The construct held Sam tight in its arms, and it was a promise of what was to come. Once Sam got through this, once he got home to his universe, he'd have a chance to find his father again -- and he'd have help this time.

The blue light fought the red infection, all the way down to the molecular level. As the blue light that made up the vision of Sam's father poured into Sam's body, leeching the red infection out of him, new arms replaced that of the construct's, as Rich swooped in and swept Sam into a hug.

"Let it all go, Sam. It's not you, kiddo." Sure, he could be a little tetchy sometimes, but he wasn't this ragey. Not naturally. There was a reason the violet ring had chosen him, after all. "We'll find your dad, that will become real -- but you gotta be you for it to happen. Just let all the anger go."

That vision of hope could come true, it could come to be, but he had to be himself again for it to happen.