Kensai awoke to the soft crackle of a fire and the scent of herbs hanging in the air. His body ached, every muscle heavy as if weighed down by stone. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, the dim glow of a small cottage filling his vision. He blinked against the blurriness, adjusting to the warm light of a nearby lamp.
The ceiling above him was low, the wooden beams worn but sturdy. His head turned slightly, and he realized he was lying in a small bed—much too small for him. The blanket barely reached his chest, and his legs dangled awkwardly off the end. A faint smile tugged at his lips. He must've been moved here by someone. His mana wings were gone, replaced with bandages wrapped around his torso and arms.
"Angel" A soft voice brought his attention to the side. Tilo, the little girl from before, sat beside him on a wooden stool, her face scrunched in concentration as she carefully applied a salve to a wound on his arm. Her tiny hands worked with surprising care, though her brow furrowed in deep thought.
"You're awake!" she chirped suddenly, her eyes lighting up. "I tried to fix you! Papa said angels can heal themselves, but I didn't want to wait. You fell from the sky and looked all hurt." Her voice was fast, a mix of excitement and worry.
Kensai winced as she pressed the salve a bit too hard, but he offered a weak smile. "You've done well," he says, his voice hoarse and quiet.
Though he seemed calm everything was all so confusing, he wasn't in his world and would never be able to go back. He met a god and that god lied to him, unlike the gods they were told about in history lessons.
And he needs to meet a person looking like that person, it's all much to take in but again 'A hero never complains.' he thought to himself.
The door slowly creaked open, and the man from earlier stepped inside, carrying a tray of steaming tea and a bowl of broth. His eyes locked onto Kensai, relief washing over his stern face. "You're awake. That's good. Tilo's been at your side for hours."
The man set the tray down on the small table by the bed, his movements careful. "Name's Rylen," he introduced himself, though his gaze never left Kensai. "Found you in the field. You looked like you'd been through hell."
Kensai struggled to sit up, wincing at the pain that shot through his ribs. "It's… complicated," he muttered, still trying to gather his thoughts.
Well, whatever it is," Rylen says, crossing his arms, "you're safe here. For now."
"Angel!" Tilo pouts beside him, her hands crossed just like her father's. "No moving while I'm taking care of you."
"Sorry." He lays back down short sparks of pain ripple through his body as he does.
As Kensai lay back down, his mind raced to the person he needed to find—someone who bore a resemblance to someone from his past. Was it coincidence or fate that led him here? The pieces weren't fitting together, and it frustrated him to no end. But he had to stay strong. "A hero never complains," he reminded himself, a mantra he clung to in times of uncertainty, just like Hanz told him to do.
Tilo, oblivious to the weight of Kensai's thoughts, continued tending to his wounds with a determined look on her face, her small fingers moving deftly as she applied more of the herbal salve. She looked so focused as if she believed she was truly saving an angel from the heavens.
"I guess if I'm an angel you're a heavenly healer right?" He smiles looking at her.
"No! I am the best heavenly healer!" She glances up with a confident smile on her face. "Ok." She exhales closing her eyes.
Extending her hands towards the wound, a green ball of light forms, and leisurely it all heals. Kensai's eyes widened in shock she was using mana in a way he had never seen before, a way that shocked him.
'She's using mana as a power source to generate the power stored in her body, interesting.'
[wounds healing]
The system panel pops up catching him off guard. He reaches out to poke it up his finger goes right through it. "Amazing." He mutters. "Is your power healing?" He questions her.
"Yes, I can able to heal others, and someday I'll become the greatest healer." she beams.
"And one day I want to become a hero." He pats her head even though everything hurts. "Good luck." He smiles. "I'm sure you can do it."
Rylen watched the interaction between them, the sternness in his face softening ever so slightly. "You've got a lot of explaining to do, once you're up for it," he added, but there was no malice in his tone—just curiosity and wariness.
"I know." He nods reassuringly.
Kensai's gaze flickered to the window. The sky outside was a dull gray, the faint sound of rain tapping against the wooden roof. It was peaceful here, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in his mind. But how long could that peace last?
"I need to find someone," Kensai murmured, almost to himself, his voice still weak. Tilo glanced up at him, her eyes wide and curious, but Rylen's gaze sharpened.
"You poor baby!" She pats his head. "You won't be able to go back to heaven."
"I know." He acts sad, while she chuckles.
"Tilo why don't you go find some clothes for him to wear?" Rylen suggested and Tilo's eyes widened in excitement.
"Right!" She hops off the stool and runs off with her hands behind her back.
"Now." Rylen turns serious. "Who are you looking for?" Rylen asked, his tone now more serious, sensing the gravity in Kensai's words.
"I don't know their names." He recognized he didn't get the name of the person. "Is there a gathering of some kind happening soon?"
"Yes. The tournament is in a few weeks." Rylen answers truthfully. "Though you'd need to become stronger."
"I'll do that." He looks down at his hands struggling to form a fist.
"Thankfully it's just a few miles away so I'll take you there soon, for now, rest and later we'll have a proper talk," Rylen says moving towards the door before Tilo bursts in with a stack of clothes.
"I will." he shakes his head just as she runs over resting it on the bed and moving back to her dad.