Askyros faded in and out of consciousness. Every waking moment sent shivers of pain throughout his body. It wasn't until months later that he was able to stay awake for long periods of time. The first thing Askyros saw when he fully regained himself was Ryse sitting beside him.
"..." [Askyros]
He stared at Ryse who nodded off.
"What are you doing here?" [Askyros]
Ryse jerked up and glanced around in a panic.
"Huh?!" [Ryse]
Collecting himself, Ryse quickly realized it was Askyros speaking to him.
"Y-You're awake?!" [Ryse]
"I am." [Askyros]
Askyros observed his surroundings, taking notice of empty beds and bandages. There were buckets of bandages dyed red and there were a few healers present. Each of them watching Askyros in disbelief.
"Hm. How long was I out?" [Askyros]
"Months." [Ryse]
The thought of it felt surreal, but it was Ryse talking. There was no doubt in his words.
"Have you been managing the fort well?" [Askyros]
"It's been rough. Aleph has been a great help with combat oriented assignments while Tida's been managing the nobility." [Ryse]
"And you?" [Askyros]
"I've been dealing with what feels like an endless amount of paperwork." [Ryse]
Askyros fell silent as he processed the information.
"Then why are you here?" [Askyros]
Ryse put on an exhausted smile.
"Am I not allowed to visit a friend?" [Ryse]
"Hm." [Askyros]
Letting out a grunt of acknowledgement, Askyros attempted to leave the bed he rested in.
"WAIT!! Your wounds will open!" [Ryse]
Darting to his feet, Ryse gently pressed Askyros back into bed.
"What are you doing?" [Askyros]
"Keeping my friend from dying!" [Ryse]
Immense worry shaped itself on Ryse's face.
"Please, stop pushing yourself." [Ryse]
Seeing Ryse's expression made Askyros give in.
"I will rest then." [Askyros]
Askyros leaned back into the bed. It was then that he took notice of strange markings on his bandage ridden body.
"What's this?" [Askyros]
He pointed at some hardened black string-like thing sticking out of random places.
"Ah, that. Aleph calls them "stitches"." [Ryse]
"Stitches?" [Askyros]
"Your body is completely immune to healing magic, so all the healers gave up on you. Aleph on the other hand, asked to let him put these "stitches" on you to stop the bleeding." [Ryse]
Askyros inspected the so-called "stitches" and ran a finger on them.
"How do I get rid of it?" [Askyros]
"...I think I'm going to have to ask Aleph about that." [Ryse]
"Call him." [Askyros]
"...Right now?" [Ryse]
"Is it a problem?" [Askyros]
"Aleph is on an assignment right now. He should be returning today, so we have to wait." [Ryse]
"Hm." [Askyros]
Still curious about the stitches, Askyros couldn't help touching it.
"Don't pick at it!" [Ryse]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Three hours later, Aleph returned. Though he wanted to rest after a successful departure, Aleph visited Askyros.
"He's awake?!" [Aleph]
"I said the same thing too." [Ryse]
The look on Aleph's face was like he had seen a ghost.
"Aleph. Remove these." [Askyros]
He pointed at the stitches.
"I think you should wait a little longer. You're still injured." [Aleph]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros wasn't very happy to hear it. The stitches felt like something was pulling at his skin.
"How did you put these on me?" [Askyros]
Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling, Askyros switched the topic to his curiosity.
"I used a fishing hook." [Aleph]
Ryse sighed.
"That was a nightmare." [Ryse]
"Elaborate." [Askyros]
"Your skin is too hard. I broke three fishing hooks before I asked Ryse for help. We then got ten scriptors to enchant a hook so I could actually pierce your skin." [Aleph]
Ryse pulled out a silver hook from an inner pocket.
"It's this." [Ryse]
Aleph turned to him with an awkward stare.
"...You kept it?" [Aleph]
"Stop looking at me like that. I kept it just in case, you know?" [Ryse]
"...Anyways, I tied a string to the hook and pulled your wounds closed. Not too sure if it works like that, but glad you're alive." [Aleph]
Now it was Ryse's turn to give a strange look to Aleph.
"You weren't sure if it would work?!" [Ryse]
"What other choice did we have?!" [Aleph]
"Are you serious?! What if he died!" [Ryse]
The two started bickering. So much so that they missed Askyros chuckle.
"I am glad to be so blessed." [Askyros]
As he said that, Adam woke up.
"...Just like that?" [Adam]