CHAPTER 177: Promises

CHAPTER 177: Promises

January 15, 2001 - ENID CORP FACILITIES, MUNICH

The dawn light bathed the sterile recovery room. Doctor Samuel Hart entered with a folder under his arm and an expression of professional satisfaction.

"Good morning, Fénix. Today is a big day. Let's see what that regeneration of yours has accomplished."

Fénix, now able to move with some clumsiness, managed a half-smile.
"Tell me the truth, Samuel. Will I be able to keep scaring people with this face, or will I need a new one?"

Samuel let out a brief laugh while checking the monitors.
"You're the best patient and the worst case study. Your body repairs itself faster than I can diagnose. But don't celebrate just yet. Expect fatigue, erratic muscle aches, and extreme sensitivity in the new tissue for... well, the next few months."

He began to methodically remove the bandages. The skin revealed was remarkably intact, except for some pink, sensitive areas where the burns had been deepest.

"As you can see, you're in exceptional condition, given the circumstances," Samuel explained. "These residual burns are superficial. You'll use a silver sulfadiazine cream twice a day to prevent infection and speed up healing. Also a regimen of vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for skin elasticity."

Fénix flexed his fingers and then his fists, testing his muscles' resilience.
"I feel... weak. But whole."

"That's normal," Samuel nodded, taking notes. "Ibuprofen for pain, iron supplements for fatigue. And no heroic efforts for at least two weeks. Your body needs resources to finish the job." He walked to a cabinet and pulled out a long black box. "Something for you. From Miss Drakewood."

Fénix opened the box. Inside, folded with military precision, was his usual characteristic suit. Black, elegant, impeccable.

"Looks like the boss wants you back in the field," Samuel commented with a smile. "It's state-of-the-art Kevlar with carbon fiber reinforcements and a thermoregulation system. If anyone can put this on after what you've been through, it's you."

Fénix took the suit, feeling the familiar fabric between his fingers.
"Thanks, Samuel. For everything."

"Just follow my advice and rest," the doctor replied, patting him on the shoulder. "The world can wait a little longer for its hero."

Fénix walked through the corridors, adjusting the collar of his black suit. His body protested with every movement, but a familiar determination burned inside him once more.

Turning a corner, he stopped dead in his tracks. Marcus was there, leaning against the wall, as if he had been waiting for him.

"Marcus?" Fénix's voice was an incredulous whisper. "I thought... the collapse..."

Marcus smiled, a tired but genuine expression.
"I thought so too. The debris fell on me, but it formed a kind of bunker. They rescued me hours later. It was... insane."

Fénix scrutinized him, making sure he wasn't a ghost.
"It's a miracle. I'm glad to see you alive."

"The feeling is mutual." Marcus crossed his arms. "We... thought we'd lost you forever. But you're tougher than steel, my friend."

"And Lucian?" Fénix asked. "Any news?"

Marcus's face darkened.
"Nothing. Since Manhattan... silence. With what happened to Vanessa..." He paused. "She was more than his second-in-command. He needs time. We all need time."

Fénix nodded slowly.
"May he find it. He's earned it."

"We all have," Marcus concluded.

Fénix stepped forward, extending his hand.
"Take care, Marcus."

"You too." Marcus shook his hand, but just as Fénix turned to leave, he tossed him something small and silver. "You dropped this."

Fénix caught it mid-air by pure reflex. It was a simple engagement ring. He looked at it, then at Marcus, a wave of relief washing over his face.

"Thanks," he said, carefully storing it in an inner pocket of his suit.

"Don't lose it again," Marcus said with a teasing smile before walking away.

Fénix remained for a moment longer, his hand over the pocket where the ring now rested. He took a deep breath and continued on his way.

Fénix stopped in front of the heavy oak door of Enid's office. He knocked softly. Silence. With a slight sigh, he turned the handle and entered.

The room was empty. He took a step inside, and at that instant, a figure emerged from behind the door and enveloped him in a strong, sudden embrace.

"Fénix!" Enid's voice was a whisper charged with emotion against his ear. "You don't know what it's like to think I wouldn't see you again."

Fénix, though surprised, wrapped his arms around her waist, returning the embrace.
"I'm here. I'm not so easy to get rid of."

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her hands on his arms as if to make sure he was real.
"Come in, sit down. We need to talk."

Fénix dropped onto the leather sofa, bringing a hand to his eyes with a gesture of tiredness.
"The light... it bothers me. Side effect, I guess."

"Antigen?" he asked, without moving his hand.

Enid sat across from him, her posture that of an executive, but her gaze softer.
"Dismantled. With Viktor dead, the empire crumbled within days. There's nothing left of them."

Fénix nodded, one less weight on his shoulders. But then, Enid's tone shifted, adopting one slightly more casual, almost carefree.

"Fénix, there's a new mission."

He lowered his hand and stared at her, an incredulous arch to his eyebrow.
"Weren't you the one who talked about white sand beaches? A quiet life, away from suicide missions?"

She averted her gaze for a second, a nervous smile playing on her lips.
"Ah, that... This is... different."

"Enid," his voice was flat, "I may be many things, but an idiot isn't one of them."

She smiled at him, an expression that was half apology, half mischief, but added nothing. Fénix sighed, defeated. He knew he wouldn't win that argument today.