Silence.
The profound sound of silence and emptiness enveloped him. He couldn't hear even the faintest whisper of air. It was desolate, as if he wandered in an absolute void. Was this the culmination? Was this the cessation of his existence? Was this the afterlife spoken of in tales?
There was nothing to feel except an icy chill that pervaded everything.
Cold, vacant, and cloaked in darkness. No vestige of life remained, only the sensation of being forsaken and solitary.
Suddenly, a glimmer of light, feeble yet discernible, pierced through the abyss. It stood as the sole testament to vitality since he became aware of his state.
Illuminating the darkness, it grew more elusive with each passing second.
He yearned to grasp it, stretching out his hands in an attempt to feel its radiance, to bask in its warmth. He simply longed to feel.
The more he reached for it, the more he sensed its irresistible pull. Gradually, he started to perceive—a surge of life coursing through his veins, the embrace of touch, the shield of protection.
In that fleeting moment, he was drawn out. His senses flooded back, immersed in the caress of air against his skin, the sun's penetrating rays, the melodic symphony of birdsong. He discerned his own heartbeat amidst an orchestra of indistinguishable sounds. A softness he couldn't fathom graced his skin, evoking a sense of belonging.
Am I dead?
Suddenly, recollection flooded his mind, replaying his descent into this state like a harrowing nightmare. The last fragment of memory seared in his eyes was the serpent's monstrous strike while he fought to shield Jiangsu.
Jiangsu.
At the memory of Jiangsu, he bolted upright in sheer panic. Eyes widened in shock, heart pounding, brows furrowed in confusion, his gaze darted around the vast chamber.
A room?
Where am I?
The fog of confusion settled upon his face, and as he attempted to rise, a voice called out from beside him, causing him to startle once again.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
It was a woman's voice. His attention was immediately seized by her intense crimson eyes. Fearlessness radiated from her, as she rose from the seat beside the bed and positioned herself directly in front of him.
Tall and spirited, she exuded an air of serenity and acted as though a guardian. Her hands were clasped behind her back, while her scrutinizing gaze traversed his form. A somber demeanor cloaked her.
"You are in no condition to stand."
Following her gaze, his eyes fell upon his own body, encased in bandages nearly everywhere. It was then that the realization of the harsh reality struck him. His eyes widened even further from the shock.
If this is indeed real, then where is he? Where is Jiangsu? And why does he feel no pain despite these grievous injuries?
Terror gripped him, an avalanche of questions threatening to overwhelm, yet one query surged to the forefront.
"Who are you?"