The first thing Rin felt was warmth.
Sunlight.
It rested gently against his face, warm enough to make him instinctively turn away from it. A soft breeze passed through his hair, carrying the scent of grass and flowers.
For several seconds, Rin didn't open his eyes.
He was still falling through darkness. Or at least, that was what he remembered.
The voice of Aelion. The voice of the first Kaelith. World screaming.
Kaelith reaching for him. His hand slipping away.
And then—
nothing.
Rin slowly opened his eyes.
Blue sky. Clouds. Sunlight. He blinked several times.
"This isn't the sanctuary…"
He tried to sit up. His body responded immediately. His hands pressed against the grass. His breathing was steady.
His heart was beating quickly, but not from pain.
Rin looked at his hands. Something was wrong.
They weren't his hands. They looked younger.
Smoother. He touched his face. His hair. His clothes. Everything was different.
"What…"
