The moment stretched, infinite and eternal, as he summoned every ounce of courage to shift his weight forward. And then, with a gasp that echoed through the empty room, Alexander stood.

Tears welled in his eyes as disbelief mingled with joy, and he let out a laugh—half sob, half exclamation—as he took an unsteady step, then another. The world seemed to tilt and spin around him, yet he pressed on, driven by a mixture of elation and incredulity.

He stumbled toward the window, gripping the frame for support, and gazed out at the city below, its skyline a testament to his past triumphs. But now, the towering structures seemed less important than the simple fact that he was standing here, alive and whole.