Recovery Party

When Askyros had awoken, he found himself looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Glancing around, he concluded that he was in the field hospital. Wasting no time, Askyros pushed himself to sit up, but all he received was pain.

"Ngh!" [Askyros]

He looked down at himself and noticed that his torso was covered in bandages.

"A-ah, don't get up yet!" [???]

A girl with hair a mixture of gold and silver appeared from the opening of the tent. Assuming she wasn't talking to him, Askyros attempted to stand.

"I said don't get up yet!" [Stern Girl]

She rushed towards Askyros and immediately pushed him back into bed.

"Ugh!" [Askyros]

His pain weakened him, allowing the girl to move him effortlessly.

"Jeez… Those wounds had better not opened." [Stern Girl]

With Askyros frozen in a state of confusion, the girl took the opportunity to inspect his wounds. Looking closely, Askyros couldn't help but be mesmerized by her emerald green eyes glinting in the light.

"Hm… No signs of bleeding…" [Stern Girl]

"Tida! Can I get some help over here?" [Battered Trainee]

Appearing just like the stern girl, a trainee appeared at the opening of the tent. The girl looked over her shoulder at the mention of her name, and called back to them.

"I'll be right there!" [Tida]

She stood up and pointed down at Askyros.

"This time, you better stay in bed." [Tida]

Leaving in a hurry, she attended to the other trainee's wounds.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

An hour later, a familiar face entered the tent.

"Askyros!" [Ryse]

With an expression full of worry, Ryse ran to Askyros' side.

"Hey! No running!" [Posted Soldier]

"S-sorry!" [Ryse]

After apologizing, he found a stool to sit by Askyros.

"...What are you doing here?" [Askyros]

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't visit while you're injured?" [Ryse]

Askyros was stunned. His experience with kindness only came from his family, leaving him dumbfounded when someone else expressed concern for his well being.

"...Friend?" [Askyros]

"Eh?" [Ryse]

Askyros' tone of voice caused Ryse's heart to jump, afraid he was mistaken.

"A-are we not friends? W-was it too soon?" [Ryse]

"...No, you are correct. We are friends." [Askyros]

"O-oh…That's good…" [Ryse]

Placing a hand on his chest, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"So? Why am I still alive?" [Askyros]

"Wh-what do you mean?" [Ryse]

"I never begged for forgiveness." [Askyros]

"Ah… That… They stopped after you passed out." [Ryse]

"..." [Askyros]

"A-anyways! How are you feeling?" [Ryse]

("MY EVERYTHING HURTS!!!") [Adam]

"I'm fine." [Askyros]

"Is… Is that so? Glad to see that you're doing better." [Ryse]

"...How about you?" [Askyros]

"Oh, I'm doing fine as well-" [Ryse]

"Not that. What was that about your last name? Lionheart… was it?" [Askyros]

"Ah…" [Ryse]

The chatty Ryse had suddenly gone silent with a miserable look on his face.

"Thats… Can I pass on it?" [Ryse]

"If you want." [Askyros]

"Actually… Nevermind I'll tell you." [Ryse]

("...Talk about fickle...") [Adam]

"I... actually come from a ducal household." [Ryse]

"So you're a noble?" [Askyros]

Replying in a calm voice surprised Ryse, but he continued.

"Y-yeah… Second from the royal family." [Ryse]

"Royal family… Does that mean you're related to the Sovereign of Faith?" [Askyros]

"Well… Yes, and no. My branch of the family isn't directly related, but we do have a small amount of his blood running through our veins." [Ryse]

A slight twinge of anger welled up from within, but Askyros suppressed it.

"Are you close with him?" [Askyros]

"...No. Even if I had the chance to become closer, I would never befriend someone like him." [Ryse]

He furrowed his brows and clenched his fists in frustration.

("Looks like there's more to his story...") [Adam]

"..." [Askyros]

"Sorry, I was just rambling. I'll come see you again later." [Ryse]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Days later, Askyros was allowed to exit the tent with permission from Tida. The first thing he did was check his personal bed in the barracks, but what he found was not too pleasant.

"..." [Askyros]

("The bed!") [Adam]

Upon his arrival, Askyros had found his bed in tatters. Remnants of straw and linen were left out on the wooden frame, not even his pillow was saved.

"Who…" [Askyros]

In a small fit of rage, he slammed the door shut and went to look for the first person that came to mind.

"...Nikal." [Askyros]