company with a revolutionary energy source. Risky, billions or bankruptcy. But he thrived on risk.
He listened patiently, their voices a droning hum. He'd already made up his mind. He was acquiring the company.
He raised his hand, silencing the room. "Gentlemen, enough. I've heard your arguments. We're acquiring StellarTech. I want the deal closed by the end of the week. Is that clear?"
Affirmations rippled. Lex Luthor nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
He rose, ending the meeting. The executives and lawyers scrambled to their feet. He watched them go, a faint smile playing on his lips. He enjoyed wielding his power.
He turned to the window, gazing at the city below. Metropolis, steel and glass, human ingenuity and ambition. His city, his domain, the kingdom he had built.
He stood there, contemplating his next move. Plans, goals, challenges. He wanted to conquer the world, to reshape it. He wanted a better future.
But something was missing. Something no amount of success could fill.
Samael.
His son. The one person who truly mattered. The one person he couldn't control.
He felt a pang of guilt. Neglected his son for two days by not working as hard towards a cure.
Two whole days.
Too long.
He turned to the door. "Mercy," he said to his bodyguard. "Prepare the helicopter. I'm going to see Samael."
Mercy Graves, loyal and deadly, nodded and followed him out.
The helicopter ride was short, an eternity. Lex Luthor sat in silence, consumed by his son. He wondered how he was doing, if there had been any changes. He hoped for good news.
He knew it was irrational. The doctors had been clear: irreversible.
But he refused to give up. He had defied the odds before. He wasn't about to surrender now.
The helicopter landed on the roof of the private medical facility. Lex Luthor stepped out, determined. He walked quickly towards the entrance, Mercy Graves behind.
He entered the facility and made his way to Samael's room. He paused outside, composing himself. Then, he opened the door.
The room was empty.
His heart skipped a beat. Cold dread washed over him.
"Where is he?" he demanded, a whisper.
A nurse rushed forward, startled. "Mr. Luthor, I… I don't know. He was here just a few minutes ago. I stepped out, and when I came back, he was gone."
"Gone?" Lex Luthor repeated, his voice rising. "He's been in a coma for nineteen years! He can't just get up and walk away!"
The nurse cowered. "I… I don't know, sir. I swear, I don't know what happened."
Lex Luthor glared, fury blazing. He wanted to lash out. But he restrained himself. He needed to remain calm.
"Find him," he said, low and menacing. "Find him now. And if anything has happened to him…" He trailed off.
The nurse nodded frantically and hurried out.
Lex Luthor stood there, alone, his mind racing. Where could Samael be? What had happened? Had someone taken him? Had he awakened?
The thought sent a jolt through him. Impossible. And yet…
He turned and looked around. Everything was in its place. Except for the bed.
Tangled sheets, askew pillows. As if someone had just gotten up.
He walked to the bed, brushing the sheets. Still warm.
He closed his eyes, trying to make sense of it. It couldn't be.
But deep down, a flicker of hope ignited. A small spark.
He opened his eyes and walked to the door. He had to find Samael. He had to know the truth.
He stepped out and walked, his footsteps echoing. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew that he had to find his son.
He turned a corner and stopped.
Standing at the end of the corridor, bathed in the soft glow of the emergency exit sign, was a figure he hadn't seen awake in nineteen years.
Samael.
Thinner, paler, longer, unkempt hair. A hospital gown.
But standing. Walking. Alive.
Lex Luthor stared, mind reeling. A miracle. An impossibility. And yet, there he was.
He opened his mouth, but no words came. Speechless, overwhelmed.
Samael looked at his father, curiosity and apprehension in his eyes. He hesitated, then took a step.
"Dad?" he said, his voice raspy but strong.
Lex Luthor snapped out of his reverie. He rushed forward, arms outstretched.
"Samael!" he exclaimed, choked with emotion. "You're awake! You're really awake!"
He embraced him, holding him tightly, burying his face in his hair. Samael's arms wrapped around him.
Real. Happening. His son was alive.
He pulled back, gripping Samael's shoulders. He looked at him, searching his face. "How… how is this possible?" he asked, trembling. "What happened?"
Samael smiled, a genuine smile. "I don't know," he said. "I just… woke up."
Lex Luthor stared, mind struggling. He wanted to ask a million questions.
But this wasn't the time for questions. This was a time for celebration.
He took a deep breath, composing himself. He couldn't let his emotions overwhelm him.
He stepped back, gripping Samael's shoulders. He looked at him, filled with love and admiration. "Welcome back, son," he said, low and steady. "Welcome back to the world."
He paused, a flicker crossing his face. Suspicion, doubt. "There is so much we need to talk about."
His son seemed to know him, to understand him. It seems - to Luthor - that those sorcerers weren't all talk as he thought. Them having in apology put a spell inside Samael's mind for him to gain information necessary about the world if he ever woke up.
Samael blinked, tilting his head. "Yeah," he said, casual. "I guess there is."
He paused, a flicker crossing his face. Amusement, defiance. "So, uh… what's for dinner?" he asked, more casual. "I'm starving."
Lex Luthor stared, mind still racing. But he couldn't deny the joy, the relief, the gratitude.
His son was awake. His son was alive. That was all that mattered.
He suppressed the emotions, pushing them down. He couldn't afford to be sentimental.
