---
The world felt like it was drifting in and out of focus. Mordryn blinked several times, his vision hazy as the familiar scent of herbs and wood filled his senses. He could feel the softness of a bed beneath him and the warmth of the covers draped over his aching body. His muscles were sore, his chest tight, but the pain was nothing compared to what he had endured during the fight with Vlord.
Slowly, his eyes began to adjust to the dim light in the room. It was quiet. Peaceful. A soft breeze blew through the open window, carrying with it the faint sound of villagers going about their daily lives. Mordryn let out a long, slow breath, his mind still catching up to what had happened.
He turned his head slightly and saw her—Kang Wo Hu—sleeping in a chair beside his bed. She had her arms folded on the side of the bed, her head resting on them. Her expression was one of exhaustion, dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept properly in days. The sight tugged at something in Mordryn's chest. She had stayed by his side the entire time.
Mordryn:
thinking to himself
"Has it been... days? Or... longer?"
He tried to sit up but immediately felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. His body protested the movement, and he let himself fall back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Then, slowly, it all began to come back to him. The battle. Vlord's fury. The moment Kang Wo Hu created that barrier, sacrificing her energy to protect the village from certain destruction. And then... his rage. His power unleashed in a way that he hadn't felt in over a thousand years. He had fought with everything he had, determined to stop Vlord and protect the people of Valendar.
But now... now the world was quiet again.
Mordryn shifted slightly in the bed, his hand reaching for his side. He could feel the faint traces of healing magic working through his wounds. He had survived the fight, but only barely. If it hadn't been for the villagers—and Kang Wo Hu—he likely wouldn't have made it.
His gaze drifted back to Kang Wo Hu, still asleep beside him. He wanted to wake her, to let her know that he was okay, but something held him back. He didn't want to disturb her. She looked so peaceful, despite the exhaustion that clung to her features.
Instead, he closed his eyes and listened to the soft rhythm of her breathing. For a brief moment, it felt like everything was normal—like the chaos of the past few days had never happened. But deep down, he knew better.
As he lay there in the silence, something gnawed at him. A feeling that something wasn't right. It wasn't just the aftermath of the battle, or the fact that Vlord was gone. No, there was something else. Something more. He had fought with everything he had, and yet, it didn't feel like the end.
Mordryn:
thinking, furrowing his brows
"We're still inside..."
The realization hit him like a cold wave. The Gate. They had entered it together, but he had been so focused on protecting the village and defeating Vlord that he hadn't even considered it. This village, the people—it wasn't real. It was all part of the Gate's dimension. They were still trapped inside.
But how? And why?
Mordryn's thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the wooden door. He glanced over to see one of the villagers—an older man—peeking into the room. His eyes widened when he saw Mordryn awake, and he quickly stepped inside, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Villager Elder:
with enthusiasm
"Mordryn! You're awake! By the gods, we thought you might never wake up!"
The elder hurried over to the bedside, his wrinkled hands shaking slightly as he clasped Mordryn's arm in gratitude.
Villager Elder:
"Thank you. You saved us all. If it weren't for you, this village would've been..."
The man trailed off, his eyes glistening with emotion. Mordryn gave a small, tired nod, acknowledging the elder's gratitude. It felt strange, being thanked like this. He hadn't fought for recognition—he had fought because it was the right thing to do. Still, the relief on the elder's face warmed something inside him.
Mordryn:
quietly, forcing a small smile
"I just did what needed to be done."
As the elder left to inform the rest of the village, Mordryn turned his attention back to Kang Wo Hu. She stirred slightly in her sleep, mumbling something under her breath, before settling back into a peaceful slumber.
For now, he would wait. There was no need to rush anything. He had time. Time to think, to recover, to figure out their next move. But first, he needed to make sure Kang Wo Hu was alright.
---
Scene Transition: Outside the Village, Hours Later
When Kang Wo Hu finally woke up, she found the bed empty. Panic surged through her for a moment, until she heard the soft rustling of leaves outside. She rushed to the door and stepped out into the bright daylight, scanning the surroundings. There, under a large tree at the edge of the village, she saw him.
Mordryn sat in the shade, leaning against the trunk of the tree, his eyes focused on the sky above. He looked deep in thought, his expression calm yet distant.
Kang Wo Hu:
relieved, walking toward him
"Mordryn... you're awake..."
Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if she was afraid she might disturb him. But when Mordryn glanced over at her, he gave her a small, reassuring smile.
Mordryn:
softly
"I am. Thanks to you."
Kang Wo Hu approached and sat down beside him, letting out a long breath. She hadn't realized how much tension she had been holding onto until that moment. For the past week, she had been so worried, so afraid that he might not wake up.
Kang Wo Hu:
smiling faintly
"You scared me. I thought you were going to sleep forever."
Mordryn chuckled softly, though the sound was tinged with a hint of exhaustion. He leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes, the weight of everything finally settling on him.
Mordryn:
quietly, reflecting
"I thought I might too..."
For a long moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the breeze rustling the leaves overhead. The peace of the village was almost surreal after everything that had happened. But as Mordryn sat there, watching the clouds drift by, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off. The Gate. The reality they were still trapped in. And the fact that he had been gone for so long.
He knew they couldn't stay here forever. There were still questions that needed answers, and enemies that hadn't yet revealed themselves.
But for now, under the shade of the tree, Mordryn allowed himself a brief moment of rest.
---
End of Chapter 27