Storm left the underground portion of city and walked through the outer city until he reached his final destination.
A large complex had been constructed for the Grans and a few of her druids and acted as an infirmary and healing center.
At the back of the complex was a large park where the patients could relax while they waited for their wounds to mend.
Despite their best efforts, several fighters had been permanently maimed by the fight and were unable to continue fighting in the future.
To honor their sacrifice, Storm commissioned the construction of the complex where they could receive the care they needed, while living out the remainder of their lives in peace and without worldly concerns.
Storm walked through the large doors and straight to a room that had been set aside for a particular individual.
Here he found his comatose uncle Pyros, who still hadn't stirred even after these long months.
The staff of the facility fed and cared for him until he could awaken on his own.
The Grans were present and currently talking to a few of the druids.
They stopped and walked over to Storm as he went to go stand by his uncle's side.
"Still no change after all these months?" Asked Storm.
They shook their heads.
"I'm sorry Storm, but there's not much we can do but wait.
What he went through...
... no one should have endured." Said the Grans.
"What is wrong with him exactly?" Asked Storm.
"Physically he's healthy, but the partial transformation was more than likely very traumatic for him."
"While he was mind controlled, he was protected from that trauma. "
But now that it's been removed, his mind is trying to protect him from it by keeping him unconscious. " Explained the Grans.
"Isn't there anything I could do?
What if I directly entered his mind and communicated with him there?" Asked Storm.
The Grans grimaced.
"We wouldn't recommend it, there's no telling how he would react.
He might even react with hostility if he doesn't recognize you. " Explained the Grans.
"I'm willing to take the risk if it would help bring him back." Replied Storm.
"The risk isn't just to you!
His mind is fragile right now!
Contacting him in such a manner could damage him further!" Said the Grans.
"What other options are there? It's been 6 months already!?
He's clearly not getting better on his own!" Exclaimed Storm.
The Grans considered it for a moment.
"We might be able to lessen the risks involved, but we still wouldn't recommend it!"
"You're right though, we can't maintain him like this forever!"
"Tell you what, let's give him another month, if he hasn't woken by then."
Then we will try your method. " finished the Grans.
"In the meantime, try talking to him." Suggested one of them.
"Talking?! About what?!" Asked Storm.
"Anything!
It's well documented that hearing familiar sounds can stir a comatose victim to consciousness. "
"So talk to him, it might speed his recovery ."
The Grans left Storm alone with his uncle and returned to their rounds.
Storm grasped one of Pyros's claws and considered what to talk about.
"It's me, uncle!
It's Storm!
I'm still very much alive and well, as is Aurora. "
Storm smiled as a pleasant memory returned to him.
"I'm a father, uncle.
To a few months old son by the name of 'Orian'. "
He began to tell the story of the day Orian hatched.
The egg finally hatched 3 months after the battle and a green scaled little Hatchling with golden scales along his neck and underbelly broke free and entered the world.
Storm still remembered that day well.
One of his subordinates came running and told him that Aurora urgently requested his presence.
He rushed there as fast as he could, fearing that there might have been complications, only to find the little thing wandering the room.
The moment he saw Storm, he waddled over to him and rubbed himself up against one of Storm's legs.
Storm carefully picked him up and held him as he chewed on one of Storm's clawed fingers.
Storm carefully extended his consciousness to the baby.
He found nothing but empty space.
The hatchling was much too small to have thoughts.
What Storm felt in the child's mind was 'urges'
He felt a great deal of curiosity, as well as a ravenous hunger.
Storm picked up a piece of the broken egg shell and carefully presented it to the baby.
After sniffing it a few times, he opened his mouth and slowly began to chew.
Aurora walked over and the two watched their new charge together as he had his first proper meal.
"Is there anything of Mimereus in his mind?" Asked Aurora.
Storm shook his head.
"Nothing yet.
His mind is as bare as any other newborn.
I did sense something in his subconscious mind however?
A wealth of knowledge, waiting for the day that he's ready to inherit it.
Until the day comes that he returns however, it will be our responsibility to care and nurture him!"
As the memory faded, Storm remembered how happy he was the first time he held his son.
He swore that he would always keep him safe.
That happiness was polluted however as he remembered the odds stacked against him.
"I need your to wake up uncle!!
I need your wisdom and guidance to keep my family safe!
I don't want him to go through the same thing I did!" Pleaded Storm.
Storm suddenly felt something grasp one of his forelimbs.
He looked down and saw his uncle's claw tightened around the limb.
At the same time his eyelids began to flutter and his breathing rate increased.
Storm's breath caught in his throat.
"Uncle?!" Asked Storm.
Without warning , Pyros's eyes suddenly flew open and he took a deep gasp as he suddenly began to stand up.
"GRANS!!! HELP!!! HE'S AWAKE!!!"
The Grans immediately rushed to his side.
"Help keep him down!!!
He shouldn't be moving this much yet!!"
"Storm pushed him down as he began to thrash.
His uncle was stronger than Storm had remembered and he suspected that the metallic augments were responsible.
The 2 plates on his chest opened up and electricity began to flow into the cannon embedded within.
A low hum started up as the weapon began to power up in response to being restrained.
"Uncle, Stop!!! It's me!! It's Storm!!!"