One... two... three...

David gritted his teeth, holding himself back. He was exhausted by constantly doing this, but he forced himself to endure.

Keeping his vitality at its peak was essential—he had no choice. For the past week, this had been his only way to survive.

"Take one more."

A voice called out, firm yet laced with concern. David hesitated, his arms trembling.

"I can't do this anymore..."

"Eat this."

The nurse placed a small plate in front of him, her expression unwavering. On it lay a sliced dragon fruit, its vibrant red skin and speckled flesh standing out starkly against the sterile white of the hospital room. A fruit rich in nutrients, commonly given to recovering patients.

David exhaled, knowing he had no choice but to comply. With a reluctant nod, he took a piece and ate.

Four...

And then, five...

"Is that enough?"

The nurse crossed her arms, watching him like a hawk. She had proven to be a persistent obstacle—constantly stopping him from reckless activities, making sure he got the proper nutrition, and ensuring his recovery was on track.

But David knew the truth. He had recovered days ago. The system had long since restored him, but he had faked his condition, moving sluggishly, wincing at just the right moments. Anything to avoid suspicion.

The Walkers Association had stationed a guard outside his room, ensuring he couldn’t escape. The guard possessed enough power to prevent his escape—or so the association believed.

He was one of the Gifted, a term, although unofficial, but casually used by the public to describe those who had gained abilities from the Rifts. If David needed anything, the guard was required to accompany him.

The rules were clear. No unnecessary movements. No unauthorized access. No freedom.

To David, she felt like an older sister—strict yet caring. Her only concern was his well-being, and that reminder brought forth memories of his own family.

The people he had once taken for granted, the moments he had never truly cherished. The realization only strengthened his resolve to reclaim his life.

The nurse stepped closer, her voice tinged with awe as she checked his vitals once more. "It feels like a miracle. Your recovery was supposed to take months, yet your efforts have almost brought you back to full strength in a week."

David stared down at his hands, avoiding her gaze. He knew better than to let her get too curious. There was no way he could tell her the truth—not about the system, not about the powers he was hiding.

David had been playing the role of a recovering patient well. Too well. His recovery was a facade, a mask he wore to avoid suspicion.

If the Walkers Association figured out how quickly he’d healed, they would start asking questions—questions that could reveal far more than he was prepared to tell.

The nurse sighed, checking her watch.

"I should be going now. It's time for me to check on the other patients."

Even though David was a criminal, and she was well aware of that, it did not cloud her judgment, and she remained kind.

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David hesitated. His throat tightened as he searched for the words. It felt strange—childish, even—but he couldn't let her leave without saying it.

"Th... thank you."

She blinked, taken aback for a moment, before shaking her head with a small smile.

"What are you thanking me for? It's my job. No need for that."

The nurse paused for a moment, then nodded, still looking at him with concern. "But if you really want to thank me... take care of yourself, David. You’re lucky—no one should recover this quickly."

David watched her leave, the door closing softly behind her. As the room fell silent once more, his mind raced.

The truth was far more complicated than anyone could ever guess. What the system was doing to him, how it was shaping his body and mind, it was all far beyond the realm of normal recovery.

He exhaled slowly, turning his attention to the ceiling above him. There was a new mission now, one he hadn’t expected: Stay under the radar. Keep healing. And most importantly, never let anyone discover about his new power—not until he was ready.

And he had no idea when that would be.

"Take care of myself, huh?"

Easier said than done. But maybe, just maybe... it was time he started.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hospital corridors.

Two guards appeared at his door, their uniforms crisp, their expressions unreadable. They didn’t waste any time, their presence a stark reminder of what was about to happen.

David stood, his body tense, but there was no resistance in him. He had known this moment was coming—he had anticipated it.

He had been healed, he was back on his feet, and now it was time to return to his prison.

One of the guards stepped forward, a man with a clean-shaven face and a suit that screamed formality.

His voice, cold and practiced, filled the room. "I’m from the Walkers Association," he said, his eyes never leaving David’s face.

"We are here to take you back to prison, now that you have fully recovered."

David didn't flinch. He had been expecting this, after all. But the man wasn’t finished.

He continued, his words deliberately measured. "You can choose to keep clearing Rifts, or you can complete your prison sentence. The decision is yours."

David met his eyes for a moment, his gaze steady. But before he could speak, the man added, "But know this—if you resist, these guards will use their powers to ensure you return to prison, whether you like it or not."

"I understand," David said, his voice calm. "I'll go back."

The guards didn’t hesitate. They placed the power restraints on his wrists, the familiar cold metal biting into his skin.

For a moment, David allowed himself to feel the weight of it, the reality of his situation. But then he squared his shoulders and followed them without protest.

As they led him out of the hospital and into the transport vehicle waiting outside, the city skyline loomed in the distance. The world felt distant, as though it belonged to someone else. He had no part in it anymore.

Not in the sense that they wanted him to. But David had something they didn’t know about. Something that would change everything when the time came. For now, though, he was content to let them think they had control over him.

They arrived at the prison, the towering walls as familiar as his own skin. The gates groaned open, and David was escorted through the grim corridors that had been his home for far too long.

The guards flanked him on either side, their footsteps echoing off the cold concrete. But today, there was no sense of dread in him. No fear. Only resolve.

He entered the same room where he had spent so many years, the cold, sterile environment that had once felt suffocating. The walls, the bars, the dull lighting—they had all been a prison in his mind.

But now, as he stood there once more, he felt strangely at peace. It wasn’t the confinement that had been his solace, but the purpose he’d found within it.

As the guards left him in the room and locked the door behind him, David leaned against the wall, letting the silence settle around him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to the nurse and her kindness, to the brief flicker of life he had experienced outside this place. But it didn’t matter. He had already said his goodbyes.

David smiled faintly, the weight of the past six years pressing into his chest. But this time, it didn’t feel like a burden. It was just another chapter of his life, one that would eventually lead him to the Rifts again. He was ready for it.

Even though he had nearly died in the Rift, he was ready to go back. No, more than ready—he was eager.

He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

I have cleared one Rift.

His fingers curled slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The rest will follow.

The most important thing for me now is patience.

His thoughts steadied, his breathing even. He wasn’t reckless. He had waited six years, endured humiliation, chains, and isolation. A little more patience wouldn’t hurt.

His eyes gleamed in the dim light, a quiet fire burning within them.

David leaned back against the wall, staring at the ceiling. This prison had once been his cage, but now, it was just a temporary stop. Soon enough, he would be back in the Rifts.

And this time, he wouldn’t just survive.

This time, he would conquer them.