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When I reopened my eyes I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. My mind was still foggy and the light has still yet to fully return to my eyes as I simply laid there and stared at the ceiling, motionless and without anything in my mind. Slowly, I turned my head to my right as my eye was caught by the fluttering curtains hanging on the sides of the opened window. From my angle looking out the window, I could see the blue, noon sky as well as the familiar skyscrapers. A jet flew through the sky outside, leaving behind contrails that mapped the plane's path behind it. Outside, there were also the sounds of birds chirping as Spring finally sprung onto the world.

I stared at the fluttering curtains for a bit longer, keeping my eyes on them as they performed their dance in the gentle breeze that blew in through the window. The breeze not caught by the curtains pushed into the room, caressing my face and moving my hair in a soft, and peaceful manner. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the wind before I turned my head in the other direction. On the bedside table to my left, there was a vase containing some flowers as well as a basket of fruits. By the bed, there was a stand with a bag containing clear fluids with a clear tube leading to my arms, an iv injection of water and nutrients.

Slowly, I tried to sit up. However, when I tried to move my right arm to push myself up, that was when I realized that it was encased in a white cast. When I struggled to get up without using that arm, I felt a sharp and then dull pain in the side of my chest. Because of this, I confirmed that my ribs were probably damaged as well.

Frustrated by the pain, I gave up the effort of forcing myself to sit up and just laid there on the bed and looked out the window. Even though I would like it if I am able to get up, simply laying here isn't that bad either. It's rather peaceful with the way the curtains dance whenever a gentle breeze of wind blew in from the opened window, and the rather quiet sound in this hospital room was extremely tranquilizing. With it all combined, they formed a beautiful lullaby that revived the waning drowsiness, causing my eyelids to become heavier.

I closed my eyes as I no longer have to keep myself awake. No longer do I have to worry about the Warden, no longer do I have to worry about hunger, and no longer do I have to worry about dying when I am asleep. I am back in the safe embrace of civilization, back in the grand capital of Vilheim, the city that is free of any Jorzan occupation and is protected by the once again powerful Vilheim Empire.

With my mind now free from any worries of danger, I began to recollect my thoughts and recall what had occurred when I had passed out. We must have been rescued and got off that secluded mountain, because otherwise why would I be here? Or...is this heaven? Then if so, I am dead. But...there is no such thing as heaven. Deceased souls simply enter the Underworld and wait to be reincarnated. Therefore...I'm not dead. If I'm not dead, then that means everyone else should be fine as well.

With my eyes closed, I used my mind and reached out to the being that is connected with me spiritually.

"Alvelyn," I called her name.

"You're awake," her voice calmly responded back.

"Is that the response you give yourself after waking up with all these injuries?" The corners of my lips turned upwards slightly as I was amused by this peaceful and harmless banter between myself and female me.

"You're not gonna die," she simply answered. "But I am still glad."

Despite her tone, I can tell that what she said was true as I can feel a warm feeling of...happiness in my mind from where I would usually feel what she was feeling.

"How long was I out for?" I asked her.

"A bit over an entire day," Alvelyn responded.

"How's everyone else?" I asked.

"They're all fine except for some dehydration and lack of food. Muria had some bruises, but that is all. Everyone is back to their normal lives now."

"We're still in Spring Break, right?"

"Yeah."

I heard a soft chuckle, both in my mind and in the physical world. I opened my eyes and looked over at the door that slid open. Standing at the doorway was Alvelyn, dressed in her everyday clothing that I had bought when I was her. On her face there was a faint smile that originated from the conversation we had just earlier. She seemed rather unscathed. There were no wounds visible and she seemed to be in a rather pleasant mood.

Standing next to Alvelyn was Loriana, who had a look of pleasant surprise on her face when she saw me with opened eyes. Upon seeing her long, blond hair and those caring golden eyes, I immediately felt a confirming sense of relief. This woman in her mid-twenties and dressed in a white blouse that contained her large breasts and mature, black skirts that fitted to the curvature of her hips is the symbol of serenity for me.

"Alevian, you're awake!" Loriana's rather apathetic and usually emotionless face lit up as she approached the bed that I was laying in. Her tone of voice and facial expression were both still rather conservative, both barely expressing much emotion, but it is this calm and collected part of her that provided the healing and reassuring effect on my soul.

