Chapter 8: Breakfast From The Depths Of Hell
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Xander woke up feeling... better. Not great, not comfortable, but better.
The aching in his body had dulled slightly overnight, but every movement still reminded him that he had barely survived a hydra attack. He groaned, pushing himself upright with more effort than he would have liked.
The cottage smelled of damp wood and something vaguely earthy, though the scent wasn’t unpleasant. The flickering candlelight cast a soft glow on the stone walls, and in the corner of the room, Iris was setting a small wooden table for breakfast.
And, somehow, she was still wearing their Crestwood Heights Academy uniform.
It didn’t look clean anymore, though...it was creased, dusty, and splattered with faint traces of dried dirt from their time in the forest. A far cry from the perfectly pressed outfit she always wore to school.
She noticed him limping toward the table and snorted. "Wow. Look at that. The great Kaelhi finally awakens."
Xander shot her a glare as he slowly lowered himself onto the chair, gritting his teeth at the stiffness in his legs and at the stupid title or nickname. "Seriously? You too?"
Iris smirked, her beautiful emerald irises glittering with amusement which made him shiver slightly. "I do not know what you mean, dear Kaelhi."
Xander groaned, resting his elbows on the table as Eli walked in, carrying a few bowls in his hands. The old man moved with careful precision, his expression unreadable—though when he finally placed the bowls in front of them, his face twisted with regret.
"Forgive me, Kaelhi," Eli said solemnly. "The realm has suffered much over the years, and we do not prosper as we once did. I regret that I must serve you such humble offerings."
Xander blinked.