Chapter 142: Long time no see
The Cold Awakening
"Ugh," El groaned, stirring from deep sleep. His entire body felt numb, every nerve singing with residual pain. "Haah... haaa... haaah," he panted, sweat beading on his forehead as his teeth ground together. He struggled between the pull of unconsciousness and the harsh reality of waking up.
Finally, "Haah!" His eyes shot open to find himself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Haah... haaah... haaah," he continued panting, though more calmly now as awareness crept in.
Taking a moment to survey his surroundings, he realized he was in what appeared to be a hotel room—and an expensive one at that. Sunlight flooded through a massive window across the room, casting everything in dazzling brilliance.
"Someone saved me," he muttered, sitting up with a pained groan. His body protested the movement, but he pushed through it.
But who?
He made his way to a mirror and examined his reflection. He was... completely healed. Every wound had been treated with what must have been high-level healing potions. Not a mark remained.
This only deepened his curiosity. Who could have saved him? Who had even found him? So many questions, so few answers.
"Could it be... Maria?" he wondered aloud, but dismissed the thought almost immediately. She was already headed for the academy—probably there by now. How could she possibly know what had happened to him, when it happened, or where to find him? No, that didn’t make sense.
"So who?" He frowned, considering other possibilities. Helen? No, that wasn’t right either. She was probably being held captive by Ednar at this point. The possibility of her saving him was virtually nonexistent. Yes, she knew that his death would affect her—that she would likewise die—but given the state she’d been in before he escaped, it was safe to say she wouldn’t be free to move about for a very long time.