Kael did not know how long he had been inside the abyss.
Time there felt strange, stretched and broken. His body was not truly exhausted, but his mind felt heavy. It was not physical fatigue. It was psychological.
When someone focuses on a task for too long, the moment it ends, the weight crashes down all at once.
That was how Kael felt now.
Warm steam rose gently as Lyria wiped his face with a hot, damp towel. The cloth moved slowly across his cheeks and forehead, washing away dried blood and dust. The warmth seeped into his skin, and Kael felt himself relax.
'Getting served like this feels great,' he thought lazily.
'No wonder people scream about not wanting to let go of such luxury.'
Lyria worked in silence. Her face remained calm and professional, but her eyes kept scanning him carefully. She checked his skin, his neck, his shoulders, as if searching for hidden wounds.
Kael noticed her stare and smiled faintly.
