The Unbroken, Part 1

Sam felt pain flare-up in his right cheek.

“Yow,” he groaned.

He felt a second serving of pain strike him on his left cheek. This one was harder than the first.

“S-stop that…” Sam’s eyes blinked open just in time to see the ageless centaur’s face looming over him. “Ch-Chiron…?”

Chiron had his hand in the air and was readying for a third slap.

“Whoa-whoa,” Sam raised his arms to defend his face, “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

“Had a nice nap, sleeping beauty?” Chiron teased.

As he sat up, another groan escaped Sam’s lips. “Feels like I got hit by a truck…”

“Hmph,” Chiron whinnied. “My Talos-lite’s got more power than that.”

He helped Sam to his feet as the hero still seemed a little shaky on his legs.

“You’re lucky you heal fast or you’d be out for a week...at least,” Chiron added.

Sam’s brow creased. “How long was I out?”

“Don’t panic, kid… You’ve only been down a few minutes,” Chiron replied in a calming tone. “You up for round two?”