As Lucien left the room, Areis remained seated for a moment, a faint smile lingering on his lips in quiet oblivion. The room felt oddly peaceful after everything that had happened. Then, after gathering his resolve, he pushed himself up from the bed.
His body wobbled immediately.
Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed the edge of the bed, his knees bending as they brushed against the mattress. For a second, he thought he might fall, but then he steadied himself, inhaled slowly, and rose again. This time, it was better.
The sensation was foreign to him. After all, he hadn't walked properly for nearly three months. His muscles protested, weak and unfamiliar, but with every small movement, he felt himself improving. He took his first step. Then another. And by the time he reached the mirror across the room, beads of sweat had already formed along his forehead and trickled down his temples.
Standing before the mirror, Areis froze.
