Soft morning light filtered through the reinforced crystalline windows of the private recovery ward on the highest floor of the First Sovereign Hospital.
Nox sat cross-legged atop the firm medical mattress, feeling the phantom feedback from hundreds of severed corporate contracts pulsing through his mana channels.
Every breath pulled cold ambient ether into his core, sending sharp ripples of golden and violet electricity along the pathways of his nervous system.
"You should let me administer the concentrated analgesic serum, Nox," Vasa said softly, hovering a vial of shimmering azure liquid over the silver tray beside his bed.
"Synthetic pain-suppressants dull the nerve endings and slow down the natural tempering of the void conduits," Nox replied, keeping his eyes closed as he circulated his mana.
"Most warriors scream in agony when raw void ether burns through their meridians, yet you sit here as if enjoying a morning meditation," Vasa murmured with a quiet shake of her head.
