Chapter 54: The Ember's Path, Part 9: The Sylvari's Care
Kaiden groggily woke up, blinking against the light. "What is it with me and beds?" he muttered, rubbing his forehead. His eyes adjusted to the room around him, but the strange calming aura in the air took him by surprise. The walls were covered with vines and flowers—vivid green and purple petals hanging from the ceiling, wrapping around the room like nature had reclaimed this space.
Sitting next to him was a girl with flowing green hair that looked like petals and vines, cascading gently down her back. Her face was delicate and serene, with soft green eyes that glimmered like the early morning sun. The moment his eyes fell on her, a strange sense of calmness washed over him, almost as if the air itself was breathing life into him.
Without thinking, Kaiden instinctively reached out for her hair, his hand brushing near the delicate strands. But before he could touch it, vines shot out, wrapping tightly around his wrist and pulling him back.
"Watch yourself," the girl said, her voice soft yet firm. "I just got it watered today."
Kaiden, still slightly dazed, blinked. "My bad."
She smiled, though it was more of an amused curve to her lips than a full smile. "No worries. You're the first person I've had in here for a while, so you're kind of a rarity."
"What is this place, anyway?" Kaiden asked, still feeling the remnants of confusion clouding his thoughts.
"This is the wait room," she replied, adjusting her position. "It's located near the volcano, mainly used to patch up anyone who's been hurt badly. It's equipped with everything we need to care for injuries, including the ship's features that brought us here."
Kaiden frowned slightly, his mind still reeling. "I've been out for how long?"
"You've been sleeping for three days," she answered.
Kaiden's eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean I'm not disqualified?"
She chuckled softly. "Smart. No, you're not disqualified. But you'll need to be on your feet and ready soon—Stage 2's coming up in three days."
Kaiden stood up, stretching his arms. "Time to get back to training."
After a brief exchange of names—hers was Lyra, and she was part of the Sylvari race, known for their connection to nature and unique appearance—Kaiden made his way out of the room, determined to prepare himself for what lay ahead.
End of Chapter 53
Kaiden has awakened from his long rest, meeting a mysterious girl who possesses an almost otherworldly presence. With the clock ticking down until Stage 2 of the trials, Kaiden knows the next challenge will test him even further. With Lyra's care, he's ready to begin his training once more