Consciousness returned slowly to Elio, the blurry figures around him gradually taking shape.
Several familiar faces watched him with concern.
The first thing that took shape in his mind was verifying the battle's outcome.
"The Artromus...?" his voice sounded raspy, the question incomplete but urgent.
"It's dead," Selene interrupted, her tone mixing relief and reproach. "You did it, though I still think it was incredibly stupid not to wait a bit longer."
Elio tried to sit up, his muscles protesting the movement. "How long was I...?" New urgency in his voice. "The deposit's time limit..."
"Relax," Lucien stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. "Only four hours have passed. There's still plenty of time."
"The earth king," Elio insisted. "We have to..."
"Zara is already in the second half," Selene intervened. "I sent her a message with a swift. She was worried about you, idiot."
