Hellish Training

-Frey Starlight's Pov-

"Ugh… my head."

I woke up to a dull, throbbing pain, as if someone was drilling into my skull with something sharp. Waves of discomfort rippled through my body, each one a lingering echo of the beating I had taken.

I was lying on a simple bed in a small, dimly lit room, my upper body wrapped in bandages. Across from me sat a familiar woman, watching me with quiet intensity.

"Carmen…"

"You're finally awake."

I pushed myself up, peeling the bandages off my head.

"How long was I out?"

"A few hours. It's already night."

"And Frost?"

"I handled it. That was quite the bold statement you made back there. He came at you intending to kill. What the hell were you thinking?"

I forced a wry smile.

"I couldn't help myself. That was the only way I could fight back in that state."

Carmen gave a small nod, acknowledging my reasoning.