Chapter 69

　　Kal released a deep, shuddering breath as he lowered his hands from where they covered his face. They were shaking, the left hand constantly twitching and spasming, the fingers curled involuntarily. His body felt exhausted and weak, the skin in areas significantly paler than others.

　　Looking around the room, Kal tried to ascertain where he was when the door opposite his bed slid open silently, an older woman entering.

　　She was stately and noble, wearing a dark blue dress with a beige shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Grey-haired and wrinkled, her appearance would have been fragile if not for how she carried herself with self-assurance.

　　"Good morning, Kalen. How are you feeling?" She asked, her tone chipper and relaxed, not at all formal as he would expect from someone with her poise. From how she addressed him, she likely knew him somehow, but he couldn`t recall anyone matching her appearance in his past.

　　Frowning at the lack of memory of the person standing before him, Kal studied her features carefully, looking for a hint as to who she was. It wasn`t polite for him to do, but in his current state, he was well beyond adhering to social necessities.

　　If the woman was offended, she didn`t show it, merely taking the chair next to his bed and crossing her legs primly as she waited for his response.

　　"I feel&confused. Where am I? How did I get here?" Kal asked, his gaze still locked on the woman`s face, desperately searching for a clue in his memories as to her identity.

　　"What`s the last thing you remember?" She asked.

　　"I was in space. There were other people around me. I think they were relying on me in some way. And there was a&.monster. Atlas." Kal tentatively said the name, waiting for the green-eyed beast to assault him, to burst through the window or even crawl out from beneath his bed.

　　When nothing happened, he let out a relieved sigh as his left hand twitched and spasmed out of his control.

　　"You were badly injured, Kalen. On top of the physical wounds, your mind has been affected. Are there gaps in your memory?" The woman asked, placing a hand gently on his spasming hand to still it. Kal stared at it momentarily before choosing to confide in her.

　　"I remember the rebellion, bits and pieces of my father. There was a woman there as well. My mother, although I can`t recall her name." Kal admitted, looking up at her as he spoke. She nodded gently, encouraging him.

　　"I was released from stasis and returned home. There are fragments, images and scenes, but they`re disjointed. I can`t keep a clear timeline of events."

　　"And do you remember me?" She asked, although she already suspected the answer. Seeing him shake his head, she provided the solution to his search for her name.

　　"I`m Amelia. You delivered a Tiara to my husband recently." The Empress explained, looking for the signs of recognition on Kal`s face. They had met several times during his youth before Aurora`s passing, and it was painful to realize he had no recollection of her.

　　"Tiara? The Lunite Tiara? Oh." Kal whispered. He remembered visiting Terra with the item to be transferred to the Emperor for the Tithe. It had been the Empress` favourite. He recalled how Aurelius mentioned his wife would be ecstatic by its return.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　"Empress Amelia." Kal greeted her, doing his best to do a seated bow which she waved off while laughing.

　　"I`m glad that you finally remembered me. It was rather disheartening to think that I wasn`t that memorable to a child coming to visit from Caledon." Amelia joked.

　　"I`m sorry. But if you`re here, then that would mean I`m&." Kal looked out the large windows, trying to recognize the landscape.

　　"On Terra, yes. We had you brought here for treatment. As for your memories, we hope they will return in time. Atlas significantly damaged your brain, the Neural Burden was too much for you to bear, but we have repaired as much as possible." Amelia explained.

　　"I need to get back to Caledon," Kal stated, throwing back the blankets and trying to climb out of bed. It was embarrassing how easily he was rebuffed. Amelia`s hand on his chest pushed him back onto the bed without any effort.

　　Collapsing onto the pillows, Kal panted at the exertion. He had never been so weak or helpless.

　　"You`re going to be staying here for the foreseeable future. We have told the public that you are here to train and learn. Samuel is guarding Caledon in your stead as Regent. The Guard has scrubbed any mention of your battle and Atlas from the Imperial Net." Amelia assured him.

　　"I asked him to look after Caledon if anything happened to me," Kal muttered weakly.

　　"And he takes that charge seriously. Your people are in good hands, Kalen. Focus on recovering. You`re safe here." Amelia pledged.

　　They spent the remaining afternoon in idle talk, discussing small, inconsequential things until Kal drifted off to sleep.

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　　"One step at a time, Kalen." Amelia encouraged him from where she sat as he tried to walk the length of the room carefully. It had been a few weeks since he had come out of the rejuvenation chamber, and his body was gradually strengthening. Better yet, his mind was more active, the gaps in his memory glaringly obvious rather than a confusing mishmash. He could recognize when something was missing rather than only suspect it.

　　The Empress visited him daily, bringing not only pleasant conversation but news from Caledon and the rest of the galaxy, as well as study materials and entertainment programs to help him pass the time.

　　On shaky legs, gripping a cane tightly in his right hand, Kal took another step forward, gingerly easing weight onto the limb before he was sure it would hold. The doctors assured him the rejuvenation procedure was flawless, but the regrown parts would need physiotherapy to function correctly.

　　Despite the procedure, Kal had extensive brain and central nervous system damage, which needed time to repair. His left arm was unsteady, and tremors kept his fingers from being able to grip properly.

　　Another step, and he collapsed onto his knees, exhausted. Amelia was beside him in a flash, her agility astounding despite her age. He had asked if they should have someone else present to assist, but she had been adamant that her skills were equal to any of the staff here.

　　Pushing himself to his feet, Kal took another step forward.

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　　"Baron, as you can see, these scans show significant changes compared to your last exam before the rejuvenation procedure. Particularly, this brain area has received extensive trauma from the Neural Link. We`ve repaired the damage as best we could, but you may notice significant fluctuations in your Piloting abilities."

　　Amelia was absent today, leaving him to recover alone. A doctor spoke to Kal in an office. A holo displayed a scan of Kal`s brain. A few portions were highlighted as they overlapped with previous images.

　　"What can I expect?" Kal asked, concerned. He had a duty as a Noble to defend the Empire as a Pilot if required. The Atlas needed to be ready in case something threatened the security of Caledon. Although his experience with it had been traumatizing, he still wanted to grow his skills in Light and Medium classes.

　　"We`re not entirely sure. The level of Neural Burden you experienced was severe, but you`ve been genetically designed to handle the Titan. To be blunt, not many people have ever lived through something like this. There are no records of a Titan`s physical effects on its Pilot; the few nobles possessing them have never submitted to tests. Their Pilots were always prepared to handle them. I`m afraid your situation is unique." The Doctor replied.

　　The medical facility on Terra had top-level clearance, allowing them to access information not available to the general public. Still, even they were wading into unknown waters with a Titan.

　　"For now, I recommend you avoid using any form of Neural Link, including VR, until we can be assured of your safety." The Doctor finished, escorting Kal from the office.