His eyes closed.
His brain grew numb.
He had finally wandered asleep—
"Hey, wake up."
A voice called upon him.
He felt his body being swung around, shaken. His sleep didn't feel steady.
His head was aching. His body was at its limit.
His bones felt like they were made of stone—yet also broken into a thousand different pieces.
He came to the realization… he was being shaken by someone.
He slowly felt someone's arms on his shoulder and waist.
Jumping up—his shoulders widened, his arms raised.
His fists closed and rose to his face, guarding it.
His core was stable and close to the ground.
The stance was nearly perfect.
But there was one problem.
His eyelids felt like old rusty metal trapdoors, force-closing against his will.
It dawned on him—the real fight was staying awake...
I haven't had much rest. I wishI could, but I can't.
I have to fight whatever is in front of me.
Survival isn't optional here. I have to focus. I have to focus. I have to not fucking sleep.
I shouldn't—no, no. I can't let myself be caught off guard.
His legs pushed against the hot sand, and he moved forward.
His gaze cleared up. He was able to focus.
Blood rushed to his head, clearing up the fog in his vision.
He finally saw what shocked him—it was a dark silhouette.
Wait… is that a human?
And he isn't even holding his sword?! What exactly is happening…?
The man said, "Alright, bro. Chill. It's not that deep. What's up with you, dawg?"
Meurum sighed in relief as he fell to the ground. "I'm fine. Just been through a lot lately… I'll rest here for a bit, if that's fine with you."
The man paused for a moment… then replied, "Okay, sure. Whatever floats your boat, bro. And sorry for waking you up—I was on rescue duty, you know? Low-key thought you died… 'cause like, all the others I found weren't as lively as you right now."
Meurum chuckled. "No, no. I'm not dead yet—close, but not dead. I'ma rest for a bit, then come help y'all if that's fine with you…"
The man instinctively responded, "That would be so goated, twin. Also, you're the one Ashley talked about, right? I'm Shawn, by the way."
Meurum's eyes opened suddenly. "Wait, who's Ashley?!"
Shawn laughed. "Man, you really are new, aren't you? Like, the girl you fought protecting her back… scar on her face, blondie, mage. Does that ring a bell, or wait—shit, was it not you, bro?!"
"Ohhh… her?" Meurum muttered, breaking eye contact with Shawn, visibly embarrassed.
"So her name is Ashley then, huh…"
...The silence was loud.
Shawn broke it with, "Okay, sure—just rest here for a little. We'll be waiting for when you come help… Wait, dawg, I don't think you ever told me your name."
"Oh, right. I'm Meurum. Sorry—I'm not used to introducing myself," Meurum responded.
"Nah, homie, you valid. Not gonna lie. Okay, you rest now, bro, and later come help us," Shawn stated.
"Okay. Thanks," Meurum finally said, putting his head on the ground.
His eyes were finally allowed to close.
His muscles were sore—overstretched to the point he was afraid they'd already all torn apart.
He was thinking: I'll just lie here for 15 minutes. Currently, the camp is in panic after the attack. I need to help.
But I'll just rest a little first. It's not a crime to take a rest, right?
I don't owe them anything… do I?
Nah… but I still should help. So I won't let this rest last too long. Just a quick nap.
His mental state was finally at peace.
He finally caught some sleep for a while.
His body was healing…
Until he formed another thought.
Holy shit… did I oversleep?
It feels like it's been so long. But someone would've definitely woken me up… right?!
Fuck—it's night. How did I sleep this long?
I have to get up now. Shawn is probably disappointed.
It's been at least like—8 hours.
Wait… did they not need me?
Or did they… not want me?
Did they let me sleep here on purpose?
Is it already too late…?
Is it because I failed the trials?! But Ashley said they needed me—was that a lie too?
Did I already fail them…?
Or—
"HOLY SHIIIT THIS BITCH ASS IS BOUTA BUST MY FUCKING SPINE OPEN!"
Shawn's scream broke through the dead-silent night.
Wait—was that Shawn?
I have to get up.
If there's a time to get up, it's now. I'll find out whatever's going on myself. I have to do it myself.
Meurum rushed toward the sound.
In a flash, he grabbed his sword, his body moving faster with each breath.
His breathing grew heavy—but that didn't last long. Soon, he saw Shawn's figure.
Shawn was standing next to rubble.
He looked unbothered.
There was no one near him—only a destroyed fortified gray tent and sand.
Meurum looked at him. Out of breath, he still managed to say, "You... screaming… You were screaming… What I'm saying is—are you okay?"