He forced a smile, practiced and warm. "Anything you want, Samael," he said, steady and controlled. "Anything at all."
He paused, his gaze hardening, his eyes narrowing. "But first," he continued, more serious. "We need to get you back to your room. You're still weak, still vulnerable. You need to rest."
Samael nodded, his expression clouding over. He knew that his father was right. He was still weak, still fragile. He couldn't push himself too hard.
He allowed his father to lead him back to the room, his mind racing. He was awake, he was alive, and he was finally reunited with his father. But this was just the beginning. So much he didn't know, so much he had to learn.
And he had a feeling that his life was about to get very, very complicated.
Inside the room, Lex moved with a controlled efficiency, adjusting the bed, calling for a doctor, barking orders at Mercy, who stood silently by the door, her eyes scanning the room, ever vigilant.
Samael watched him, a strange mixture of amusement and affection swirling within him. He was so like the man he'd heard in his head for the past five years, only… real. More intense, more focused, more… present.
"Dad, chill," he said, his voice still rough, unused. "I'm not gonna break."
Lex stopped, turning to face him, his expression softening slightly. "You've been in a coma for nineteen years, Samael. You need to be careful."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Samael said, rolling his eyes. "But I feel… good. Better than I have any right to, considering."
He flexed his fingers, testing his strength. It was there, simmering beneath the surface, a vast reservoir of power waiting to be unleashed.
But he knew he couldn't push it, not yet. He needed to learn to control it, to harness it, before it destroyed him.
"The doctors will want to run some tests," Lex said, his voice regaining its usual composure. "To assess your condition, to determine the extent of the… recovery."
"Tests, great," Samael muttered under his breath. "Just what I wanted. More needles."
He looked at his father, his expression softening. "Hey, Dad… thanks. For everything. For not giving up on me."
Lex Luthor's face softened ever so slightly. He reached out, placing a hand on Samael's shoulder. "You're my son, Samael," he said, his voice low. "I would never give up on you."
He paused, his gaze hardening. "But you need to understand something. Your… awakening… it's a miracle. But it's also a mystery. We need to understand what happened, how it happened. We need to control it."
Samael looked at his father, his eyes narrowing. "Control it?" he repeated, his voice laced with a hint of instinctive defiance. "You want to control me?"
Though immediately as the words slipped out, he regretted them. It seems knowing what it felt like to be Lucifer through his grace has left some impact. His own trauma at being controlled by his Father.
"I want to protect you, Samael," Lex said after a bit of surprise at the unexpected reaction, his voice though firm. "To ensure that you can live a long and healthy life. But I can't do that if I don't understand what's going on."
He paused, his gaze softening again. "Please, Samael. Trust me. I know what's best for you."
Samael looked at his father, his mind racing.
He knew that Lex Luthor was a control freak, a man who craved power and dominance. But he also knew that he loved him, again, in his own way. And he trusted him. Mostly.
He sighed, relenting. "Okay, Dad," he said. "I trust you. But no needles. I'm serious."
Lex Luthor smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "No promises," he said. "But I'll see what I can do."
The doctor arrived, a harried-looking man in a white coat, his face etched with concern. He greeted Lex Luthor with a respectful nod, then turned to Samael, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Mr. Luthor," he stammered, his voice trembling. "I… I don't understand. This is… impossible."
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, Doctor," Lex said, his voice calm and authoritative. "But for now, I want you to examine my son. To assess his condition, to determine the extent of his recovery. And I want a full report on my desk by morning."
The doctor nodded, his eyes still fixed on Samael. "Of course, Mr. Luthor. Right away."
He turned to Samael, his expression shifting from disbelief to professional curiosity. "Mr. Luthor," he said, his voice more composed. "If you'll allow me, I'd like to begin with a few simple tests."
Samael sighed, rolling his eyes again. "Let's get this over with," he muttered.
The doctor began his examination, his movements precise and efficient. He checked Samael's reflexes, his heart rate, his blood pressure. He shone a light in his eyes, listened to his lungs, and palpated his abdomen.
As the doctor poked and prodded, Samael found himself drifting, his thoughts wandering. He was awake. He was alive. He was with his father. But what now? What was he supposed to do with his life?
He still remembered his first life. He knew what world he was in, mostly. He knew as well that he was different, that he possessed a power that set him apart from ordinary humans.
But he didn't know how to control it, how to use it.
The doctor finished his examination, his face thoughtful. "Well, Mr. Luthor," he said, turning to Lex. "I must say, I'm… astonished. Your son's recovery is… remarkable. His vital signs are stable, his reflexes are normal, and his muscle strength is… surprisingly good, considering his condition."
"But?" Lex prompted, his gaze unwavering.
The doctor hesitated. "But… there are still some abnormalities. His brain activity is… unusual. His cellular structure is… different. And there are traces of… energy… that I can't explain."
Lex Luthor nodded, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said. "So, there's still much to learn."
"Indeed, Mr. Luthor," the doctor said. "Indeed."
--------------------
(Author note: So, our boy wonder is awake.
And it seems the grace had some effects, well, it would be obvious, since the grace is the resevoir of what makes an angel an angel,
So it contains both power, and all the memories of Lucifer himself, since it made him an archangel, and an archangel is one who's older than the universe.
Well, do tell me how you found the chapter and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)