Sacred Duel [Part 3]

Sounds slowly filtered back into his awareness as Aziz regained consciousness. The world was a muffled blur, like he was underwater. Slowly, his vision began to clear, and a face came into focus above him.

"Master Ghost? Hello? Ghost?" A soft voice called to him, laced with worry.

Hissing another voice called out, "Master?" 

For a brief moment, fragmented images flickered through his mind—a married couple, a smiling child between them.

Then, like mist evaporating in sunlight, the vision slipped away, leaving an empty ache in its place. Something precious had been lost, though he couldn't remember what.

Warm palms cupped either side of his face, grounding him as he finally saw who was speaking.

The bright ocean of Delilah's eyes swam into view, an intense, almost otherworldly shade of blue that reminded him of sunlight piercing through clear water.