She began to thrash, and now everyone around you was growing uneasy at the state of their protector. Her arm reached up to grip your shoulder, and you could feel her nails digging into your flesh. But then, something strange happened.

Her hair was starting to change color. It went from white, to orange, and finally, to a deep shade of red! Her body began to change as well. Her limbs elongated, and her features softened. Her youth was returning to her with seemingly no effort on her part.

Life energy flooded her body, reigniting her spark, and forcing you to shield your eyes momentarily! You had read somewhere that the Bloodgem granted immortality to anyone that merged with it, but this was the first time you've ever witnessed its power with your own eyes!

Her skin was a bit paler than usual, but was at least far healthier than she had been before having the stone implanted in her flesh. The skin around it was looking a lot less irritated and veiny, and was beginning to look like a surgical implant that had been there long before the two of you had ever met.

She blinked several times, and her eyes returned to a darker, more natural hue. Her legs shifted, and you felt the need to have Mercy cover her legs to preserve her modesty. With how long her legs had gotten, she would need a few alterations to that robe of hers.

Your grandmother, now sporting the appearance of a pretty, red-headed Korean woman in her twenties, blinked up at you several more times.

“...Cindy? Cindy, is that you...!?” she asked, trying to sit up a little too quickly.

You allowed her to sit up, but kept a firm grip on her shoulder so that she wouldn't move around too much. Seeing her now, you had to admit that you looked more like her than your actual mother. It was like looking at a grown up version of yourself that had decided to dye her hair in an act of rebellion.

The thought made you laugh, despite yourself, and you threw your arms around her shoulders.

“Hey Grandma.” you said with a sniffle, nuzzling her neck as you tightened your hold over her. “Don't scare me like that ever again.”

You heard another sniffle, and felt warmth dripping onto your shoulder and running down your back. A pair of equally warm hands wrapped around your back and hugged you tight.

“Thank the heavens you are alright…!” she said through a shuddering breath. “I could not bear to lose you.”

Your tearful embrace lasted several minutes longer, with the two of you indulging in a healthy amount of back-rubbing and exchanging loving gestures in the form of gentle whispers.

The monsters around you all collectively breathed sighs of relief as they quietly celebrated Young’s return to health. You didn’t care that you were currently the center of attention. You didn’t even care that everyone was watching and listening to you blubbering over your grandma.

This was your moment. And no one could take this away from you.

—---

(Cont.)