The underworld swirled around me just as it had when I was brought back. I had expected to be on my bedroom floor, but something was different; I was on a soft surface, and then there was this annoying buzz or beep—I couldn't tell.
"He is awake! Get Sellene in here." There was yelling, and that damn beep was getting faster, and then there was the full-body tingling; it was as if my entire body circulation had been stopped.
I slowly opened my eyes; it was bright. I had definitely been moved somewhere. Then it all connected: the beeping, the soft bed, and the woman yelling. I was in a hospital.
But what could have happened to put me in a hospital? Wait, no, she wouldn't, would she? She would never sell out her own teammate and biological son.
I heard some frantic movements near me. "Is he ... actually awake?" I heard Selene through some sobs.
"I-- I --- Water," my eyes were open to a squint, and my throat felt scratchy, almost like sand.
Almost immediately, I felt a cold fluid enter my mouth—one of Selene's spirits. "What happened?" It still hurt to speak, despite my throat no longer being dry.
"Don't worry, Leon, just focus on getting better."
If she was worried, then that meant I had something seriously wrong with me.
"Just rest for now, Leon. I will explain it all once we bring you home." She was on the verge of tears.
This would give me time to try to continue my bonding with the spirit, but when I entered my mind space, there was nothing there. Spirits can't just leave, so had it bonded to me?
I opened my eyes again to see where that buzzing sound was coming from, and right above me was a strange floating black pane of glass that was giving off mist, which strangely reminded me of the underworld. Words were etched into the glass.
[Name: Leon Mercer]
[Race: Human]
[Class: None]
[Mission: Kill the traitor]
[Daily Mission: Train, 100 pushups, 100 pullups, 100 situps, 15-mile run]
[Health: 100%]
[Attribute Points: 12]
[Speed: 2 +]
[Strength: 1 +]
[Intelligence: 8 +]
[Will: 5 +]
[Recovery: 2 +]
[Skills: None]
It almost seemed as if I could touch it, but my arms were weak—too weak.
The strange glass followed wherever my head was, so after some time, I managed to get it to where my fingers could interact with it, and it was just as I expected: cold and solid to the touch.
And by the fact no one else mentioned it, I'm guessing they can't see it. Could be wrong.
Then there was the plus sign next to the number; could I increase the values? I slowly clicked the plus next to recovery, and it went up by 1, so I clicked it another 11 times.
And slowly, after each touch, I felt circulation return to my limbs.
I knew my muscles weren't ready yet to move, so I just laid there.
**5 days later**
Each day, the system gave me 1 Attribute point for continuing to survive. After the first day, I invested the new Attribute points into strength, and I could now walk with the assistance of a cane.
"So, Selene, what happened to me?" We were sitting next to the living room fire; she kept it warm in the house since the outside was caked in the powdery white snow that was so common during winter. She was looking down at the table that was between us.
"You entered a coma that lasted 10 years. We believe that whatever spirit you have might have been too powerful for your body at the time." She was fidgeting with her nails. "What else happened?" She looked up to look me in the eyes. "Well, there isn't an easy way to tell you this, but you are married." My arm was shaking. "WHAT?" She looked back at the door. "It had been 7 years; we thought you might have died, and with how you seem to be, you know I thought maybe you just chose another body or something."
"Who did you marry me to?" If it was some snobbish b*tch, I wasn't going to stay in this town. "Her name is Nyrene, and she is... well, you'll meet her soon enough." I stood up with the assistance of my cane. "Where are you going, Leon?"
I walked out the front door. "Anywhere but here." I knew of this waterfall spot; it was underground, and so very few people knew of it.
It took me longer than usual to get down, but that was thanks to this blasted cane, and yet all the effort was worth it. The cave glowed a subtle green and blue; the air felt clean, and everything just felt calm. It reminded me of the volcanoes of Thalmerith; they, while destructive, were beautiful to observe.
"Oh, sorry if I'm intruding," a soft, calm voice said from behind me. "It's fine." I stood up. "I can leave if you want, Sir." I chuckled. "No, it's fine. I just needed a minute to think." I was now facing a woman who couldn't be much older than me.
She was carrying some books and a basket. "I don't like lying, Leon, so I'll just say it: I know it's a lot to take in, but I'm who you're married to." She took a pause, as if waiting for me to interject. "I didn't have a say in it either, but there is nothing we can do about it at this point."
I sat back down. "Come sit." She sat down after unfolding a blanket. "Do you go to the academy yet?" I asked her. She nodded. "Well, no, not yet, but I will be soon." I smiled and nodded. "Good, but what are you going for?" She looked out at the water.
She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, and you recovered that quickly without its help?" I stood again. "I guess we will talk at dinner or something then." I exited the cave.