บท 225: Countdown Begins

ELIA

She woke in Reth's arms feeling strong, but strange. The drugs still coursing through her system obviously doing their job, but leaving her feeling slightly separated from reality. And when she realized she was strong enough to get to her feet, to walk around, she stepped outside and it was as if the world… glittered. She closed her eyes and opened them again, but the strange effect was still there—as if everything shone or gleamed. As if light was too bright, but it didn't hurt her eyes and she could see clearly.

Reth stepped up next to her, his face lined with weariness. His skin seemed as if it almost glowed as he looked at her and forced a smile. "I can't believe you're walking around," he murmured. "Are you sure it isn't hurting too much? Sometimes it doesn't hurt when you first begin to move, but you realize soon that there's more pain coming…"