Darkness. There it was again.
A sensation as cold as ice enveloped my entire body.
No matter how hard I tried, my arms and legs refused to move.
They were locked in place, just like the rest of my body.
And all I could see was…pure black.
A harrowing sensation, more acute than anxiety or grief, took a hold of me.
It was as if my thoughts had become a bundle of sheer negativity - no, they had become 'nothing'. Devoid of any emotion, yet far more vivid than anything I'd ever felt before.
Had I 'died' again?
With intense effort, I eventually managed to slowly open my eyes.
As I did, two diffused figures appeared beside me.
They were talking to each other, but the buzzing in my ears kept me from understanding what they said.
I did not recognize them at first, but once my eyes adjusted to the light, their identities became crystal clear.
"By Shabaan's Grace, you are finally awake."
Kia, who was standing to my right, reacted relieved as she grabbed my hand and gently squeezed it.
I then took a closer look around and noticed that I had woken up in my bedroom.
"You had me worried there for a second."
Standing to my left was Astress, who looked as phlegmatic and unconcerned as ever.
Even after we had spent a large portion of the last month together, I suppose old habits still die hard.
Though, I did sense a teensy bit more of sympathy coming from her, albeit barely noteworthy.
"What happened?"
The two of them looked sorrowful at me, but it was Astress who broke the silence first.
"It was stupid of me to make you go alone. I should have been more careful."
"Reath brought you here after you...passed away. He told us you were led into a fight by a group of thugs, who wanted to steal the weapon you apparently had bought."
Ah, that's right.
I got cornered by a group of thieves who wanted to steal my sword, when Reath arrived and saved me.
If it wasn't for him, I doubt I would still be here.
"Where is he?"
"He left just as quickly as he came. I am not certain where he went, nor where he is staying."
After answering my question, Kia made a sound - as if to remember something - and grabbed something behind her.
"Before I forget, he asked me to hand you this."
To my surprise, Kia gave me the wooden box which carried the Ethereal Sword.
I opened it, just to check, and was relieved to see the sword was still inside and intact.
"But to think you would buy an Ethereal Blade, of all things. It must have cost a fortune, no?"
Astress was staring crossly at me.
"Don't worry. I got it for a discount."
Even though I was trying to lift Astress's spirit, she continued looking mad at me.
"Allow me to compensate you, Astress. It would only be fair, after going through the trouble of training Shako in my stead."
Astress was seemingly flabbergasted hearing Kia's offer.
"P-Please my Lady, with all due respect, you should not worry yourself over my financial situation. This is my responsibility to bear, and mine alone."
"Are you sure?"
Astress nodded resolutely, to which Kia could only accept her decision.
"If that is what you want, then I will leave you to it."
I couldn't help but notice a slight look of sadness in Astress's eyes as Kia said that.
"I'm sorry, Astress."
Astress turned my way, but instead of chewing me out like I thought she would, she responded with the complete opposite.
"Do not apologise to me. Instead, make sure you treat that blade with the utmost care. I would hate for it to break."
I answered that I would do my best.
"Alright then. Astress and I need to leave now, sadly. Shako, please take some rest and may you have a steady recovery."
And with that, Kia and Astress left my bedroom.