Recovery

What are Verdant Gifts anyway? Nemo's thoughts drifted lazily, his curiosity intertwining with vague frustration. It seemed yet another secret he wasn't allowed to uncover, another hidden layer beneath the chaotic surface of his new reality.

With a weary sigh, he sank deeper into the mattress. Despite everything—the vivid chaos of the previous night, the pain, the confusion—he didn't feel drastically different. Perhaps slightly drained, a subtle fatigue settling into his bones, but it was far more manageable than he'd anticipated.

Still, lingering unease gnawed gently at his consciousness. He sought comfort in the absolute silence that enveloped the room. No mechanical whirring, no distant hum of the ocean's waves, not even the familiar gentle sway of the ship beneath him. The absence was profoundly strange yet oddly reassuring, a small, peaceful novelty amid the storm of uncertainty.

Drawing a deep breath, Nemo turned his attention back to the green book on his bedside—"A Guide to Tripping." He flipped idly through pages he had already perused, the familiarity providing minor comfort. Soon, though, his interest shifted to the other volumes stacked neatly nearby.

Yet, before his hand touched another book, words escaped his lips involuntarily, breaking the deep silence of the room.

"What exactly are Verdant Gifts?"

He immediately grimaced at his impulsiveness. Wonderful, now my mind is acting independently. The thought was unsettling rather than humorous, a stark reminder of how little control he had left over his situation.

His stomach growled loudly, deepening his discomfort. When did I last eat aanyway? The hunger felt pressing now, a mild yet insistent ache.

Before he could delve further into this self-interrogation, an unfamiliar voice broke the silence—a higher-pitched, yet clearly adult male voice.

"Verdant Gifts are special rewards granted to Awakened individuals who perform exceptional deeds or defeat powerful adversaries."

Seizing this unexpected conversational lifeline, Nemo asked quickly, "Then what exactly is an Imprint?"

"Imprints are even rarer," the voice responded promptly, enthusiasm evident beneath its measured tone. "They manifest as unique traits or potent abilities that awaken under special circumstances or due to extraordinary experiences. The exact conditions needed to receive an Imprint remain unclear."

Nemo considered this thoughtfully, intrigued by the restrained excitement in the speaker's voice. Another scientist, probably, he mused. Just as curious about all this madness as I am, though it feels like it's just a part of me now.

Shifting his attention once again, Nemo grabbed a book titled "Cultivating Root"s." He settled comfortably, losing himself in its pages, pausing occasionally to voice questions aloud. Often, the answers were simple instructions to read further or frustrating admissions of ignorance, revealing glaring gaps in humanity's knowledge.

Hours slipped by quietly. Eventually, a new voice replaced the first, deeper and more resonant, clearly belonging to an older individual. This speaker offered detailed explanations and patiently clarified concepts, making the reading even more rewarding for Nemo.

At some point during his study, a silent mechanism activated in the room. A table laden with plentiful food rose smoothly from the floor.

Driven by relentless hunger, Nemo ate eagerly while continuing his intermittent questioning. The older voice responded with patient, careful explanations, making the experience both educational and oddly comforting.

Completing "Cultivating Roots," Nemo moved seamlessly onto the next book, "Fauna and Flora in and around Atlantis (excluding Awakened")." He absorbed the information easily, surprised by how effortlessly his mind retained details. It was unlike him, this newfound ease of learning.

Curiosity piqued, he asked aloud, "Do Awakened naturally learn faster than ordinary people?"

"Not inherently," the older voice replied thoughtfully. "Being Awakened doesn't automatically enhance mental or physical capabilities. Historically, especially after the Cataclysm, Awakened were labeled as Tainted, ostracized, and feared. Initially, they're weaker than regular humans. You, in your current state, would likely falter if faced with genuine adversity."

A soft chuckle echoed from the speaker. "If you're curious, you can test that for yourself. It's unconventional, but facing your fears now might help ease your future journey.

True enhancements, both mental and physical, typically manifest after your second or third advancement. However, your potential surpasses any mundane human by far."

The idea of being weaker than normal humans pricked Nemo's pride lightly. Amid this surreal journey, he'd at least expected remarkable strength or unique abilities.

He had braved things he would never expect normal people to survive, and yet apparently he was considered even worse than them.

Frustrated by the thought of his vulnerability and driven by sheer boredom, he resolved to test himself.

He also wanted to show whoever was behind that voice that he was not just someone ordinary and that he would overcome these challenges with ease.

"Fine," Nemo announced resolutely. "Let's test it. I'll lose my sanity trapped here otherwise."

"Excellent!" the older voice replied enthusiastically. For a few moments silence again filled the room. Occasionally Nemo could hear some part of the machinery moving behind the walls, then silence set in.

The older voice returned: "Face whatever emerges from the hole. You're mostly safe—just do your best to eliminate whatever comes up."

Nemo felt adrenaline pulse through him, his heart beating faster with anticipation. The silent chamber resumed its activity beyond the walls and hummed softly, the familiar whirring signaling an imminent arrival.

He steadied himself, taking a defensive posture, eyes fixed on the platform emerging from the floor. Anticipating a fearsome creature, his muscles tensed in readiness.

But as the platform ascended completely, it revealed something entirely unexpected: a simple, ordinary chicken. Momentarily frozen in disbelief, Nemo stared dumbly.

The chicken tilted its head inquisitively, utterly calm and unfazed by the scrutiny.

"A chicken?" Nemo muttered incredulously, shaking his head as the absurdity of the situation overwhelmed him. Of all possible challenges... a chicken? His tension momentarily dissipated, replaced by sheer bewilderment.

Yet as Nemo studied the chicken, amusement gradually yielded to unease.

The bird regarded him with unnerving intelligence, emitting soft clucks. His instincts prickled, caution seeping back into his thoughts.

"Seriously... a chicken?" Nemo repeated, his voice tinged now with genuine uncertainty. "What kind of test is this?"