Chapter 464: Mask
I startled awake, my heart pounding with a profound sense of fear. A suffocating weight pressed down on my chest, forcing my breath into short, shallow gasps. My mind was foggy, and even though I managed to pry my eyes open, the world around me was a blur of unfamiliar colors and shapes. Sweat-soaked sheets clung to my skin, sending small, fiery tingles dancing through my nerves wherever they touched the sunpurge.
Panic seized me, my chest tightening painfully as something brushed against my hand. But then Elinore’s familiar voice cut through the fog, soothing my frayed nerves.
"Shhh, it’s alright. I’m here."
I gripped her hand tightly, my eyes squeezing shut. The only sounds in the room were the agitated swish of my tail against the sheets and the frantic rhythm of my own heartbeat. Gradually, the terror began to recede, my heart rate slowed, and I managed to take an uneasy breath.
"That’s it," Elinore’s voice was a gentle whisper, "Just breathe."
"W-where am I?" I stammered after several more breaths, my voice tight with fear.
Her grip tightened reassuringly, and I flinched slightly as her hand reached my head, gently stroking my hair. "You’re safe, and that’s all that matters."
Safe. I certainly didn’t feel safe, and even as my vision cleared, and I began to make out my surroundings, the irrational fear that had jolted me awake refused to release its grip on my heart. Just where was this place?
The windows were covered with thick gray curtains, allowing only a trickle of light to seep through. The room was plain and unadorned, furnished with a simple wooden dresser, what seemed to be a closet, and a small table with two chairs. A plate sat on the table holding a single slice of bread, a cup beside it. There were a few herbs and other items scattered around them, but nothing I recognized. Had she received a new type of herb from her mentor? Where were the ones I was familiar with?