Waking in a Room of Elegance

Kael's eyelids fluttered open, the blinding sunlight pulling him from unconsciousness.

The light was seeping through high quality curtains that framed an arched window.

He winced and turned his head, his body was feeling both weightless and impossibly heavy. His vision gradually cleared, revealing an unfamiliar ceiling.

It was white with patterns of gold on the edges that glinted in the morning light. 

He lay on an enormous bed with silk sheets softer than anything he'd ever felt.

The room around him exuded an elegance he could have never imagine even in his dreams. It was the kind of luxury he had only heard of in stories.

 The walls were made of polished marble, their designs seeming to move as his eyes passed over them. A faint breeze carried the scent of lavender.

Kael pushed himself up slowly, his muscles were aching and several parts of his body was hurting.

Across the room, a tall mirror reflected his image. His face was pale, his eyes baggy from exhaustion, but his wounds had been carefully cleaned and dressed. 

"Is this heaven? Where... am I?" he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. 

Neo's voice answered. "Alive, for one. You're welcome." 

Kael let out a soft chuckle, more from relief than humor. "Thanks for confirming that." 

"The elite guards found you just in time. They brought you here, to the Ravenhold estate. You've been unconscious for 5 days now," Neo added.

"That's to be expected, with the wounds I had and all," Kael said, not too surprised by how long he has been out. "Wait! Ravenhold?" Kael asked, his brow furrowing. 

"It's the noble's residence," Neo explained. "The noble responsible for this town. They are somewhat like the rulers or administrators of this town. You've drawn their attention, for better or worse." 

Kael swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet sinking into the thick carpet below. "I guess I owe him thanks."

"Or her," Neo teased. 

Kael sighed. "You are enjoying yourself, aren't you?" 

"Maybe a little," Neo admitted.

Kael pushed himself to his feet and looked around the room, taking in the luxurious surroundings with growing awe.

The dotted patterns on the marble walls resembled stars scattered across a white sky. With each shift of his gaze, the patterns seemed to shift too, almost as if they themselves were moving.

Kael spent several moments tilting his head from side to side, then up and down, watching the patterns shift in awe, completely unaware of how foolish he must have appeared.

It wasn't until his eyes caught something that he finally stopped, his gaze fixed on the sight before him.

On a nearby table, a tray of food sat untouched. The sight of fresh bread, fruit, and a small pot of tea made his stomach growl loudly. He didn't hesitate to grab a piece of bread, tearing into it hungrily. 

"Slow down," Neo said dryly. "You're not in the wilderness anymore." 

Kael ignored her, the simple act of eating took him after the chaos he'd endured. As he ate, his eyes drifted to the large window. He stepped closer, pushing the curtains aside. 

The view beyond took his breath away. The estate overlooked the town, its bustling streets and colorful rooftops spread out like a painting.

Kael could barely see the forest beyond the town. It seemed to stretched endlessly, the trees swaying gently in the morning breeze. 

His gaze lingered on the horizon, where the distant mountains rose. Trails of smoke from the outskirts where the battle had raged were faint but still visible. 

Kael exhaled softly, his mind racing with questions. 

"Neo," he began, "what happened after I passed out?" 

Neo's voice softened, her usual teasing tone was absent. "The elite guards arrived just in time. They overwhelmed the bandits and the corrupted. Most of the villagers were saved, thanks to you." 

"And the leader?" Kael asked, his jaw tightening. 

"He escaped," Neo admitted. "The damage you dealt to his fragment forced him to retreat, but he's still out there." 

Kael clenched his fists, his anger resurfacing. "I should've finished him." 

"You did more than anyone could've expected," Neo said firmly. "You saved a town, Kael. You can't carry every battle on your shoulders." 

Kael forced himself to nod, but the sense of failure still lingered. He turned from the window, determination hardening in his chest. 

He moved through the room, his steps were slow and unstable, causing him to stumble and almost fall a few times.

As he opened a set of finely double doors, he stepped into a grand hallway lined with paintings and other artwork.

The air was cool and carried the faint scent of flowers. 

Kael wandered around, his mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and questions. He found himself in a massive library, its shelves stretching high toward the ceiling.

He ran his fingers along the spines(sides) of the books, their titles written in elegant font and scripts. 

"This place is incredible," he murmured. 

"Enjoy it while you can," Neo said, her voice wry. "Your journey won't bring you to many places like this." 

Kael allowed himself a faint smile, her dry humor a welcome distraction from the pain in his chest. 

A soft sound broke his focus, footsteps approaching him from behind. He turned to see a tall woman with blue eyes and brown hair enter the library.

Her presence was commanding yet graceful, her yellow gown shimmering faintly in the light. Silver designs adorned her yellow attire, and her long hair was silky and straight. 

"You're awake," she said, her voice smooth and friendly. 

Kael nodded, unsure of what to say. "I am. Thanks to your guards, I assume." 

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Indeed. You were fortunate they arrived when they did. You've caused quite a stir in Raven Town." 

Kael raised an eyebrow. "I have?" 

"Strangers don't often appear to save entire towns," she said, stepping closer. "People are calling you a hero." 

Kael frowned, discomfort flickering across his face. "I'm not a hero. I just did what needed to be done." 

The woman studied him, her gaze piercing. "Humility is admirable, but don't underestimate the impact of your actions. This town owes you its gratitude." 

She extended her hand. "I am Lady Seraphina Von Ravenhold, and I oversee this town. And you are?" 

"Kael," he said, shaking her hand. "Kael Reed." 

"Then rest while you can, Kael," she said, her tone softening. "The doctor said your injuries and fatigue will take about a month to completely heal. It would seem that your fragment had drained a lot of your energy"

As Lady Seraphina departed, Kael returned to the room he had woken up in. He sat by the window, gazing out at the town below. His thoughts turned to his lost sister, Lira, the villagers, and the battles he had fought. 

"Neo," he murmured, "What happens next? I mean... What can I do as herald of the celestials" 

Her voice came gentle. "Doubt is normal. But strength isn't just about power—it's about resolve. And you have that in spades." 

Kael closed his eyes, letting her words settle in. He thought of Lira's smile, of the people he had saved, and of the path that still stretched before him. 

"Then I guess I'll keep going," he said softly. "For them. For Lira."