"Yeah," I moved my chin to nod. "Sorry for making you worried."

Sensing my desire to sit up, Loriana walked over to the side of the bed and pressed a button. Then, the top part of the bed starting at my waist began to rise while the bottom part remained static. I leaned back as I felt the mattress folding up, pushing against my back gently and slowly as the angle decreased until I was finally somewhat sitting up while resting my back comfortably against the mattress.

"Don't worry about that," Loriana responded. "I'm just glad that the two of you are safe."

Alvelyn walked over to the wall and brought over two chairs, one for her and the other for Loriana. The two then sat down next to the hospital bed and made themselves comfortable in this hospital visit.

"Would you like an apple?" Loriana asked me.

I nodded my head as I didn't want to talk much. Whenever I speak and take in extra air into my lungs, causing them to expand, the side of my chest would feel pain. I felt the same sharp and then dull pain whenever that would happen. It's not a pain that is to the level that it is unbearable, but it is still rather painful and something that I would rather avoid.

I glanced over to my left and at the two girls sitting by the bed. Loriana was peeling the skin off of the apple that she had grabbed from the basket of fruits using the knife that was sitting on the empty, white plate on the bedside table, and Alvelyn was simply staring at me with her hands resting one on top of the other on her lap with her phone in her right hand.

"The doctor said that you should be able to head home when you wake up," Alvelyn said. "Once he makes his round around the hospital and approves of it after checking on your condition, we can sign the papers and take you home."

I nodded in acknowledgement, informing her that I did, in fact, hear her despite not responding. I paused for a few seconds, staring at the white bed covers that my lower body was underneath.

I stayed in the hospital overnight and had all these treatments done...

I glanced at the cast on my right arm and at the iv chord that provided my body of the necessary hydration and nutrients. I am also certain that something was done to my chest to heal the ribs underneath this hospital gown that I am wearing as I can see the irregular shape around my chest as well as feel the medical equipment being used. If I'm right, it should be a brace to prevent excessive movement, one that is designed to be slim and not interfere with life as much as possible. These treatments must also required X-rays as well.

So, the X-rays, the treatments, the iv injection, the overnight private hospital room...the medical bill would cost a lot in some countries, but lucky for me as a Vilheim citizen, I am covered underneath our universal healthcare. It's really surprising to think that the one country in this world that prides itself in being the most developed does not have an adequate healthcare for its citizens and that their citizens would often have to go in debt to pay medical bills. What a joke.

After ten minutes, the doctor responsible for me knocked on the door and entered for his inspections of patients. After having me strip the top of my hospital gown and checking the condition of my body, he approved my release from the hospital. So after Loriana went to the front desk on this floor of the hospital and signed the papers, she returned to the room. After changing into the clothes that Loriana and Alvelyn had brought for me, it was really time to go. With their help, I was able to leave the bed. With their help, we slowly made our way out of the hospital.

When we did leave, the sun was still in the sky, albeit on its way down. However, there was still plenty of sunlight, unlike the depressing winter. The sounds of birds chirping, the gentle wind, and the chattering of other people in the city once again reminded me of the fact that I am now back in the embrace of Palisia, that Spring had truly begun and replaced that grim and irregular Winter scene I had saw on the mountains.

I waited with Alvelyn by the front entrance of the hospital as Loriana went to retrieve her car from the hospital's parking lot. It was a rather long wait, but I tolerated it as I experienced no discomfort. Instead, I actually enjoyed waiting around in the hospital's courtyard, watching the trees and bushes, admiring the birds, and seeing the nurses push patients on wheelchairs to get some fresh air. It all seemed to calming, so different from what I had experienced before...

Loriana's car was soon in view as it drove to a stop at the front entrance of the hospital. The expensive looking sports car was extremely familiar and comforting to the eyes, and when Loriana brought the front seat down to allow me access to the back seats, I took in the familiar smell of the vehicle. The car has Loriana's scent: the natural pleasant smell of her body that is complimented by the light and yet calming smell of her perfume.

When everyone got on, Loriana started driving. As we finally passed the hospital, the view of the building disappeared as it was replaced by a slight depression in the ground as it sloped down at an uniform angle leading to a river side park with a long trail running down the length of the Helliger River. From here, I could see the familiar skyline of Lumina, and in the distance, I could see the building that my home is in.