Moon II

After finally regaining consciousness, Ruvian thought to himself, 'it feels like I'm in one of those moments where I monologue to myself, "where am I?", but that's just way too cliche.'

Keeping quiet for a moment, he tried to clear his mind and take in his surroundings. The air he breathed was not stale, and the bed he lied on was not rock-hard either. Moreover, the temperature he felt was not constantly cold.

The circumstances were unfamiliar to him, and he took a deep breath, trying to take it all in.

Suddenly, Ruvian's heart filled with joy as he heard the sound of birds chirping. It was something that would never happen in the Nethereal. He remained silent for a moment, overwhelmed with gratitude.

The feeling of homesickness that had been gnawing at him slowly began to fade away as he rubbed his chest and clenched his fists.

'I'm ... I'm saved. Someone did take care of me.'

He took another deep breath. Finally enjoying the true fresh air filling his lungs. His closed eyes got cloudy and a little wet, though he still couldn't see any tears.

Soon, he would be able to see the world around him as he intended, thanks to the power of Sensus Vision.

Ruvian tried to concentrate. Focusing his mind to reach his Vis flow in his body.

'Venevisium System, show me your current condition.'

He expected a flat voice would answer his request. But, it was all just silent that replied him.

'What the ... hello?! System?!?!'

No matter how hard he concentrated. It felt like his Venevisium System in his body was gone. Which was to blame for why he couldn't channel the Vis of Sensus.

'What the hell is going on?!'

He rubbed his wrists. Expecting some kind of interruptive shackles that suspend his Vis flow. Alas, he found nothing.

'Could it be ....'

From his experience in the Venevisium field, there's Auram—one amongst the Aspect of Vis just like Sensus—which has the capability to remove any form of said magical energy, like an anti-Vis. One affected by Auram would have their Vis flow suspended, disabling them to reach their system.

He thought that if the interruptive device were not present physically, then the Auram Aspect in it must be written as runes around his wrists. If it was, then there would be no way he could know.

Pacing his breath evenly, Ruvian took control of his anger. The inability to use Vis was just too much for him.

'Uh, dumbass me. Alright, alright. No need to get so worked up. It shouldn't be that bad.'

Calmed at last, Ruvian rubbed his body. He was expecting his leather clothes, but it wasn't there. Instead, his torso wrapped tightly in bandages.

"Umph!" Ruvian tightens his lips. Just a small unintentional squeeze, his left shoulder stinging in painful sensation.

'Oh, right. My biggest wound.'

The bandages that wrapped around his left shoulder were mostly wet. Driven by curiosity and a bit of anxiety, Ruvian carefully touched the wet part and smelled it. Hoping it wasn't blood.

'It's a ... mint?'

But it was too heavy for a mint scent alone and somewhat extraordinary.

'Ugh, Felt like my shoulder was being squashed by rocks. But, it's still much better than the last time I remembered. What kind of person that took me here ....'

Ruvian felt greatly indebted to the person who tended him. Who knows if he was left unconscious he could end up as a wild monster's dinner.

But the cottage was quiet. The chirping bird was accompanied by gentle noise of leaves that danced along the breeze.

He finally decided to get down from bed. Slowly he slid out from it. As his feet reached the wooden floor, Ruvian stood still for a moment.

'Uhh, well ....'

Since he was unable to use Vis which effectively cut his access to Sensus Vision, now he was just an ordinary blind boy. The most vulnerable state ever in his conscious life.

Ruvian gradually moved his feet with arms stretched out forward. He reached to the wooden wall and found the door knob. Then he gently twisted it and pushed it open.

"Hello? Is anyone around?"

He waited for a response, but only his voice filled the room.

Not thinking about going back to bed, Ruvian decided to explore further. Having to wait while seeing just a pitch of blackness would be a boredom he could not bear.

Just taking a few steps from the door, his bruises almost got worse.

'Woah! staircase .... What a peculiar house.'

Slowly he lowered his bare feet and moved in a crawling position. Just like a toddler who is going down stairs.

As he reached the bottom floor, Ruvian stood confidently.

'Fyuh, alright now. Slowly ...'

Ruvian gradually swung his leg to the front until it bumped with something. He tried to figure out that thing by rubbing it.

'Ah, a couch.'

Thinking of having a seat, Ruvian decided to rub its cushion. However, his hands met with something curvy that matched his grip while also soft textured and wrapped in clothing.

'Huh?'

Unsure what it is. He squeezed it to grasp the thing clearly.

'Wait a minu–'

Unanticipatedly, Ruvian's body was tangled by a pair of legs and then he was smacked to the floor. He didn't stand a chance against such reflexes.

"W-WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING??!!"

Ruvian was locked to the ground as the girl who was taking a nap on the couch grabbed his hands firmly while putting her weight on his back.

"Whaa!! J-just h-h-hold on a second! *cough* I-i didn't mean anything rude!"

She held his hands tighter. "That's a lame excuse!" Her voice was in a high tone.

"Urk! It's ... a umm .... I couldn't see. I'm blind," he whined. "Please get off me."

"What? You aren't playing tricks, are you?"

Much to her doubts, her eyes widened seeing blood seeping through the bandages on Ruvian's left shoulder. Feeling guilty despite her rage, she loosened her grip and let him off.

"I'm *cough* not that low."

She stood and helped Ruvian to get on the couch.

"Darn me. I think I've messed up. I'm really sorry. I'll get the pain balm and new bandages. Rest here. I will swiftly be back."

Ruvian just nodded, accepting her apology. His whole body trembling that he couldn't spare the energy to say a word.

'Ugh, so much for avoiding the staircase, but I still got myself smacked right to the floor.'

He then giggled a little, thinking it was quite funny and ironic.

'At least, I'm so happy. It felt like eternity how long was the last time I talked to a person again .... Ugh, I think I will pass out.'

Things got dizzy and nauseous.