Chapter 174: An untimely awakening

The next morning, Xander woke up with the rising sun. His anxiety had kept him awake for most of the previous night, and he was glad to feel the warm rays of the sun streaming through the window.

Before Leena and the others could get up, Xander was already out of bed. After splashing some water on his face, he headed straight for Tiva's room. He had never left her alone for a whole day, and it drove him mad with worry.

"Tiva, are you awake?" Xander asked in a low whisper as he knocked on her door. "It's me. I'm back from the shrine."

After a few anxious moments of silence, the door squeaked open, and Xander breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Tiva's sleepy face. She was still yawning and could barely keep her eyes open.

"It's too...mhm early," she mumbled, trying to keep her droopy head from slumping.

"Hey, little lady. How have you been?" Xander rushed in and lifted her clean off the floor.