Awake

"Argh!" A sharp cough escaped the young man's lips as he bolted upright, his chest heaving, eyes wide with confusion. He blinked rapidly, his gaze locking onto the unfamiliar ceiling above him.

"Huh?" he muttered, squinting as his vision adjusted to the dim light. A few more blinks, and his surroundings slowly came into focus—a sterile room with white walls, faintly glowing runes etched into the corners.

"Where the hell am I?" Ryan's voice broke the silence, his tone heavy with unease. His mind felt sluggish, like it was wading through molasses, struggling to grasp the situation.

'The infirmary,' a soft voice echoed in his mind, clear yet weary.

"Nelia?" he whispered, his voice uncertain as he rubbed his bleary eyes. Her presence was unmistakable, but something about her tone felt... wrong.

'...Yes?' she responded after a brief pause, her voice laced with exhaustion.