Ren woke to the soft caress of the morning breeze and the muted hum of birdsong. His body, however, protested as he shifted slightly, a dull ache creeping through his back and neck. His arms hung limp over the swing's edge, and the chain creaked softly as he stirred.
"Ugh... never again sleeping like this," Ren muttered, grimacing as he swung his legs off the seat. His stiff muscles were resisting his every motion.
He rolled his neck cautiously, a sharp pang reminding him of the price for falling asleep in such an awkward position. While pushing himself off the swing, his hand touched the dull stone, thrust inside the edge of the cushion.
A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. Was this not the memory recovery stone I won after doing some mission?
No wonder he suddenly recalled everything. He closed his eyes, the haunting echoes of past pain refusing to fade even now. Kade, Fu Xian... and his own death.