Absurdity

In the darkness of a room, an obscure light caressed her face. Between the breaks of their conversation the sound of machine whirring echoed.

"With that I'll conclude my report." Said Yulia. Her left cheekbone aided with a first aid bandage. Eyes as sharp as ever. Hair cut short, upto her neck, a layer of bandage wrapped around her neck.

"I applaud your success in rescuing the marine vessel, Yulia Orks." The voice coming from the other side of the screen, rebounded. "It is truly a feat first achieved by anyone in 7 months."

"I very much appreciate your praises, sir. But it is all thanks to our brave comrades and the sacrifices made by the beast slayers. If we hadn't killed one beast, maybe the outcome would have been…"

"Stop." He commanded. "Did you just say kill a beast?"

Yulia grinned, her eyes looking up at the floating blue screen. "Yeees. With our united effort, I along with Fein Rasmond succeeded in killing a beast. Though the credit mostly goes to Fein who discovered a way to kill it while being in the battlefield himself."

"How did he discover the way?"

"I don't think I'm sure about that. Perhaps being at the death's door, some kind of miracle was bestowed to him."

"Fein Rasmond, correct?"

It perplexed Yulia. For a person like the chief, taking an interest in someone was plenty rare.

"Yes, sir."

"Bring him to the headquarters. To me."

Still confused, she replied. "Understood, sir. I'll bring Fein Rasmond to the headquarters in the Blessed City."

It was three days after the battle.

The room was filled with the lavender fragrance. The muffled sound of sea waves crashing tingled his brain. The soft sunlight reflecting the ocean water brightened his room, softly brushing his cheeks.

Fein was awoken by the bright angel, who stood by the window, unveiling the curtains.

He steadily lifted his eyelids and glanced at the brightened figure. But the brightness was too much for his eyes. He stretched his right hand covered with light scratches and put it on his eyes. A soft groan was left by him, indicating his uneasiness.

The bright figure quickly turned around, her voice filled with surprise and paranoia, forehead covered with a thick layer of bandage.

"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" She quickly pulled the curtains and trudged closer to his bed.

"How do you feel, Fein?! Should i call the doctor?! Are you awake?"

Kuina leaned closer to his face, her face beaming with both relief and stress.

Fein's deepened voice vibrated in his throat as he replied. "Which vessel is this? ... How long has it been since then? … Did we succeed?"

"Yes!" Exclaimed Kuina with joy. "We were successful! It has been three days since you've entered your comatose state. We were all so worried!" Her words imbedded with quickness and unsteady flow. She was clearly ecstated to see Fein wake up. "Do you know how scared i was! After hearing that Ran died… i was filled with guilt and regret! I was so scared that you might not wake up as well… if you died I'd have never forgiven myself! My entire life would have been spent in condemnation!" She breathed out a huge sigh within the cracks of her voice. "I'm so glad that you're alive!"

Fein glanced at the drops of her tears, sparkled by the sunlight, his arm still on his eyes. He removed his arms and exhaled audibly.

"Stop crying…." His voice hummed. "I'm still alive. So stop crying."

Kuina raised her both arms and started to wipe her tears rashly. "Yes. You're right. You're still alive! It is a time to be happy! It is dumb of me to cry… haha." She stood up. "I'll inform ma'am Orks. She wanted to know if you woke up."

"Yeah."

Kuina gazed at Fein for the last time before exiting his room. A smile bloomed on her face as she left.

Fein touched his face and sensed the patches of bandages on his skin. He extended his both arms up in the air. There were numerous brown marks of scratches left by the beast's claws. It didn't bother him. He tried sitting up but his body was stiffened out of soreness.

His right shoulder and right hip felt like they'd tear apart if moved.

He spoke a small groan of agony.

His feet wobbled even though he was lying on the bed.

It was a collection of physical pain he never felt before. It made him wish that he could throw his body away or exchange it with a new one.

Through heave and ho Fein managed to sit up, his fingers quivering. He brushed off the matter by clicking his tongue and convinced himself that it'll be fine in no minutes.

But if it lasted even for 5 minutes only, to him it felt like an eternity.

I'm still alive. I didn't die there. I managed to live.

He raised his quivering hand and pinched on top of his nose, his brows winced for distress.

Looking downwards on his own chest, he discovered his golden locket still hanging by. The colour seemed to have faded a little.

That's right! My main purpose… it was to find Rene. How could i even forget that?

He gasped making a sleee.. noise.

My head!

He leaned closer to his thighs, clutching his own head which beated like his raging heart. It was an aftereffect left by his continuous foresights. His glaring eyes remain fixated at the floor with blood rushing upto them. He heaved, wishing to calm himself but his body was so sore to keep up with his breathing.

He clutched his own mouth and laid again on the bed. Peacefully and steadily he began to breathe from his nose, gradually regaining his composure.

The following evening, Fein was taken to the marine doctor for a consultation.

"Your vitals have reverted to normal thanks to your comatose state, though your heart seem to show abnormal behaviour at times." Spoke the doctor while Fein looked completely uninterested about it.

"Worry not. Your abnormal heart rate tends to revert to normal. But your brain activity." The doctor glanced at the printed sheet of his brain wave coloured with blue, green, red and yellow shades. "I don't want to say it with certainty.. or rather it might even be mistaken…" the doctor unhinged stuttered. "Your brain activity shows delusional and psychotic behaviour. Do.. Do you need expert help?"

Fein softly sighed as if he had known. "I'm pretty sure I'm alright up in my head. I appreciate your concerns but i do not require expert consultation."

"Alright. However i suggest you do.."

Fein tucked his hands into his pockets. His shoulders slouched, arms attached close to his body to keep himself warm as he walked out of the consultation room.

The doctor reverted back to his desk, hiding another suspicious report underneath his files.