When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was how unfamiliar the ceiling looked.
Smooth white stone stretched above me, lined with faint golden carvings that pulsed softly like flowing mana beneath the walls themselves. Sunlight filtered through tall glass windows nearby, warm enough to paint the entire room in pale amber.
For a few seconds, I just stared blankly.
My body felt… light.
Too light.
Then memory returned all at once.
Kael.
Villion.
Blood.
Leonhart.
My chest tightened violently.
I immediately pushed myself upright.
A hand caught my shoulder before I could move any further.
"Don't."
Zeref's voice came low and steady beside me.
I turned sharply toward him.
He was already there.
Of course he was.
His crimson hair looked slightly messy like he'd barely bothered fixing it for days, and exhaustion lingered beneath his red eyes despite the composed expression he wore the moment he realized I was awake.
