A simple room. The wood on the walls had darkened in places. A soft yellow sunlight from the window in front fell on the table.
A bed lay next to the table, on which Raijin lay unconscious.
Sofiya sat beside the bed, her head resting on the edge of the bed.
The room was completely silent. Only the faint sound of breathing echoed.
A moment later, a groan pierced the silence.
"Uhh… Uhh… Uhh…"
Suddenly, Sofiya's eyes flew open. She looked at Raijin in panic.
Raijin's eyes were tightly shut, like a child's to protect himself from something scary. He was drenched in sweat. His head was thrashing back and forth, as if he were resisting something.
"Sofiya!" she called out in alarm.
"Ishan... Kade!"
Ishan and Kade rushed into the room upon hearing the voice.
Ishan asked, "What happened? Is everything alright?"
At that very moment, Raijin suddenly sat up. He grabbed his head and groaned in pain. He squeezed his head with both hands so hard, as if he wanted to smash it like a watermelon.
All three eyes were fixed on him.
Sofiya was sitting next to him. He couldn't understand anything. She placed a hand on Raijin's waist and said, "Raijin, calm down... what's wrong with you?" The panic in her voice was clear.
Raijin took a shallow breath and spoke with difficulty, "Yes... I'm fine. I just have a little headache."
Then she asked, "Tell me, what are you doing here in my room?"
Sofiya wasn't expecting this question. She fell silent for a moment. The room fell silent again.
Ishan and Kade looked at each other, smiling into their eyes.
Sofiya said in a heavy voice, like a mother scolding her child,
"Are you worried about what I'm doing here? Worry about yourself better. You were unconscious for three whole days. I... I had to come here every day to check on you."
Her voice was filled with irritation and anger.
Raijin lowered his head and said, "I already have a headache... Can't you just be quiet for a while?"
Tip... Tip... Tip...
Raijin turned his head to the left. A few drops of water fell on the bed mattress.
"Is my room leaking? No... This is the second floor. There are still two floors above. It can't be leaking. There's no question of rain either. The sun is shining."
He slowly raised his head.
"This can't be happening... I'm sure it can't be happening."
He raised his head completely. His eyes widened. Confusion was evident on his face.
Tears were flowing from Sofiya's eyes. She had her sleeves rolled up to her wrists, wiping them away.
Ishan and Kade stood silently behind him.
Raijin was at a loss. He said, "Why are you crying? If you felt bad about what I said, please forgive me."
Sofiya wiped her tears and said, "Are you crazy? We should apologize... for putting your life in danger."
"For putting my life in danger? What do you want to say?"
Confusion appeared on Ishan and Kade's faces. They couldn't understand anything. They left the room without saying anything, as if they just wanted to escape from this room as quickly as possible.
A deep silence fell over the room.
Breaking the silence, Sofiya asked,
"Don't you remember?"
"No," Raijin said flatly.
"I don't remember anything."
Sofiya's face again became despondent. She took a deep breath and said,
"Ishan, Kade, and I were fighting a Toto Saurus. We defeated one—that was our mission. But then eight more Toto Saurus appeared. We were surrounded."
She paused. Her voice was filled with despair. Then she continued,
"You were passing by. When you heard us... you jumped into the fray without thinking."
Raijin said softly,
"So... this happened to me?"
"Yes," Sofiya nodded.
"And that's why you're here."
Her voice became heavy.
"I'm sorry. If we had been a little more careful, this wouldn't have happened..."
Raijin nodded slightly.
"It's okay. I should have been a little more careful too."
Sofia looked at him.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart... for saving our lives again."
Wiping her tears, she said, "And you take care of yourself too."
Her voice was now filled with enthusiasm, as if a burden had been lifted.
Raijin looked at her, then lowered his gaze.
In a calm voice, he said, "Thank you... for taking care of me."
Sofiya's face turned slightly red.
The atmosphere in the room had now lightened.
Sofiya said, "You..." She paused.
Her deep green eyes suddenly went quiet, as if they were lifeless.
The atmosphere in the room changed.
The window and door were closed, yet a cool breeze still wafted through the room.
Sofiya said, "I have just sealed your powers. You will gradually regain them... and along with them, some memories."
Her voice was choked, as if someone else was speaking, not her.
The next moment, the room returned to normal.
Raijin was in shock. "What was that...?"
The door slowly opened. Ishan and Kade entered.
Ishan's voice came from behind, "Thank you for saving our lives again. I don't know what I can do for you. Not much, but whenever you need us... just tell me once. No one knows, but I can even give my life for you.
This life is indebted to you. You saved our lives not once, but twice. It might sound a little strange, but I said this from my heart."
Raijin's face broke into a slight smile.
"It's okay. It was my duty."
After saying this, he held his head again.
"Leave me alone for a while. I want to rest."
"Okay," Sofiya said.
"The food is on the table, please eat it."
She started to leave.
Before leaving the door, Kade said, "I went to the guild before coming. The Guild Master said... when you regain consciousness, be sure to meet him."
The three went out.
Raijin lay back down.
His mind was full of questions.
What had just happened...?
Who said my power had been sealed... and some memories too...? What did that mean? My power...?
He hadn't told Sofia this.
He was thinking when suddenly his whole body began to tremble.
An unknown warning arose within him.
"Don't think about it."
He felt as if his mind wanted to think...
but some inner will was forcibly stopping him.
As if if he thought too much, his body would explode from within.
His heartbeat echoed throughout the room.
.
.
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Thank You For Reading This Chaptar.
Author: Mohammed Zaid Saifi