With bated breath, Pentaro slowly peeled open his eyelids, greeted by a dazzling burst of light that forced him to squint. His heart raced as he cautiously raised his hands to shield his vision.
Every nerve in his body tingled with anticipation as he examined his hands, half-expecting to find a new form, perhaps a shorter, slimmer, or more weathered version of himself.
But, to his astonishment, there was no transformation; only the familiar sight of his own, unaltered arm, leaving him with an eerie sense of anticipation unfulfilled.
Pentaro's attempt to rise was met with the soothing tones of an enchanting female voice, a symphony of reassurance in his ears. Slowly, he shifted his gaze to the side, and there, standing by the bedside like a celestial guardian, was a breathtakingly beautiful damsel in a dark, enchanting uniform—the unmistakable attire of a Healer.
Her eyes, like pools of vitality, sparkled with an inner radiance that seemed to breathe life into the very air around her. Her skin, smooth as the softest silk, glowed with an otherworldly luminescence, casting an entrancing spell upon all who beheld her.
But it was her breathtakingly elegant form that truly left Pentaro spellbound. Her graceful contours and a figure that defied the laws of beauty created an aura of allure that was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Her breasts, a perfect testament to nature's artistry, added a sublime touch to her ethereal charm. Her waist, elegantly curved, seemed sculpted by the hands of the Supremes themselves.
In that moment, Pentaro couldn't help but be captivated by her sheer, transcendent beauty, a vision of loveliness that made him forget his own predicament and lose himself in her enchanting presence.
Pentaro's gaze lingered upon her, from the cascade of her dark brown hair down to the gleaming tight-fitting shoes adorning her feet.
With a voice as mellifluous as a gentle stream's flow, she continued, "Your companion has ventured out to procure some medicine on your behalf."
Pentaro managed a grateful smile in response, his heart touched by her caring presence.
In a sudden flurry of movement, the silvery-white hair burst into the room, bearing two small boxes clutched tightly in his hands. With a gentle reverence, he offered them to the captivating lady, who received them with a delicate grace that seemed to radiate love and care.
She retreated into the main chamber, her every step a ballet of elegance and poise. Pentaro's gaze remained steadfastly fixed on her, a look of affectionate admiration in his eyes, as though he couldn't help but fall in love with every detail of her presence.
"It seems my lifelong dream is finally on the brink of coming true!" exclaimed Silon, his eyes gleaming with hope.
Pentaro, intrigued, couldn't resist asking, "And what remarkable dream might that be?"
With an ear-to-ear grin, Silon proudly declared, "I've had the privilege of encountering the most stunning lady in all of Kahani today!"
Pentaro couldn't help but interject with a hint of sarcasm, "Ah, but my dear friend, there's a world of difference between 'seeing' someone and 'meeting' someone."
Silon chuckled and conceded, "Alright, alright, you win. Let me rephrase that—I've laid eyes on the most gorgeous lady in Kahani today."
Intrigued by this revelation, Pentaro pressed further, "Oh, do tell, where did you stumble upon such a gem?"
With a mischievous grin, Silon replied, "Believe it or not, inside this very Zoar!"
Pentaro's curiosity reached its peak, and he inquired, "You don't mean the healer who just left, do you?"
Silon shook his head with a playful smirk and clarified, "No, not her, but her friend!"
A wave of relief washed over Pentaro as he heard Silon's words. He couldn't help but crack a sly grin.
Silon, brimming with curiosity, teased, "Don't tell me you've got your sights set on Timha?"
Pentaro, wearing a bemused expression, shot back, "Who in the world is Timha?"
With a chuckle, Silon replied, "The Healer who just left, of course!"
Pentaro, now wearing a mischievous grin, couldn't resist poking fun, "And how absolutely certain are you that 'Timha' is her real name?"
Silon, still smiling, simply retorted, "Well, my dear friend, I have my ways remember"
As Timha emerged from the main chamber, Pentaro's expression transformed into one of pleasant surprise. She carried a delicate cup filled with a mysterious liquid, and with grace, she settled down beside his bed. Her mere presence was a soothing balm, radiating care and concern.
With a gentle gesture, she offered the cup to him, a silent invitation to partake. Pentaro accepted it with gratitude and curiosity. Without a second thought, he lifted the cup to his lips and sipped the liquid within, trusting in her kindness.
The subtle, sweet scent that enveloped Timha as she sat beside him hinted at a life of privilege and opulence, leaving Pentaro to wonder about her background.
Silon, eager to learn more about Timha's friend, inquired, "So, where can we find your friend?"
With a polite smile, Timha explained, "Actually, she's a grade 2 Healer, so she works in the adjacent ward."
Silon's curiosity was far from satisfied as he probed further, "What's her name, this elusive grade 2 Healer?"
"Her name is Niskha," Timha replied with a warm smile.
Intrigued by the distinctions in healer roles, Silon couldn't help but ask, "And what exactly do grade 2 Healers handle?"
Timha elucidated, "Grade 1 Healers deal with complications involving the energy core, Grade 2 specialize in bone fractures, Grade 3 attend to minor cuts and wounds, and the Primals handle the critical and potentially deadly conditions."
Pentaro, his expression shifting from curiosity to a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension, couldn't contain his question any longer. With a hint of humor to ease the tension, he blurted out, "Wait, did you just say 'complications involving the energy core'? Is there something funky going on with my energy core?"
"Based on my careful observations, it appears that you've nearly stretched your energy core beyond its natural elasticity. I strongly advise against pushing yourself beyond these limits, as doing so could result in the development of stress marks on your core, which, regrettably, can have severe consequences." Timha spoke with a tone of utmost elegance and concern.
Disappointment settled over Pentaro like a heavy shroud, and he found himself lost in a deep reverie. His gaze wandered aimlessly into the empty space as he grappled with a cascade of troubling thoughts.
"As feeble as Fist Ball formation is," he mused, "it still managed to affect my core. How can this body betray me? Will I ever regain the full extent of my power as I once possessed? Can I ever find the strength to avenge my wife's death or journey beyond the ethereal veil to seek my lost brother?"
These poignant questions swirled in his mind, leaving his eyes brimming with tears and his heart heavy with anguish. Meanwhile, Silon remained engrossed in his conversation with Timha, blissfully unaware of the depths of Pentaro's inner turmoil.
A spark of inspiration ignited in Silon's eyes as he watched Timha's departure, and a mischievous grin crept across his face. With a newfound determination, he swiftly positioned himself on the edge of Pentaro's bed.
Pentaro, anticipating Silon's next move, raised an eyebrow and inquired, "What's on your mind now?"
A glint of excitement danced in Silon's eyes as he revealed his audacious plan. "You see, the only way I can get a chance to talk to Niskha is if I have a broken bone, right?"
Pentaro, his confusion growing, nodded slowly. "Yes, and...?"
Without uttering a word, Silon grasped his left fingers tightly with his right hand, his grin growing wider with each passing moment. With a surge of determination, he exerted great force, breaking his own fingers. The sudden pain coursed through his nerves, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to let it conquer his resolve.
"Niskha, here I come!" he declared through gritted teeth, the passion and determination in his voice overriding the pulsating agony in his hand.