Kael pushed himself up from the bed, the luxurious mattress still a bit foreign beneath him.
The dampness of his sweat-soaked clothes was uncomfortable, a tangible link to the bizarre golden void dream.
He took a moment to stretch, his muscles still a little stiff, but surprisingly free of the debilitating pain he'd expected after the beating he had received.
He moved towards the large window, the morning light filtering gently through the gaps in the drapes.
The view outside was nothing short of monumental.
Below, an academy unfolded like a sprawling, meticulously designed city carved from dark, gleaming stone.
Massive, towering spires of black obsidian pierced the sky, their surfaces catching the light like polished glass.
Between these giants, a network of elegant, arched bridges connected various buildings, some adorned with intricate carvings, others sleek and modern.