Chapter 74: Awake
Beneath the shrouded canopy of trees in the stillness of the night, Asher lay motionless, fast asleep atop a thick branch, as though the weight of the world held no claim over him. His breathing was soft and steady, the gentle rise and fall of his chest barely noticeable in the moonlit gloom.
If word ever spread of what Asher Wargrave, the Tenth Sun, was doing at that very moment, few would believe it. During the True Awakening, a brutal ordeal where every Wargrave was fated to lose at least a limb, he had chosen to sleep, despite bearing what was widely known as the most harrowing trial.
And at that very moment, the Wargraves who watched from afar could scarcely believe their eyes. None among them had ever dared attempt such a thing during their own trials, sleeping during the True Awakening was unthinkable.
Quite simply, not a single one of them would have.
Virelass remained still and vigilant. If she possessed eyes, they would no doubt be flickering restlessly within their sockets as she swept her gaze across the forest, tirelessly surveying every shadow and rustle.
Time slipped by, and an hour and twenty minutes passed in silence.
Then, Asher stirred.
With slow, deliberate movement, his body shifted upright. He settled into a seated position upon the branch and opened his eyes, calm and unhurried, as he took in the dark expanse of the forest around him.
’System, how long was I asleep?’ Asher asked silently.
[An hour and twenty minutes, Host]
The system’s response chimed crisply in his mind.